Australia in South Africa

[genghis_khan]

yes Jaques could just about push Bell out of the test team and someone else in the ODI team. I cant say England would be looking to break up the Strauss/Trescothick partnership.

His time will come for Australia, but it would be a waste to wait until he's 30 like they did Hussey. I think the selectors have got this one wrong.

 

[angryangy]

"Defensive" isn't how I'd describe that bowling lineup. Defensive would be safe options, like Gillespie.

 

[James219]

Yes initially but there has to be a time when he's re-called, and he's an aggressive bowler and when he finds his rhythm on the international stage again then he is quite relentless towards the batsman as opposed to someone like Bracken. Seeing as they are about the same age Bracken is not going to be a major threat now or in the near future and Gillespie has already proven his versatility and impact with some devasating performances. And to be honest, it's actually a defensive move picking Bracken and Lewis as they are more likely to contain as opposed to Gillespie who can tear through a line-up, and it shows that the selectors are afraid to take the gamble with exposing Gillespie at the top level once more.

 

[aussie1st]

Johnson sure isn't defensive
Opening bowlers would be Lee and Bracken. 1st change depends on who is in the team. If Clark is he will be 1st change, if its Johnson then Watson would be first change.

Gillespie on current form isn't ready for ODIs but surely Tait was ready. If not him we had other guys. I must admit its a shame that Williams isn't playing anymore as he was one dam good ODI bowler.

 

[genghis_khan]

Yes initially but there has to be a time when he's re-called, and he's an aggressive bowler and when he finds his rhythm on the international stage again then he is quite relentless towards the batsman as opposed to someone like Bracken. Seeing as they are about the same age Bracken is not going to be a major threat now or in the near future and Gillespie has already proven his versatility and impact with some devasating performances. And to be honest, it's actually a defensive move picking Bracken and Lewis as they are more likely to contain as opposed to Gillespie who can tear through a line-up, and it shows that the selectors are afraid to take the gamble with exposing Gillespie at the top level once more.

im with u james

and in picking 5 fast bowlers, that meant that there was no room for a backup batsman (ie Phil Jaques)

 

[aussie1st]

I can accept no Jaques, but the bowlers they picked don't justify leaving out Jaques. Tait/Bollinger would have been worth a shot. We have far too many stock bowlers in our side right now.

 

[genghis_khan]

Tait definately....Bollinger im not sure because ive heard nothing of him in the media or even mentioned...therefore he is a long way back in the queue.

 

[aussie1st]

If Johnson is able to get picked then surely a guy performing way better than him should also be in line for selection.
We will get a clear indication of where is in the queue when our A team is named.

 

[genghis_khan]

when is that?

 

[James219]

There has been some talk in the media of Bollinger, atleast in Sydney anyway, commenting on him before the VB series, saying something like possibly being a left-field selection at the time when there was some searching around for pace bowlers for that series. If Johnson was in their 'plans' he should have been selected for the VB series for atleast one or two matches as it was conveniently in Australia and simply for the fact that he was picked for the CHT in NZ and then dumped in order to give Dorey an opportunity, who had really only shown his worth in the first-class game, not one-day cricket. I also think Australia A should go on more tours for the youth to gain some overseas experience as this is what alot of the other nations do.

 

[aussie1st]

GK here you go.

# 2006 : (Others) Pakistan A in Australia, Jun-Jul 2006
# 2006 : (Others) New Zealand A in Australia, Jun-Jul 2006
# 2006 : (Others) India A in Australia, Jun-Jul 2006

I agree James we should be doing more touring overseas. But I'm happy that we will have so many A games.

 

[genghis_khan]

GK here you go.

# 2006 : (Others) Pakistan A in Australia, Jun-Jul 2006
# 2006 : (Others) New Zealand A in Australia, Jun-Jul 2006
# 2006 : (Others) India A in Australia, Jun-Jul 2006

I agree James we should be doing more touring overseas. But I'm happy that we will have so many A games.

that will be good...id imagine Cam White or Brad Haddin will captain the A team...should be very interesting.

and who knows...maybe Henriques might get a game

 

[tsyrmas]

im gald jaques hasn't been picked. takes a bit of pressure off katich. If Katich scores in the odis, he is my man to replace hodge

 

[aussie1st]

Replace Hodge where? In the test arena? Hodge has made a 200 and like Katich he will be given more time to prove himself.

Check this article out lol.

www.foxsports.com.au

NEW South Wales opening batsman Phil Jaques needs to lift his fielding to international standard, chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said today.

Jaques was overlooked today for the 14-man squad to tour South Africa this month for a one-day series, despite his four centuries in the ING Cup and his 94 on debut last month in the Tri-Series match against South Africa.

While Jaques was in the field for the Blues at the SCG today in their Pura Cup match against Western Australia, Hohns was at the SCG nets telling reporters that selectors will help the 26-year-old batsman get specialist help.

"It (fielding) is certainly an issue, there's no doubt about that, which he is aware of, coaches are aware of," Hohns said.

"We're hoping that he'll do something about it and we're there to help him wherever we can.

"If that means getting him some specialist attention, that's what we'll do."

While Jaques is no Ricky Ponting in the field, it seems a strange call from Hohns.

Australian opener Simon Katich, who made his maiden one-day international hundred last night in Brisbane against South Africa, has beaten off the challenge from Jaques to hold his place in the side.

But Katich is hardly a gun fielder either, missing several run-out opportunities in the Tri-Series finals against South Africa and dropping a simple catch last night in the third final.

Hohns said Katich's place had not been in any doubt throughout the Tri-Series despite fluctuating form.
"Simon Katich? I wouldn't have thought so. I think we've shown a bit of faith in him all through the VB series," Hohns said.

"His performance to us was fairly reasonable and he was starting to form a pretty good partnership with Adam Gilchrist at the top.

"So not necessarily but it was very pleasing for him obviously and very pleasing for us to see him get that hundred.

"Phil Jaques is probably really doing exactly what Matthew Hayden did a few years ago when he wasn't playing for Australia ? just keep scoring runs.

"So it's very nice to know that we have him looming there and there's other young fellows around the place scoring runs as well."

Jaques was unable to send a message to Hohns today with the bat, making just two for the Blues in reply to Western Australia's first innings of 508.

 

[James219]

Pretty funny article. So that's their defence for not selecting him, quite weak. Jaques isn't that bad in the field really, and this is really re-assuring for him: It's nice to have him looming around. Very tough calls.