Lightning McQueen wrote:\Booney wrote:northerner wrote:Interesting to reflect on other poster's opinions on the playing XI. I find myself in agreeance with what most have written, particularly the in-depth summaries from boney and whufc.
The one player that I appear to rate differently to others is Tim Paine. This guy is a brilliant fit and a master stroke from the much-maligned selectors. He goes about his job with no fuss, barely being noticed, which is what you want from your keeper. He is a better gloveman (and less abrasive) than Wade and a better bat than Nevill whilst not losing anything as a keeper in comparison. The ONLY negative to his selection is his age, but this is covered because our next keeper WILL BE Alex Carey and Paine's selection buys Carey the 12-24 months he needs before he is ready to strut his stuff in the Test arena.... in the meantime he will pick up exposure in the National ODI side.
Can't agree entirely with that, however, given that I believe a spinner / 'keeper relationship is one that must develop over time and Lyon is in brilliant form offering subtle variation I'm happy to let Paine have a few slips ups in the early part of his time behind the stumps to Lyon.
Given he stays in the side I expect by this time next year they'll be a cohesive team within a team.
Wasn't long ago that Ludeman was touted as the next national keeper/opener for the shorter version games, boy how quick things change, now he's just some schmo working in a box factory.
Does he use the boxes now to catch balls?