Dec 26-30: 4th Test - Australia v England at Melbourne

[Lee1981]

He can only get better, aslong as he doesnt slow down in progression like broad has he could be a quality bowler, broad is as at a level now i dont see him getting better, if not for his batting i would not pick him at all.

 

[RoboRocks]

He can only get better, aslong as he doesnt slow down in progression like broad has he could be a quality bowler, broad is as at a level now i dont see him getting better, if not for his batting i would not pick him at all.

It's still to early to say, since he's still young. He actually bowled quite well before he got injured.

 

[Left_Hander]

Two things that really annoy me is that there are people who are leaving comments on the Daily Telegraph website that were published in last weekend's paper saying that:

1) Hodge should be picked in the Test side
2) Australia used Bodyline tactics

For starters, Hodge isn't even playing FC cricket for Victoria so that would be the strangest decision for a long time. I wouldn't mind if he is picked of the ODI side but when people just blindly say things without being aware that Hodge has retired from Sheffield Shield cricket.

So Australia used "Bodyline tactics"? Well you can't technically do "Bodyline" anymore because the field restrictions banned that. Sure Siddle bounced Prior but if I recall correctly England did the same thing to Smith in the second innings.

Sorry about that. My rant's over. Anyway, I'm really looking foward to Boxing Day just so I can watch the cricket . Should be a cracker! Really interested to see if Australia will pick Beer.

 

[sami ullah khan]

Broad and Finn are not that different bowlers. Broad has that added skill of reverse swing. Broad is a bit quicker but I think Finn has a few extra yards up his sleeve as well. Broads' reverse swing can be very handy as he proved in that Ashes test in England.

 

[Covvy]

I find it funny with all the comeback talks. Instead of Brad Hodge, why don't we play Bradman?

 

[Left_Hander]

You're right, he shouldn't be in the side now if he isn't playing test cricket. But if I had to pick a side for the sole purpose of winning the next two matches it would read:

Shane Watson
Simon Katich (Brad Hodge)
Ricky Ponting
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
Brad Hodge (Steve Smith/Andrew McDonald)
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Shane Warne (Ben Hilfenhaus)
Ryan Harris
Peter Siddle

The ones in brackets are if I'm not allowed to play the ones on the left. Katich injury would see me move Hodge to the opening slot, and slot in an all-rounder at 6. Depends whether we need a spinner or not. That's the best side in Australia, based on form and merit. Could probably beat any other.

I'd agree with that side. McDonald's in good form in FC cricket from memory.

I find it funny with all the comeback talks. Instead of Brad Hodge, why don't we play Bradman?

Yeah. Did you hear when some journos asked Richie Benaud on what he thought of Warne making a comeback? Richie piped up and said "I'm disappointed no one has asked me" Or something along those lines.

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

You're right, he shouldn't be in the side now if he isn't playing test cricket. But if I had to pick a side for the sole purpose of winning the next two matches it would read:

Shane Watson
Simon Katich (Brad Hodge)
Ricky Ponting
David Hussey
Michael Hussey
Brad Hodge (Steve Smith/Andrew McDonald)
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Shane Warne (Ben Hilfenhaus)
Ryan Harris
Peter Siddle

The ones in brackets are if I'm not allowed to play the ones on the left. Katich injury would see me move Hodge to the opening slot, and slot in an all-rounder at 6. Depends whether we need a spinner or not. That's the best side in Australia, based on form and merit. Could probably beat any other.

I am also happy with the lineup, Pup should be replaced. And i want to see a specialist spinner or an allrounder (spinner) instead of Hilfenhaus

 

[angryangy]

I find it funny with all the comeback talks. Instead of Brad Hodge, why don't we play Bradman?

I for one think zombie cricketers would be an answer to many of modern cricket's problems.

 

[sami ullah khan]

^

 

[aussie1st]

McDonald is out injured again so scrap him from the list.

Finn is about the same speed as Broad as he showed in Adelaide. Atm he seems to be like Johnson, he is going for lots of runs and looks average but he is England's leading wicket taker.

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Leg-spinner Steve Smith is not regarded as the type of bowler capable of economically locking down an end. That could prompt selectors to consider left-arm spinner Beer, whose 3-39 for Western Australia against Victoria at the MCG in the Sheffield Shield is his best statistical performance of the season.

Specialist spinner the key at MCG: curator pushes Beer's barrow

True in regards to Smith not being able to keep it tight but Beer ain't much better with a career economy of 3.6.

 

[Owzat]

I find it funny with all the comeback talks. Instead of Brad Hodge, why don't we play Bradman?

That really would be getting down to the bare bones.................

 

[Dutch]

That really would be getting down to the bare bones.................

And Australia don't want to just play a skeleton team...

 

[sami ullah khan]

^Indian selectors seem to think highly of Skeletons

 

[TumTum]

Yeah. Did you hear when some journos asked Richie Benaud on what he thought of Warne making a comeback? Richie piped up and said "I'm disappointed no one has asked me" Or something along those lines.

He kept such a straight face when he said it too, for a moment I believed him, love the guy.

 

[War]

McDonald is out injured again so scrap him from the list.

Finn is about the same speed as Broad as he showed in Adelaide. Atm he seems to be like Johnson, he is going for lots of runs and looks average but he is England's leading wicket taker.

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Specialist spinner the key at MCG: curator pushes Beer's barrow

True in regards to Smith not being able to keep it tight but Beer ain't much better with a career economy of 3.6.

With Hilfenhaus & Harris in already, you have two bowlers who can do the donkey work & lock down & end for Ponting. So Smith can be risked as an attacking spinner.

Its crazy that they are nervous about him & they haven't even tried him yet. To quote JL Langer: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/9311473.stm

While Australia will be tempted to hand left-arm spinner Michael Beer his first baggy green cap, they will want to find good reason to break up the quartet of fast bowlers who worked so well together in Perth.

Although the Waca suited such a combination, they will be aware that there are more ways to win Test matches than sticking to traditional formulas.

Australia succeeded with a different combination last week, the West Indies did it for years as the greatest team that ever played together. .

AMENNN!!