The Ashes - 3rd Test

[KT31]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Colin Cowdrey was a year older than Warne when he came out of retirement in 74/75 and Bobby Simpson was Warne's age when he came back in 77/78.

Of course both of those sides got absolutely bent over and reamed.

If Warnie was from NSW there may be a chance, but alas he is a Victorian.

[Mantis]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 12-man squad for the third Vodafone Ashes Test match beginning in Perth on Thursday.

The 12-man squad is:

Ricky Ponting (c)
Michael Clarke (vc)
Michael Beer
Brad Haddin
Ryan Harris
Phillip Hughes
Ben Hilfenhaus
Mike Hussey WA
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle
Steven Smith
Shane Watson

In: Beer, Hughes, Hilfenhaus, Smith
Out: Doherty, Katich (inj), Bollinger, North

NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said:

“Phillip Hughes replaces the injured Simon Katich in the squad for the third Test match in Perth. Phil is an exciting young batsman who has already proven his ability to succeed at international level and he deserves (He does?? Just scored 4 & 0 in his latest shield game) this opportunity to return to the Australian side.

“Steve Smith replaces Marcus North in the 12-man squad. This is obviously disappointing for Marcus who has played some outstanding Test innings for Australia but it was felt to be the right time to bring the exciting prospect Steve Smith into the Test team. Steve has already had success at international level and will also add to the bowling depth with his leg spin bowling and dynamic fielding.

“Michael Beer replaces Xavier Doherty in the squad. Michael is a left-arm orthodox spinner who has been very impressive at domestic level this year. He took wickets against England in the tour match earlier this summer and we expect he will bowl very well against the English on his home ground. (It has been his home ground for 5 minutes.)

“Doug Bollinger has been omitted from the squad. Both Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus did not play in Adelaide but will be strongly considered for selection in the Perth Test match where conditions will suit them. Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle were the pick of our quicks at Adelaide Oval and these four make up the pace attack for the Perth Test match.

“The squad is a very exciting one with a blend of talented young players and experienced international cricketers. We are confident it will play an aggressive brand of cricket as we try to change the momentum of the Test series in this critical Vodafone Ashes Perth Test match.”

[chef]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Very happy with Smith replacing North.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Hughes should not be there. Let's pray he makes some runs and proves me wrong - we all know the Aussies need it.

[The Pie Man]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Very happy with Smith replacing North.

So am I, but why play another spinner......and a guy only just on the periphery of the selection radar.....?

We should play 4 quicks, but I imagine Siddle will miss out.

I see Hughes made a duck today. That selection flat out annoys me - he was embarassing in Cardiff against Flintoff....Finn will expose him.

Even on spinning decks (which Perth isn't) ok pace is more likely to take wickets than ordinary spin

[chef]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

So am I, but why play another spinner......and a guy only just on the periphery of the selection radar.....?

We should play 4 quicks, but I imagine Siddle will miss out.

I see Hughes made a duck today. That selection flat out annoys me - he was embarassing in Cardiff against Flintoff....Finn will expose him.

Even on spinning decks (which Perth isn't) ok pace is more likely to take wickets than ordinary spin

Agree, Smith should play as a number 6 batsman and as someone who can bowl some overs, but not as a specialist spinner. We need to play 4 quicks in Perth.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

I don't mind the selection of Smith and Hughes despite neither showing consistent form, providing they are given a fair stint.
Both are potentially 12-13 year players for Australia, and for mine this is the sort of long term decisions we should be making.

Equally I wouldnt've minded Callum Ferguson coming in instead of Smith, given his hundred for SA today.

Michael Beer's selection in the squad puzzles me though, and Hauritz must be wondering what more he can do to reclaim a Test jumper. He recently bowled NSW to victory at Perth and only yesterday scored a maiden first class ton.

I also would've liked Johnson to have played for WA in the next shield game and then make a decision on whether he is ready to return to the test team.

I struggle to see how we are going to take 20 wickets, which is precisely what we have to do at Perth if we are to have any chance to get back on track this series.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Surely Beer is 12th man. If Steven O'Keefe was picked for the 'A' team, then you would hope is we were serious he would come in with Smith. 4 quicks ( 2 hard hitting, one swinging and one left armer - good variety) with Smith, and Clarke if necessary.

Surely this is about picking Beer for some experience around the dressing rooms, not a real selection. If i'm wrong, our selectors should take all responsibility for the series result, not the players chosen.

[LostDoggy]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

I was joking going to put Peter 'Who' Taylor as an in. I wasn't far off with Michael Beer.

[hujsh]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Are they just picking names out of hats to decide on a spinner now?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Surely Beer is 12th man. If Steven O'Keefe was picked for the 'A' team, then you would hope is we were serious he would come in with Smith. 4 quicks ( 2 hard hitting, one swinging and one left armer - good variety) with Smith, and Clarke if necessary.

Surely this is about picking Beer for some experience around the dressing rooms, not a real selection. If i'm wrong, our selectors should take all responsibility for the series result, not the players chosen.

You'd have to think so, but if so why not pick O'Keefe? It's not like they're waiting to see how he goes at Shield level, he's hardly getting a game with NSW at the moment.
Either that or the selectors are taking their selection cues from whatever Warney says. I think it was Warney talking up Michael Beer earlier in the week.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Beer has taken the grand total of 11 wickets at 39 this summer.
Hughes has 201 runs @ 22
Johnson bowls pies and gets dropped so he can recover some form at Shield level and gets a recall before he plays another game.
Smith (who presumably is being brought inas a batsman, is averaging 32.


Any fear we can play someone who can actually bat or bowl? FFS!

[comrade]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Johnson bowls pies and gets dropped so he can recover some form at Shield level and gets a recall before he plays another game.

This is a bewildering selection. He shouldn't play at the highest level until he has proven he can a) hit the right spot on the pitch over and over, and b) start moving it back into the right hander. He hasn't bowled a single competitive delivery since he was dropped due to form.

What the **** are they thinking?

[ledge]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

Was talking to a friend of mine whos son played junior rep cricket against him, smashed him all over the park. Opens the batting occasionally for Footscray Edgewater now and doesnt rate Beer much at all.

[The Pie Man]

Re: The Ashes - 3rd Test

I don't have a VIC bias with D Hussey, as I still see him as from WA, but can someone tell me why he wasn't offered a CA contract this season? He would make the most sense to come in form and class wise, and if he did play from now, he could eke out 20-30 tests (think Boof's test career)

Won't happen I know, acceptance doesn't equal understanding though