*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[morgieb]

What's your XI Morgie??

Out of the people in the squad....

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Khawaja
5. Clarke
6. Norff
7. Smith
8. Haddin
9. Johnson
10. Hilfenhaus
11. Bollinger

Wouldn't pick North usually, but I don't think Siddle or Doherty are up to it.

[Prince EWS]

Out of the people in the squad....

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Khawaja
5. Clarke
6. Norff
7. Smith
8. Haddin
9. Johnson
10. Hilfenhaus
11. Bollinger

Wouldn't pick North usually, but I don't think Siddle or Doherty are up to it.

Smith's not in the squad anymore.

[Noble One]

Out of the people in the squad....

1. Watson
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Khawaja
5. Clarke
6. Norff
7. Smith
8. Haddin
9. Johnson
10. Hilfenhaus
11. Bollinger

Wouldn't pick North usually, but I don't think Siddle or Doherty are up to it.

Smith as sole spinner would make a terrible selection. As poor a record Doherty has, I would back him over Smith in doing a good job with the ball. Smith if not taking wickets will concede too many runs and leave us a bowler short.

[Ruckus]

Smith as sole spinner would make a terrible selection. As poor a record Doherty has, I would back him over Smith in doing a good job with the ball. Smith if not taking wickets will concede too many runs and leave us a bowler short.

Na I think the idea with that squad is that Smith, North etc. provide the spin options, whilst Watson and the other fast bowlers form the core of the attack. Smith would be there mainly to boost the batting. Personally I think that squad would be way better than the one we are going to have, because if anything will fail it will be our batting. But Smith is no longer in the equation so... yeah.

[Howe_zat]

Smith's not in the squad anymore.

Just goes to show, the selectors see him as a specialist spinner for some reason. Cam White all over again...

Given that Clarke seems to be recovering - and Kahwaja wasn't in the squad earlier -looks like two spots between Bollinger, Doherty and Siddle. I'd play all the seamers if it were me.

[Top_Cat]

Just goes to show, the selectors see him as a specialist spinner for some reason. Cam White all over again...

Don't see it that way, tbh. At least Smith is bowling for NSW, Cam White was captain for Vic and part-timers got more of the ball.

Thing is, the guy can definitely bowl spin. He just won't be Warnie or MacGill. Reminds me greatly of Peter Sleep.

[morgieb]

Smith's not in the squad anymore.

Sid then. Either way, it should be him rather than Bollinger for the 4th seamer.

[TumTum]

I would put more trust in North than Khawaja

[GotSpin]

I would put more trust in North than Khawaja

Can't see why you would. Khawaja may have failed in one tour match, but he has otherwise been very successful in every other match. Unless you think that the same competition that North averages 43 in and Khawaja 50+ is somehow different

[GingerFurball]

Pitch looks pretty green. Could be an interesting toss to win.

[Howe_zat]

Could be. They still normally try and prepare a batting wicket for Tests down under though, so if there's some greenery it probably won't last much longer than the first session. Forecast is for early showers on the first two days, more sun at the weekend.

[four_or_six]

Pitch looks pretty green. Could be an interesting toss to win.

Aggers sais this morning it's just some grass that's been rolled into it, and it's definitely a bat first pitch.

[Bun]

Is Smith dropped?

[Prince EWS]

Is Smith dropped?

Yeah Smith has been released from the squad.

[Howe_zat]

Is Smith dropped?

Yep, he's been moved out of the squad to make room for Khawaja as batting cover.