Australia

[War]

I guess I'm saying that based purely on batting that I like Ferguson better than Dave Hussey. The reason I think Dave isn't needed is because if Smith's bowling OK, then Dussey's bowling won't be required much at all. Right now, Dussey is the 7th bowler and if I'm selecting I don't keep a guy in the top 6 of a team just because he's a slightly better 7th bowler than Michael Clarke would be.

I think if Mike Hussey does get named as a replacement, he'd be into the XI for Dave virtually straight away (purely because Cameron White is a more senior player). Then it's just a matter of whether White's form can be good enough to hold his spot. I'm sure they'll give him a few games to work it out. If White can't find his form, then I'd have Ferguson rather than Dussey IMHO. Hence my M.Hussey/Ferguson duo at 5/6.

Well of course although it hasn't before & brought results, selecting & playing based on the "like" preference isn't very valid. Fact is Dussey has been solid enough form with that bat since his recall & their is no logical cricket related reason to axe him for Ferguson. His bowling is just a bonus since on the slow SC wickets its always good to have a man like him Dumminy, Gayle, Yuvraj, Dilshan who can contribute some decent part-time overs in case your main spinner goes around the park (which certainly is possible for AUS with Krejza not exactly the greatest ODI spinner), Dussey's batting is the main reason why he is being picked.

If Mussey comes back, then yes Dussey would be out for sure, that obvious. But if White continues to struggle, then id certainly pick Dussey to slot back into his role.

But then again though as i said before, if Hussey is recalled it confuses things since i dont think the ICC technical committee will allow AUS to send Ferguson home if he is not injured. You would be over-packing the batting reserves. Since realistically Bollinger replacement should be a next cutting edge quick (Nannes) to back up the main pace trio.

 

[Rehan_24]

So is Hussey Coming back????

 

[sifter132]

Maybe Might depend on the form of Cameron White. Or the form of any of the quick bowlers. Whichever fails first will probably decide the replacement. It might be a couple of weeks though before a decision gets made.

 

[Rehan_24]

What hussey did to Ajmal... well Hussey should be there, it would strengthen Aussie batting line-up. He has a reputation in opposition minds plus he is a batsman to play in crunch conditions.

 

[aussie1st]

Victorian coach Greg Shipperd says spinner Xavier Doherty best World Cup option | Herald Sun

Now that is saying something coming from the coach of the 3 pacemen in line to replace Bollinger. If we had to pick now I'd go Doherty as well but the wait and see approach does suit us as it will tell us if the 3 express bowlers are working or not.

 

[War]

Disagree with coach Shep. No way would Doherty be more effective in India than Nannes.

Doherty although he is better ODI spinner than Krejza, aint no world beating spinner. He aint Vettori/Hogg type left-arm spinner, he will just be servicable & will likely be more economical than Krejza.

Plus again like many ppl he unfortunately is still over-rating the spin effect of Indian pitches in ODI matches. He needs to look back @ all of AUS ODI series triumphs in India from 1998-2009 to jolt his memory.

 

[aussie1st]

What he is talking about is the balance of the team. Let's be realistic, unless the 3 quicks get injured the replacement quick won't be getting a game. On the other hand Doherty could well replace Krejza and if both start performing then they can play 2 spinners.

 

[Bhargav]

i don't think Doherty has ever bowled in the SC!,while Nannes has good experience(IPL!)

 

[sifter132]

What he is talking about is the balance of the team. Let's be realistic, unless the 3 quicks get injured the replacement quick won't be getting a game. On the other hand Doherty could well replace Krejza and if both start performing then they can play 2 spinners.

Squad wise, picking Doherty could make sense - but only so someone is there as cover and maybe a bit of intersquad competition for the spinners job. But XI wise, I think the balance of the team is right as it is. If 2 specialist spinners were played then presumably Smith gets canned - otherwise you are dropping one of the 3 primary quicks - who have done well thus far and give us something the other nations don't have. I really can't see how an attack of 2 fast + 2 spin is better than 3 fast + 1 spin. I wouldn't trust Doherty to be more effective than Tait/Johnson is.

If Smith gets dropped, then your tail is long, and the temptation would be to bring in Hastings for Tait for more batting, leaving you with Hasting,Johnson,Krejza,Lee,Doherty as your bottom 5. I don't like that attack OR lower order batting lineup at all compared to what the current XI offers.

 

[aussie1st]

Squad wise, picking Doherty could make sense - but only so someone is there as cover and maybe a bit of intersquad competition for the spinners job. But XI wise, I think the balance of the team is right as it is. If 2 specialist spinners were played then presumably Smith gets canned - otherwise you are dropping one of the 3 primary quicks - who have done well thus far and give us something the other nations don't have. I really can't see how an attack of 2 fast + 2 spin is better than 3 fast + 1 spin. I wouldn't trust Doherty to be more effective than Tait/Johnson is.

I'm not saying it is a better option, of course atm it isn't. But it is an option which is the key point, right now it isn't an option. But if one of the quicks aren't performing and the spinner is performing then the selectors could consider the extra spin option.

 

[Haarithan]

The last thing the Aussies need for this WC is a spinner given it has assisted the pacers like Roach , Malinga , Afridi more . And to win a WC , you really do need a top class batsman at Number 5 , which is why i recommend bringing Huss into the squad . He sees 0/100 & 6/100 as one and just carries on his business in supremo style . Can you expect that from the gigantic useless Bear ??

 

[Bhargav]

The last thing the Aussies need for this WC is a spinner given it has assisted the pacers like Roach , Malinga , Afridi more . And to win a WC , you really do need a top class batsman at Number 5 , which is why i recommend bringing Huss into the squad . He sees 0/100 & 6/100 as one and just carries on his business in supremo style . Can you expect that from the gigantic useless Bear ??

But the problem is, his replacement Callum Freguson is already in the squad!

 

[Haarithan]

But the problem is, his replacement Callum Freguson is already in the squad!

Hello , Hussey is a veteran while Ferguson isn't . Saw the warmup against India ? Not to mention this but he was '*****' by Piyush Chawla .

 

[aussie1st]

The last thing the Aussies need for this WC is a spinner given it has assisted the pacers like Roach , Malinga , Afridi more

Afridi is a spinner and the leading wicket taker at that. And we already have 3 pacers. So if we are picking a bowler it makes sense to go with another spinner.

 

[sifter132]

Hello , Hussey is a veteran while Ferguson isn't . Saw the warmup against India ? Not to mention this but he was '*****' by Piyush Chawla .

Experience is a bit overrated in my books. Example? Before a couple of days ago, how many games had Kevin O'Brien played in India? ZERO. How many times had he batted under lights in an ODI? ONCE - the previous match v Bangladesh. I like Mike Hussey and he's in the best XI for sure, but I'm also quite excited about Ferguson and I think we can still win this World Cup without Mr Cricket.

And there were a few guys who got '*****' by Chawla in the warmup. Michael Clarke never found the middle of the bat in the few balls he faced from Chawla. Ponting and Paine both could have been out LBW and Ponting was almost bowled when he didnt' pick the delivery.

From what I remember of Ferguson vs Chawla he only played 1 false shot - the one that got him out.