Australia tour of New Zealand 2010

[War]

I prefer going by FRC form, the fact he kills it in the Big Bash but not the FRC is showing something. The opposition is basically the same, the pitches are the same the only thing that has changed is the length. Its the same case as Warner hes killing it in T20 but his FRC form has been poor so the selectors were right in skipping over him until he starts performing in that form of the game.

Same goes for Tait, hes not going to be playing 10 overs for Australia since the selectors have their bowlers who they are happy with. The fact Harris got picked over him and Nannes despite having no FRC form shows just that. So the only way he can show he can bowl 10 overs is to bowl well for SA. If he bowls like he did this season he will continue to be skipped.

Well you have Shaun Marsh who was basically picked in the ODI team for the 2008 Windies form basically based on his sudden T20 form for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2008. He did nothing significant in the FRC Cup 2007/08 season to warrant that call-up - the selectors just backed him based on raw talent he showed in the T20.

But yes looking ahead to the 2011 WC for both Tait & Nannes. Having good performances in the FRC 2010/11 will be key. Just that i'd say the best of Nannes & Tait in ODIs is better than the best of Bollinger & Harris in ODIs. I have no issue or doubts about Nannes steppin up, he would be taken with open arms for England.

Also Nannes did get taken to at the death in the 2nd T20I whereas Bond and Southee were top notch in the same position.

Thats just one game. Top players can have bad games. He ran into McCullum on of the best T20 batsmen playing some unbelievable strokes - he is not likely to bowl to too many others in world cricket that will play those scoop shots. The fact is bowling your 4 overs in a T20, is basically just like bowling in the last 10 overs of a 50 overs game. Nannes is one of the best in world at that.

Still Ponting had 2 spinners available to him which is the main thing. Of course it will depend on conditions but I see Smith's batting alone being more than valuable.

Well it depends. But for me if Smith is to come in for the 2011 WC, i prefer him to replace Haurtiz & keeps Hopes in the starting XI.

 

[aussie1st]

But yes looking ahead to the 2011 WC for both Tait & Nannes. Having good performances in the FRC 2010/11 will be key. Just that i'd say the best of Nannes & Tait in ODIs is better than the best of Bollinger & Harris in ODIs. I have no issue or doubts about Nannes steppin up, he would be taken with open arms for England.

Might be right but we really have no idea what Nannes best is, we have seen Bollinger's best which was a 5 fer against the Indian lineup and Harris was back to back 5 fers. We know what Tait's best is but he seems a long way away from his 8 fer spells these days.
Ignoring that which is lots of guess work still, Nannes does not seem to be in the frame for ODI selection. If the selectors were going to pick him it had to be instead of Harris. Tait could come in at any time but seems to be a T20 specialist at times and the selectors have lost confidence in him after he left then stranded then took a break.

Well it depends. But for me if Smith is to come in for the 2011 WC, i prefer him to replace Haurtiz & keeps Hopes in the starting XI.

Well from what I've seen Smith is closing the gap quickly. Hauritz has been expensive at times, admittedly the grounds here are small but he has been taken to in Australia as well. If he was in the team for Hauritz I still would be him above Hopes and maybe send him in the pinch hitter role.

 

[aussie1st]

Maybe the selectors don't have to officially sack North after all.

Both Ponting and Australia's first-choice spinner, Nathan Hauritz, are talking up the worth of giving Smith a run at Wellington's Basin Reserve from Friday. They are not necessarily advocating the sacking of out-of-form Marcus North at No.6, but both believe Smith can convert his dominant Shield form, highlighted by his whirlwind century and seven-wicket haul against South Australia last week, into immediate Test success if the selectors give him the nod.

''He's not doing much wrong at the moment, is he?'' Ponting said.

''Everything he's touching is turning to gold. He made another hundred the other day and took seven wickets in the second innings of that game. It was actually half the reason we didn't have him in the one-day squad even after Shaun Marsh was ruled out. We wanted him to get that bit more experience at first-class level at home, hoping he would do exactly what he has done.''

Smith was thrilled to receive the award before joining the Test squad. ''I've learned a lot from blokes like Simon [Katich] and Hadds [Brad Haddin],'' he said. ''I've always dreamed of playing Test cricket for Australia.''

Smith's wicket-taking leg spinners would complement the more conservative nature of Hauritz's off spinners. The Basin is likely to be tailored to spin given the Kiwis' trump card is left-arm tweaker Daniel Vettori in the absence of IPL-bound speedster Shane Bond, but a drier-than-normal surface could also play into Hauritz's bowling hand.

''I'm rapt that Steve is coming over,'' Hauritz said. ''It'd be great for two spinners to be playing in Wellington. I definitely think Wellington will turn a bit at the Basin.

Steven Smith|Steve Waugh medal

They can play their "oh we want a second spinner" line which they did to get Symonds into the team. Had a feeling that was the reason he missed out on ODI selection as there was no other reason for it.

 

[Robelinda]

Maybe, but Symonds didnt have anywhere near the FC form with bat or ball prior to his test debut, it was his one day form in SL that got him the nod. It was a punt back then, but I think Smith has done enough, just enough, no-one can doubt his form. The only team who wouldnt pick someone in great form is NZ!!!!

 

[War]

Haa they really are overhyping his bowling. Ah well if he plays i dont think i'll be pulling my hair out. But as i mentioned before as most would know as well. That South Australian batting-lineup & team was very well Lehmann, Blewett, Ferguson, Manou, Tait, Rofe all retired or injured etc. So that 7 wicket haul needs to taken with a BIG pinch of salt.

But as Ponting said in that article. Everything he touches is seemingly turning to gold for real, so if they want to play him what the heck. I guess i wont be pulling out my hair for this one..

 

[Robelinda]

Well he's not first spinner yet, but no harm in playing him at 6 or 7, give him the two tests and see how he goes. He has yet to put in a less than stellar impression at the higher level yet.

 

[Howsie]

Turn at the Basin, hmmm okay. I think they may just be a tad off with that one.

 

[Robelinda]

Just need straight bowlers- the wind does the rest! Even Warnie got hammered, Cairns scored maybe his best ton that day.

 

[Howsie]

Wellington v Northern Districts at Wellington, Mar 4-6, 2010 | Cricket Scorecard | Cricinfo.com

Domestic game that was played at the Basin just last week. Only one guy made more the 60 the entire game, and the seam/swing bowlers did the most damage. Jeetan Patel played that game and only managed to pick up two wickets (numbers nine and ten ftr).

Greentop.

 

[Ari]

Its normally a bit better for batting when a test match comes around can't see anyone wanting to play two spinners on it though.

 

[sifter132]

Well you have Shaun Marsh who was basically picked in the ODI team for the 2008 Windies form basically based on his sudden T20 form for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2008. He did nothing significant in the FRC Cup 2007/08 season to warrant that call-up - the selectors just backed him based on raw talent he showed in the T20.

Exactly. And you often have a 'one rule for some, one for the rest' type of selection policy here in Australia - and it's all based on talent. Guys with raw pace eg. Brett Lee, Mitch Johnson, Shaun Tait had selectors salivating and didn't have to do much impressing in first class cricket to get call ups. Shane Watson only had to prove he was fit and the selectors were itching to select him. Fans bitched about it for 4-5 years, but it's paying off now and it's cos the kid had talent.

Watson also played his way into the ODI team same as Shaun Marsh did - IPL form. Ryan Harris did it too this summer with a couple of big bash games and some good outings for Deccan 6 months earlier.

Well he's not first spinner yet, but no harm in playing him at 6 or 7, give him the two tests and see how he goes. He has yet to put in a less than stellar impression at the higher level yet.

Too right. If, as the Kiwi boys say, there won't be much turn, it doesn't matter if Smith plays at 6 or not since we won't be dropping a bowler to play him. A turning pitch may help his cause a bit, but surely he's gotta be picked based on batting form first and foremost. I still hope that Hughes gets picked first, everyone's forgotten about him.

 

[TumTum]

I still hope that Hughes gets picked first, everyone's forgotten about him.

Nobody can forget a legend that easily

 

[Robelinda]

Well you have Shaun Marsh who was basically picked in the ODI team for the 2008 Windies form basically based on his sudden T20 form for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2008. He did nothing significant in the FRC Cup 2007/08 season to warrant that call-up - the selectors just backed him based on raw talent he showed in the T20.

War man, one point i'll take you up on was that Marsh was actually picked for Australia before the IPL 08, he was selected for the WI tour before his IPL stint, the Aussie squad was named late March or early April, Marsh didnt play an IPL game until May, then he went nuts. I recall the fuss made at the time about his selection, but by the time the series came around in the WI he was the talk of the town.

Australia name squad for West Indies tour - Times Online

 

[aussie1st]

I still hope that Hughes gets picked first, everyone's forgotten about him.

Problem is once the selectors pigeonhole you for something its very hard to shake. Hughes is seen as an opener by them and I highly doubt they are flexible enough to move him to 6. Smith might also have the same problem as they seem to see him as a spinner first which he currently is far from.

 

[pcfan123]

They can't be that inflexible, IIRC White was supposed to be a bowling allrounder? Haven't seen him bowl in a while, plus Watson was not exactly groomed to be an opener.