3RD ASHES TEST EG V AU EDGBASTON 2009

[rod_rooster]

I couldn't believe Haddins comments today.
He must be living on a different planet if he thinks people are making too much of Johnsons form.
Clark replacing Johnson for mine.

Do you really expect Haddin to come out in the media and say "yeah, Johnson's bowling like sh1t and we need to drop him"? Especially when his own form is in question with the gloves (and lets not forget that is his main job). If we wanted a batsman who could occassionally stop a ball we could find a better option surely. Time for Australia to pick a wicket keeper based on how well they do as a wicket keeper not the bat.

[CoverKing]

I couldn't believe Haddins comments today.
He must be living on a different planet if he thinks people are making too much of Johnsons form.
Clark replacing Johnson for mine.

Do you really expect Haddin to come out in the media and say "yeah, Johnson's bowling like sh1t and we need to drop him"? Especially when his own form is in question with the gloves (and lets not forget that is his main job). If we wanted a batsman who could occassionally stop a ball we could find a better option surely. Time for Australia to pick a wicket keeper based on how well they do as a wicket keeper not the bat.

RR it wont happen. times have changed. they dont look for it! Thats the facts. Haddin is there to stay IMO unless the pick Manou and drop a batsman, and haddin to play solely as a batsman! they want a batsman that can stop the ball nowadays.

[rod_rooster]

I couldn't believe Haddins comments today.
He must be living on a different planet if he thinks people are making too much of Johnsons form.
Clark replacing Johnson for mine.

Do you really expect Haddin to come out in the media and say "yeah, Johnson's bowling like sh1t and we need to drop him"? Especially when his own form is in question with the gloves (and lets not forget that is his main job). If we wanted a batsman who could occassionally stop a ball we could find a better option surely. Time for Australia to pick a wicket keeper based on how well they do as a wicket keeper not the bat.

RR it wont happen. times have changed. they dont look for it! Thats the facts. Haddin is there to stay IMO unless the pick Manou and drop a batsman, and haddin to play solely as a batsman! they want a batsman that can stop the ball nowadays.

So why pick Haddin? He's not a batsman nor can he stop the ball.

[Gozu]

What irked me with Haddin's comments was just how ridiculous they were. We all know they've got to back each other in and talk the company line but saying Johnson bowled well in that tour game is just a bit of a stretch. One wicket for the match (a tailender) and travelling at a run a ball for both innings just cannot be described as bowling well.

[Rik E Boy]

McDonald won't go down with an injury on Day 1 and leave us in the 5hit.

No McDonald will stay fit and leave us in the 5hit. Watson is miles ahead of him as a Cricketer.

regards,

REB

I strongly disagree. He is only ahead of him when it comes to batting and as I previously stated, IF we are relying on the allrounder to score our runs, then we are in big, big trouble. Couple that with the fact that Watson is likely to snap in half at any minute of a Test leaving us a batsman down - I'd take McDonald any day.

McDonald is 5hit. If he plays, likewise we are one batsman down and Watson is much better with the bat AND ball than him. Can't argue the injury angle though but one thing that this whole thread has highlighted is just how appalling this squad is. Surely Rogers had to go and one of Watson or McDonald should have been selected for starters.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

So why pick Haddin? He's not a batsman nor can he stop the ball.

Come on rodney. Yeah Iron Gloves is rubbish behind the sticks but he's making runs and that's why he is getting a gig.

regards,

REB

[Pottsy]

McDonald won't go down with an injury on Day 1 and leave us in the 5hit.

No McDonald will stay fit and leave us in the 5hit. Watson is miles ahead of him as a Cricketer.

regards,

REB

I strongly disagree. He is only ahead of him when it comes to batting and as I previously stated, IF we are relying on the allrounder to score our runs, then we are in big, big trouble. Couple that with the fact that Watson is likely to snap in half at any minute of a Test leaving us a batsman down - I'd take McDonald any day.

McDonald is 5hit. If he plays, likewise we are one batsman down and Watson is much better with the bat AND ball than him. Can't argue the injury angle though but one thing that this whole thread has highlighted is just how appalling this squad is. Surely Rogers had to go and one of Watson or McDonald should have been selected for starters.

regards,

REB

First class bowling figures:

Watson - 131 wickets at 29.12
McDonald - 115 wickets at 28.97

How does that work out to Watson being "much better with the ball" than McDonald?

I'm not saying Ronnie is a world beater. I'm saying that Watto is constantly overrated just because he bowls pretty quick. Lovely, quick half volleys. On a sluggish pitch I'd take Ronnie anyday. On a fast bouncy track, I'd take Watto ahead of him.

[bulldogs]

seen Manou let thru 12 byes in the 2nd dig of the tour match. Yes i agree its time haddin stepped up with the gloves.

[bulldogs]

Mcdonald has to be pick IMO. This tour smells of 2005 re Johnson/Gillespie and bats out of form

[westcoastpanther]

While I don't support any notion that Haddin should be dropped how laughable were Rixon's comments the other day that Haddin was a better gloveman than Manou.....FFS

"People calling for Brad to be dropped know nothing about cricket. That would be the most ridiculous notion," said Rixon, who played 13 Tests between 1977-84. "I'm sorry, but (Graham) Manou (Haddin's deputy on tour) is not a better keeper than Brad and he has nowhere near the same capability to support the top six with the bat.

Credibility Steve......GONESKI!!

[Ripdschitlaz]

I couldn't believe Haddins comments today.
He must be living on a different planet if he thinks people are making too much of Johnsons form.
Clark replacing Johnson for mine.

Do you really expect Haddin to come out in the media and say "yeah, Johnson's bowling like sh1t and we need to drop him"? Especially when his own form is in question with the gloves (and lets not forget that is his main job). If we wanted a batsman who could occassionally stop a ball we could find a better option surely. Time for Australia to pick a wicket keeper based on how well they do as a wicket keeper not the bat.

I wouldnt have expected him to go that far, but the comments he made were just ridiculous.

[Rik E Boy]

First class bowling figures:

Watson - 131 wickets at 29.12
McDonald - 115 wickets at 28.97

How does that work out to Watson being "much better with the ball" than McDonald?

I'm not saying Ronnie is a world beater. I'm saying that Watto is constantly overrated just because he bowls pretty quick. Lovely, quick half volleys. On a sluggish pitch I'd take Ronnie anyday. On a fast bouncy track, I'd take Watto ahead of him.

The stats back up what you think Pottsy but I am a firm believer of the Ian Chappell way of thinking i.e. Do what you would would want the opposition to do least. I reckon McDonald is very friendly, I reckon I could face him but I wouldn't want to face Watto.

BTW, I'm not saying that Watto is a world beater either

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

While I don't support any notion that Haddin should be dropped how laughable were Rixon's comments the other day that Haddin was a better gloveman than Manou.....FFS

"People calling for Brad to be dropped know nothing about cricket. That would be the most ridiculous notion," said Rixon, who played 13 Tests between 1977-84. "I'm sorry, but (Graham) Manou (Haddin's deputy on tour) is not a better keeper than Brad and he has nowhere near the same capability to support the top six with the bat.

Credibility Steve......GONESKI!!

Rixon had credibility? He has come up with some classic Bluebagger bias over the years.

regards,

REB

[Pup]

Do you really expect Haddin to come out in the media and say "yeah, Johnson's bowling like sh1t and we need to drop him"?

No i do not think anyone expects him to say anything like that but his comments were laughable. "He actually bowled quite well in the tour game"

Haha no Brad he didn't, he went for a run a ball and only took one wicket (A number 10 batsmen) against a second string county side. He can be positive without making ridiculous statements like that.

[blink]

I reckon McDonald is very friendly, I reckon I could face him but I wouldn't want to face Watto.

BTW, I'm not saying that Watto is a world beater either

regards,

REB

You wouldn't have to worry about facing Watto for too long REB...before he breaks down again.

Watson. Pfft.

[cyclops]

manou will not be the next keeper for the ozzys anyway,tim paine will be.the only rerason manou got picked for the ashes woz coz his batting was descent in the 2nd part of last seasons ss.long term manou has no show.

[blink]

manou will not be the next keeper for the ozzys anyway,tim paine will be.the only rerason manou got picked for the ashes woz coz his batting was descent in the 2nd part of last seasons ss.long term manou has no show.

I agree that Manou will probably get leap frogged and his only real chance of a game for Australia is for Haddin to go down with a serious injury, or be rested (ala Haddin subbing in for Gilly in home ODI matches).

However, saying Tim Paine will be the next keeper is a big call. Paine is in line, along with Chris Hartley and Matthew Wade. Hard to pick which one of those three will be the replacement for Haddin in the long term.

[locky801]

Anway back to the topic, I think that this test will be a draw

[mal]

Darren Boof Lehmann reports
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BOOFS SNAPSHOTS

Give MJ the new cherry .we shouldnt forget what he is capable of after a great 2 years with the cherry

However for insurance for Mitch we need the extra seamer which brings Shane Watson into contention

We need to find a way to get 20 wickets against England

Unfortunately in this scenario Marcus North misses out and it is purely for team balance
_______________________________________________________________________________

It ''seams'' that Boof and I agree with playing the extra ''seam''er
Mike Hussey or Marcus North might be the unlucky 12th man in this test match

PREVIEW
AU is 1-0 down
That means we need to play 5 bowlers
We need our matchwinners to stand up
Ironically the 2 potential match winners in this side[Heros in the SA tour] have been criticised on safooty
HUGHES
MJ

These are the key matchwinners in the team, cricketers who can take 2-3 quick wickets or bat quickly and TURN A TEST

SCARDY CAT
PONTING
HADDIN
MJ
SIZZLE


WATTO or MACCA
Pottsy has summised this very well
Macca for me, when the EG quicks bowl well its when the ball swings
If it is a swingers test, Macca will be invaluable
If as Pottsy pointed out it is a fast bouncy pitch than the iconic legendary cult figure should play

[Dissident]

Word is Australia are leaving out Hughes, for Watson