Nathan Hauritz role in the Australian test side. Should he really be playing?

[lethalhughes]

Hughes had his shot, go for Khawaja

He Hughes didn't really fail, he does average 51 in test and played really well in his last test innings verses New Zealand plus ofcourse two hundreds against South Africa.Yes but Khawaja is pure class, so if selectors go either way then atleast they would be back on track.No selection is a garanteed success but there's logical and illogical and picking the best bat to replace North would be logical( forget bout whether that bat offers a bowling option).

 

[aussie1st]

The impression I got was they only played 4 quicks because of the Headingly pitch - which was totally the right call. Then they decided to try and keep that advantage at the Oval. I think half the reason being a psychological one rather than it being the best team for the conditions: 'hey these 4 ran through the Poms last Test, they'll be worried about that happening again' would have been the kind of comment coming from Jamie Cox's mouth I imagine. So I didn't think Hauritz was dropped. The quotes from Ponting afterwards certainly didn't indicate that he was dropped and then reinstated.

Ponting and co can sugar coat it all they want but that was a straight out drop. If Warne or any decent spinner was in our team do you think we would have played 4 seamers in the 4th test?

I think the calls to give North's spot to Smith are silly when there are plenty of proper batsmen in Aussie domestic. All the recent collapses show if anything that Australia need a proper batsman at 6 once North is dropped. Bringing in an all-rounder in that spot is hardly going to cure the batting woes.

Proper batsmen? Smith averaged close to 80 last season with four 100s, don't know what more he can do to be called a proper batsmen.

 

[lethalhughes]

Ponting and co can sugar coat it all they want but that was a straight out drop. If Warne or any decent spinner was in our team do you think we would have played 4 seamers in the 4th test?



Proper batsmen? Smith averaged close to 80 last season with four 100s, don't know what more he can do to be called a proper batsmen.

Yes its a tough one with Smith but really he has only done that in one season.But he sure can bat.Some people on here are calling for Smith batting in the top 6 on the basis he's a like for like replacement to North, in that he offers a useful bowling option.My point is that Smith or any other batsman should be picked in the top 6 if and only if they are one of the best 6 bats in australia.And Smith is definitely behind Hughes in my opinion.But you right those numbers are numbers of a proper batsman, but remember though its only one season,cause of his unusual technique and the mere fact he started batting at number 8 for nsw, he might need to do more in domestic cricket to win the confidence of selectors he's a top 6 bat in test cricket.I'm not sure on Smith batting in the top 6 in test cricket just yet, one or two more strong seasons and thumps up.

 

[aussie1st]

TBH taking his bowling away makes picking him even more tempting as his bowling stats is the one bringing him down. He was the only batsmen last season to hit 4 centuries ahead of some big name players including Hussey and Hughes. Also easily had the best average for last season. There isn't much separating Hughes and Smith both have interesting techniques which have got the job done so far. Khawaja has the best technique of the youngsters.

 

[lethalhughes]

TBH taking his bowling away makes picking him even more tempting as his bowling stats is the one bringing him down. He was the only batsmen last season to hit 4 centuries ahead of some big name players including Hussey and Hughes. Also easily had the best average for last season. There isn't much separating Hughes and Smith both have interesting techniques which have got the job done so far. Khawaja has the best technique of the youngsters.

You must really rate Smith's batting then.I still think Hughes, Ferguson and Khawaja are better bats at this point in my opinion.But if selectors believe he is atleast equal to Hughes batting wise then obviously Smith should get the nod.I doubt they think he is though.

 

[aussie1st]

Hughes has been pretty average by his standard, in his 3 matches for his County team he averaged under 15, certainly not saying pick me. Ferguson FC stats are average and even in his breakout season his season average was under 50. He might look the goods but he has done nothing on paper to back it up in the longer format.

 

[lethalhughes]

Hughes has been pretty average by his standard, in his 3 matches for his County team he averaged under 15, certainly not saying pick me. Ferguson FC stats are average and even in his breakout season his season average was under 50. He might look the goods but he has done nothing on paper to back it up in the longer format.

I would pick Ferguson ahead of Smith not cause of domestic stats but because of what Ferguson has shown in odi cricket so far.Not just his runs but his composure at the crease.He might happen to be a total failure but when you see that from a player so early in his international career , its sure worth giving him a go.There are many examples of players with not so good first class record when they got selected for the countries and they ended up being a success in test.
So Ferguson will get an opportunity before Smith as a specialist bat imo, he may even be picked ahead of Hughes.Do you really believe Smith can average 50 in test cricket?Cause am picking Hughes ahead of SMITH on the basis i see HUghes as a 50+ average guy.

 

[TumTum]

Hughes has been pretty average by his standard, in his 3 matches for his County team he averaged under 15, certainly not saying pick me.

Must remember that those matches were played in bowling friendly conditions.

 

[aussie1st]

I would go Khawaja over the lot of them, easily the best youngster and I prefer picking on domestic form. But I won't complain with Ferguson. And yes I can see Smith averaging 50 in Test cricket, again refer to what he did last season and how he did it. Anyway all mute points as Hughes is seen as an opener and Smith a bowler so neither will replace a middle order batsmen.

aussie1st added 1 Minutes and 55 Seconds later...

Must remember that those matches were played in bowling friendly conditions.

Rubbish excuse, bowling friendly conditions doesn't mean you can't make runs, and its not like both teams were bowled out for 100. Infact one guy made 194 in one of the matches and in one of the other ones Ian Bell scored a 100. Plus Hughes owned up in bowling friendly conditions in Hobart against Tasmania.

 

[pcfan123]

Proper batsmen? Smith averaged close to 80 last season with four 100s, don't know what more he can do to be called a proper batsmen.

Holding the bat properly would be a start

 

[lethalhughes]

I would go Khawaja over the lot of them, easily the best youngster and I prefer picking on domestic form. But I won't complain with Ferguson. And yes I can see Smith averaging 50 in Test cricket, again refer to what he did last season and how he did it. Anyway all mute points as Hughes is seen as an opener and Smith a bowler so neither will replace a middle order batsmen.

aussie1st added 1 Minutes and 55 Seconds later...



Rubbish excuse, bowling friendly conditions doesn't mean you can't make runs, and its not like both teams were bowled out for 100. Infact one guy made 194 in one of the matches and in one of the other ones Ian Bell scored a 100. Plus Hughes owned up in bowling friendly conditions in Hobart against Tasmania.

Doesn't matter, if Hughes is the next best young batsman we've seen since Ponting he should be able to bat anywhere.I wouldn't argue though if Khawaja was chosen.I wouldn't read to much into those county scores , Hughes was just coming from injury.

 

[pcfan123]

Yea didn't Hughes dominate at Middlesex before he failed miserably in the Ashes

 

[Bhargav]

i think he must be playing as indian wickets supports spin a lot!!

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

why have so many of the new australians got such awful technique now?

hughes, warner, smith, katich (i know he's not new but he's been away and he wasn't that crabby before)?

the most classical batsman to come in to the team in the last 2 or 3 years is mitchell johnson. I think Khawaja looks pretty good though. get him in guys.

 

[lethalhughes]

why have so many of the new australians got such awful technique now?

hughes, warner, smith, katich (i know he's not new but he's been away and he wasn't that crabby before)?

the most classical batsman to come in to the team in the last 2 or 3 years is mitchell johnson. I think Khawaja looks pretty good though. get him in guys.

How about Ferguson, i think he's the most classical in terms of technique to come into the team.Interestingly no one is talking up Shaun Marsh for the test team despite him doing really well in odi stuff.I think his technique outside off stump will let him down if given an opportunity in test.