Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India in Australia) Dec-Jan 2011/12

[aussie1st]

I'm actually not convinced there are enough good young batsmen out there for us to build a strong Test team: not now and possibly not even in 2-3 years' time. Assume Hughes and Warner come good long-term - seems reasonable despite their current weaknesses, given their obvious talent and work ethic. Clarke and Watson are at least "decent" batsmen, and could be remembered as being very good indeed if we're able to shield them from the new ball with strong openers.

I still have faith in them, this is the first season in a long while where the young/middle aged batsmen haven't put their hand up. This time last year we had
Cosgrove scoring 806 runs at 53.73
Maxwell making his breakout season with 303 runs at 75.75
Lynn 641 runs at 53.41
Joe Burns 281 runs at 70.25
Maddinson who started the season on fire before fizzing out a bit, still managed two hundreds in that time. And then there was Khawaja, Warner and Marsh.

Just for whatever reason none of them have kicked on this season.

 

[Sedition]

My only point is, Nevill and Wade look a lot better on paper than Paine - but I'm guessing the Australian selectors have access to better stats than we do, stats which might well give Paine the edge.

Yeah true, I realise the bulk of my argument is batting stats and CPM can factor a lot on the bowling attack. Unless you sit down and watch all 3 guys performing their craft behind the stumps, it's hard to know for sure who gives the best all-round performance.

With Paine out injured for so long now and Wade/Nevill doing so well for their states, it's hard to look past them though.

 

[mrtwisties]

With Paine out injured for so long now and Wade/Nevill doing so well for their states, it's hard to look past them though.

Agree. It's unlikely to happen, but I'd actually like to see Wade come into the side for the Border-Gavaskar if we're going to be retaining Ponting/Hussey for the rest of the summer. That way we'll be part way through the rejuvenation of our side if our veterans don't manage to reignite their careers.

 

[SaiSrini]

The Indian fast bowling line up of Zaheer, Ishant and Yadav are very promising and solid, if you ask me. That is, if they remain fit. I can't see all 3 of them retaining their fitness for 4 test matches, unfortunately. That means we'll have to resort to Mithun or/and Vinay Kumar.

If Zak and Yadav get injured, which I think isn't improbable at all. You'll have a line up of Ishand, Mithun and Vinay Kumar. If that's the case...India should just declare in both innings and come back home.

India can play 2 spinners whenever the need arises (and only 4 bowlers max). Since Sydney could be a spin track, I think thats the place where you can rest Zaheer. Play all three pacers at MCG, rest Zaheer at Sydney, play all three at Perth, and rest any one for Adelaide and play two spinners.

I have a positive feeling that all 3 of them will somehow scrap through and play atleast the first 3 tests.

 

[midgetwars]

Anyone remember Ferguson??

 

[mrtwisties]

Anyone remember Ferguson??

Our Ian Bell. Looks like he should be making heaps of runs with that technique, but his 320 runs at 29 this year are actually pretty typical fare from him. He's part of the reason I'm so worried about our other players with "potential", like Maddinson et al. Plenty of these guys look great, but run the risk of just not troubling the scorers enough. Seems to be a bit of a trend.

 

[Highlander999]

Ian Bell has become a solid foundation in the middle of our order thank you very much

 

[mrtwisties]

Yes, well... this is awkward... would you mind trading Callum Ferguson for him, then?

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I actually really enjoyed watching Bell vs Johnson at the WACA last summer. He was the only bloke who looked like he had Johnson's measure in that match.

 

[Highlander999]

How about Bopara?

 

[mrtwisties]

Actually, if the entire England XI wouldn't mind popping over and putting on the whites for, say, the next four Tests?

Thanks.

In return, we'll stop making crude comments about Pippa Middleton.

 

[Sedition]

It's not like switching countries is new to the English team anyways

 

[War]

Best AUS XI for the 1st test once all are fit IMO:

Watson
Warner/Khawaja
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Siddle
Harris
Pattinson
Lyon

 

[sifter132]

I remember getting into an argument with an Aussie friend because I told him I thought Watson had an LBW problem if you bowl straight early in his innings. He told me I was an idiot. Glad to see I wasn't imagining things

Well he DID have that problem is his first few innings as opener. He was LBW in an innings in SA last month, but that's the first one I can remember for a while - and if I recall he should have reviewed it...

And Cricinfo is saying Shaun Marsh is out of the 2nd tour warmup matches, Ed Cowan replaces. Not looking good for Marsh for Boxing Day

 

[mrtwisties]

Best AUS XI for the 1st test once all are fit IMO:

Watson
Warner/Khawaja
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Siddle
Harris
Pattinson
Lyon

We should be prepared not to play Harris and Marsh, since there's every chance they'll be crocked. That probably means Khawaja keeps his spot for another couple of Tests - but who replaces Starc? Looking at the tour games, seems pretty clear that the selectors have Bollinger or Copeland in mind.

If Hazlewood had repeated his SCG performance at Manuka Oval, you'd have to wonder whether he'd be about to receive his baggy green.

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Not saying that Hazlewood is ready for Test cricket, mind. But if they gave Starc a go, then Josh can't be far off.

 

[aussie1st]

And Cricinfo is saying Shaun Marsh is out of the 2nd tour warmup matches, Ed Cowan replaces. Not looking good for Marsh for Boxing Day

Talk about back and forwards. I read earlier that Cowan pulled out of the first match and Ryan Broad was replacing him

So guess that means Hughes will be the only one dropped. Unless Cowan replaces Ponting/Khawaja.