Australia's 2011 WC Squad

[Phantom Gossiper]

I agree that Smith is getting a little bit overhyped in the media. That is the problem every spinner is going to have to face in the next 20 years, particularly leggies ..... 'the next Shane Warne?' tag. But he is still just a kid! I remember reading articles years ago saying that leggies take a long time to develop and one of the reasons Warne was such a freak was he was so good at an early age whereas O'Reilly, Grimmet & Benaud didn't become world class spinners until they were in their 30's. I must admit I haven't seen enough of Smith to form a strong opinion. Perhaps playing him as a batsman who can bowl a few overs will help his development rather than throwing him to the lions as a 'spinner who can bat a bit' .... if that makes any sense?

How about not throwing him to the lions and play him in domestic cricket until he is ready? Its not like AFL/NRL etc where once ya reach 24-25 your career is over, he has plenty of years left! Rushing him surely isnt doing him any good as well as Aus looking like a joke to other sides?!

[sherminator]

Yeah true PG! Its a bit of a Catch-22. I can see both sides of the coin. Playing him early might help his development ... but if he gets spanked it might wreck him too. What I'm trying to say is, if the selectors somehow feel 'obligated' to pick him, I'd rather they pick him as a batsman rather than the frontline spinner. Its a lot of pressure for a 21 y.o. still learning his craft. ODI cricket is dying, I personally would rather see him playing loads of Shield games and be groomed for the no.6 position or spinner in a few years time rather than being taken on ODI tours to not play.

[Rik E Boy]

im just gonna put this out there... I DONT RATE STEVE SMITH!!!!

1st there was the whole "must need an all-rounder" era when flintoff was dominating, now its "must discover the next Warne"

As far as im concerned, when and if a quality spinner arises then put them in, until then just pick a balanced side and the best blokes in the country to do the job! Im sure Aus can get away with some part timers through the middle overs!

A bit early to be writing off smiffy Phanto. At least he can bat unlike our spinners North and Horrie.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

NO BRETT LEE!

[bloods08]

Its time for a youth policy at ACA now,


Hodge

What the?

[bloods08]

What it should be
Watson
Paine
Ponting (c)
Clarke
M Hussey
White
Ferguson
Smith
Harris
Bollinger
Tait

Marsh
Johnson
D Hussey
Doherty

What it will be

Watson
Marsh
Ponting (c)
Clarke
M Hussey
White
Haddin
Hauritz
Johnson
Harris
Bollinger

Smith
Ferguson
Lee
Tait

[The Dark Knight]

im just gonna put this out there... I DONT RATE STEVE SMITH!!!!

1st there was the whole "must need an all-rounder" era when flintoff was dominating, now its "must discover the next Warne"

As far as im concerned, when and if a quality spinner arises then put them in, until then just pick a balanced side and the best blokes in the country to do the job! Im sure Aus can get away with some part timers through the middle overs!

+1, I agree. Excellent post PG.

[Media Park]

I'm just going to throw it out there...

http://www.cricinfo.com/australia/conte ... /5102.html

This guy on current form would have to be a roughie to make the squad as a back up batsman.

I am watching him now, and his ability against NANNES, SIDDLE, HARWOOD, MCGAIN, all of whom have international experience, to score quickly and consistently, is unbelievable in just his ninth ODD game (being more than five though, he might be past his peak), and he is nearing back to back hundreds.

It isn't just the fact that he is scoring runs, but the manner in which he is doing it. Some of these shots are indescribable, it needs to be seen.

Take note, this boy WILL play for AUS.

[Media Park]

I want these guys in:

Ed COWAN, 28 years
Liam DAVIS, 26
Travis BIRT, 28
Callum FERGUSON, 25
Matthew WADE, 22
Steven SMITH, 21

[The Dark Knight]

I want these guys in:

Ed COWAN, 28 years
Liam DAVIS, 26
Travis BIRT, 28
Callum FERGUSON, 25
Matthew WADE, 22
Steven SMITH, 21

Cowan, IMO is not good enough to play for Australia.
Davis, If he continues to play well for WA over the next few years he will be looked at by the selectors.
Birt, should be given more opportunity at international level.
Ferguson and Wade, will both have long and successful careers for Aus in the years to come.

[smithy]

Not sure how old Hogan from WA is but he could be a smokey.

[NFC]

Hilditch said they want 2 spinners for the WC.

Awesome.

[Media Park]

Hilditch said they want 2 spinners for the WC.

Awesome.

Squad or main XI?

I shudder at the answer...

[The Cadet]

Hilditch said they want 2 spinners for the WC.

Awesome.

Squad or main XI?

I shudder at the answer...

It is played in the India guys , spin will be the main weapon, thats why Doherty will go. Need the best one day spinners in India regardless if you can bat or not. Smith is too expensive to be the frontline spinner.

[Media Park]

It is played in the India guys , spin will be the main weapon, thats why Doherty will go. Need the best one day spinners in India regardless if you can bat or not. Smith is too expensive to be the frontline spinner.

And we saw just how well AUS frontline spinner just did on the Indian tour, didn't we?

Four quicks if they are the best four bowlers in the country, not playing a spinner for the sake of it...

Definitely not playing two spinners for the sake of it...

[NFC]

It is played in the India guys , spin will be the main weapon, thats why Doherty will go. Need the best one day spinners in India regardless if you can bat or not. Smith is too expensive to be the frontline spinner.

And we saw just how well AUS frontline spinner just did on the Indian tour, didn't we?

Four quicks if they are the best four bowlers in the country, not playing a spinner for the sake of it...

Definitely not playing two spinners for the sake of it...

Exactly right. Well said.

[am Bays]

Yet just last year on the sub-continent these were 'Ritz's figures

9 overs 1/34 @ 3.7
10 overs 1/48 @ 4.8
10 overs 0/54 @ 5.4 (best economy of the Australian bowlers when India made 347)
9 overs 1/34 @ 3.7
5 overs 0/48 @ 9.6 (again India scored 340 plus but yes he was our worst but no robinson crusoe)
9 overs 0/19 @ 2.3

In the last game he went for 54 off 10 but had our 2nd best economy.

So if if a bloke whose last 62 overs (7 games) on the sub-continent in ODIs has a R/R of 4.6 when scores of 260-300 are the norm but you think he shouldn't get a gig in our world cup squad- well OK.

Especially when compared to our other best bowlers - Tait, McKay, Bollinger, Johnson, Hilfenhaus, Starc, Siddle, Watson etc he has better ODI bowling figures http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=5282;team=2;type=series

He was our best bowler at the Champions trophy lst year in terms of economy and his average was under 25http://stats.cricinfo.com/iccct2009/engine/records/bowling/best_career_economy_rate.html?id=4799;type=tournament

Admitedly he wasn't as good in England this year but he was still our fifth best interms of economy despite only playing 2 games due to injury. http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=5511;team=2;type=series


No he isn't our best ODI spinner ever but Haury's job is to bowl the middle overs and keep it tight - thats the role he plays. He will be on the plane to the World Cup in teh sub-continent

[Lightning McQueen]

Watson
Haddin
Ponting(c)
Clarke
Ferguson
White
D.Hussey
Harris
Heal
Bollinger
Tait

M.Hussey/ Warner
Birt
Johnson/ Siddle
Anyone else that impresses during our domestic season.

The downside to the team I selected is that there are no left-handed batsmen.

[NFC]

Watson
Haddin
Ponting(c)
Clarke
Ferguson
White
D.Hussey
Harris
Heal
Bollinger
Tait

M.Hussey/ Warner
Birt
Johnson/ Siddle
Anyone else that impresses during our domestic season.

The downside to the team I selected is that there are no left-handed batsmen.

I just threw up.

[Media Park]

Watson
Haddin
Ponting(c)
Clarke
Ferguson
White
D.Hussey
Harris
Heal
Bollinger
Tait

M.Hussey/ Warner
Birt
Johnson/ Siddle
Anyone else that impresses during our domestic season.

The downside to the team I selected is that there are no left-handed batsmen.

I just threw up.

x2