5th Test selections

[azabob]

Re: 5th Test selections

Being reported Ponting ruled out of 5th test.

[lemmon]

Re: 5th Test selections

Being reported Ponting ruled out of 5th test.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010-11/content/current/story/494663.html

Its probably the best option available to be honest, get away from the game and reassess before the world cup, for which I still think he is required.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: 5th Test selections

Team announcement was due at noon, but has now been delayed until 5.30pm today.

[Greystache]

Re: 5th Test selections

Being reported Ponting ruled out of 5th test.

Yep, finger is still broken(!) and needs rest.

It's career protection IMO, if he plays and fails, and we lose it's a big chance he'll be sacked as captain and dropped as a batsman. He probably figures he won't be dropped without a fairwell test, which means he'll be on tour to Sri Lanka, and it's unlikely they'll drop him mid-series.

[GVGjr]

Re: 5th Test selections

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashe...ry/494663.html

Its probably the best option available to be honest, get away from the game and reassess before the world cup, for which I still think he is required.

Same here.

[Greystache]

Re: 5th Test selections

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashe...ry/494663.html

Its probably the best option available to be honest, get away from the game and reassess before the world cup, for which I still think he is required.

Could he not do what Glenn McGrath did, announce his retirement from cricket following the World Cup, making Sydney his final test?

[lemmon]

Re: 5th Test selections

Could he not do what Glenn McGrath did, announce his retirement from cricket following the World Cup, making Sydney his final test?

Thats what I had hoped would occur at least then he leaves on his own terms, unless his form turns around he wont be pushed by the selectors till after the world cup, if they tell him now that he is done I have no doubt he would jump from all forms such is the pride of the man. I cant see this ending without a bitter taste left, Punter is too stubborn and has too much pride to realise what is obvious to everyone else and leave on his relative own terms.

[ledge]

Re: 5th Test selections

Hang on Ponting hasnt finshed yet he still has a world cup to lose.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: 5th Test selections

The 12-man squad is: Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Doug Bollinger, Michael Beer, Phillip Hughes, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

[Missing Dog]

Re: 5th Test selections

The 12-man squad is: Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Doug Bollinger, Michael Beer, Phillip Hughes, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

So the only changes are forced changes due to injury.

Thank god the real cricket has started. Go the Vics.

[GVGjr]

Re: 5th Test selections

So the only changes are forced changes due to injury.

It's the approach the selectors have consistently taken and it isn't working for us.
Why not have a look at another quick instead of Hilfenhaus?
Why not have a look at another batsman instead of Smith who's batting hasn't measured up?

[comrade]

Re: 5th Test selections

I'm staggered that Smith is still being considered at 6. The kid just isn't coping.

Clarke as captain means I won't be watching.

[Remi Moses]

Re: 5th Test selections

Hang on Ponting hasnt finshed yet he still has a world cup to lose.

Fair suck of the ol' sauce bottle,he's won two world cups as capt.
Starred in the one in South Africa.
Some people have short memories,although I agree he's not a great capt. but should have the world cup to bow out.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: 5th Test selections

Monumental f*ck up this 5th test selection is. I'll be having a punt that it is over by day 3 if we end up batting first.

Every man and his dog, blind or otherwise can see that what we needed was to strengthen the batting. So including Khewaja (sorry sp) is a positive and should have been enough had Ricky played, but with Ricky out surely you would then have chosen another batsmen. Are the selectors really saying that we have nobody better to bat at number 6 than Smith? If so then we are in desparate trouble.

On the bowling side, bringing Bollinger back is a positive, though who gets left out is the real query. Do we go with Beers....who most non-selectors are suggesting is no better than Doherty? Surely we aren't oing to go with 4 quicks again!

[Mantis]

Re: 5th Test selections

I'm staggered that Smith is still being considered at 6. The kid just isn't coping.

One would hope that Haddin & Smith swap batting positions at the very least.