West Indies tour of Australia, November-December 2009

[angryangy]

Kookaburras do swing, but not reliably. It clearly happens, whether it is prodigious or not, Gayle got out to Hilfenhaus' swing at the Gabba and Watson was also lbw expecting outswing from Taylor. It's fickle though. Towering stands tend to block the breeze and reduce its impact.

I think the point being made is that you won't see swing playing a role in 9/10 matches like in England with the Duke. It's probably not worth having a swing bowler who doesn't do much else with the ball, certainly not worth having two.

 

[aussie1st]

Well Bollinger showed hes no one trick pony with good line and length bowling, a touch of aggression and reverse swing both ways. Would have liked Hilfy to play in Perth as there is still that question mark on how he goes without swing. The MCG will have to do as the SCG will swing and his home ground definitely will.

 

[drainpipe32]

Surely Siddle is still ahead of Bollinger in the pecking order?

For mine it would have to be Johnson>Siddle>Hilfenahus>Bollinger>McKay>Youngsters/Stuart Clark and Brett Lee

Really would not like Clark to play at Perth. Would be a waste.

 

[aussie1st]

Siddle needs a rest, it will probably take another 2 more poor series coupled with good series from Bollinger/McKay for him to fall.

 

[Covvy]

I don't get it why the Aussies aren't trying out different players for the final test. Give Steve smith a go and stop playing Hauritz FFS. Also give Siddle, Johnson, Clarke, Haddin and Katich a rest. Bring in the likes of Hughes etc. because it won't hurt anybody if it's a disaster.

 

[rocklara]

Guys, what type of wicket should the teams expect in Perth, ahead of the final test match?

 

[TumTum]

Bouncy and flat.

 

[aussie1st]

Australia do need a complimentary attack. Haritz cops a lot of flak but hes needed: hes like Harris of south africa

He might be like Harris in terms of keeping it tight but Harris is a left arm orthodox and hes 2m so he can extract bounce just like Benn. It is very hard for a offie to be successful without a doosra. Hauritz biggest problem is he has no 5 fer whereas Harris has 2 in Test cricket and 17 in FC so even though Harris might be a tight bowler he is also very capable of taking a bagful of wickets.

 

[Robelinda]

Its definitely an odd situation with Hauritz. he only came into them because Lee and Krezja were so loose, and we needed a containing spinner, a role he has fulfilled quite well. But he cant really turn the ball and poses no real threat to a defensive batsman. I think our 3 quicks plus Watson can do a conatining job if needed, but we really need an attacking spinner to take advantage of a wearing pitch. The only options I see is including a wrist spinner, which means either McGain or Smith. Now McGain's record at the MCG is pretty good, he has bowled Victoria to victory countless time, already once this season. Sure he's old but he has delieveries that turn both ways and could be very useful.

 

[aussie1st]

It might be worth looking at a SLA if we are hell bent on the containing role. Harris, Benn, Vettori, Razzaq and Al Hasan are all SLA and they are good at containing. The latter 3 are good at picking up wickets as well.

McGain definitely looks the best of the spinners currently, just depends if the selectors want to go down that road again.

 

[barto123]

Its definitely an odd situation with Hauritz. he only came into them because Lee and Krezja were so loose, and we needed a containing spinner, a role he has fulfilled quite well. But he cant really turn the ball and poses no real threat to a defensive batsman. I think our 3 quicks plus Watson can do a conatining job if needed, but we really need an attacking spinner to take advantage of a wearing pitch. The only options I see is including a wrist spinner, which means either McGain or Smith. Now McGain's record at the MCG is pretty good, he has bowled Victoria to victory countless time, already once this season. Sure he's old but he has delieveries that turn both ways and could be very useful.

If Mcgain makes it even into the australian squad again im going to choke on my weet-bix....hes too old, too predictable, and doesnst have enough control. Australia need to look toward the future..... and unfortuantly there just isnt much to look foward to. Krejza is just way way too expensive, Smith just hasnt shown enough at fc to warrant selection, so really there isnt anyone left to go for at the present time. Thats why haritz should be stuck with, go for an aggressive pace attack and try to get wickets that way.

If ponting didnt continuously bowl haritz at important times for long spells and used him only for containment, it would work better. Ponting thinks he's a different bowler than he actually is and tries to use him to pick up wickets, but thats not what hes capable of. Maybe Ponting needs a little reality check.

 

[TumTum]

Well hopefully all will be revealed in Perth, Hauritz to bowl the Doosra

 

[barto123]

Well hopefully all will be revealed in Perth, Hauritz to bowl the Doosra

Ahh yes the mysterious doosra that everyone seems to think he posseses but no one has seen yet I think perhaps learning how to bowl an offbreak that actually turns a bit might be easier to achieve, you can only go one step at a time after all.

 

[drainpipe32]

Poor from the selectors. Hilditch and co really need the balls to take some risks and pick up some youngster for this game. Can't see Hauritz doing much in this game, so throw in Steven Smith or Jon Holland.

Not sure about Hughes, because he's out of form and the bounciest wicket in the world isn't the best place to improve his short ball weakness

 

[sifter132]

If Mcgain makes it even into the australian squad again im going to choke on my weet-bix....hes too old, too predictable, and doesnst have enough control. Australia need to look toward the future..... and unfortuantly there just isnt much to look foward to. Krejza is just way way too expensive, Smith just hasnt shown enough at fc to warrant selection, so really there isnt anyone left to go for at the present time. Thats why haritz should be stuck with, go for an aggressive pace attack and try to get wickets that way.

If ponting didnt continuously bowl haritz at important times for long spells and used him only for containment, it would work better. Ponting thinks he's a different bowler than he actually is and tries to use him to pick up wickets, but thats not what hes capable of. Maybe Ponting needs a little reality check.

Disagree with your opinion on Hauritz's usage. Ponting's giving him confidence by getting him thinking of wickets. That's why I think we've seen Hauritz improve his bowling in the last year, someone's finally shown some confidence in him. Ponting's not expecting him to run through a side, but he's expecting more than just 'give us a few tight overs, Nath', which is how it seemed sometimes for NSW.

Agree though about McGain. The guy is not coming back, and all he's doing is taking a spot away from Jon Holland. Damn Vics playing their old guys: Hodge, Harwood, Jewell, McGain. All well over 30 and not gonna be playing for Australia ever/ever again. Give the youngsters a go Vics... Although admittedly most of those guys keep the Shield at a good standard, especially when you add the other over 30s they play: Rogers, Hussey and Nannes.

If any young guy gets a crack, I'd like Cullen Bailey to get a shot. He's only played a handful of games in the last season or two, but he's done OK in them. But no the Redbacks wanna play 4 quicks. There should be a rule that a specialist spinner has to be played. And he's a leggie, and Aussies love their leggies. Could be especially useful considering Marcus North rolls out a decent offie. I think Ponting's reluctant to use North more since he already has an offie in Hauritz.