Australia tour of South Africa, 2008/09

[angryangy]

Wasn't McDonald included to add more to the batting line-up? Should probably have gone for a proper bowler tbh.

At least he got done by a good ball, by this logic they should have picked a bowler to open the batting with Katich.

 

[King Pietersen]

It's completely different though, Hughes is a proper batsman, batting at the top of the order, and with a fantastic FC record. McDonald is a nothing player, with an average record with the bat and the ball, batting in a bowlers position. I think they'd be better off going with a proper bowler, as frankly, McDonald's not going to skittle out any attack and he's not good enough to be bowling as part of a 4 man attack.

 

[mattfb]

Also, I seriously think Johnson is good enough to be considered an all-rounder. A little work on some areas of his batting, then he is better then McDonald as an all-rounder. He has the ability to withdraw himself from going for a big shot, and then playing balls that are in areas he likes to hit. He's a 5x better bowler then Macca, and only a little bit worse batsmen.

 

[Slowcoach]

McDonald filling the Cameron White role at number 8...the player who does nothing with either bat or ball.

It is a defensive selection born of fear, a total waste.

A bowler who can take a few wickets and reduce the opposition's batting total by 50 to 100 runs is much more valuable than an allrounder who will at best average 20 with the bat, and average 1 wicket a match with the ball.

It seems the cricketing gods have registered their disgust at such a stupid selection by gifting McDonald a Zero.

 

[aussie1st]

Agree don't know why we need an all rounder at 8 when we have Johnson there already. Plus if you want a bowling all rounder then how on earth can you over look Noffke.

 

[IloveGilly]

Maiden Test Century, what a feeling that would be in the circumstance of where Australia are rebuilding, who they are playing and fighting for top spot. Hopefully he gets there.

Probably going to hurt that they only have 3 specialist bowlers, especially when they struggled to get them out at home.

 

[aussie1st]

That is what you have to like with North, he is a fighter and when you have so many guys in your side that like throwing their wickets away he comes in real handy.

 

[dtrain]

I would assume McDonals selection in the team is more to do with hopefully being able to tie down an end and not leak runs, a partnership bowler who has the ability ability to score runs with the bat. That will be crucial, especially with the other pace bowlers in Johnson, Siddle, Hilfenhaus being likely to bowl that one ball an over that gets put to the fence. It appears they are hoping that McDonald and one of these guys gets it right and dries up the scoring at a crucial part of Safs innings.

I also think it's pretty fickle to think that anyone whp makes a duck, done by a good nut early, isn't worth his salt as a batsman. I can't think of a batsman who is flawless in this circumstance.

 

[Mr.Cricket]

Brilliant batting from North. We might have another Hussey in our hands. He has played 10 years in domestic cricket , lot of experience , good form and etc. Theres no reason why he shouldn't be able to adjust to Int. cricket like Mike Hussey did. Hopefully he gets the three figures and he deserves it.

MJ makings runs with the bat again. Cmon boys 400+ here.

 

[cricketmad09]

It's completely different though, Hughes is a proper batsman, batting at the top of the order, and with a fantastic FC record. McDonald is a nothing player, with an average record with the bat and the ball, batting in a bowlers position. I think they'd be better off going with a proper bowler, as frankly, McDonald's not going to skittle out any attack and he's not good enough to be bowling as part of a 4 man attack.

First class batting average of 37 and a bowling average of 29. Personally I think thats pretty bloody handy.

cricketmad09 added 3 Minutes and 24 Seconds later...

The theory behind McDonalds inclusion was that the pitch was expected to help the bowlers, so Australia needed to counteract that by playing a stronger batting line-up, and with the assistance McDonalds bowling will be good enough to take wickets, along with the other bowlers

 

[angryangy]

It's completely different though, Hughes is a proper batsman, batting at the top of the order, and with a fantastic FC record. McDonald is a nothing player, with an average record with the bat and the ball, batting in a bowlers position. I think they'd be better off going with a proper bowler, as frankly, McDonald's not going to skittle out any attack and he's not good enough to be bowling as part of a 4 man attack.

True or not, it's very much a double standard to criticise only one, when based on careers, they can both do better. These judgements, whether positive or negative, are made without the player really having much opportunity to demonstrate it at Test level. Indeed, in McDonald's case his bowling got criticised at Sydney, in spite of having a good match with the ball.

 

[piriyanth]

100 for North

 

[aussie1st]

Congrats to North a well made 100 in very hard conditions not to mention having to bat with the lower order and playing against a very good bowling lineup.

 

[Mr.Cricket]

Well done North , top knock. MJ looking good for another 50 as well.

 

[piriyanth]

Johnson gets 50 with an amazing six.

he should be considered an all rounder imo