Australian fans: Discussing the State of Australia's ODI/T20 team's

[Phen]

Great article Baggy Blogger! I don't have much to input as I'm not Australian but I think the main thing Australia is lacking is grit and real determination. If they can get those back, they will be not an easy team to beat. I think it will take you many years to completely rebuild your side though. You talk about limited overs being a problem, I'd say all formats for you are a problem and that's not trying to upset anyone.

 

[aussie1st]

The big problem is not picking for ODI ability. Ferguson should walk into the side, he is the closest thing we have to Hussey. Smith shouldn't have been picked for the England series, T20s fair enough but not ODIs. White is in the same boat atm. Until both can prove they have improved via the 50 over domestic comp then they should be left out.

Finch definitely should be in the T20 side, he hasn't let the side down yet. And this could lead to him making the ODI side if he continues his success.

 

[War]

The big problem is not picking for ODI ability. Ferguson should walk into the side, he is the closest thing we have to Hussey. Smith shouldn't have been picked for the England series, T20s fair enough but not ODIs. White is in the same boat atm. Until both can prove they have improved via the 50 over domestic comp then they should be left out.

Finch definitely should be in the T20 side, he hasn't let the side down yet. And this could lead to him making the ODI side if he continues his success.

Ye, but unfortunately i'm not sure how the selectors view him in their long term thinking. Strangely he isn't even in T20 squad that going to the UAE.

 

[Little Punter]

I know I will cop the hate but where the hell is Hughes? He has not stopped scoring runs in England and I think it will give him an opportunity to face international bowlers to gain experience because no matter what you think about him, he is immensely talented.

 

[dajesmac]

I'm a massive Hughes fan and I think it's inevitable that he will be in all three formats internationally within a few years.

The squad that's going to the UAE would essentially be our WT20 squad, as we have to cut it to 15 men prior to that series. It would be a bizarre backflip otherwise.

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1) David Warner
2) Matthew Wade
3) Phil Hughes
4) Shane Watson
5) Michael Clarke
6) David Hussey
7) Michael Hussey

That in my opinion is our best possible top 7. Michael Hussey is probably batting too low for his ability, but I think there's a nice balance to it overall.

Bailey, Ferguson, Mitch Marsh and Shaun Marsh, White, Finch and Maddinson are players IMO that could see themselves in and around the squad in time for the 2015 tournament.

 

[aussie1st]

Someone did mention Hughes should get a game in the shorter formats which could be what he needs to find his feet at the top level again. And its not like he is another Peter Forrest who will struggle with the strike rate, he has always been in the good zone for that.

 

[War]

Someone did mention Hughes should get a game in the shorter formats which could be what he needs to find his feet at the top level again. And its not like he is another Peter Forrest who will struggle with the strike rate, he has always been in the good zone for that.

Ye i guess trying Hughes out @ # 3 should be done ASAP. Especially with S Marsh, the other potential long-term ODI # 3, not at his best ATM.

 

[sifter132]

^It also needs to be established who should bat where - eg. look at Warner, Watson, Marsh, Hughes, Wade, Finch - all top 3 guys ideally. But who could work the ball well in the middle overs? Who could handle spin better? Makes it hard to pick a T20 squad if you are shoe-horning guys into roles they aren't really used to playing.

 

[aussie1st]

T20 wise Marsh has played his best at opener and Warner is a given as opener. Finch has shown he can play in the middle order and Wade is in the same boat. Hughes is the tricky one, he too looks best at opener.

If you are looking at ODIs you would have the same as above but less issues with whether it is Marsh or Hughes at 3.

 

[War]

^It also needs to be established who should bat where - eg. look at Warner, Watson, Marsh, Hughes, Wade, Finch - all top 3 guys ideally. But who could work the ball well in the middle overs? Who could handle spin better? Makes it hard to pick a T20 squad if you are shoe-horning guys into roles they aren't really used to playing.

Well for sure, i think serious consideration in batting Watson @ # 3 long term needs to be considered given his recent comments:

England v Australia, 2nd ODI, The Oval: Balancing act far from elementary for Shane Watson | Cricket Features | England v Australia | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Little Punter]

I like a a bit of T20 cricket even though I prefer my Test cricket. I always like to play pretend selector when we aren't playing great (and getting over-taken by Bangladesh is pretty bad) so my starting XI for the T20 World Cup would look something this:
1. Warner (obvious starter)
2. Finch (have no idea why he doesn't get much of a look)
3. Hughes (average of 100.50 at almost a strike-rate of 127 in the English comp)
4. Watson (I know he would be a top 3 in most peoples XI but I prefer the 3 I picked. He needs to be in the side though)
5. D. Hussey (our best T20 player in my opinion)
6. M. Hussey (another obvious starter in my books)
7. Paine (I think he would be more valuable down the order than Wade would be)
8. McKay (I think he is our best limited overs bowler we have now that Lee has retired)
9. Pattinson (him and Cummins are going to form one of the most potent bowling partnerships in a long timw and even though I am a huge Cummins fan, he can't sting more than 3 games together so the less amount of cricket he plays, the better)
10. Hogg (age is no factor and personally, I think Doherty is a bit overrated so I think Hogg is out best option)
11. Nannes (may be a bit of a surprise but there is something about him that gets me excited and I think he could change peoples opinions about him)

 

[sifter132]

I think Finch doesn't get much of a look because the top order is always pretty stacked. Shaun Marsh has more international experience and cracks mountains of runs each IPL, so he's got the inside track over Finch, while Watson always bats top 3 too - so Finch can't get in.

Not sure Paine is the answer, I like Paine's batting discipline in Tests, but he's not as dynamic as Wade in T20 from what I've seen. I know Paine's got a reasonable T20 strike rate, but it's a pretty limited set of numbers to go from. Wade was about the only keeper who did anything in the Big Bash, so he's going to be in the side for sure.

Another guy who can bowl in the top 7 would be handy as well. Watson's good value, Hussey's hmmm...OK i guess, but just another option would be good in T20s. It might be Mitch Marsh or Dan Christian or even Andrew McDonald, or maybe Glenn Maxwell or Steve Smith for a spin option

 

[Little Punter]

I just like the option of Husseys finishing abilities. I didnt think of Maxwell either but would push for selection if it was me. As for Shaun Marsh, far too inconsistent for me.

 

[War]

Man every time i think about the Australian T20 team, i just get pissed because of the fact that George Bailey is their and i am unsure whether the best team will really be picked.

Unless something drastic happens, i would say West Indies are favourites to be Australia in that world cup game.

 

[dajesmac]

Agree, Bailey should be a fringe ODI player at this stage and no more.

I think Mitch Marsh is our long term successor to Shane Watson. I would certainly have him over Dan Christian at this point.