Are Australia ODI back?

[drainpipe32]

Hmm, they're looking like getting there. The order should look something like this at full strength.

Watson
Haddin
Ponting
Clarke
Ferguson
Hussey
White
Johnson
Lee
Hauritz
Siddle

Although, I would prefer some variation. Clarke out, and Hughes to replace him. Can't see Clarke offering much in limitied overs, off late he has dragged us down.

If Clarke plays he has to open, it's the only spot where he bats a run a ball......

 

[OffCutters]

Phillip Hughes in the side, and we have a new Matthew Hayden.


















What?

 

[CricketPunk]

What about Davie Warner opening the batting, he can fulfil the destructive opening batsmen role when his on song.

 

[OffCutters]

Yes...David Warner, with an opening partnership with Phillip Hughes!

Operation Replacing Gilly + Haydos- Success.












.....What..?

 

[drainpipe32]

Yeah, I can't see Watson being pushed out for Warner......

Hughes and Watson would be the ideal opening combo at the moment.

A middle order of Ponting, White, Ferguson, Hussey and Haddin would be lethal even if the top two didn't fire.

And we've got an incredibly quick attack in Lee, Johnson and Siddle, with Hauritz now the premier spinner and consistently taking wickets......

If the selectors can pull their heads in, and these guys can keep fit I don't see why we can't go through the next World Cup undefeated....

 

[Howsie]

Yeah, I can't see Watson being pushed out for Warner......

Hughes and Watson would be the ideal opening combo at the moment.

A middle order of Ponting, White, Ferguson, Hussey and Haddin would be lethal even if the top two didn't fire.

And we've got an incredibly quick attack in Lee, Johnson and Siddle, with Hauritz now the premier spinner and consistently taking wickets......

If the selectors can pull their heads in, and these guys can keep fit I don't see why we can't go through the next World Cup undefeated....

I could quite possibly tell you why you wouldn't, two of those guys you named are very, very inconsistant (Siddle, Johnson). There's noway Australia go undefeated in the next world cup.

 

[rahuldravidfan]

The Australians. What an awesome team they are ! They can win series against great teams even with a side full of young debutants. Its been a bit unfortunate to see them slide since the past few years, like Howsie rightly pointed out. They've struggled to cope with retirements of some of the top players of their team like Gilly, Haydos, Warnie, Pidge, Langer et al.

The bench-strength of the Australian team is very exciting. They have some great players out there waiting for an opportunity to prove themselves to the world.

Moises Henriques, David Hussey, Jason Krejza (where has he disappeard), Bryce McGain & Ashley Noffke (not young but very talented), David Warner, Phil Hughes are some great players they have. Give these lads some opportunity, some time to settle into the thick of things and see how they develop into world-class players who'll destroy oppositions at will.

Its gonna take some time and but I don't agree with the school of thought which reckons Australia still is the Best team in the world or close to being one. I'd say they are No.3.

No.1 = India
No.2 = South Africa

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

For me the squad is still settling. I'm not sure whether opening with Watson will still seem such an inspired decision in 12 months time.

Another interesting one is Hussey. I'm not sure I can see him playing on 2 years of ODIs if he's kicked out the test side, just don't think that's his style.

There's a lot of bowling choices so that's encouraging though. Hauritz looks to be a good ODI spinner and between bracken/lee/bollinger/siddle/johnson there's no shortage of pacers.

got to agree with howsie though that this is not an unbeatable side, though I think at least some of that is down to other teams improving. Certainly India and SA are streets ahead of their old teams.

 

[jordox]

I don't see the point in assigning random numbers to teams. You can give India, South Africa and Australia whatever numbers you want from 1 to 3 but the reality is they are all equally capable of beating each other depending on the day they are playing.

 

[rahuldravidfan]

I don't see the point in assigning random numbers to teams. You can give India, South Africa and Australia whatever numbers you want from 1 to 3 but the reality is they are all equally capable of beating each other depending on the day they are playing.

Agreed. And I really hope that talented teams like Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Kenya, Ireland and company rise up and give all the major cricketing nations a run for their money. It would be awesome for cricket to see these teams consistently outperform the big boys of cricket

 

[drainpipe32]

I wouldn't say Johnson is inconsistent. This is his first bout of bad form, which he is sure to break out of. And Peter Siddle has barely been playing for a year. Plus, we have Bollinger, Hilfenhaus and Nannes in the bank......

 

[Howsie]

I wouldn't say Johnson is inconsistent. This is his first bout of bad form, which he is sure to break out of. And Peter Siddle has barely been playing for a year. Plus, we have Bollinger, Hilfenhaus and Nannes in the bank......

Scratch Hilfenhaus, he's always been a poor one day bowler. Johnson is inconsistent imo, he's always on the cards to go for 50/60 of his 10 over's. Australia will not go undefeated because their bowling is nowhere near as consistant as it was over the past 10 or so years. Plus, it's not like their batting is setting the world on fire. I'm not saying the won't win it, but going undefeated

 

[rahuldravidfan]

Scratch Hilfenhaus, he's always been a poor one day bowler. Johnson is inconsistent imo, he's always on the cards to go for 50/60 of his 10 over's. Australia will not go undefeated because their bowling is nowhere near as consistant as it was over the past 10 or so years. Plus, it's not like their batting is setting the world on fire. I'm not saying the won't win it, but going undefeated

In stark contrast their neighbours have been boosted a lot after the return of their ICL recruits. Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey have really lifted up the NZ bowling along with the very able Kyle Mills. The batting has also distinctly improved and the fielding is pretty spot on. Great times for NZ cricket, eh Howsie?

 

[Howsie]

In stark contrast their neighbours have been boosted a lot after the return of their ICL recruits. Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey have really lifted up the NZ bowling along with the very able Kyle Mills. The batting has also distinctly improved and the fielding is pretty spot on. Great times for NZ cricket, eh Howsie?

Haha not really, we don't have a coach

 

[drainpipe32]

Hilfenhaus was actually very good earlier in the year, against SA and NZ. If the balls swinging he will be deadly, although in India

I suppose you have a point. If the Aussies are on song it'll be a carnage. If they're not.....