Langer - You're JOKING!

[Rik E Boy]

Sorry JL, but you just shouldn't be selected in the first test team this week at the Gabriella. Have the week off and give those cracked ribs a chance to mend..it's going to be a long summer and a test off at this time of year wouldn't hurt.

I reckon Hussey should get the gig but JL to come back in once fit. Who knows, Hussey might even put the heat on pup and dogscratch in the middle order.

regards,

REB

[TigerBoss]

Boof and Damian Martyn are both playing some cracking cricket in the ING and Pura Cup too so they both should be looked at.

Hodge has been going just OK.

If Langer were to miss, I'd give Katich the opening spot with Haydos...

Then again, Langer is a deadset legend, perhaps my fave player in the Aussie side, so if he says he's alright...let him play.

Remember, it's all about "just one more".

[TigerBoss]

Just found this:

______________________________

Michael Hussey has been thrust into the Australia squad as cover for Justin Langer, who is fighting a fractured rib to prove his fitness for the first Test against West Indies on Thursday. Langer, who was hit while batting for Western Australia in an ING Cup match on Saturday, has not been ruled out of the side, but Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, decided to give Hussey time to adapt in case he was asked to make his debut.

"The reports from team medical staff suggest that Justin will aim to practice tomorrow, but in the event that he's not fit to play, we want to have a player on stand-by in Brisbane," Hohns said. "Although Justin has signalled his intent to train and make himself available for the Test, we must cover all of our bases."

Hussey will join the team from Perth today and his impressive ODI performances since being recalled in March - he has an average of 119.25 in his past 17 matches - and position as a specialist opener pushed him above Brad Hodge and Phil Jaques. "Hussey has played some fine cricket for Australia in the one-day international arena, so he is familiar with the set-up within the national side," Hohns said. "He is a quality top-order batsman in first-class cricket and we believe he can fill a role in the Test side if required."

The Sydney Morning Herald reported today that Langer risked puncturing a lung if hit again, but he was desperate to prove his fitness. "He would almost certainly wear a guard and he risks sustaining further injury, such as a punctured lung," Dr Trefor James, the team doctor, told the paper. "It's not a high risk, but the thing about it is it's quite a serious injury. That will have to be explained to him."

Dr James said if Langer was restricted in any of his batting and fielding movements he would be ruled out. This is the second time in a year Langer has been injured in the lead-up to a Test, but he recovered from a back problem to play at the MCG last Boxing Day.

[stan]

Katich may be alright in the one day team as opener but not a test level. He just looks a bit vaunrable to be an opener in a test. I would give Hussey the job as he looks more stable at the crease agaisnt the new ball. Katich is a good player but i reckon he is more suited to a position in the middle order.

[smithy]

Boof and Damian Martyn are both playing some cracking cricket in the ING and Pura Cup too so they both should be looked at.

Both are finished playing for Australia.

[stan]

Damn i was going to comment about that but forgot. Smithy pretty much summed it up. The selectors should be looking at some younger batsmen anyway.

[Dogmatic]

Langer is as gutsy as they come (apart from Cossie) however the Poms gave his ribs a good work out and I can't see the Windies or the South African treating him any different.
Appears to be wearing more short ones than he is putting away lately.

[MagicKiwi]

Well I for one, feel Hussey deserves this chance and wish him the best. Seeing his form last year and we've only been going for five minutes it seems this year, and he's on song.

[TigerBoss]

It was line ball between Hussey and Hodge but based on early domestic form, Hussey gets the nod.

Watching Inside Cricket on Fox last night and the chaps reakon David Hussey will one day don the baggy green...he's a gun, but by the time his chance comes around it may be too late.

PS - Katich perhaps is suited to the middle order, but he's failed there the past few innings, and batting for NSW up the order found his niche again. I don't think it's THAT ridiculous that Katich opens and Hussey takes the 5th spot...they're both VERY similar players.

Either way, I hope Hussey does well, if he gets the go-ahead...