First Test Eleven

[sydney-dog]

Mal

Hodge could of made 1153 today, it will not matter, he will not play another test for Australia

[mal]

Mal

Hodge could of made 1153 today, it will not matter, he will not play another test for Australia

Should not play another test, but you never know with impending retirements.
Did make 200 against South Africa recently.

[sydney-dog]

Mal

my personal view for what it is worth

i believe the selectors have put a line through Hodge's name and no matter what numbers he puts in front of the selectors, he will not be selected

Australian cricket has a history of this

[am Bays]

1980TM

Mate always respect your opinion and I agree I would not play Clarke (McGraph Clone) in the same side as Glenn, and I agree Glenn deserves first crack

In regards to blooding players, you have picked either Tait or Johnson, isn't that Blooding a new test bowler

In regards to Jaques, he is ready to go and I do not see him as a huge risk factor

In regards to Martyn, I would bat, obviously Ponting at 3, Hussey 4, Pup at 5, Gilly at 6 and Roy at 7

Great sides remain great because the have the courage to bring youth through while they are still a great side and with an experience core to support them

In regards to the POM's, deserved the ashes victory last season, but they will not get close to the aussies no matter what side we pick

Last series everything went right for the POM's, with both the cricketing gods and injuries, they played to their full capabilities on home soil, in 18months so much has changed

My Prediction - at least 3-0

Tait or Johnson or McGill, nominating Tait or Johnson means that I'm less inclined to nominate Jaques because I don't want too many inexperienced players in the side.

I've changed my mind three times on who they'll play I'm going for Tait because he is an unknown who his f***king quick and can produce the unplayable ball. He will be used in short bursts as the enforcer told to go out and bowl quick and rough em up. this allows Lee to play more of a straight roll he can pitch it up and let it swing at 145 km/h. When Lee he feels he has to be the enforcer he overstrides/pitches, bowls carp and gets caned. Tait takes the pressure off him.

Tait will go for 5- 6 an over in one spell but come back one hour later and will get 2 for in five overs. Johnson may get picked as hi offers the L arm variety don't discount McGill either

Watson will play instead of Roy because the selectors have shown over the past 2 years they rate Watson over Roy when it comes to the allrounders spot and they want to play an allrounder.

Martyn is looking the best he has in the middle for two years - the best since India 2004 - his timing/touch was immaculate at the CT he is definate to be picked.

I would love to play Clarkey but his spot is taken by Watson, I prefer batting six, 1 keeper, 4 bowlers but the selectors want to play an all-rounder.

I agree Jaques is ready to go but the Langer and Hayden have the form on the board and deserve to be selected. If they hadn't been so good over the past few years Jaques would be in, but if either off them **** up - Langer more so than Hayden will be in trouble....

Yep great sides renew but not when we have to get the Ashes back, If we win the Ashes and Langer, Marty and McGrath play at Sydney, don't expect 2 or maybe all 3 of them to play in Brisbane in Nov 07 against SL

Don't discount the POMS though we should win and are a better team on paper but games aren't played on paper and the one thing this England side showed last year is they have a bit of 'bottle" so I expect them to put in a decent showing and won't be no push overs.

We'll win if we play properly and with the right attitude.......

[Rik E Boy]

Clarke averages just 30 in his last ten matches and that includes a fixture against Bangladesh. Watson averages 20 in test cricket but has a bowling average of 30 so far. Make Clarkey a blue and play Watto on home soil. Pick Tait but you just watch em pick Johnson instead.

regards,

REB

[Booney]

Australia's selectors are always,and will always yearn for that little bit more,the All-rounder,big hitting,fast bowling and now Tait will suffer (IMHO) because all of a sudden we have a Left arm option (Johnson or Bracken) to take into a test.

[MLFC]

Wtson in the squad clarke not
Im spewing..at least have him in the squad

[sydney-dog]

I am happy with either Tait or Johnson

as long as S Clarke does not get a gig while McGrath is still in the team

[MLFC]

Tait had gotta be in
if he performs on the weekend then he is a shoe-in

[Rik E Boy]

Wtson in the squad clarke not
Im spewing..at least have him in the squad

And what exactly has Micheal Clarke done to deserve inclusion in the test side? An average of just 30 in his last ten tests, VERY vulnerable outside off stump on the pitch that will give the swing bowlers more assistance than any other in the country. Clarke also does not appear to have much of a cricket brain at this stage of his career. His shot selection is woeful as was evidenced in the last Bangladesh test. It's not all over for Clarkey of course but he might just have to wait until Martyn is gone and even then Hodge could get back in before him.

I can hear you thinking 'but what has bloody Watson done to deserve inclusion in the test side?' and that would be a fair question as well. Watson's figures in Test cricket so far are underewhelming to say the least but Watson has yet to be afforded the same opportunity at Test level that Symonds, Katich and Clarke have been given, mainly due to injury. Watson is not as good a batsman as Micheal Clarke but Watson's bowling ability gives him the edge, particularly at the Gabba. Watson had an outstanding Champions Trophy and I think he can match Clarke's 30 runs an innings and also take a dozen wickets as well.

If Clarke was average 40 runs a test from his last ten tests then I might agree with you but with Gilly averaging only 22 in his last 16 tests (excluding Bangladesh series) then that would give the Poms a couple of easy targets in the top seven, something that proved extremely costly in the 2005 Ashes series.

Clarke doesn't put enough value on his wicket at Test level and Watson can and will take wickets in this series. Watson deserves his chance.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Tait had gotta be in
if he performs on the weekend then he is a shoe-in

I agree, but I reckon the selectors are keen on Johnson.

regards,

REB

[Dutchy]

Mal

my personal view for what it is worth

i believe the selectors have put a line through Hodge's name and no matter what numbers he puts in front of the selectors, he will not be selected

Australian cricket has a history of this

why did they give him a national contract then only 3 months ago????

as for the Quicks - no way should Clarke get a game while McGrath is in the team -

McGrath - Predictable but bores players out
Clarke - refer above but doesnt swing it as much as McGrath
Lee - Predictable but has pace
Tait - Has pace, can swing the ball and is unpredictable, exactly what the predictable bowling line up needs

[Rik E Boy]

It's one thing predicting what a bloke is going to a bowl at you but it's a different kettle of fish to play the deleveries. If it was all that easy Lee and McGrath wouldn't have over 600 test wickets between them. Tait's problem might be that he's not predictable (i.e. in test language that means consistent) enough.

regards,

REB

[MLFC]

Yeh they are all good fair enough comments on clarke....what proof do u have tho that Watsons bowling at test level has been up there with the best. Also clarkes fielding is world class. Play watson in 1st test and see how he goes i rekon

BREAKING NEWS WATSON MAY BE INJURED IN A FORD RANGER CUP MATCH

[mal]

WATSON.....MRI SCAN....TORN HAMSTRING......INJURED again.....
Pulled up sore after delivering a ball today.
Symonds will be called up ?

[sydney-dog]

They just said on Fox that it is a strain only but must still be considered doubtful

Watson is crickets version of Kosi

If he misses the options will be

1. Pick another all rounder "Roy"

2. Pick a specialist batsmen "Clarke"

3. Play 5 specialist bowlers

[rod_rooster]

I don't like to see anyone injured but if this keeps Watson out of the Test match arena for a while i'll be happy. Seriously there have to be question marks over his fitness especially his ability to play 5 day cricket given his run of injuries. Would be hard to be confident that he could last a whole Test let alone 5 Test series. Whoever gets picked (most likely Symonds although Michael Clarke would be a fair show) i hope they take their opportunity and make it very hard for the selectors to pick Watson for a while.

[rod_rooster]

They just said on Fox that it is a strain only but must still be considered doubtful

Watson is crickets version of Kosi

If he misses the options will be

1. Pick another all rounder "Roy"

2. Pick a specialist batsmen "Clarke"

3. Play 5 specialist bowlers

With Gilchrist seemingly back in form (only one innings i know) you could go the option of playing 5 bowlers and have him batting at 6. Still leaves the batting a bit thin but with Watson at 6 it was a bit thin anyway. I'd like to see MacGill picked if they do decide on 5 bowlers but it won't happen.

I reckon either Clarke or Symonds will get the nod. Probably Symonds would be the front runner although Clarke could bowl a few overs and add some variety.

[MLFC]

YES CLARKE HAS 2 BEEN IN NOW!!!! JUST WHAT I WANTED

[sydney-dog]

rod_rooster

not sure if they will bring in McGill, it seems the selectors have already made the decision to play 1 spinner

if the play 5 specialist bowlers, it will be four pace bowlers + Warne