Have I missed something???

[Ozza]

Re: Have I missed something???

I'm a huge McDonald fan-he's one of those cricketers who make things happen.

I'm on the same page twodogs. Plus you can't underestimate his economical spells into the breeze. Not only does it allow the strike bowlers to stay fresh and bowl short spells - but it also keeps the pressure on the batsman to have to score against those strike bowlers rather than being bogged down.

If he can make 30 odd with the bat most times - he will be very valuable.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Have I missed something???

Mc Donald was more than useful against SA both here and over there and has performed well at Shield level for sometime. He certainly deserves to be up there in the selectors minds.

But, I have some concerns against England under their conditions. His type are a dime a dozen over there - medium-pace wobblers bowling stump to stump.

Aussie batsmen have sat on these blokes for generations and murdered the loose one. You need more tricks in the bag to be successful at Test level unless you're "one of a type" like an Underwood.

I would prefer to go with North because of his superior batting skills. After the three quicks we have North, Clarke and Katich to hold down one end.

[Bornadog]

Re: Have I missed something???

Yep. The Australian test team has gone from a meritocracy, where you earn your spot, to a boy's club that only mate's of Ricky Ponting get selected for regardless of form.

Its always been a boys club, ask people like Dean Jones, or players in the era of the Chappells.

[ledge]

Re: Have I missed something???

Yes if your last name was Chappell you could make as many ducks in a row as you wanted, you werent batting bad, you were just getting out.
Is Symonds related to the Chappells in any way?
Now its Brett Lee.

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: Have I missed something???

Mc Donald was more than useful against SA both here and over there and has performed well at Shield level for sometime. He certainly deserves to be up there in the selectors minds.

But, I have some concerns against England under their conditions. His type are a dime a dozen over there - medium-pace wobblers bowling stump to stump.

Aussie batsmen have sat on these blokes for generations and murdered the loose one. You need more tricks in the bag to be successful at Test level unless you're "one of a type" like an Underwood.

I would prefer to go with North because of his superior batting skills. After the three quicks we have North, Clarke and Katich to hold down one end.

Are you saying bat North at eight followed by the three fast bowlers? That doesn't look right.

I think the selectors will either go for
Three quick bowlers, McDonald and North
or
Three quick bowlers, NHaurtiz and North
or
Four quick bowlers and North

of course if Watson commands the number six batting spot then there would be no need for McDonald to be played.

[lemmon]

Re: Have I missed something???

Im fairly sure it is the selectors that pick the team, not the media. I can fully understand why they played Lee in the 20/20 stuff. We had to see him at international level after his injury. I am absolutely certain that Hilfenhaus, Johnson and Siddle will all be playing in the first test match in England.

[Mantis]

Re: Have I missed something???

They have got to be kidding....

Siddle side-swipe

BRETT Lee's prospects of a career revival have received a boost, with Australian captain Ricky Ponting refusing to guarantee Peter Siddle's spot for the Ashes.

Ponting handed out high praise to Lee, claiming he had never trained harder, but threw the cat among the pigeons by declaring Siddle was not a walk-up start.

It had been assumed that Siddle and Mitchell Johnson were pencilled in for the Ashes, leaving Lee, Stuart Clark and Ben Hilfenhaus to battle it out for one or possibly two pace spots.

But Ponting's refusal to rubber-stamp Siddle's place means Lee's hopes have risen, and a "bowl-off" between the quicks during two warm-up matches will be even more important.

Asked if Siddle, who averages 27.65 runs a wicket after seven Tests, was assured of an Ashes berth, Ponting said: "There is no absolute certainties right at the moment.

"I don't think we can lock anyone in as yet. You never know what could happen.

"We have got a couple of weeks to go before the Ashes. Most of those quicks will be getting some exposure in the next two weeks, so anything could happen."

Lee has only recently returned from major ankle surgery and has not played a Test since December, but said last night he was rejuvenated.

"I am 32 years of age, but I have missed a fair bit of cricket through being 12th man and a couple of surgeries on my ankle. Maybe I'm a cricketing 27," Lee said.

"I am in the squad to be a bowler who can bowl up around 150km/h and that is what I am going to do. I'm in a great frame of mind."

With Australia receiving permission to use 12 men in a four-day tour match against Sussex starting today, both Lee and fellow comeback quick Stuart Clark (elbow surgery) are likely to play.

It is a game that could go a long way towards solving Australia's fast-bowling jigsaw.

Ponting gave a strong indication he was keen for Lee to play a major Ashes role when he claimed he had never seen him train harder or look fitter.

"He has trained harder than I have ever seen him train before in the last couple of weeks, whether it is with his bowling or in the gym," Ponting said.

"Anyone who lays eyes on him can see how good a physical shape he is in, which is a real positive for us.

"He is jumping out of his skin. It's important for him and all our bowlers to take whatever opportunities come their way in the next couple of weeks.

"We have got some big selections to be made for the first Test."

Lee has never produced his best in England (averaging 45), but insists he has learned from reverse-swing lessons with Australian bowling coach Troy Cooley, who was England's reverse-swing guru in 2005.

In the past few weeks Lee has been able to produce reverse swing in the nets as Australia's quicks have practised with new and old balls.

Lee said they were working on different techniques.

[Happy Days]

Re: Have I missed something???

Hopefully it is down to a bowl-off (not that it should be), because Siddle would smash Lee at that. At the moment, Siddle is more potent, both as a shock weapon and in long spells. Lee's length in the T20's was just awful, and thats all we have to go off seeing as he hasn't played a real match in forever. Not to mention his buggered foot.

Even on CA's past performance logic, Lee STILL shouldn't be picked. The Englishmen slapped him around last time we were over there.

Just once, would CA show some common sense with their selections.

[comrade]

Re: Have I missed something???

Boy’s Club, pure and simple.

Lee says he’s like a 27 year old in cricketing years. Sorry to say Brett, but a 27 year old pie chucker is still a pie chucker.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Have I missed something???

A bigger cricketing tragic than me you would never see. Now i couldn't give a stuff about the natonal team. A little dickhead picking his mates who shouldn't be there. I hope the poms smash Lee and us and someone at Cricket Australia has the balls to do something about this joke.

[hujsh]

Re: Have I missed something???

He said there were no certainties. That means even Mitchel Johnson isn't a certainty. That's how you tell it's (hopefully) a beatup

[Remi Moses]

Re: Have I missed something???

What the bloody hell is happening here? Lee is cannon fodder ,been a good bowler not great. The key word BEEN.Ponting and his favourites could cost the Aussies the Ashes.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Have I missed something???

Hopefully it is down to a bowl-off (not that it should be), because Siddle would smash Lee at that. At the moment, Siddle is more potent, both as a shock weapon and in long spells. Lee's length in the T20's was just awful, and thats all we have to go off seeing as he hasn't played a real match in forever. Not to mention his buggered foot.

Even on CA's past performance logic, Lee STILL shouldn't be picked. The Englishmen slapped him around last time we were over there.

Just once, would CA show some common sense with their selections.

His bowled poorly the last couple of series over there.I'm not one of those state patriot types but siddle is a better bet than Lee!

[dog town]

Re: Have I missed something???

Has anyone bowler ever talked themselves up as much or as often as Brett Lee? Before every series he comes out and says he is as fit and bowling as well as he ever has. I think they have taken a bit of creative license with what Ponting has said but the fact that it is even being mentioned gets to me. Siddle has an amazing record in his last 5 tests. We should be planning our future attack around this guy not talking about dropping him.

[ledge]

Re: Have I missed something???

What the bloody hell is happening here? Lee is cannon fodder ,been a good bowler not great. The key word BEEN.Ponting and his favourites could cost the Aussies the Ashes.

Well Pontings captaincy lost the ashes last time he needs a scape goat just in case.