Who will put a spin on India? - Article

[mattfb]

With the Australia vs India test series coming up in just 16 days time the selectors are left with a big choice; Who will be the spinner?

There is 2 options for the selectors to take, play 4 quicks or find a spinner who is good enough to pressure the likes of Tendulkar, Ganguly and many more. Johnson, Tait, Clark and Lee are 4 pace bowlers who are all worthy of a position in the team. 3 of those can bowl over the 145km mark and Clark is a McGrath junior. These 4 paceman will be a handful for the Indian batsmen top order and Australia could always bowl Symonds and Clarke for some spin. With games in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney pacemen will get the most out of those pitches for all those tests, barring Sydney.

Of course, realistically we could still be living in the past thinking to much of the old bouncy pitch on the western side of Australia. The last few years it has shown a liking to spinners which makes the option for a spinner more appealing. Adelaide is a batsmens pitch, but has no gurantee it wont break up on the last few days to help the spinners bowl out the Indians. Sydney of course is Sydney, a genuine spinners pitch. With these notes taken in the selectors will need to think hard about who is the best spinner in Australia.

Lets list the options. MacGill is having surgery so obviously out of the picture. Some people are in favour of Brad Hogg getting a run in the Test Arena again. But lets not kid ourselves, his first class average isn't a lot to brag about. 96 matches with 173 wickets at 39 compared to someone like Dan Cullen who has 113 wickets in 37 matches. Or Nathan Hauritz who took 5 wickets in his test debut or even 22 year old Cullen Bailey who has taken 55 wickets in his first 19 matches.
But bowling isn't the only thing the selectors will be looking at. In 2005 Australia were desperately searching for an all rounder, finding Symonds had the best to offer but now the Australian selectors know if they pick Brad Hogg the batting line-up gets a bit stronger. Brad Hogg has 165 runs in 5 innings at an average of 41 with 2 fiftys this year. Cullen Bailey has 2 innings and 51 runs, 1 not out which is why he has an average of 51. He hasn't scored a 50. Cullen has 46 runs from 6 innings at an average of 9. So when it comes to the batting part, Hogg will be on top of the list.

But heres the big questions; Experience, youth or form? Hogg fits in the experience category better than Hauritz, Cullen or Bailey. Youth is obviously the 23 year old Cullen or 22 year old Bailey. Form, well Hogg and and Cullen have both bowled in 4 Pura cup matches with Hogg getting 13 scalps and Cullen 11.

The selectors obviously have a nice choice but personally I would go with Cullen. 113 wickets in 34 matches and at 23 he really is a star in the making for Australia.

I wrote it myself.

I posted it in cricket chat, well TBH I believe it will get more interest here. Anyway I want your opinions, so its cricket chat.

 

[SciD]

Good work mate. But honestly I dont think it matters who will be the spinner. But I will definately not like 4 pace bowlers as then there will be no variety in the attack. Also a spinner can always hold one end up while others attack from second end.

At present and considering past performanes, Brad Hogg is the one.

 

[usy]

that was good read.

 

[mattfb]

Thanks guys. Anymore comments/views?

 

[SciD]

Surely of the 48 views to this thread some might have to say something??

 

[Left_Hander]

Form > Experience > Youth

The exception with that would be if there is an older head is out of form you would still probably pick him over the in form player.

I believe Hogg should get a go. Cullen and Bailey haven't really done anything out of the ordinary I believe that has attracted the selectors. Hogg has been a consistent performer in one day cricket and has put in solid performances for his state.

 

[RoboRocks]

Australia have a slight dilemma regarding spinners. If Hogg doesn't perform you have MacGill injured and the likes of Cullen and Bailey not making an impression. If not all of them, would Australia possibly give Hauritz the nod.
The future is not looking bright in the spin department.

 

[mattfb]

Australia have a slight dilemma regarding spinners. If Hogg doesn't perform you have MacGill injured and the likes of Cullen and Bailey not making an impression. If not all of them, would Australia possibly give Hauritz the nod.
The future is not looking bright in the spin department.

I agree with that. But I do think Cullen should get the nod. Hes a promising young spinner and only has 2 less wickets than Hogg this season.

 

[RoboRocks]

I agree with that. But I do think Cullen should get the nod. Hes a promising young spinner and only has 2 less wickets than Hogg this season.

I'm not keen on what I've seen from Cullen when he played as an overseas player for Somerset. He probably has improved but I don't feel he's a test match spin bowler.

 

[Cricket_god]

well they should play 4 pacers as the spinners are in experienced at test level

 

[mattfb]

well they should play 4 pacers as the spinners are in experienced at test level

Yeah, true. Also India are coming off a series in the sub continent which means they will be ready against spin and 4 pacers may be the way to go but a spinner just seems a definate to me.

 

[jordox]

First of all, well written Matt.

I think that if Australia does choose a spinner, it should be Hogg. I wouldn't look to much into those stats, I think that he's head and shoulders above Cullen, Hauritz (who can't even get into the NSW team :P ) and crew. Hogg for me. I'm never a fan of playing 4 quicks. From personal experience, when playing teams with 4 quicks as a good top order batsman in my day I could just settle into the grove and make runs quickly. The spinner plays a vital role in a team I feel, and the part time spin of Clarke and maybe Symonds isn't enough.

Hogg, Lee, Clarke, Tait for me. Although, I think Johnson will most likely play.

P.S:

On a side note, did anyone see that Steven Smith bowl yesterday for NSW? He looks promising! Really funny run up and action, but he can land them alright.

 

[mattfb]

First of all, well written Matt.

I think that if Australia does choose a spinner, it should be Hogg. I wouldn't look to much into those stats, I think that he's head and shoulders above Cullen, Hauritz (who can't even get into the NSW team :P ) and crew. Hogg for me. I'm never a fan of playing 4 quicks. From personal experience, when playing teams with 4 quicks as a good top order batsman in my day I could just settle into the grove and make runs quickly. The spinner plays a vital role in a team I feel, and the part time spin of Clarke and maybe Symonds isn't enough.

Hogg, Lee, Clarke, Tait for me. Although, I think Johnson will most likely play.

P.S:

On a side note, did anyone see that Steven Smith bowl yesterday for NSW? He looks promising! Really funny run up and action, but he can land them alright.

Well, thanks for the nice comment

Anyway Hogg is no doubt the bowler with the most experience but I seriously think Australia should develop some new blood. Cullen is promising. OK, maybe nut this summer but no doubt in next summer or 2 summers time I would have him in there.

Yeah i saw Steven Smith. Looks really good. Landing it well, had a few different deliverys up his sleeve and bowled well