Nov 25-29: 1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane

[lethalhughes]

Ugh, that would be depressing. Bollinger has the best Test record out of anyone in the squad. He should play if he's physically fit. If anyone deserves the backing of the selectors, it's Doug, not North or Hussey or what have you.

Bollinger wont be dropped.He most likely isn't fit enough.When fit he'll come straight back in.Siddle isn't a bad replacement either.

lethalhughes added 15 Minutes and 56 Seconds later...

Oh boy I'm shock,I just read this http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/23/3074546.htm

Seems like Dougy is convince he is fit and he is left out!!!!If those numbers Dougy has put out in the last few games isn't enough then what has the world gone to.Dougy has easily been our best bowler.I love Siddle but wtf.Selctors gone mad or what.Selectors have given us a classic example of what to do selection wise to make a team slide down the ranking, there's very few selections they've made thats been logical and this one is no exeption.Even though selectors love a bowler so much surely they've got to respect top performance.Dougy has done all ask of him performance wise.

 

[Left_Hander]

As much as I like the way Siddle plays the game and his on field demeanour, I thought Bollinger was going to be picked. Doherty has booked his debut now I believe. I hope he goes well.

 

[lethalhughes]

As much as I like the way Siddle plays the game and his on field demeanour, I thought Bollinger was going to be picked. Doherty has booked his debut now I believe. I hope he goes well.

Surely selectors cant get any worse than this,Surely.I still don't get on what basis Siddle is chosen ahead of Bollinger.Anyone on this forum would select Siddle ahead of Bollinger? Obviously selectors know something we all don't.

 

[mattfb]

I really really do hope Siddle does well. I can see him getting hammered unfortunately, but I really like him as a player and i'm just praying he rewards the selectors and Ponting for their faith in him.

So Cameron White scores a 100 and Khawaja still gets called up as cover.

This is what it's like to be a Victorian. I know Khawaja was in the initial squad but he failed in both innings with his place on the line. White knew he had to make runs to force his way in and he did. Not only that, but with his team in strife on a second innings fourth day pitch! This is the Ashes, pick the in-form batsman!

Wouldn't that be a good thing for Victorians?

In a purely selfish New South Welshman view, I sure know I wish none of our players ever got called up.

 

[aussie1st]

I did tell you guys the selectors would go this way. I know the way they think and I can tell you that Hauritz would have been picked if they didn't give that job to Ponting.

They can flog it off as Bollinger being underdone but lets be honest, if this was Mitchell Johnson that had the same lead up that Bollinger had then he would have been picked, not forced to play another game of domestic cricket. What it shows is the selectors don't rate Bollinger higher than Siddle, they see him as his equal at best else they would have risked him like they would have for Johnson.

 

[angryangy]

I wouldn't mind it so much if they had a stronger value system. How can you drop your best bowler on such an ambiguous matter as match fitness (especially when he has actually played a game), but at the same time show unwavering confidence in your worst batsmen? It sends the message that you simply don't know what you're doing.

 

[angryangy]

The other thing is that if he can't play until he gets another 4 day game in, he will certainly miss the next Test as well.

 

[aussie1st]

That gives the selectors another ready made excuse to not drop Siddle, they'll be able to bring out the Bollinger won't be able to backup after the Shield excuse.

 

[Themer]

There is no way that Siddle should be in the team ahead of Bollinger. I think that the whole Australian squad has reduced into petty squabbles tbh.

 

[Sureshot]

I may come to eat this, but I really see it there for the taking. Do Australia know their best XI?

Tonight is going to be immense. I may have to go grab a bottle of whiskeh.

 

[lethalhughes]

I may come to eat this, but I really see it there for the taking. Do Australia know their best XI?

Tonight is going to be immense. I may have to go grab a bottle of whiskeh.

The question I would ask is do selectors know serious talent when they see one?Bollinger is a gun.I like Siddle but he really hasnt develop as i thought he would.Bollinger is more complete, does more with the ball.Infact Bollinger is the perfect opening partner to Hilfy.I mean people here will have different views on their best 11 but there are players here who remain constant and Bollinger is one of them.Selectors have ones again shown their incompetence.How can they drop their best bowler?

 

[Sureshot]

It's interesting. Siddle is clearly talented, but how can you argue with Bollinger's record? Averaging low 20s in 11 matches is on the verge of instant selection.

 

[Covvy]

Well, I think the selectors are going with what they know works, or at least has worked. Not so much the Siddle or Bollinger debate but on our Middle order. I like what we're doing by playing the experienced guys who you do know can score runs at an international level. I have a feeling that the middle order will finally find some form and perform just because it's the biggest stage of all.

 

[Themer]

Who else has started there regime to stay awake (English fans obviously unless we have a horde of narcoleptic of Aussies on the board)? Went to sleep at 7pm last night and awoke at 9am, pretty beastly sleeping if I do say so myself. Today I'm staying awake till 4pm, getting drunk and having a massive meal to try to get myself to fall asleep. Shall then get up at 11:30 for the match and will then have naps at lunch and tea. After the days over I will have a quick nap till 8:30 as I have to go to work till 6pm. Straight to sleep as soon as I get back then awake at 12 and repeat for the next day.

Thankfully have Saturday off but I am at work for Sunday although just 1-4. (I think)

I will be dead after this in most probability.

 

[ferg512]

Who else has started there regime to stay awake (English fans obviously unless we have a horde of narcoleptic of Aussies on the board)? Went to sleep at 7pm last night and awoke at 9am, pretty beastly sleeping if I do say so myself. Today I'm staying awake till 4pm, getting drunk and having a massive meal to try to get myself to fall asleep. Shall then get up at 11:30 for the match and will then have naps at lunch and tea. After the days over I will have a quick nap till 8:30 as I have to go to work till 6pm. Straight to sleep as soon as I get back then awake at 12 and repeat for the next day.

Thankfully have Saturday off but I am at work for Sunday although just 1-4. (I think)

I will be dead after this in most probability.

Good luck with your plan!!

On Bollinger he has played the majority of his tests against WI, Pakistan and NZ which is where he got his good record from, but I do think he was very good for the short time he was in India, and is certainly Australias best bowler.

Are they still picking Siddle based on what he did in SA? That was so long ago now it was when Johnson was good so I think that form can be disregarded. I think they just don't like dougie cause definitely if it was Johnson in Bollingers position there would be no talk of him not playing.