Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

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Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

The question I was asking wasn't about whether they would drop them, because really I think the team is pretty much set with a couple of almost rotational players. I'm just speculating if that really is the team that is the best.

I like the way, eddie, that you would put Hodge in for Hussey. Part of the reason that I don't want Hussey to go is that if he does, then everyone would be up in arms saying that a young player should be brought through for the goodness of the team. Which is nonsense, because there are too many young players already in there. If you want to replace him, better replace him with someone older and has played Tests before. Therefore Hodge. Don't care about his age, care about his form and ability. But Hussey is uber batsman that my man love cannot let go of :p

I would play McDonald at the Gabba. It should be his sort of pitch. Even better would be Clark.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Well they went for the 2 all rounders last year so Macca should be a chance

With Michael Clarke in doubt then that could save Hussey, White probably the logical choice there to replace him, maybe even Hodgey as he has a contract and supposed to be the injury replacement for 3-5 in the order, though if Clarke does miss then it gives a player a chance to put alot of pressure on Hussey if they can out bat him

Other option is 5 bowlers with McDonald at 7 but I think thats a big risk at the GABBA
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

I think the more important point at the minute is the injury situation, that appears like its going to have a impact on selection one way or the other.

Eddie can plump for any vic he wants, but the reality is that unless injury strikes, Hussey and Watson will be lining up at the Gabba.

Hussey has shown enough on this tour that he deserves one more chance, the only option I can see is Watson replacing Hussey and one of Jacques/Rogers/Hughes replacing Watson at the top of the order.

Brad Hodge is also probably still floating around.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Hussey has been making runs at ODI level over the entire course of his test failures, no reason it should save him now, but Clarkes injury will save him

Shane Watson secured his test place when he moved states earlier this year ;)
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

On runs alone he would be opening, but we all know talent means nothing in Australian selection, its all about being Rickys best mate

Hell neither of Australias test openers open for their states yet they had to squeeze Rickys mate into the side somehow
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

eddiesmith;374020 said:
Hussey has been making runs at ODI level over the entire course of his test failures, no reason it should save him now, but Clarkes injury will save him

Shane Watson secured his test place when he moved states earlier this year ;)
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I know that Hussey has been performing consistently in ODI the whole time, in fact I preached that to stop people turning on him for no reason in that form, but I believe just watching him he was still run hungry, his technique looked scratchy and he was getting out in ways similar to his Test cricket, top of off stump, caught behind, caught in front. The whole time though, because of the nature of ODI cricket scoring scores such as 15 or 20 can be vital, so he didn't need to score big at no.6, just go out and swing, so runs were mostly inevitable.

Now he has moved up the order, which some say, including me, shouldn't happen, but then again it works, and he is compiling run a ball big scores and the only way he has been getting out is by getting himself out and not hitting it far enough over the boundary, after hitting fours or sixes that over. I see a change in posture and he looks comfortable wielding that blade of his.

Mostly my opinion there, but I think this time his ODIs will spill over into Tests, especially after a century in his last. In his mind he will be thinking he is back in form.

I really don't see how Watson made it to opening, but I guess it can work. Maybe it is a bit of that NSW charm of his now.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Selectors may eventually be exposed for not choosing specialist openers, but they will get away with it this summer because of the smorgasboard that will be on offer for all our bats. The Windies will be as ordinary as they have been the past 15 years, and some Aus players will likely get an inflated idea of their own belonging in Test cricket.

That includes M.Hussey. As good as he has been, and as well as he still can play in ODI's, his England efforts were enough to convince anyone there is little value in keeping him in the Test side.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Also remember the Pakistanis are coming up after them. They have to get it right against the Windies, no mucking around and chosing false sides. Get them in and settled for the battle they are likely to have against Pakistan.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Boris;374096 said:
no mucking around and chosing false sides.
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Damn right so here are my apologies in advance:
Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark... that is all!:D
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Thumbs up;374133 said:
Damn right so here are my apologies in advance:
Michael Hussey, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark... that is all!:D
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I have very strong arguments that could go on for days, but I think I am learning not to bite when people are fishing for my retorts :p
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Boris;374096 said:
Also remember the Pakistanis are coming up after them. They have to get it right against the Windies, no mucking around and chosing false sides. Get them in and settled for the battle they are likely to have against Pakistan.
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Oooh, that should slap our team out of their complacency! ;) I'm sure Salman Butt, Kamral Akmal Naveed El-Hasan will serve it up to the Aussies just like Imran, Miandad and Akram of old. Let's face it, Afridi has just chucked in not-so-baggy green, no-one wants to captain them, and internal turmoil renders them unable to get along together for 3 days straight, let alone 5.

Seriously Boris, there are some summers where reputations are forged and spots are secured in entirely uncompetitive circumstances.

Did you rejoice in Matty Hayden's then-world record innings back those hard times? Did Dizzy Gillespie's double-ton bring you to your feet? Some of us cringed.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Sober Symonds;374177 said:
Oooh, that should slap our team out of their complacency! ;) I'm sure Salman Butt, Kamral Akmal Naveed El-Hasan will serve it up to the Aussies just like Imran, Miandad and Akram of old. Let's face it, Afridi has just chucked in not-so-baggy green, no-one wants to captain them, and internal turmoil renders them unable to get along together for 3 days straight, let alone 5.

Seriously Boris, there are some summers where reputations are forged and spots are secured in entirely uncompetitive circumstances.

Did you rejoice in Matty Hayden's then-world record innings back those hard times? Did Dizzy Gillespie's double-ton bring you to your feet? Some of us cringed.
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England just beat them. How do you think they will go against a team that actually cares about their cricket? :p
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

In Australia, the Pakistani's will not measure up. We might spot some encouraging performances here & there, and perhaps a star or two of the future, but it will be another of those forgettable series, I fear. They've had a bit of a layoff, and some significant retirements. Still finding their way and as ever, down on stability and leadership. No state to be in on the world's toughest tour.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

I agree, but if you look at it from the Pakistani's point of view, this will be the best chance they have had to get one back on Australia in many, many years. At least they will have hope.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Sober Symonds;374198 said:
In Australia, the Pakistani's will not measure up. We might spot some encouraging performances here & there, and perhaps a star or two of the future, but it will be another of those forgettable series, I fear. They've had a bit of a layoff, and some significant retirements. Still finding their way and as ever, down on stability and leadership. No state to be in on the world's toughest tour.
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I cant understand why people are saying the Pakistani's will be push overs.

There spinners are their strength, they are playing at the SCG and the MCG, two grounds where spinners could play a part.

They will not be push-overs, last time they were out here they did push us hard in parts, and we had a very good side then.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

LIONS then DAYLIGHT;374252 said:
I cant understand why people are saying the Pakistani's will be push overs.

There spinners are their strength, they are playing at the SCG and the MCG, two grounds where spinners could play a part.

They will not be push-overs, last time they were out here they did push us hard in parts, and we had a very good side then.
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... So did they. It's not now though. In fact, it's as weak a side as I've known them to have. I recognise they are rebuilding after significant departures, but we're talking about Test matches, where time and time again Australia have shown up would-be's by maintaining pressure over 5 days rather than just one.

They will push us hard in parts again, no doubt. That won't be enough.

Besides, there are some reputations at stake in the current Aust line-up, and I can't see us being caught off-guard at the moment!
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

People are acting like Pakistan are farking minnows, they are a team that deserves respect and are quite capable of competing with our current side. Lets be honest, Im not sold on Hilfenhaus outside of England, Siddle is a honest bowler, and Johnson is still unpredictable.

Hauritz and Watson round of the attack, that is an honest attack, but as yet its not a proven combination.

To think we are going to blow Pakistan out of the water is a bit rich IMO considering our past performance over the last 18 months in the test arena and considering the workload our bowlers have been under.
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

You wouldn't happen to be Pakistani supporter, Lions? They haven't won a Test series here before, so why, with this unproven comination of theirs would you expect them to win one now?

True, the Australian Team is also more vulnerable than it has been for a long time, but at home they are still a formidable opponent. Sth Africa finally topped them last summer ... with a very good side. A darn sight better than the one Pakistan will be represented by very soon.

Younis Khan is struggling, Yousef is a shadow of his former self, Afridi has retired from Tests, Razzaq has been recalled, they've got kids heading up the batting line-up and bowling attack. They will push, they will be beaten.

For goodness sake, New Zealand just beat them in their preferred format over in Abu Dhabi. Don't expect too much from them.

If you don't like Australia's bowlers, maybe Clarke, Lee & Bollinger could be given the chance?
 
Re: Australian Test XI - Selection Thread

Maybe the bowling attack isnt that great, but at the SCG and MCG Peter Siddle is very effective, Hauritz should do well in Sydney as well and there is no way the Pakistan attack will be able to take 20 wickets and assuming by then they have retired Mike Hussey and replaced him with someone other than the opener who cant play a short ball then the Aussies will rack up 500+ each test

They wont be beaten by Pakistan, not a hope in hell
 
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