3rd dead Test Match, Aust v SAf @ SCG

[rod_rooster]

Bollinger Oh dear...are we in that much trouble?

Almost a nil all draw with Katich as who is the biggest hack

Surely you jest.

[stan]

Bollinger Oh dear...are we in that much trouble?

Almost a nil all draw with Katich as who is the biggest hack

Mate Katich has been very good since his return to the team. As much of a hack he is, he is making runs and at the moment the really only solid opener we have.

[stan]

Well heres the team I think will start against the South Africans:
1. Katich
2. Hayden
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. Clarke
6. McDonald
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Siddle
11. Hilfenhaus

12. Bollinger

Hussey needs runs. Hayden should be on his last chance regardless.
Massive job for Johnson, has to really get things started and let Hilfenhaus fit into this grove.
McDonald, well good luck to him, im not sure if he will take many wickets, but hopefully he can be solid with the bat and hold up and end with the ball. McDonald's selection to me looks alot like the selection of Grant Elliot for the kiwis in that first test. The only problem is that Haurtiz does a similar role, obviously not been a seamer but holding up and end. Which means we need Johnson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus to take the majority of the wickets.
Also its good to see Ponting with some form, hopefully this continues.

[Dutchy]

Bollinger Oh dear...are we in that much trouble?

Almost a nil all draw with Katich as who is the biggest hack

Mate Katich has been very good since his return to the team. As much of a hack he is, he is making runs and at the moment the really only solid opener we have.

I said we would struggle when he got the nod to open, our record is very poor since then isnt it?

[stan]

Bollinger Oh dear...are we in that much trouble?

Almost a nil all draw with Katich as who is the biggest hack

Mate Katich has been very good since his return to the team. As much of a hack he is, he is making runs and at the moment the really only solid opener we have.

I said we would struggle when he got the nod to open, our record is very poor since then isnt it?

Yeah but hes making runs, so its probably not his fault. Hayden, Ponting, Hussey and Watson/Symonds have struggled as well.

[rod_rooster]

Bollinger Oh dear...are we in that much trouble?

Almost a nil all draw with Katich as who is the biggest hack

Mate Katich has been very good since his return to the team. As much of a hack he is, he is making runs and at the moment the really only solid opener we have.

I said we would struggle when he got the nod to open, our record is very poor since then isnt it?

You can hardly blame Katich for our performances. He's been arguably our best performed batsman since he returned to the side. Hacks don't do what Katich has been able to do in Test cricket.

[FD88]

If Hilfenhaus plays I'm putting a few bucks down at the TAB for an Aussie win.

[stan]

If Hilfenhaus plays I'm putting a few bucks down at the TAB for an Aussie win.

Easy there mate, its his first test, give him some time to find his feet.

[FD88]

If Hilfenhaus plays I'm putting a few bucks down at the TAB for an Aussie win.

Easy there mate, its his first test, give him some time to find his feet.

Absolutely. I'm not expecting him to dominate, I just feel that in the last two tests we've gotten ourselves into winning positions but we've looked to an unfit Lee to give us enough to finish them off; the Hilf will be fit and that extra bit of output and variation will get us over the line I think. I should have worded my original post better.

[Dutchy]

Bollinger Oh dear...are we in that much trouble?

Almost a nil all draw with Katich as who is the biggest hack

Mate Katich has been very good since his return to the team. As much of a hack he is, he is making runs and at the moment the really only solid opener we have.

I said we would struggle when he got the nod to open, our record is very poor since then isnt it?

You can hardly blame Katich for our performances. He's been arguably our best performed batsman since he returned to the side. Hacks don't do what Katich has been able to do in Test cricket.

We need to develop batsmen that are going to win games for us, Katich wont, sure he might get his 50 or 60 off 150 balls but is that what the team needs?

Easy to look at his performances and say he has been solid, but will he win us games?...the answer is a resounding No

All the others that are out of form, have won games for us

[wycbloods]

Bollinger Oh dear...are we in that much trouble?

Almost a nil all draw with Katich as who is the biggest hack

Mate Katich has been very good since his return to the team. As much of a hack he is, he is making runs and at the moment the really only solid opener we have.

I said we would struggle when he got the nod to open, our record is very poor since then isnt it?

You can hardly blame Katich for our performances. He's been arguably our best performed batsman since he returned to the side. Hacks don't do what Katich has been able to do in Test cricket.

We need to develop batsmen that are going to win games for us, Katich wont, sure he might get his 50 or 60 off 150 balls but is that what the team needs?

Easy to look at his performances and say he has been solid, but will he win us games?...the answer is a resounding No

All the others that are out of form, have won games for us[/quote]

YES

That is a terrible post . Test matches are played over 5 days and to have a bloke like Katich, who places enormous value on his wicket, is vital to the team. His 50 or 60 off 150 balls enables others around him who can score more freely to do so knowing he is down the other end. I think the batting line up has just about the right balance with aggressive types, except for having Symonds followed by Haddin, and turtles, like Katich. I am sure that Katich making 60 in an innings will go a long way towards us winning games much more so than Hayden slogging his way to 20 and getting out. Katich has at least since his return made the bowlers earn his wicket more often than not. Hayden has been gifting wickets to bowlers for the last 7 or so tests he has played.

[am Bays]

Sorry dutchy I 100% agree with wycbloods n this one. Noticed how the Saffers have been able to bat with discipline to build totals ( a la Katich) which gives their bowlers something to bowl at. if more of our batsmenn batted a bilt like the Kat we wouldn't be 2-zip down

[Dutchy]

That is a terrible post . Test matches are played over 5 days and to have a bloke like Katich, who places enormous value on his wicket, is vital to the team. His 50 or 60 off 150 balls enables others around him who can score more freely to do so knowing he is down the other end. I think the batting line up has just about the right balance with aggressive types, except for having Symonds followed by Haddin, and turtles, like Katich. I am sure that Katich making 60 in an innings will go a long way towards us winning games much more so than Hayden slogging his way to 20 and getting out. Katich has at least since his return made the bowlers earn his wicket more often than not. Hayden has been gifting wickets to bowlers for the last 7 or so tests he has played.

Ill agree when we start winning with Katich in the team, give me Jacques anyday

Did we not see the shot Katich got out to when we needed him to dig in on Monday?

[wycbloods]

That is a terrible post . Test matches are played over 5 days and to have a bloke like Katich, who places enormous value on his wicket, is vital to the team. His 50 or 60 off 150 balls enables others around him who can score more freely to do so knowing he is down the other end. I think the batting line up has just about the right balance with aggressive types, except for having Symonds followed by Haddin, and turtles, like Katich. I am sure that Katich making 60 in an innings will go a long way towards us winning games much more so than Hayden slogging his way to 20 and getting out. Katich has at least since his return made the bowlers earn his wicket more often than not. Hayden has been gifting wickets to bowlers for the last 7 or so tests he has played.

Ill agree when we start winning with Katich in the team, give me Jacques anyday

Did we not see the shot Katich got out to when we needed him to dig in on Monday?

You can have him once he is fit again for Hayden .

Yes he did play a poor shot in our second innings to be dismissed but that is a rarity with him whereas it is becoming the norm for Hayden. I don't think the strength of the side that Katich is playing in should reflect on his value to the side, look at Lara he was a class player in a sh!t side but he was still one of, if not the greatest, batsmen of the modern era but they didn't win much so does that diminish the kind of player he was, no IMHO.

[brod]

Prince has stated that he is 60% chance of being fit....but will he be picked (why would you risk a player in this match??)

[Gozu]

Graeme Smith is in doubt for this match but is hopeful of playing but supposedly won't be playing any of the T20 or ODI games. Put ya feet up mate, you've already won the series (we need to win this Test to stay world #1).

[Groover]

Prince has stated that he is 60% chance of being fit....but will he be picked (why would you risk a player in this match??)

For dream team points of course

[Gozu]

It was announced not long ago that Bollinger and McDonald have both been named in the team and Hilfenhaus is 12th man.

[hearts on fire]

South Africa will smash Australia, how the hell can this McDonald get a game!

[FD88]

It was announced not long ago that Bollinger and McDonald have both been named in the team and Hilfenhaus is 12th man.

NO!!! Damnit, when is the Hilf going to get a go?