The Sydney test

[bulldogtragic]

Re: The Sydney test

It will be interesting to see if they go with two spinners in Sydney. It may take the heat off Lee a fraction. I'd prefer to see Hughes (Hayden), Hilfy (Lee) and North/DHuss (Symonds).

But then to stick with through the tour of SA.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: The Sydney test

My Team would be:

M Hussy
S Katich
R Ponting
M Clarke
D Hussey
A Symonds - note only if he can bowl
B Haddin
M Johnson
N Hauritz
P Siddle
Bollinger/Hilfenhaus

If Symonds can't bowl then Cam White should come in. Rogers/Hughes, not convinced at this stage and think that the Hussey/Katich experiement is worth a try though in all honesty I'm not coninved by either.

[GVGjr]

Re: The Sydney test

Personally I wouldn't play Hilfey. His form is nothing like it was two years ago.

Regarding Krejza over Haurit,z unfortunately Krejza tries to by his wickets at a price we cannot afford. 5 plus runs per over isn't really acceptable if you aren't taking a bag of wickets but if the selectors are confident he can counter that then he could play as the 2nd spinner. Two right arm offies wouldn't have been used much by us over the years

[Mantis]

Re: The Sydney test

My Team would be:

M Hussy
S Katich
R Ponting
M Clarke
D Hussey
A Symonds - note only if he can bowl
B Haddin
M Johnson
N Hauritz
P Siddle
Bollinger/Hilfenhaus

If Symonds can't bowl then Cam White should come in. Rogers/Hughes, not convinced at this stage and think that the Hussey/Katich experiement is worth a try though in all honesty I'm not coninved by either.

M.Hussey is completely out of touch. How will a move up the order solve that? Rogers or Hughes need to be rewarded for there ability to consistently make runs at shield level.

Symonds needs firstly to be dropped for his inability to make a run and secondly for his inability to bowl when required.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The Sydney test

Rogers
Katich
Ponting
M. Hussey
Clarke
White
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Bollinger

I went with White and Bollinger because I wanted a leggie.

You could easily go with McDonald and Krejza instead.

[mighty_west]

Re: The Sydney test

I HOPE Haydos does the right thing and comes out and announces his retirement, his time is up.

My team for Sydney :

1. Katich
2. Hughes
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. Clarke
6. North / D Hussey
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Krezja
10. Siddle
11. Hilfenhaus

Katich need to stay as an opening bat, especially using his experience with either Hughes or Rogers [i'd go Hughes], Cam Wight isn't up to Test level, as he showed in India, Symonds was in as a batsman, so bring in a better option, either Hussey or North, Hilf to replace Lee, Clarke & either Hussey can roll their arms over if required.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: The Sydney test

Doug Bollinger and Andrew McDonald included in a 13-man squad for Sydney

THE Australia cricket selectors have called up New South Wales paceman Doug Bollinger and Victoria all-rounder Andrew McDonald.

They have been brought into a squad of 13 for the final match of the three-Test series with South Africa which starts at the SCG on Saturday.

It is believed embattled Australian opener Matthew Hayden has kept his place for the final home Test of the summer.

Bollinger and McDonald have replaced the injured Brett Lee (foot) and all-rounder Shane Watson who was expected to come in for Andrew Symonds until it was revealed he has stress fractures of the back.

There was much speculation that Hayden would be dropped to blood a new opener before the tour of South Africa, but the loss of so much experience through injury may have saved him.

McDonald, who has had a good year for Victoria is a surprise inclusion and an indication the selectors are worried about Symonds.

Symonds has a knee injury and cannot bowl medium pace, but is able to deliver off-spin.

McDonald, 27, has played 42 shield games, has a batting average of 39 and taken 93 wickets at 20.

He has had a good summer for Victoria, scoring four 50s and averaging 46 with the bat. McDonald has taken 15 wickets at 24 with his medium pace bowling.

Bollinger, who opens the bowling for NSW, took six wickets in the last match against South Australia to bowl his side to victory and toured India and the West Indies with the Test team during 2008 - although he did not play a game.

Squad: M Hayden, S Katich, R Ponting (c), M Hussey, M Clarke, A Symonds, B Haddin, D Bollinger, M Johnson, A McDonald, N Hauritz, B Hilfenhaus, P Siddle

[Mantis]

Re: The Sydney test

Hayden is the luckiest man in Australia.

I don't really care about sentiment or how much experience is out of the team you just can't continue to pick players who are not adding value to the team's performance.

Well done to the 'ranga', hopefully he get's a gig.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: The Sydney test

all-rounder Shane Watson who was expected to come in for Andrew Symonds until it was revealed he has stress fractures of the back.

Poor guy just can't take a trick.

[GVGjr]

Re: The Sydney test

Well done to the 'ranga', hopefully he get's a gig.

Is it fair to assume that if Symonds plays McDonald won't?

[Mantis]

Re: The Sydney test

Is it fair to assume that if Symonds plays McDonald won't?

Yep.

There are a number of reasons why Symonds should be dropped:

1. His batting is poo. He has hardly scored a run in all forms of the game & at all levels this season.

2. His off spin darts are poo. They are ok in one dayer's, but they don't look at all dangerous in test matches. If he is to play he must be able to bowl his mediums.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: The Sydney test

Is it fair to assume that if Symonds plays McDonald won't?

Is there any possible way that Symonds could be picked?

At least the message to Krezja is clear - get more control and give away less runs

The opposite message needs to be given to Hauritz. I think he needs to be encouraged to be more attacking, maybe I've got it wrong, its just he looks such a timid character.

[GVGjr]

Re: The Sydney test

Is there any possible way that Symonds could be picked?

At least the message to Krezja is clear - get more control and give away less runs

The opposite message needs to be given to Hauritz. I think he needs to be encouraged to be more attacking, maybe I've got it wrong, its just he looks such a timid character.

I was wondering if the selectors would be silly enough to try and play McDonald as the number 8 in the batting order and 3rd quick much like they did with White in India. He's a 5th bowling option not a 4th bowler.

That being said, Symonds should be dropped and McDonald played.

Back to the drawing board for Krazy so that he learns to restrict players for a few overs here and there.

Hauritz on his home track has to be more of a wicket taking factor. He did what he was asked to do with in this game but he needs to take a couple of more wickets in the next test without leaking runs.

[Mantis]

Re: The Sydney test

The opposite message needs to be given to Hauritz. I think he needs to be encouraged to be more attacking, maybe I've got it wrong, its just he looks such a timid character.

I attended day 3 of this match and here are a couple of observations on Hauritz's bowling.

* His first spell was ordinary, he bowled with no 'loop' and seemed only interested in keeping it tight.

* His second spell was quite good. He was giving the ball flight, especially to Steyn and had him in a fair bit of trouble. He had a missed opportunity with the Hussey schmozzle and then did the unthinkable and dropped a return catch. After these incidents he continued to throw the ball up which resulted in a 6 and a few boundaries and was taken out of the attack shortly after.

I thought Ponting's captaincy of him during the latter part of the spell was really poor, he had a terrible field set for Hauritz. An example of this was the use of a deep square leg to Steyn who didn't play one sweep shot for the entire day. Yet he had no fielder at deep mid on which was clearly his target area.

To me it looked like Hauritz was trying to buy a wicket and it almost worked and at that stage of the game we just needed a break through. He was replaced by Symonds who bowled flat nude off spin and although he was tight ( 0-10 off 8 or thereabouts) he did not look like taking a wicket while Duminy & Steyn did as they pleased from the other end.

I think we need to stick with Hauritz, encourage him to bowl with loop and set fields that are appropriate to each batsman.

[Happy Days]

Re: The Sydney test

Even though two of the guys I picked aren't in the squad, my team would be:

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
M. Hussey
Clarke
Haddin
McDonald
Krejza
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle