8 Emerging Players

[GVGjr]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

I do kind of agree(and those four should have chances before him) with this even though I am a Smith fan and think he will have a very good career for Australia in all forms of the game(more as a batsman who can bowl a few overs rather than as an allrounder). The only justification I can find is he is a Clarke style golden boy who the selectors are dying to get into the side.

I get that you are are Smith fan but as SS has mentioned his averages at the moment would indicate his inclusion is more of a punt by the selectors rather than a demonstrated ability to perform. Kudos to the selectors for doing it but ideally he needs to be coming in with a strong batting line-up in front of him and that just isn't the case at the moment.
A while back I mentioned that my preference would be for Smith to really just focus on his shield cricket this summer because I feel what is best for his development is to make as many runs and take as many wickets in a strong shield competition as he can rather than batting for a few overs or having to bowl 2 or 3 shitty overs in T20 cricket.

To me there is some more deserving batsman than Smith at the moment.

[chef]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

I get that you are are Smith fan but as SS has mentioned his averages at the moment would indicate his inclusion is more of a punt by the selectors rather than a demonstrated ability to perform. Kudos to the selectors for doing it but ideally he needs to be coming in with a strong batting line-up in front of him and that just isn't the case at the moment.
A while back I mentioned that my preference would be for Smith to really just focus on his shield cricket this summer because I feel what is best for his development is to make as many runs and take as many wickets in a strong shield competition as he can rather than batting for a few overs or having to bowl 2 or 3 shitty overs in T20 cricket.

To me there is some more deserving batsman than Smith at the moment.

I do agree with this(same with Hughes as well). Smith is only 21 and his time will come, but it's just not yet for Test cricket(the other two versions he definitely should be in the side)

Khawaja and Ferguson should have played in this Test.

[Mantis]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

I do agree with this(same with Hughes as well). Smith is only 21 and his time will come, but it's just not yet for Test cricket(the other two versions he definitely should be in the side)

Khawaja and Ferguson should have played in this Test.

Why the Ferguson love?

His record is bloody terrible.

[chef]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Why the Ferguson love?

His record is bloody terrible.

His form this season has been good and I know they're different games but he's showed he has class at ODI level and deserves a chance.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Why the Ferguson love?

His record is bloody terrible.

You mean other than averaging 64 this year in the Shield with 2 x 100's (3 matches)?

[Mantis]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

You mean other than averaging 64 this year in the Shield with 2 x 100's (3 matches)?

The way people keep putting his name forward it is like he has been making 100 after 100, year after year. His 1st class average before this season was below 40 and although he has had injury problems I would have thought he would need to continue on the current form for some time yet to gain Test selection.

But I guess we currently have a poor batting team which makes his chance for selection greater than years gone past when Hussey, Hodge and others would make 800+ runs a season 5 years straight and wouldn't get a look in.

edit: Ferguson has certainly enhanced his chances with a big fat blob today courtesy of Ronald McDonald who has 3/1 off 3.3, but has just gone off injured.

[GVGjr]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Young Faulkner put in another encouraging display with the ball snaring 3 wickets as Tassie ran through WA. If he can improve his control a bit I think Faulkner can become a very good cricketer.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Young Faulkner put in another encouraging display with the ball snaring 3 wickets as Tassie ran through WA. If he can improve his control a bit I think Faulkner can become a very good cricketer.

I haven't seen him in action. Cricinfo lists him as a medium bowler. Would he be suited more to the limited overs form of the game (like his old man) or is he pacey enough to be a future test player?

[LostDoggy]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Totally disagree about your assessment of Hughes and Smith. I think they both have enormous potential and both have far more imposing first class records than Steve Waugh did when he was first given a run at Test Level.
Smith's bowling is still developing, but I think he has alot to offer as a number 6 batsman in the near future, and perhaps will develop his bowling in time.
Hughes has an imposing first class record, albeit his form this season has been less than what you would want for a guy coming into the Test Team.
I hope though, that the selectors are going to give both an extended run and give them a decent chance like we did with youngsters in the mid 80's, when guys like McDermott, Waugh, Boon etc.

I don't disagree with your overall lack of faith in the selectors though, they have made some howlers in the past 3 years.

Hi YHF! You are of course entitled to your opinion, especially when it's as well explained as that, but Smith is neither a Test level batsman nor a bowler at this stage -- you can't add the two together and magically come up with a complete Test player.

And Hughes's failure in the same old, same old way says all it needs to about his so-called 'technique'. His 'form' issues may actually not be form related at all -- once first-class bowlers work you out, you're gone unless you have some solid technique to fall back on. He doesn't, and will struggle to make runs at Shield level for the next few years, much less at Test level. If he gets dropped by the selectors (and he will), he may well be one that struggles to make the Shield team by as early as next season.

[GVGjr]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

I haven't seen him in action. Cricinfo lists him as a medium bowler. Would he be suited more to the limited overs form of the game (like his old man) or is he pacey enough to be a future test player?

To me someone like Dan Christian is a real Shield medium pacer but Faulkner is a lot sharper than he is and probably a bit quicker than McDonald. In another 12 or 18 months he should be quick enough.

You might be right with the better suited to limited over cricket observation at the moment.

[Bornadog]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Hi YHF! You are of course entitled to your opinion, especially when it's as well explained as that, but Smith is neither a Test level batsman nor a bowler at this stage -- you can't add the two together and magically come up with a complete Test player.

And Hughes's failure in the same old, same old way says all it needs to about his so-called 'technique'. His 'form' issues may actually not be form related at all -- once first-class bowlers work you out, you're gone unless you have some solid technique to fall back on. He doesn't, and will struggle to make runs at Shield level for the next few years, much less at Test level. If he gets dropped by the selectors (and he will), he may well be one that struggles to make the Shield team by as early as next season.

Good article on Hughes in the Age today about his technique. (sorry can't find the link)

[Greystache]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Good article on Hughes in the Age today about his technique. (sorry can't find the link)

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/hughes-must-get-technique-right-and-soon-20101217-190tx.html

It's written by Dean Jones, so I haven't (and won't) read it.

[azabob]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/crick...217-190tx.html

It's written by Dean Jones, so I haven't (and won't) read it.

Normally I wouldn't read him either, but his article this week was quite good. His article last week was a great insight into the mid 80's.

Very open, forthright and honest.

[Greystache]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Normally I wouldn't read him either, but his article this week was quite good. His article last week was a great insight into the mid 80's.

Very open, forthright and honest.

It probably was good, but for me he's crickets version of Jason Akermanis, so I won't listen or read anything he has to say. Gun player in his day, career cut short by his inability to get along with anyone, now spends his entire media career trying to justify why everything he's done in his life was right.

When I was playing at Essendon I came to realise what the bloke is truly like, absolute flog!

[GVGjr]

Re: 8 Emerging Players

Nic Maddinson opened the batting today against Queensland and has so far got an unbeaten century. Going to be a very good player.