Cricket Australia contracts

[Hondo]

Jacques has scored 9,460 first class runs at 56.98 (higher than Hussey's first-class average of 54 - not a patch on Hussey's test average tho I accept), as an opener and is only 27.

Hodge has scored 14,735 first class runs at 48.79 and is 32, 33 by the time next season starts.

Apart from maintaining the current team balance, I also feel the Aussie top-6 could do with a younger guy in the mix. With Clarke only 26, he and Jacques could start to form the next generation given that the other batsmen are all 31 and over. I'd rather give Jacques a go now than make him wait until Haydo goes, by which time Jacques could be 30.

Both would be worthy choices though and if the selectors do bite the bullet and shift Hussey, then Hodge is the man.

[Rik E Boy]

Nah Hondo, Wrinkles is on the money. We'll move Hussey up to opener and watch his average fall while Hodge gets another opportunity to give slips fieldsmen catching practice. Picking an opener with the superior first class batting average to actually open the batting is a ridiculous idea. Hodge had a good season last year but think back to the year before that UGH. Jaques is the man.


regards,

REB

[Hondo]

I don't mean to drag this out ... but my thoughts are this - is Brad Hodge THAT demanding of a test spot that we would risk messing with the Hussey magic at number 5? Feels like we would be frigging with the line-up just so we can fit Hodge in. However Hodge doesn't strike me as a better number 5 than Hussey, so why would you force the Huss to open just to get Hodge a gig?

If Jacques can score as well as Hussey could opening (which is not yet proven I accept) then it comes down to Hodge v Hussey at number 5 which becomes an easy choice. The other alternative of course is to run with the line-up we used in the first 2 Ashes tests and swap Martyn for Hodge. This means leaving out Symonds and I would not argue with anyone saying that Hodge out-bats Symonds.

This is just my opinion tho - this is not meant to diss Brad Hodge at all as he is a very good player.

REB, what is happening to us fighting on the same side like this?

[rod_rooster]

I don't mean to drag this out ... but my thoughts are this - is Brad Hodge THAT demanding of a test spot that we would risk messing with the Hussey magic at number 5? Feels like we would be frigging with the line-up just so we can fit Hodge in. However Hodge doesn't strike me as a better number 5 than Hussey, so why would you force the Huss to open just to get Hodge a gig?

If Jacques can score as well as Hussey could opening (which is not yet proven I accept) then it comes down to Hodge v Hussey at number 5 which becomes an easy choice. The other alternative of course is to run with the line-up we used in the first 2 Ashes tests and swap Martyn for Hodge. This means leaving out Symonds and I would not argue with anyone saying that Hodge out-bats Symonds.

This is just my opinion tho - this is not meant to diss Brad Hodge at all as he is a very good player.

All this one day cricket garbage is making people forget the real stuff. Hussey has been batting number 4 in the Test side. Clarke at 5. Number 4 is arguably the most important position in the line up and Hussey should stay there.

[mal]

Geez Dizzy and both Cullens would be rapt...wouldnt have suprised me if none had got contracts...also helps the SACA's as it creates room in the Cap, can we spend it wisely though?

Katich...LOL...that has made my day...you HACK!!!

But cant help feel that Cosi has missed a huge opportunity this last season....if he had got fit and made 2 more tons he would be in the top 25 cricketers in Oz.

Mal - I reckon Hoggy will get the first crack at the test spot, especially if they go to Zim as McGill wont go there

HOGG is not test standard
But I hope I eat my words as he is one of my favourite cricketers

Harsh words on KATICH hes a reasonable cricketer
He will prove his ability by making most runs in the 2007/2008 p/cup season

KATICH makes a double century in England

[rod_rooster]

Geez Dizzy and both Cullens would be rapt...wouldnt have suprised me if none had got contracts...also helps the SACA's as it creates room in the Cap, can we spend it wisely though?

Katich...LOL...that has made my day...you HACK!!!

But cant help feel that Cosi has missed a huge opportunity this last season....if he had got fit and made 2 more tons he would be in the top 25 cricketers in Oz.

Mal - I reckon Hoggy will get the first crack at the test spot, especially if they go to Zim as McGill wont go there

HOGG is not test standard
But I hope I eat my words as he is one of my favourite cricketers

Harsh words on KATICH hes a reasonable cricketer
He will prove his ability by making most runs in the 2007/2008 p/cup season

KATICH makes a double century in England

I could make a double century in England. Provided the rain stayed away in my mates backyard

[Dutchy]

Geez Dizzy and both Cullens would be rapt...wouldnt have suprised me if none had got contracts...also helps the SACA's as it creates room in the Cap, can we spend it wisely though?

Katich...LOL...that has made my day...you HACK!!!

But cant help feel that Cosi has missed a huge opportunity this last season....if he had got fit and made 2 more tons he would be in the top 25 cricketers in Oz.

Mal - I reckon Hoggy will get the first crack at the test spot, especially if they go to Zim as McGill wont go there

HOGG is not test standard
But I hope I eat my words as he is one of my favourite cricketers

Harsh words on KATICH hes a reasonable cricketer
He will prove his ability by making most runs in the 2007/2008 p/cup season

KATICH makes a double century in England

On a Village Green with metal stumps and nude balls...

[am Bays]

Well Hodge has joined the cue to snare Langers spot...

That makes Jaques, Hussey, Watson, and Hodge now with Rodgers metioned in dispatches (by the WA press)

http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/hodge-sees-future-as-test-opener/2007/06/28/1182624078778.html

[Hondo]

Well Hodge has joined the cue to snare Langers spot...

That makes Jaques, Hussey, Watson, and Hodge now with Rodgers metioned in dispatches (by the WA press)

http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/hodge-sees-future-as-test-opener/2007/06/28/1182624078778.html

Sounds like Hussey will stay in the middle-order with everyone else lining up for Langer's spot .....

[Aerie]

Hayden
Hussey
Ponting
Hodge
Clarke
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill
Tait

My memory is a little jaded - haven't thought about Test cricket for a while and it's still a fairly long time before the next time it comes around.

I definitely would move Hussey up to opener. Hayden is almost at the end of his career and Hussey can be the man to lead Australia from the front. The strength of Australia this decade has been the top 3 and we must keep that up. Rogers or Jaques will get a chance to join Hussey in 12 months.

Hodge is all class. I would have liked to see Clarke at number 4, but I don't think he has quite developed at Test level like I thought he would to this stage so I would keep him at 5 and have Hodge at 4 with Symonds at 6.

Luckily we have a strong top 8 batting line up because numbers 9-11 won't last long.