Group A - Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh

[Bobisback]

Originally Posted by Burgey

Now we just need an injury to Clarke.

This.

Another atrocious innings by Clarke loses us the game. Seriously, how is he even in the team?

[social]

Australia will walk this group OR leave without a win

They've literally picked an or or nothing squad

[Top_Cat]

Couldn't agree more. Personally, the quicks are going to get pumped.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

Couldn't agree more. Personally, the quicks are going to get pumped.

They've picked Harris.

Like Harris, but Bollinger is currently the best bowler in Australia. Has done well on flat decks before, takes wickets and has barely played in a losing game for Australia in any format.

He's also just played in the winning IPL team. As I said, like Harris a lot, hope he does well, but come on!

Dougy.

Dougeh.

[Top_Cat]

Originally Posted by Burgey

They've picked Harris.

Like Harris, but Bollinger is currently the best bowler in Australia. Has done well on flat decks before, takes wickets and has barely played in a losing game for Australia in any format.

He's also just played in the winning IPL team. As I said, like Harris a lot, hope he does well, but come on!

Dougy.

Dougeh.

Yeah but if you're going to pick Nannes and Tait, as the selectors are dying to do on their Shock and Awe campaign, you can't pick Bollinger. A team of;

Warner
Haddin
T20N00b
Watto
White
Huss
Huss
Johnson
Nannes/Bolly/Tait

still looks light-on in batting even with 7 bats, especially since Johnson is coming off a lay-off and his batting has been ordinary for some time. Gotta bat deep with two out-of-form Huss's and a number 3 who rates T20 so highly he's never played an IPL match in his life and has 1x50 in 30 games.

[Burgey]

Yeah I know what you're saying mate, but that's the sort of reasoning they had in the Ashes, where Hughes was basically dropped because they needed Watson as cover with the ball because Johnson couldn't hit the pitch.

Would still have had Dougeh in the squad though. As you said, that attack is well capable of copping a ****ing hiding on a given day.

Dougy.

Dougeh.

[Top_Cat]

Myself, the selectors need to choose only one Huss and find a way to throw Smith and Harris in the side. They really painted themselves into a corner by picking Lee so this is a lucky break for everyone other than the man himself.

[Top_Cat]

Reading that the pitches and outfields are really slow and turning a bit over there right now. Would really **** with Australia's day if true because it'll both nullify their pace attack and their cavalcade of through-the-field bats.

[andyc]

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

Myself, the selectors need to choose only one Huss and find a way to throw Smith and Harris in the side. They really painted themselves into a corner by picking Lee so this is a lucky break for everyone other than the man himself.

TBH if's batting they're worried about, they could do something like

Watto
Warner
Clarke
Haddin
White
Mussey
Dussey
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Nannes/Tait

Dussey, Smith and Watto should be able to take 8 overs by themselves. Won't happen, mind you, but I do agree with you that Smith should be playing.

[vic_orthdox]

Originally Posted by andyc

TBH if's batting they're worried about, they could do something like

Watto
Warner
Clarke
Haddin
White
Mussey
Dussey
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Nannes/Tait

Dussey, Smith and Watto should be able to take 8 overs by themselves. Won't happen, mind you, but I do agree with you that Smith should be playing.

Haddin and Mussey are not better Twenty20 bats than the Duss.

[Top_Cat]

Originally Posted by andyc

TBH if's batting they're worried about, they could do something like

Watto
Warner
Clarke
Haddin
White
Mussey
Dussey
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Nannes/Tait

Dussey, Smith and Watto should be able to take 8 overs by themselves. Won't happen, mind you, but I do agree with you that Smith should be playing.

Stacking the batting with out-of-form/inexperienced blokes != improving the batting, in my view.

Keep Nannes/Tait and drop Mussey maybe? That way you have more than one bloke who can take the pace off the ball if needed. Be very hesitant to drop Dussey and he should bat higher than White, tbh.

[andyc]

Was just throwing in the middle order to show how they could stack the batting if need be tbh, wasn't giving it much thought. But yeah, reckon dropping Mussey and playing both Nannes and Tait would be a better option, especially now that Harris is there to shore up the batting. Assuming Watto will be opening with Warner btw, where should Haddin be batting?

[Top_Cat]

Originally Posted by andyc

Was just throwing in the middle order to show how they could stack the batting if need be tbh, wasn't giving it much thought. But yeah, reckon dropping Mussey and playing both Nannes and Tait would be a better option, especially now that Harris is there to shore up the batting. Assuming Watto will be opening with Warner btw, where should Haddin be batting?

I'd guess he'd be well down the order? Myself, Haddin opening with Watto at 3 or 4. Has the game to be an attacking number 3, I reckon so, obv, he has to bat 4 in this side.

[Life on Limbrick]

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[Jayzamann]

Originally Posted by Top_Cat

Reading that the pitches and outfields are really slow and turning a bit over there right now. Would really **** with Australia's day if true because it'll both nullify their pace attack and their cavalcade of through-the-field bats.

Would also bring the Australian spin bowling stocks into question even more.