1st test selections

[GVGjr]

With all the injuries hitting the Australian team it will be a real battle to predict the first test line-up.

Any chance that Jason Krejza can replace Nathan Hauritz as the number 1 spinner?
Can Watson hold his spot at the top of the order or will he make way for Hughes and end up pushing Marcus North out of the line-up by batting at 6?
Despite his impressive one day form can Mike Hussey survive a slow start?

I think there will be more battles within the team than against the opposition this summer.

[Bornadog]

Re: 1st test selections

We need to seriously consider who the openers are going to be. I can't see Watson opening for the longer term. I thought he was meant to be an all rounder, yet in the ashes , did he even bowl a ball? I would look at Chris Rogers, but is he out of favour?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: 1st test selections

We need to seriously consider who the openers are going to be. I can't see Watson opening for the longer term. I thought he was meant to be an all rounder, yet in the ashes , did he even bowl a ball? I would look at Chris Rogers, but is he out of favour?

Wrong shade of blue sitting on his head.

Miles better player than Jacques (and has made runs this century as well, rather than just in the distant past) and while Hughes is young, Rogers is a better player at this stage.

[GVGjr]

Re: 1st test selections

We need to seriously consider who the openers are going to be. I can't see Watson opening for the longer term. I thought he was meant to be an all rounder, yet in the ashes , did he even bowl a ball? I would look at Chris Rogers, but is he out of favour?

Watson did bowl a little but can now handle a few more overs and he's bowling a bit better than he was previously. Like you I'm not sure if he can handle the openers spot for the longer term but a the moment he's going along OK.

Rogers to me is a bloke that would struggle against the better bowling sides but there is no doubt he has the form and runs to at least be considered.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 1st test selections

Watson did bowl a little but can now handle a few more overs and he's bowling a bit better than he was previously. Like you I'm not sure if he can handle the openers spot for the longer term but a the moment he's going along OK.

I think we really need to factor in how we can maximise/look after Watson best. I think he will become an elite test all-rounder if he can stay fit. If we expect him to bowl a decent amount of overs we probably should be batting him around 6 or 7. Very harsh on North who I think handles the lift in pressure in international cricket well but I think he is the one who has to go with Hughes coming in. Hussey will need to perform in the first couple of tests.

The lack of a spinner really takes away from the advantage a fourth seam option Watson provides us with. Mitch Johnson provides us with a quality number 8, so bringing in an spin bowling all-rounder or keeping North won't give us much added value. As much criticism as I have given Hauritz, I think he is at least a decent enough option in the two shorter versions of the game, however he just isn't dangerous enough at the longer version of the game and really doesn't add much more value than having Clarke, Katich and/or North bowling. Krejza is the other extreme but I don't think he is dangerous enough to make up for his poor spells. I would give the spot to Hauritz by default.

Subject to fitness, my first test side would be:
Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
M.Hussey
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Clark

[hujsh]

Re: 1st test selections

Clark vs Hilfenhaus will be interesting. Rocco went for Clark who has proven himself in Australia but Hilfenhaus was our best bowler throughout the Ashes and has age as an attraction. I can't see any of Hilfy Johnson or Siddle losing a spot so IMO it'll depend on whether the selectors want a spinner or Clark.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 1st test selections

Clark vs Hilfenhaus will be interesting. Rocco went for Clark who has proven himself in Australia but Hilfenhaus was our best bowler throughout the Ashes and has age as an attraction. I can't see any of Hilfy Johnson or Siddle losing a spot so IMO it'll depend on whether the selectors want a spinner or Clark.

I was a bit rushed in my selection of Clark, I actually agree with you about Hilf and Clark. Watson minimises the need for Clark.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 1st test selections

With all the injuries hitting the Australian team it will be a real battle to predict the first test line-up.

Any chance that Jason Krejza can replace Nathan Hauritz as the number 1 spinner?
Can Watson hold his spot at the top of the order or will he make way for Hughes and end up pushing Marcus North out of the line-up by batting at 6?
Despite his impressive one day form can Mike Hussey survive a slow start?

I think there will be more battles within the team than against the opposition this summer.

Hauritz hasn't put a foot wrong since and including the Ashes Series.

It's time he was given more respect.

[chef]

Re: 1st test selections

With all the injuries hitting the Australian team it will be a real battle to predict the first test line-up.

Any chance that Jason Krejza can replace Nathan Hauritz as the number 1 spinner?
Can Watson hold his spot at the top of the order or will he make way for Hughes and end up pushing Marcus North out of the line-up by batting at 6?
Despite his impressive one day form can Mike Hussey survive a slow start?

I think there will be more battles within the team than against the opposition this summer.

My team would be
Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
White
Watson
Paine
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilenhaus
McKay(12th)

What the team will be
Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Clark
Hilfenhaus(12th)

I can's see Krajza getting back into the side unless he gets a mountain of wickets, North and Hussey shouldn't struggle to get runs against a weak Windies side and Ponting likes the flexibility Waston adds as an opening bat and second change quick.

Big season(hopefully) coming up for Holland, Doherty, Cullen and any other young spinners out there.

[mighty_west]

Re: 1st test selections

Hauritz hasn't put a foot wrong since and including the Ashes Series.

It's time he was given more respect.

Agree 100%.

Like alot of people, i just didn't think he had what it takes to go that next level however, he has taken his game to a new level, even this latest one day series against the Indians, and they love spin bowlers like anyone, Hauritz bowled very well, he definatly deserves to keep his spot in the side.

Besides, who else is knocking the door down to take his position? Has Krajza really done enough?

Watson has also definatly held his position, although i also like him down the order in the long form, i'd like to see Hughes given more opportunities opening up with Katich, Shane has also taken his game to a new level, and to date, his body has been as healthy as it has been [tough wood].

[hujsh]

Re: 1st test selections

My team would be
Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
White
Watson
Paine
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilenhaus
McKay(12th)

Seems there's a bit if Vic bias there.

[chef]

Re: 1st test selections

Seems there's a bit if Vic bias there.

They're not a bad team

Siddle deserves his spot, White IMO is an awesome talent as well as being a natural born leader(should have been the T20 captain) and McKay has impressed me lately. I just think this series is a good chance to blood a few players for the future. But i expect Hussey, Clark and North to hold their spots

[GVGjr]

Re: 1st test selections

Hauritz hasn't put a foot wrong since and including the Ashes Series.

It's time he was given more respect.

I'm not disrespecting him but I do think this summer would be a great chance to have a show down between Krejza and Hauritz. My only knock on Hauritz is that he is unlikely to be a big test wicket taker. Krejza on the other hand might be especially if he stops leaking boundries as he has done in the past and improving his economy rate.

Hauritz has done a mighty job at keeping things tight but I wonder if thats enough.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: 1st test selections

Does anyone think there is any chance that Paine will take the keeper spot from Haddin.

Paine is clearly a better keeper and his batting is sound.

[mighty_west]

Re: 1st test selections

Does anyone think there is any chance that Paine will take the keeper spot from Haddin.

Paine is clearly a better keeper and his batting is sound.

I can see Haddin continuing on in the test side, but Paine getting the 20/Twenty & maybe 50 over gigs for now, the amounts of cricket played these days, they simply cannot play the same players all year round compared to the past.

But Paine does look the goods for the future, in fact we have alot of good young cricketers coming through.