A pessimistic look at Australia's WC chances

[Naumaan]

well i think Australia 'll do better
no doubt anyone can win it cuz it's a twenty20 tournament
Pakistan picked a stupid side, yet i'm hoping for victory this time
Australia has a better side than us, so y Australians are so depressed?

The fact is only India has picked their best side, others didn't, but still this time India has no chance
i always say, last time we lost it, rather than India winning it, & same thing Australia did in semi final against India
if Australia had won it, they would 've beaten us too in the final

[Prad100w]

Originally Posted by Naumaan

well i think Australia 'll do better
no doubt anyone can win it cuz it's a twenty20 tournament
Pakistan picked a stupid side, yet i'm hoping for victory this time
Australia has a better side than us, so y Australians are so depressed?

The fact is only India has picked their best side, others didn't, but still this time India has no chance
i always say, last time we lost it, rather than India winning it, & same thing Australia did in semi final against India
if Australia had won it, they would 've beaten us too in the final

What makes you say that India have no chance? With the recent form and kind of batting strength on paper atleast, they are easily one of the top four sides to win this competition. Regarding your point on pakistan losing it rather than India winning it, guess one team had to choke in a pressure situation and your guys did it and Australia did it too in the semis. Remember the same side made you choke even in the group stage. Now judge it by yourself.

Very hard to predict in 20-20. Pakistan are definitely a potent side. However i doubt still on Srilanka's ability with the bat in the English conditions. They got a very good bowling unit. New zealand could be the Dark Horses of the tournament. Australia have to improve to be called a great 20/20 line-up. South Africa are a good side, again not great. So most teams are evenly matched and have a chance to win. Only team i think which has no chance is England and probably the minnows.

[pasag]

Hate to say I told you so...

[PhoenixFire]

Is Hughes injured then? Was looking forward to seeing him bat.

[King Pietersen]

Hughes isn't in the ODI or T20 squad. He's yet to really shine in OD cricket.

[inbox24]

Hughes averages 40ish or thereabouts in domestic T20s if I am not mistaken. We could certainly replace Clarke and possibly Ponting with Hughes and Ferguson respectively, a decision made even easier by the departure of Symonds. Brad Hodge should be in the squad to replace Hopes. Time to take a leaf out of India's book.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by inbox24

Hughes averages 40ish or thereabouts in domestic T20s if I am not mistaken. We could certainly replace Clarke and possibly Ponting with Hughes and Ferguson respectively, a decision made even easier by the departure of Symonds. Brad Hodge should be in the squad to replace Hopes. Time to take a leaf out of India's book.

- Dont think Hughes would offer much more than Warner in T20s.

- Clarke no doubt be should replaced by Hodge.

- Ponting can play T20s, but the fact that given AUS ridiculous schedule in the last 4 years - leaving them to miss T20 or when they play them they are basically treated as exhibiton matches.

- Dont think Ferguson game suits T20, he would be another Clarke really.

The prob with Australia's batting in this tournament compared to IND & SA. Is the unlike them we don't have a top 7 of batsmen who can truly get moving from ball one. Losing Marsh, Symo was a huge blow & the selectors not picking Hodge obviously was idiotic.

[inbox24]

Ferguson is one our best limited overs finishers. He's like a neo Hussey. Hughes is a better bat than both Clarke and Marsh.

[Cruxdude]

Australia needs to do what India did in the last world cup. Get in the youngsters. No one knew Rohit Sharma before the last world cup.

[jondavluc]

Originally Posted by pasag

Hate to say I told you so...

I don't think there is many here who are arguing with you when it comes to the side being badly picked so I don't see why you would need to say I told you so.

[pasag]

Which youngsters? Honestly Australia have to pick the right people, as the IPL showed, regardless of age. One of the younger players in the team, Michael Clarke is rubbish. Here's a team of Australians over 30s still playing T20 cricket that would have been equal (or near) favourites for the tournament, imo.

Hayden
Gilchrist
Hodge
Carseldine
Symonds
Hussey
Hussey
Warne
Nannes
Harwood
McGrath/Lee

[irfan]

Originally Posted by pasag

Which youngsters? Honestly Australia have to pick the right people, as the IPL showed, regardless of age. One of the younger players in the team, Michael Clarke is rubbish. Here's a team of Australians over 30s still playing T20 cricket that would have been equal (or near) favourites for the tournament, imo.

Hayden
Gilchrist
Hodge
Carseldine
Symonds
Hussey
Hussey
Warne
Nannes
Harwood
McGrath/Lee

Yeah top team that. All of em either have a proven track record in the IPL or the Big Bash (except Lee). That middle order is loads betta than Ponting, Clarke, Haddin, Hopes etc.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by pasag

Which youngsters? Honestly Australia have to pick the right people, as the IPL showed, regardless of age. One of the younger players in the team, Michael Clarke is rubbish. Here's a team of Australians over 30s still playing T20 cricket that would have been equal (or near) favourites for the tournament, imo.

Hayden
Gilchrist
Hodge
Carseldine
Symonds
Hussey
Hussey
Warne
Nannes
Harwood
McGrath/Lee

Its not really AUS fault Gilly, Hayden, Warne cant play really. Thats just how it is...

Not really sure Pigeon would really make sense in this format either at this age, why esle would the Delhi Daredevils called up Nannes in the IPL this year.

Really dont think Harwood would make that much of a difference in this format other than bowlers in the T20 squad other than Hilfenhaus, based on the T20 internationals i've seen him in TBH.

Carselidne have seen him in the IPL, looks a hitter no doubt - so i guess he would go better than Pup.


The problem with the players available to AUS is that in a T20 looking at IND & SA - is the lack of a spinner. Before this tournament i was of the strong belief AUS having Lee, Johnson, Siddle who can bow @ 145 would be the difference againts strong batting-sides. But clearly, such an attack becomes VERY one-dimentional if you dont have some spinners to give the attack some variety.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by inbox24

Ferguson is one our best limited overs finishers. He's like a neo Hussey.

Not in the ODI career so far no. He can finish yea, but he aint a six hitter. Ferguson would score 50 of 40 balls with 4/5 boundaries or something...

Originally Posted by inbox24

Hughes is a better bat than both Clarke and Marsh.

I was comparing Hughes as a possible T20 opening option to Marsh & Warner which ATM he probably won't offer much of difference to those two in that format.

[pasag]

Originally Posted by aussie

Its not really AUS fault Gilly, Hayden, Warne cant play really. Thats just how it is...

Not my point.