Trans-Tasman Trophy (NZ in Australia), December 2011/12

[Doodlesweaver]

We seem to be enjoy this 2 rightys, 1 lefty combo when it comes to fast bowling. Nothing wrong with picking 3 right handers with different styles, just look at SA or ENG. Would much rather Copeland in than having to watch Starc in a baggy green (guessing he'll get it just to provide that left handed option).

I think Starc will get picked. He has an excellent record at the GABBA (not so great everywhere else) so will probably get a swag. And they do love having a left-hander in there.

God knows why, the Aussies never had one in the golden era. When they finally got one, they ended up at 4 in the rankings.

 

[aussie1st]

The A game was never going to be used for selection going by the timing of everything. Cowan has started this season slowly and only averaged 34 last season so certainly wasn't banging the house down. His stocks would have risen from this knock but too little to late.

 

[sifter132]

Indeed, had Cowan even got his 100 by the time the squad was announced? Certainly he hadn't before the selectors had their phone hookup on Friday night, so the articles around saying 'Cowan century snubbed' that kind of thing is just rubbish from the media.

As for Copeland, it's interesting. Particularly with Starc and Cutting picked, I wonder if the new selectors are choosing to emphasise: a) quite recent form and b) horses for courses. Of course it might be that Copeland isn't fast enough for a long term spot like War was saying, and Inverarity was just too nice to mention it, but choosing Starc over Hilfenhaus made me think about those other 2 factors and that perhaps we might see some new approaches from this panel.

 

[aussie1st]

b) horses for courses.

This looks to be a given with the new selection panel:

"This summer we are taking on a squad mentality and building depth," Howard said. "Players are going to come in and out regardless of who they are. We will take performances on board to try and build the strength of depth that we really need - that's regardless of the 18-year-old or the 36-year-old."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-new-zealand-2011/content/current/story/542180.html

Welcome back to the rotation system.

 

[angryangy]

Considering Ryan Harris, you could say it has long been in play.

 

[sifter132]

I'm actually a supporter I think. Apart from Harris and maybe Cummins there are no standouts in the pace attack, so rotating them is a reasonable way to a) keep them fresh and b) hope someone really grabs his opportunities like Cummins did.

Perhaps not with batsmen, for batsmen I would prefer a system where you identify your top 7-8 batsmen before the summer/series then just play the 6 who are in the best form, forget reputations or seniority, just go by form and confidence.

 

[swacker]

I think we all knew this is why Victoria won't produce the volume of elite cricketers that NSW will, but still, it doesn't explain why Hodge etc never got the call when they clearly were good enough.

Football's siren call hard to resist

 

[angryangy]

It doesn't explain much at all. I notice that Australian u-19 Seb Gotch nominated but wasn't taken. That's the other side of the coin. Hundreds of players don't get drafted. It's much easier to choose football at first and end up playing cricket anyway, especially if you're a bit under-size, or tall and not very athletic.

Furthermore, is AFL the only league that demands quality sportsmen? That would be a fair indictment on the rugby codes.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I think we all knew this is why Victoria won't produce the volume of elite cricketers that NSW will, but still, it doesn't explain why Hodge etc never got the call when they clearly were good enough.

Football's siren call hard to resist

Doesn't explain anything in terms of mature cricketers being ignored.

Though Copeland's getting the elbow already explains something in terms of McDonald getting it in 2009. It's like not being a proper quick is unAustralian or something daft like that.

 

[sifter132]

Yep, I think the Aussie selectors just select by the speed gun generally... Seems all the ones capable of 140+ are near the top already: Harris, Johnson, Siddle, Starc, Cummins, Pattinson, Cutting, Bollinger. Can anyone name a faster bowler who isn't in the Australia/Australia A team right now? Apart from Lee/Tait/Nannes who aren't in the running for a Test spot.

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Oh and it's kinda been ignored, but Jesse Ryder went absolutely mental on the Aussie A spinners yesterday. 16 6s 175 off 137 balls. He hit Ed Cowan(??) for 28 off one over, and there were some pretty ugly figures for Aus A. Steve Smith 0/95 off 16, Beer 1/130 off 27.

 

[Chewie]

Yea he equalled the record for sixes in an innings

 

[aussie1st]

It's not over yet for Johnson

This is very convient for the selectors. Now they don't have to axe Johnson which probably would have ended his career. Instead they now can see if Gen Z can get the job done or not, if they don't then they will have their reason for putting Johnson back in the side.

 

[Themer]

Australia news: Mitchell Johnson considers surgery on foot | Australia Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo

"Mitchell Johnson, the Australia fast bowler, may have surgery on his injured left foot, which could rule him out of the whole of Australia's home season. Scans have shown a piece of metal embedded under Johnson's left big toe, and it is not certain for how long it has been there."

I smell bull. They just don't want to actually drop him.

 

[aussie1st]

Whatever floats their boat as long as he isn't in the team I'm happy.

 

[Sedition]

Scans have shown a piece of metal embedded under Johnson's left big toe, and it is not certain for how long it has been there.