5th Test selections

[GVGjr]

Harris is a definite non starter so what other changes do you think the selectors will make and what changes would you make?

[hujsh]

Re: 5th Test selections

Ideally Khawaja, Marsh and one or two of Maddingson/Cosgrove/Furguson/Hussey/Lynn would all be considered to replace Hughes, Ponting, Clarke and Smith.

Hauritz should come straight in for Harris and Hilfenhaus could lose his spot for one of Swan or Cameron.

Obviously this won't happen and after Harris there will be at most one or two other changes but we have two out of form and two unprepared batsmen in the team and it shows and all four of them deserve to lose their spot as does Hilfenhaus.

Six changes in a team of 11 is a tall order though.

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: 5th Test selections

Simple blueprint

A pace bowler who is tall to replace Harris
A spin bowler to replace Hilfenhaus
Khawaja and Katich to replace Smith and Clarke

Watson and Hughes (we might as well stick with him for one more game)
Katich and Ponting (Katich shields Ponting)
Khawaja and Hussey (To many left handers but stuff it)
Haddin
Johnson and Hauritz
Siddle and Copeland (1.95mtrs)

[lemmon]

Re: 5th Test selections

We have left ourselves in a messy situation, Clarke should be dropped but is the only option as future captain, leaving him out would only add more angst among an already overwhelmed group, he has to stay. Ponting deserves a farewell test but has put the selectors between a rock and a hard place, if he is pushed I have no doubt he would retire from all forms, a mistake on the eve of the World Cup, he either uses the World Cup as a farewell and retires with some dignity or is forced into retirement following its conclusion, a sad end. Hughes stays, was hitting them well today (it can be argued he hesitated with the run but Watson is involved with too many runouts to be called blameless) and has youth on his side. Smith isnt mature enough and makes way for Khawja, Hauritz in for Hilf and Copeland in for Harris. Its not as young a team as I would have hoped but with the world cup around the corner, a total rebuild will have to wait.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 5th Test selections

Why is hauritz suddenly the saviour? He was average before and still is.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: 5th Test selections

Why is hauritz suddenly the saviour? He was average before and still is.

True but average is above par when it comes to being an Australian spinner.

[1eyedog]

Re: 5th Test selections

Marsh has to come in for Hughes. I know he is a still a make shift opener of sorts but he's a better bet than Hughes who is horribly out of form. Khawaja to replace Clarke and Stuart Clarke to replace Hilfenhaus and hopefully Bollinger to take Harris' spot, who should never have been in the team.

Shows up our bowling stocks that one does.

[lemmon]

Re: 5th Test selections

Marsh has to come in for Hughes. I know he is a still a make shift opener of sorts but he's a better bet than Hughes who is horribly out of form. Khawaja to replace Clarke and Stuart Clarke to replace Hilfenhaus and hopefully Bollinger to take Harris' spot, who should never have been in the team.

Shows up our bowling stocks that one does.

Clark is really only in the NSW team because he is captain, anyone who has watched him bowl can see that he is past it, was a wonderful bowler in his day but injury has ruined him, can keep it tight but is down to bowling 125 kph cutters, shouldnt be within cohee of the Australian team. I struggle to see how Harris shouldnt have been selected, was our best bowler in Adelaide, took 6 in Perth bowled with genuine pace and swing, has looked our most consistent bowler.

I agree with Rocco about Hauritz, he may not be a worldbeater but he is the best spinner playing in Australia, based both on stats and performance. Are we going to continue to try every park trundler untill we find one who does a marginally better job? Hauritz has a favourable record in comparison with other Australian offies of the past, he should be our number one spinner untill a more talented youngster comes onto the scene.

[Remi Moses]

Re: 5th Test selections

Marsh has to come in for Hughes. I know he is a still a make shift opener of sorts but he's a better bet than Hughes who is horribly out of form. Khawaja to replace Clarke and Stuart Clarke to replace Hilfenhaus and hopefully Bollinger to take Harris' spot, who should never have been in the team.

Shows up our bowling stocks that one does.

Harris should never been in the side?
You have to be kidding me! Stuart Clark is done and dusted

[Remi Moses]

Re: 5th Test selections

Ideally Khawaja, Marsh and one or two of Maddingson/Cosgrove/Furguson/Hussey/Lynn would all be considered to replace Hughes, Ponting, Clarke and Smith.

Hauritz should come straight in for Harris and Hilfenhaus could lose his spot for one of Swan or Cameron.

Obviously this won't happen and after Harris there will be at most one or two other changes but we have two out of form and two unprepared batsmen in the team and it shows and all four of them deserve to lose their spot as does Hilfenhaus.

Six changes in a team of 11 is a tall order though.

Like your thinking but I think these changes will happen after this series.
How would Cosgrove go on those cringey ads.Great talent though

[GVGjr]

Re: 5th Test selections

Clark is really only in the NSW team because he is captain, anyone who has watched him bowl can see that he is past it, was a wonderful bowler in his day but injury has ruined him, can keep it tight but is down to bowling 125 kph cutters, shouldnt be within cohee of the Australian team. I struggle to see how Harris shouldnt have been selected, was our best bowler in Adelaide, took 6 in Perth bowled with genuine pace and swing, has looked our most consistent bowler.

I agree with Rocco about Hauritz, he may not be a worldbeater but he is the best spinner playing in Australia, based both on stats and performance. Are we going to continue to try every park trundler untill we find one who does a marginally better job? Hauritz has a favourable record in comparison with other Australian offies of the past, he should be our number one spinner untill a more talented youngster comes onto the scene.

Totally agree. I also like the idea of selecting a tall paceman and Copeland fits that requirement.

[ledge]

Re: 5th Test selections

Number 6 batsman who can bowl a bit, also captains Australia A, whats wrong with Cameron White??
Is McDonald back from injury yet?
Khwaja should be in along with Ferguson, start playing young ones now!
Does Brad Haddin deserve to be there, a few keepers around that are better with the gloves, younger and can bat.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 5th Test selections

I agree with Rocco about Hauritz, he may not be a worldbeater but he is the best spinner playing in Australia, based both on stats and performance. Are we going to continue to try every park trundler untill we find one who does a marginally better job? Hauritz has a favourable record in comparison with other Australian offies of the past, he should be our number one spinner untill a more talented youngster comes onto the scene.

A record that include a dodgy series or two against Pakistan. If we are going insist on second best, we will never improve. It's time to rebuild.
At the very least Beer deserves a go.

[Mantis]

Re: 5th Test selections

A record that include a dodgy series or two against Pakistan. If we are going insist on second best, we will never improve. It's time to rebuild.
At the very least Beer deserves a go.

Why?

He was picked on the basis that he would offer some home ground knowledge at the WACA and wasn't used, unless he is seen as a long term option I don't see the point and would prefer they went with Hauritz who is in good form and bowled well at the SCG last year.

[Mantis]

Re: 5th Test selections

I would be going in with:

Watson
Hughes
Khawaja
Hussey
Clarke
Ponting (c)
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle
???

No idea on last bowling spot, but definitely not Hilfenhaus.