Australian Tour of India, October 2010/11

[sifter132]

Why not Hodge?
1) Personally, I don't think he's any better than a Dave Hussey/Klinger despite the hype he gets from fans and every commentary team on the planet.
2) Hodge's already said his piece to the selectors complaining about his treatment, so I doubt they patch up their relationship and pick him. It could potentially divide the dressing room too. I think Hodge is well liked by the other players, but it may not set a good precedent.
3) He's old, so if he did do well suddenly the selectors would have to think about keeping him on and 4 35+ year old top order players would not be good. That sounds a bit negative, but if they are tossing up between say Ferguson and Hodge, you'd pick Ferguson everytime just on age.

I think you'd also have to look at his record against the current England bowlers. I haven't watched him in county cricket, so someone smarter than I may know. Maybe he's a good matchup for the current England attack I don't know.

 

[SciD]

Currently Aussies being treated to rains here

I will go to practice game as well and try capture some stuff if allowed to take my mobile in there. The ground is like 1 km from my home.

 

[lethalhughes]

Hodge won't play test cricket for australia again.So no need bringing up his name.I know most people don't rate him but Klinger is a very good option.However i'd drop North and bring Hughes at the top of the order and bat Watto at 5.Hussey at 6

 

[War]

If north is dropped as he should be. Id keep Watson opening along with Hughes & drop Katich down to middle-order.

 

[aussie1st]

No point going towards Klinger, Dussey or Hodge when you have Khawaja, Hughes and Smith knocking on the door.

 

[icyman]

Yeah, I agree with Sly here. You see, most of these names are simply T20 maniacs, whereas the others have proved themselves to be worthy of Test cricket. No point going in for these newbies. See what happened to Pollard.

 

[Robelinda]

Hodge has retired from first class cricket, pretty idiotic suggestion he's a chance for the test team. :doh

 

[sifter132]

Hodge has retired from first class cricket, pretty idiotic suggestion he's a chance for the test team. :doh

Hah - forgot to add that to my list of points

If north is dropped as he should be. Id keep Watson opening along with Hughes & drop Katich down to middle-order.

I think I agree! But really, there are cases to be made for each moving down: Hughes looks better against spin to me with his quick feet plus I think it's often best to have your new guy batting at #6 with less pressure to perform, Watson is a right hander so would be handy to have in the middle once the Ashes come around to thwart Swann and Katich moving makes sense since the long term opening pair looks like Watson and Hughes.

 

[Num]

Can Watson's body withstand being an opener and a pace bowler for the rest of his career though? Katich has also been one of our best, if not our best batsman in the past year and so I'd be reluctant to shift him down to the middle order (even though it's where he typically batted). He provides that rock at the top of the order that I'm not sure Watson or Hughes could provide. I like the Hughes/Katich opening combination with Watson at 6.

 

[TumTum]

Looks like Hughes ain't gonna play

Interested to see how George & Smith go.

 

[aussie1st]

Going to be tough for Smith to get much of a bat that low and the way our batters have started. Like the above looking forward to seeing how Smith and George go and going by the stats Pujara as well.

 

[AkshayS]

Australia openers are completely owning us.
Bowlers needs to step up especially Ojha atleast.

 

[Robelinda]

Our openers have been our one positive over the past year or so, dont trust our middle order at all.

 

[TumTum]

The two should retire now, give others a go.

 

[angryangy]

Watson's gotta find a hundred somehow