Nov 17-20: Australia A v England XI at Hobart

[aussie1st]

I was thinking, perhaps O'Keefe would fit in well at number 7 in Australia's ODI side. Though he's probably not quite the same batsman Smith is, he's still a pretty decent batsman. Furthermore, in terms of bowling, O'Keefe looks like he'd do a better job than Smith at keeping it tight in the middle overs of an ODI.

Hes no where near as effective in the OD game, that is where his average actually balloons out.

Pretty disappointed with Khawaja as I had high hopes that he would make his mark in this game. The players which can perform under pressure are valued highly and it's something he needs to master. Hughes is once again showing he has mastered this art, did it before his test debut on this very ground and now showing the selectors he still has what it takes.

 

[Num]

Hes no where near as effective in the OD game, that is where his average actually balloons out.

Doherty's bowling average ballooning out to 48+ in FC cricket (when compared to his OD bowling average) hasn't stopped him from being selected in the Test team.

 

[barmyarmy]

Watching this game for as long as I can stay awake...
Phil Hughes looks in nice touch; he's got some beautiful shots. Chokes against the big boys though

 

[aussie1st]

Tremlett on a hattrick, poor leave by Smith was looking forward to watching him batting today.

 

[War]

Tremlett has really impressed in this game for me. I know it wont happen, but id pick him over Finn for the 1st test.

 

[barmyarmy]

Let's hope Smith plays at Brisbane then!

 

[War]

Doherty's bowling average ballooning out to 48+ in FC cricket (when compared to his OD bowling average) hasn't stopped him from being selected in the Test team.

Thats more due the selectors not learning from past mistakes & the shocking lack of options in the AUS spin stocks.

Fact is neither of Doherty or O'Keefe are test quality.

 

[angryangy]

Watching this game for as long as I can stay awake...
Phil Hughes looks in nice touch; he's got some beautiful shots. Chokes against the big boys though

Ironically, that's the only good innings he's played since NZ.

 

[aussie1st]

Fact is neither of Doherty or O'Keefe are test quality.

If Doherty doesn't work and O'Keefe keeps taking wickets then I'd give him a go. He may not look Test quality but hell half the Test spinners don't look that these days. What he does is gets the job done as his record suggest and if he keeps taking wickets he has to be given a go.

 

[War]

If Doherty doesn't work and O'Keefe keeps taking wickets then I'd give him a go. He may not look Test quality but hell half the Test spinners don't look that these days. What he does is gets the job done as his record suggest and if he keeps taking wickets he has to be given a go.

Spinners like Doherty, O'Keefe, Hauritz who hardly spin the ball & have much variety. But depend on accuracy, usually aren't very successful over the course of test history.

So for me picking Doherty & O'Keefe is just picking the left-arm version of Hauritz & eventually the same struggles will happen.

If O'Keefe keeps getting wickets in sheild cricket, yea he will deserve to be looked at. But i'd be very worried. Since we have been down this road before with Dan Cullen & McGain who took wickets, but look average when first for international cricket/test cricket

Krejza is the spinner AUS want. He has already displayed that variety that spinner need to be fairly consistent potent threat againts good test batsmen. Just that given he is an attacking spinner & wont tie up & end - Ponting will just need to know how to use him.

So basically its just a countdown until Krejza is recalled for me.

 

[aussie1st]

I'd say O'Keefe will fair better than Hauritz how much better only time will tell. He has the best record for a spinner in Australia and easily the best of the replacements for Warne thus far. If McGain was younger he would have been a good chance to be our main spinner, he had a poor debut but he is a lot better than that.

There is a heap of defensive spinners that don't turn the ball much atm. Harris, Vettori, Benn, Ojha. You choose them when you don't have any x-factor spinners, what all of them have over Hauritz is the ability to take those 5 wicket hauls when the wicket assist them.

 

[War]

I'd say O'Keefe will fair better than Hauritz how much better only time will tell. He has the best record for a spinner in Australia and easily the best of the replacements for Warne thus far. If McGain was younger he would have been a good chance to be our main spinner, he had a poor debut but he is a lot better than that.

I'm not sure about with McGain. Watching him bowl on his debut, a few Champions League game for VIC & a few live streamed matches. I can't see i'm too impressed with him. I'd say regardless of age the selectors rightfully axed him.

Lets not forget Funky Miller was picked @ age 37 too after a good FC season & he was geniuenly good regardless of that advanced age. The same unforunately can't be said about McGain.

There is a heap of defensive spinners that don't turn the ball much atm. Harris, Vettori, Benn, Ojha. You choose them when you don't have any x-factor spinners, what all of them have over Hauritz is the ability to take those 5 wicket hauls when the wicket assist them.

Yep. Although i'd say Harris is losing that ability of late.

 

[War]

This game also proves Panesar also hasn't improved one bit as i presumed (he looks to have gotten even worse) & why he or no other spinner should have been on this tour for ENG other than Swann.

If the unthinkable were to happen & Swann got injured @ any point of this series, Panesar certainly can't play. ENG would have to play 4 quicks.

 

[sifter132]

Spinners like Doherty, O'Keefe, Hauritz who hardly spin the ball & have much variety. But depend on accuracy, usually aren't very successful over the course of test history.

So for me picking Doherty & O'Keefe is just picking the left-arm version of Hauritz & eventually the same struggles will happen.

If O'Keefe keeps getting wickets in sheild cricket, yea he will deserve to be looked at. But i'd be very worried. Since we have been down this road before with Dan Cullen & McGain who took wickets, but look average when first for international cricket/test cricket

Krejza is the spinner AUS want. He has already displayed that variety that spinner need to be fairly consistent potent threat againts good test batsmen. Just that given he is an attacking spinner & wont tie up & end - Ponting will just need to know how to use him.

So basically its just a countdown until Krejza is recalled for me.

I thought Cullen had the most talent of anyone you've named there, Krejza included. Pity Dan hasn't been able to keep up his performance level. As for Krejza, I don't think you'll ever see any out and out attacking finger spinners play for Australia. They'll need to be able to shut up shop if necessary too. That's what is expected of a finger spinner here in Australia - or anywhere really. Keep it tight and exploit whatever the conditions give you. The more attacking choice is the leg spinner, and that's why I'm guessing the selectors are just gonna keep recycling spinners until Steve Smith goes to the top of the spinners pile.

And I've highlighted the most important part of your statement. It all comes down to the captain, and how much confidence he has in the spinner. No use picking one if the captain won't bowl him. And the opposite is true too: no use picking 4 quicks, if the captain still wants some overs of spin. Anyway, Doherty is obviously the apple of Ricky's eye at the moment, and that's good enough for me.

 

[Sureshot]

This game also proves Panesar also hasn't improved one bit as i presumed (he looks to have gotten even worse) & why he or no other spinner should have been on this tour for ENG other than Swann.

If the unthinkable were to happen & Swann got injured @ any point of this series, Panesar certainly can't play. ENG would have to play 4 quicks.

What are you blabbering on about now? Monty bowled pretty well and caused them plenty of trouble and could've easily taken more than 3 wickets.