Ashes..still burning?(-worma)
OK..the second casualty seems to have been Katich. Hodge would surely get enough chances, now that he has made the cut. And Waugh thinks Clarke may be next in line. Although unlike Martyn and Katich, he would be expected to make a comeback at some point of time. But...who's pushing for a case for his spot? Hussey, Hodge already in...Symonds too, in place of Watson. So..who else? Anyone has ideas?
And meanwhile, looks like Gillespie may have more to say..or do rather...about his place in the national squad. Notice this point in the article...very important in context of all selections that we often argue about
And back to Symonds' test recall...I don't know about you guys, but I don't feel he's an Aus test material against really good sides. Which is why he didn't get a look-in during Ashes(not even discussed in passing, when all those names were being thrown around) despite being MoS in the ODIs.(?). And his bowling won't get him anywhere close to an allrounder status in tests. Ofcourse Maher thinks highly of his batting prowess
And meanwhile, looks like Gillespie may have more to say..or do rather...about his place in the national squad. Notice this point in the article...very important in context of all selections that we often argue about
"There's a big difference between a contributor and a match winner, that's why the Australian selectors stuck by Mark Waugh for so long," Hammond said.
And back to Symonds' test recall...I don't know about you guys, but I don't feel he's an Aus test material against really good sides. Which is why he didn't get a look-in during Ashes(not even discussed in passing, when all those names were being thrown around) despite being MoS in the ODIs.(?). And his bowling won't get him anywhere close to an allrounder status in tests. Ofcourse Maher thinks highly of his batting prowess
"There is no reason why he can't average 50 in Tests," Maher said.
posted by worma at
8:49 AM
20 Comments:
Worma - I think the next contender will be Phil Jacques (sp?).
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 09:04
gopal: yeah heard of him....but what I meant was that is someone really pressing so hard for that spot that they might gamble with dropping a matchwinner(although a limited one yet) like Clarke?
By
worma, at 09:09
worma - yeah, I don't think Clarke will be dropped because of the prescence of an obvious replacement but maybe, to paraphase Steve Waugh, for his own good - find some form in state cricket etc. Maybe Martyn can make the case to be the stopgap replacement as Clarke goes on this walkabout. Here is the latest article on Jaques from SMH:
Jaques builds his Test case as Bulls snatch points from Blues
http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/jaques-builds-test-case/2005/11/13/1131816812571.html
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 09:24
And this is today's continuation of SMH's case for Jaques:
Steely resolve put Jaques in for long haul
http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/steely-resolve-put-jaques-in-for-long-haul/2005/11/13/1131816812580.html
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 09:27
gopal: thanks for the article...about Martyn, I read he broke his thumb...so probably he wont push..although that does seem the right move...coz his recall would not be really long term due to age...so suits Clarke regaining his place after a while.
Jaques looks like getting a place anyway..sooner or later
By
worma, at 09:37
I thought this was interesting in the discussion on the Australian batting lineup correlating with their ages:
34 - Hayden, Langer, Martyn
30 - Ponting, Hussey, Hodge, Symonds
28 - David Hussey
27 - Hopes (possible allrounder, currently injured)
26 - Jaques
24 - Clarke, Watson (allrounder, currently injured)
22 - Cameron White (legspinning allrounder)
You can see the past and future of the Aussie batting lineup here I think.
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 09:44
so..Katich is history for you? ;-)
By
worma, at 09:47
My mistake Katich should be in the 30 yrs group!!
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 09:52
worma,
symonds as a batsman shudnt really make it, symonsd as an allrounder might
By
Gaurav, at 09:56
yeah...I figured that. But interesting table. So...if you look closely at 30 and below age group...you get an idea of what Aus team we're likely to come up against next time around.
By
worma, at 09:59
gk: yes but as a test allrounder? Against good sides...he cannot be ever expected to turn in a significant performance. Mark those words that I highlighted related to Gillespie There's a big difference between a contributor and a match winner - do you think he will win any tough matches for them?
And anyway...if he's coming in place of a specialist batsman....then sooner or later (and I feel sooner) Aus is going to miss that specialist batsman they are sacrificing to manufacture a test allrounder out of Watson or Symonds. Now more so than earlier because some of the stalwarts of their lineup are past their match-winning *best*
By
worma, at 10:02
no worma, he is in place of shane watson - another all-rounder ... again im not too sure he'll do well but there is a possibility he might be a batting all-rounder
By
Gaurav, at 10:06
gk, worma - This is just my opinion (based on gut feeling only) but I think Symonds will surprise everyone and prove to be a good test batsman. Provide some stability in a middle order looking a bit shaky at the moment.
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 10:10
gopal
very possibly
By
Gaurav, at 10:12
gk: yes I realised that...but I had same comments about Watson as well :-)
gopal: yep..he may score well...I would wait for some time to judge him, thats why i said 'tough matches' earlier. This series is just the right blodding opportunity for him..WI look already down and out...home conditions for Symonds etc. Lets wait till that SA series home and away.
By
worma, at 10:13
worma
really in test cricket symonds has failed only against murali so far ... on aussie wickets he might come good
By
Gaurav, at 10:15
On Symonds - In ODIs too his initial performance was inconsistent and disappointing especially with all the hype that surrounded his entry. He has matured though into one of their best ODI players. His off field activities haven't yet matured though and that may be keeping him from making the jump to the next level. In fact that is the reason I think the selectors have kept him out of the test lineup.
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 10:22
gk: yes I agree...debut against a rampant Murali was asking a bit too much :-) Although that was again in his prime form (after the WC, which is when he matured as an ODI player) so gopal I dont think that your argument applies.
By
worma, at 10:32
Today's SMH has an article that talks about Brad Hodge's debut in the 2nd test making it the 2nd Aus batsman aged 30 in successive tests to make his debut:
Hodge keen for his time to shine
http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/hodge-keen-for-his-time-to-shine/2005/11/14/1131951100493.html
The interesting paragraph regrads the discussion here was:
"The addition of Hussey, Hodge and all-rounder Andrew Symonds — all aged 30 — to the Test squad has re-ignited the debate about the age of the players on the fringe of the national team and the depth of the cricket generation behind them. Cricket Australia noted with concern that not one of the 130 players on full state contracts this year is under 20. One of the best "young" batting prospects, NSW opener Phil Jaques, is already 26."
The funny part was later on:
"Should Symonds re-ignite his Test career, with selectors considering a recall for leg spinner Stuart MacGill to partner Shane Warne at Bellerive, the Australian batting order would be short on Test experience. Hussey, Hodge and Symonds have played only three Tests between them.That was seized upon by West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who said after being demolished by Victoria that his team wanted to exploit any shakiness in the players trying to make names for themselves in Test cricket."
Shiv should really be worrying about his own lineup and the shakiness it showed in the first test. But these days captains want to play the mind games, I guess.
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 10:45
The first line of my 10:45 post should read "Today's The Melbourne Age has an article...."
By
Gopal Bhagavatula, at 10:49
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