Commonwealth Bank Series

The trouble with being a top order batsman is that you never really get to bat without any pressure. You will find teams usually realise that new players are already under other factors and reserve these spots for seasoned players. The odd rookie will come in to open the batting, but almost never at 3. It's for this reason that I've been surprised Clarke (or Hussey) hasn't been the no. 3 in Ponting's absence.

Well, we'll see how it all goes tomorrow, I guess.
 
That is a huge blow for the WC. Puts a big dent in our middle order.
He was instrumental in the WC 2003 aswell.

Hopefully this encourages the selectors to drop White and bring back Hogg though.
Should also open up a slot for Watson when he returns aswell.
 
Sureshot said:
I was looking at medical websites earlier about Symonds injury. Surgery tends to only happen if the tendon has torn from the bone (ie the worst a tendon injury can get), it also said about a 12 week recovery period.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ruptured_tendon/page8_em.htm#Surgery
So according to that he won't make the world cup, even if he does, he wont be 100% fit and he is crucial to them with his all-round skills, they will certainly miss his energy and skill in the field.

Really excited about tomorrow's game. At least now we beat the Aussies this game has got something riding on it and is not just a rehearsal for the final. I'm glad Ponting's back to play NZ, so hopefully he can get a big'un tomorrow and put pressure on NZ.
 
Hodge just seems a strange selection to me. Symonds is in the team to score at a good rate to me, yet Hodge doesn't really offer that.

It also puts added pressure on the bowling of White and Clarke in my view. I'd expect Tait to go better in this game though, now he's over the initial nerves. Lee being back adds a bit to the batting as well.
 
the more under strength australia are the more exciting this world cup will be
every team has a chance
but even at full strength this aussie team is beatable
 
Sureshot said:
I was looking at medical websites earlier about Symonds injury. Surgery tends to only happen if the tendon has torn from the bone (ie the worst a tendon injury can get), it also said about a 12 week recovery period.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ruptured_tendon/page8_em.htm#Surgery

Lol good spotting Mr Doctor :p
You seem to be right front page of foxsports website was Roy would most likely miss the WC.

AUSTRALIA all rounder Andrew Symonds appears set to miss next month's World Cup in the Caribbean after being diagnosed with a ruptured bicep tendon in his right arm.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21167132-23212,00.html

Well now we have an easy way of bringing Watson into the team at least, straight into number 5 no stuffing about of the order or anything else.

On Hodge if he carries his form over to the ODI arena he can score real quick. In the FRC he has a SR of 95.75, and in some 20/20 games he was hitting 90 in 50 balls or something like that.
 
I've been surprised Watson hasn't been playing in this series, he's playing state cricket isn't he? I know he had injury problems but he must be over them now?
 
Symonds will be a loss, but I don't think necessarily for his batting - It's more his allround package that gives him value. I'm assuming now that another specialist batsmen will be needed in the WC squad (plus Watson), and IMO they will have no problem covering Symonds productivity with the bat - except in the last 10 overs of an innings where he excels.

I've never really trusted Symonds to bail us out (or White for that matter) - sure he has played a couple of huge innings eg. v Pak in 2003, but he seems to make 20 and 30s far too often. Not like Mr Cricket, my jaw dropped when he was out on Friday night, I'm just so used to him coming through for us.

Where we will lose out is in the field and with his extra bowling option. That's why we need Hoggie and Watson back as the 4th and 5th bowlers plus 3 quicks. White/Clarke will not cut it as the 5th bowler, although they will have to today.
 
Sureshot said:
I've been surprised Watson hasn't been playing in this series, he's playing state cricket isn't he? I know he had injury problems but he must be over them now?

TBH he could only really have played last match but selectors are being cautious with him.
 
Sureshot said:
I've been surprised Watson hasn't been playing in this series, he's playing state cricket isn't he? I know he had injury problems but he must be over them now?
I dont think the selectors wanted to risk him picking up an injury now and then missing the world cup, I think he'll play in the 3 ODI's against NZ in 2 weeks time.
 
sifter132 said:
I've never really trusted Symonds to bail us out (or White for that matter) - sure he has played a couple of huge innings eg. v Pak in 2003, but he seems to make 20 and 30s far too often. Not like Mr Cricket, my jaw dropped when he was out on Friday night, I'm just so used to him coming through for us.

Where we will lose out is in the field and with his extra bowling option. That's why we need Hoggie and Watson back as the 4th and 5th bowlers plus 3 quicks. White/Clarke will not cut it as the 5th bowler, although they will have to today.

Well he does have the ability to save us, there has been some good knocks from him but they aren't as consistent as Hussey.

Also I believe our bowling option will be strengthen as bringing Watson in at 5 means we have 5 bowlers, no need for part timers.
 
evertonfan said:
Irottev, I get the bitterness thing from the fact that you are throwing your toys out of the pram just because we beat Australia and you haven't yet. So what if you nearly chases 300+, the fact remains that you didn't.

I wasn't throwing any toys out of any pram thankyou. I don't care which team beats Australia and this has nothing to do with New Zealand not doing it yet. You fail to realise that I support the Australian team as well, they're my second favourites. I was pissed off THEY lost to you, not that we havn't. I am not that pathetic. I don't need NZ to beat the Aussies to know we are better then your side. 2-1 so far. So good luck for the last game. I think I congratulated some of the England fans after the match, the ones who wern't gloating on like children about it.

My team for today:

Vincent
Fleming
Fulton
Taylor
Styris
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Bond

I would play Bondy against Australia. His performances havn't been brilliant against England so far, so I rekon we could do without him and play Gillespie. I think we should try win today and I rekon we have a decent shot at it. No Symonds which will leave a bit of a hole. No McGrath, well I guess thats good, we did take him for 70 something i nthe lat game though. Doesn't look like he's quite in his best form.

Fulton has been more consistant then McMillan and looks in top form, if he can manage not to throw his wicket away it'll be good. It also means the batting order can stay the way it is.
 
I would have Gillespie in there for Mills, Gillespie has performed very well against Australia this series. Bond surely have to play, if NZ live up to what Fleming says that they want to apply pressure on Aus. and win than they surely have to pick Bond. If NZ are at full strength with Bond than this will most likely be the squad for the WC.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Top