***Official*** 3rd Test at the WACA

[BingLeeElectric]

Originally Posted by FaaipDeOiad

May as well take the selection discussion in here.

I think that, barring a great second innings knock, Martyn will be out the door come the WACA test. Assuming Watson is fit he's an automatic selection for the flexibility he adds and his recent form, and Martyn has pissed it away in both tests so far while Clarke has been responsible and handled the bowling well.

Picking Watson opens the door for MacGill, who is a pretty good selection atm as he's fit, has some Pura Cup wickets behind him and the attack struggled in Adelaide. The WACA will probably be a road anyway, in which case his ability to bowl long spells and gets some assistance from a dead surface will be helpful.

So who do Australia drop? Anyone think Martyn deserves another chance ahead of Clarke, or that Watson shouldn't be picked? I'm guessing five specialist bowlers might be a popular option, but I don't think they'll go that way. I'm thinking that, as harsh as it is, Lee is the one who will have to go to get MacGill in the team, and Martyn's test career is more or less over.

Time to pension Martyn off now and you have to keep Clarke and start looking to the future.

Perfect opportunity. It would be ridiculous if it were Clarke to go what with the age of this team. And please no comeback again this time. If it doesn't work out this way, bring Hodge back.

Watson in for Martyn, Macgill in for Lee.

[BoyBrumby]

I'd say Martyn needs huge runs in the 2nd to save himself now, particularly if Clarke goes on tomorrow, but I wouldn't take Lee as inevitably the man to go for MacGill. He looked an awful lot more threatening than McGrath in our first innings & crucially is able to run in all day. It'd be a huge call to make, but surely no one player is bigger than the team? McGrath can't go on being picked for who he is rather than how he is performing.

Admittedly there's a week off for him now, but all accounts I've heard of the WACA suggest it's unlikely to be conducive to McGrath's style of bowling &, in any case, Oz now have the estimable Clark for such an eventuality.

[PhoenixFire]

Unless I'm mistaken, Martyn is the longest serving player in the Aus team at the moment, he's been going for 14 years now at Test level, Warne might pip him though.

[Mister Wright]

I think Australia's selection for the 3rd test will depend on whether we draw or lose the game and how Australia perform in their 2nd innings. If we lose and Hayden has a poor 2nd innings, there may be pressure on his spot, given the next test is 2 weeks away. Martyn needs runs, and unless Lee bowls well in the 2nd innings and takes wickets his spot SHOULD be under pressure.

For England if Vaughan is fit he should come in for Anderson which would give England batting down to Jones at 8 which would mean no reason to select Giles and Panesar can play as the spinner and have Pietersen and Vaughan as back up spinners.

[shortpitched713]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

I'd say Martyn needs huge runs in the 2nd to save himself now, particularly if Clarke goes on tomorrow, but I wouldn't take Lee as inevitably the man to go for MacGill. He looked an awful lot more threatening than McGrath in our first innings & crucially is able to run in all day. It'd be a huge call to make, but surely no one player is bigger than the team? McGrath can't go on being picked for who he is rather than how he is performing.

Admittedly there's a week off for him now, but all accounts I've heard of the WACA suggest it's unlikely to be conducive to McGrath's style of bowling &, in any case, Oz now have the estimable Clark for such an eventuality.

I might dismiss this with a simple charge of blasphemy, but it gets at a situation that has cropped up again and again. Why the higher standards for McGrath? Hes had all of two bad innings, and now you're calling for his head!?!

It might have to do with the fact that you're an Englishman, but a few Australians have been quick to jump on him again. There's no reason that you'd drop McGrath at this point instead of Lee, except that Lee is younger. That's it. McGrath has performed better than Lee in the recent past, and has a much better Test record than him. The guy who's going to give Australia a better chance of winning the Ashes is McGrath.

[adharcric]

Clarke should definitely get the nod ahead of Martyn now. If Australia opt for Watson and MacGill, Lee should surely miss out.
If Hayden fails in the third test as well, Jacques may have an outside shot in the fourth test.

As for England, Panesar for Giles is a no-brainer once again. Bring in Mahmood for Anderson IMO, with Harmison remaining in the attack despite being useless so far. The return of Vaughan is quite overrated - chances are he'll be dreadfully out-of-form and turn out to be a waste of a batting spot if he plays in this series. England cannot afford that.

[pasag]

Agree on all points. Especially Mahmood.

[Hoggy31]

Martyn won't get dropped, he just won't.

My argument is convincing I know.

[Johnners]

Originally Posted by Hoggy31

Martyn won't get dropped, he just won't.

My argument is convincing I know.

wouldn't be all that big a shock.... probably would pull the "experience" line or some crap like that.

[aussie]

If Watson is fit for this test & Martyn is the one to be dropped, who is going to bat @ 4?, i think Hussey should stay @ 5 since thats an important position by itself. Is Clarke or Watson good enough to bat @ 4 ATM. All that the selectors will have to look at when naming the side for the second test.

[aussie]

Originally Posted by Mister Wright

For England if Vaughan is fit he should come in for Anderson which would give England batting down to Jones at 8 which would mean no reason to select Giles and Panesar can play as the spinner and have Pietersen and Vaughan as back up spinners.

Agreed, but i doubt Fletcher will want to play only 4 bowlers in this series due to fear over over-bowling Freddie & causing another injury.

[BoyBrumby]

Originally Posted by shortpitched713

I might dismiss this with a simple charge of blasphemy, but it gets at a situation that has cropped up again and again. Why the higher standards for McGrath? Hes had all of two bad innings, and now you're calling for his head!?!

It might have to do with the fact that you're an Englishman, but a few Australians have been quick to jump on him again. There's no reason that you'd drop McGrath at this point instead of Lee, except that Lee is younger. That's it. McGrath has performed better than Lee in the recent past, and has a much better Test record than him. The guy who's going to give Australia a better chance of winning the Ashes is McGrath.

McGrath hardly has a higher standard applied, rather the exact reverse. No other seamer in the Oz team would've had the final say in his own fitness; McGrath is afforded that luxary when he's palpably not fully fit.

A fit McGrath is another kettle of fish, a half-fit one is a luxary in a four-man attack.

[adharcric]

Originally Posted by aussie

If Watson is fit for this test & Martyn is the one to be dropped, who is going to bat @ 4?, i think Hussey should stay @ 5 since thats an important position by itself. Is Clarke or Watson good enough to bat @ 4 ATM. All that the selectors will have to look at when naming the side for the second test.

Why wouldn't Clarke be good enough to bat at 4? There isn't much of a difference between batting at 4 and 6.

[Mister Wright]

Originally Posted by adharcric

Why wouldn't Clarke be good enough to bat at 4? There isn't much of a difference between batting at 4 and 6.

He was promoted to 4 when out of form last time, however this time it might be different. Can't see anything worng with Hussey going to 4 though.

[adharcric]

Well they might want to give Clarke an opportunity at #4 and have Hussey as insurance if he doesn't do so well.