Australia tour of South Africa, 2008/09

[aussie_ben91]

Quite surprised after looking at Clinton McKay's first-class statistics because I wasn't very impressed with what I've seen. Looked like a wicket-to-wicket bowler, in the same vain as Andrew McDonald. Can't believe he averages 24 in first-class cricket.

Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Clint McKay

Victoria has some fair dinkim bowlers in their wings.

Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Peter Siddle
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Dirk Nannes
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Darren Pattinson
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Clint McKay
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Andrew McDonald
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Damien Wright
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - John Hastings
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Bryce McGain

 

[M.Di Venuto]

It's pretty surprising that Australia called up Clark, especially after the country controversy. Anyway it would be good for him to add up some international experience.

I'm surprised as well... Who else is there though? Is Shaun Tait fit at the moment? Thats about the only other who springs to mind, unless we call Siddle back

M.Di Venuto added 1 Minutes and 40 Seconds later...

Quite surprised after looking at Clinton McKay's first-class statistics because I wasn't very impressed with what I've seen. Looked like a wicket-to-wicket bowler, in the same vain as Andrew McDonald. Can't believe he averages 24 in first-class cricket.

Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Clint McKay

Victoria has some fair dinkim bowlers in their wings.

Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Peter Siddle
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Dirk Nannes
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Darren Pattinson
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Clint McKay
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Andrew McDonald
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Damien Wright
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - John Hastings
Cricinfo - Players and Officials - Bryce McGain

Should be interesting to see if McKay can keep that going. Only a newcomer really to FC level, if he maintains this standard for another season or 2, might be looking ripe for higher honorus.

 

[aussie1st]

Would have preferred McKay for the ODIs just to try out some fresh blood as even Clark thought his ODI career was over. Will be interesting seeing how he goes, don't think he will be great but this will help out with his match fitness.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I'm surprised as well... Who else is there though? Is Shaun Tait fit at the moment? Thats about the only other who springs to mind, unless we call Siddle back

Australia have been picking the best performer in domestic cricket and then the second best performer, and whenever the previous are not available they choose the third best performer. It always goes like this. I didn't know who Hilfenhaus, Siddle, Geeves, Hauritz or Laughlin were before they start playing for Australia. There is always somebody who performs.

Anyway it isn't that bad to call up Clark, because I feel that the English county might overuse him.

And Clark isn't that bad of an ODI bowler. His average is 27.82.

 

[ajdude]

Harwood's been called back over (he was at the Rajasthan training camp anyway) for the next two ODIs and will possibly replace Laughlin in the starting XI.

Cricinfo - Australia aim to force series decider

 

[aussie1st]

That's just strange why not have him in the first squad. Clearly they have lost faith in Laughlin.

 

[sifter132]

That's just strange why not have him in the first squad. Clearly they have lost faith in Laughlin.

Very strange happenings. Players flying all over the place on this tour. We've already had Magoffin and Geeves flown over during the Tests, Siddle and Hilfenhaus flew home afterwards to rest. Then Harwood and Warner flew over for the T20s and then they flew home after 2 games. Laughlin and Geeves stayed on but now Geeves is flying home and Ponting doesn't trust Laughlin evidently. Meanwhile Harwood has flown over for the IPL and now big Stuey Clark is clamouring for his passport and will get there in time for the 5th game. Phew

Anything wrong with playing Laughlin?? Not from where I stand, but it's pretty obvious by the selection shenanigans that Ponting is essentially the head selector now. He doesn't want to bowl Laughlin so he'll find someone he does want to bowl. So they searched long and hard and came up with...Stuart Clark. I hope he enjoys his few one dayers anyway.

Same happened with Krejza. Ponting obviously trusts Hauritz more and consequently Krazy got the chop. And whatever happens with McGain will come down to Ponting's input. Same with Symonds. Ponting loves Andrew Symonds, famously pimped for him in 2003 World Cup and will probably do so again for the upcoming Ashes.

So just get in the captain's good books and you've got a lengthy stay in the side ahead. I don't really mind this theory too much really, Ponting is the man in charge and I'd trust him over Andrew Hilditch anyday. At least Ponting knows who he trusts with ball in hand and that is very important when games are on the line.

 

[angryangy]

Johnson bowled okay, but no love for him out there yet. Harwood is really firing, almost hitting 150 kph and has produced some of those surprising deliveries that could make him crucial here. Hopes has been earnest, but at his pace, there have been a couple just too loose for a guy like Gibbs to let go. At this point, Bracken really looks like a weak link, his pace is down and it looks like he is dragging the ball down a fair bit. Maybe he's gripping the ball harder to help rip the slower ball.

Gibbs has been classic Gibbs. It's not really flawless genius, but he has gotten away with enough ambitious shots to be a problem.

With the partnership starting to take, a change of pace may be due now and possibly an important option against other newish batsmen in the innings.

 

[manee]

Harwood is decidedly rapid; he must have been quite the tearaway in his younger days. He has a superb OD record witgh 70 wickets at 24.52 with an economy of 4.22 and I'm shocked it has taken Australia so long to select him.

 

[aussie_ben91]

The reason they picked Harwood was because Laughlin is more then less a Bracken-esque type bowler.

 

[angryangy]

After what I've seen of Bracken in the last dozen games, I'd sooner play Laughlin. Bracken is not 100%.

 

[Jakester1288]

We should be opening with Hopes and Haddin, and pushing Clarke down to 6, Mike Hussey to 7, Ferguson to 4 leaving Ponting at 3 and Dave Hussey at 5.

I don't see us getting anywhere near the total if Clarke wastes balls like he usually does.

 

[ZexyZahid]

South Africa scored 317-6 and it's more then what I've expected. Didn't know Harwood was 35. He should be happy about his debut.

 

[angryangy]

It does to some extent resemble the Johannesburg game. South Africa scored at 8 an over in the last 20 overs, but their first 20 overs were by contrast less than 5 rpo. The pitch appeared a little slow early on, with some uneven bounce that seemed to die off. If Australia get their innings going quickly, South Africa might be 30 runs shy of being safe and it would prove a toss well played by Ponting.

However, there is the obvious, the woes of Australia's top order. If trends continue, Australia simply won't have enough wickets in hand, even if they do accomplish the task of maintaining a solid run rate. Can the top order finally fire? How will they handle Botha and van der Merwe? Will the new ball be more reactive for Steyn and Parnell? Given that the contests have gotten increasingly more balanced, it stands to be a game of interest for a while yet.

 

[mrtwisties]

I'd say the contests have gotten increasingly lop-sided. The matches were all nailbiters during the first series - but with Australia in South Africa, it seems like they've been taking it in turns to thrash each other.

Can't believe how giddy I'm getting over 34 runs being scored without a wicket falling.