Dec 3-7: 2nd Test: Australia v England at the Adelaide Oval

[War]

And War, I know you will never agree, but Hauritz is not useless, and his 5-39 off 27 overs v WA is better than anything any other current spinner has done.

Ha well maybe one day if he improves (although i doubt it), Hauritz will improve. But as of now i dont.

I wont be hyping Hauritz performance againts a relatively weak WA batting line-up. Lets not forget @ the end of last season Steve Smith took 7 wickets againts a relatively weak South Australian batting line-up as well:

New South Wales v South Australia at Sydney, Mar 10-12, 2010 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

Then when he was actually seen on the international stage his bowling certainly as most would conclude, clealry isn't ready for tests.

So basically Hauritz needs a full season or two of excellent FC performances where he is amongst the top wicket-takers in sheild cricket to be ever considered for test selection again. Given how useless he was for his entire test career doing the main job of a test spinner.

Yes, I do agree that picking a spinner by default is not always wise, because they do not automatically take wickets by default on turning pitches due to being a spinner, BUT, do we really have 4 pace bowlers good enough to go in with an all pace attack?

IMO yes. A combination of Hilfenhaus/Bollinger/Harris/Johnson or Siddle is certainly good enough to own most international batting line-ups in most conditons, more often than not.

Slowcoach added 3 Minutes and 41 Seconds later...

We should have played Smith in the first test, or at least here, Doherty has no future, the only way we will find out of Smith's spin is good enough is to play him and bowl him.

We did againts Pakistan earlier this year & his bowling really is not ready for test cricket.

War added 13 Minutes and 22 Seconds later...

Do you include Watson in that 4 man pace attack?

Anyway I agree with all your points, but you still must agree that those points are valid and a real danger. It is just not enough to hope that they don't happen (like it reverses when it spins etc).

Watson role as 4th seamer has to be evaluated. It has happened a few times this year already (in NZ, both tests in India, 2nd innings @ Brisbane), where oldy & disturbingly Ponting hasn't been able to get maximum overs out him due to him probably stiffingly up in the field or injured during the course of a test. Which given the inconsistently of the 3 main quicks or general uselessness of the spinner chosen, that devalues AUS/Ponting ability to have a full fledged 4-man pace attack/5-man all-round attack over the course of a test & that not good at all.

Thats a next reason i think is being overlooked, since worryling this year AUS aren't getting the kind of overs out of him consistently like Kallis for S Africa & why i strongly advocate 4 strong seamers should start. Thus Watson role as seamer would be luxury option, like what S & M Waugh where during the early/mid 90s.

Finally yes 4 seamers has it risks especially on flat pitches. But as i always say AUS given we have no real test quality spinner, just have to accept that achillies heel & play to their strenghts & pick 4 quicks. Who will have more good days together than bad ones.

 

[TumTum]

Finally yes 4 seamers has it risks especially on flat pitches. But as i always say AUS given we have no real test quality spinner, just have to accept that achillies heel & play to their strenghts & pick 4 quicks. Who will have more good days together than bad ones.

That's a good point, but in that case you are surrendering your chances of winnings games on flat pitches that assist spin. I'm just not sure we need to go down that path, we are not that bad yet.

 

[aussie1st]

Ok, basically I just wanted to back North for argument's sake, but I still think some of the criticism is unfair.

When even Afridi looks a better option than you then you know you have problems and at least Afridi has an excuse of being a slogger. Anyway most of the criticism is due to the frustration of putting up with his hit and miss career especially making a 100 when hes about to be dropped and then failing for the next 3 test.

Finally the selectors are on par with what I was going for just need to get rid of North but I'm sure he'll make a 100 this game and save his ass again.

 

[TumTum]

Thank god we won the toss, it could have been hell if we bowled again.

 

[aussie1st]

That gives Siddle another days rest which hopefully will allow him to go full throttle. Likewise Bollinger and Harris. Over to our batsmen who still haven't really convinced yet.

 

[angryangy]

Thank god we won the toss, it could have been hell if we bowled again.

I don't know about that. It could be interesting with the grass cover. I reckon it will play faster than Brisbane.

 

[Iridium]

I can't wrap my mind around how Hilfenhaus, who played one bad game, gets dropped yet North constantly dodges the axe.

 

[Deleted member 13648]

Engerrrrlaaaaanddddddd

 

[ajdude]

Ah gee wizz, that's useless haha.

 

[pcfan123]

yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehawwwwwwww

 

[Brook]

Run out? Now that's embarrassing.

 

[barmyarmy]

The curse of the third ball strikes. Poor Katto; didn't even face a ball.

 

[darthlewis1]

YES!! Perfect start!

darthlewis1 added 0 Minutes and 52 Seconds later...

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

 

[pcfan123]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah this is maddness

 

[barmyarmy]

So glad to be English.
Out of form Clarke, followed by flakey middle order...