Injury Watch

[vic_orthdox]

The one batsman in line for selection who got some runs in the round of Shield games pulls up sore: Sheffield Shield: Michael Clarke scores 113, but Andrew McDonald's twin tons put Victoria on top | New South Wales v Victoria, Sheffield Shield, Sydney, 3rd day Report | Cricket News | Cricinfo.com

Doug Bollinger's quest to prove his fitness for the Ashes takes another step, bowling in front of the media in the nets at Moises Henriques, while Katich has encouraging news: The Ashes 2010-11: Doug Bollinger back to 100% fitness | Cricket News | The Ashes 2010-11 | Cricinfo.com

[vic_orthdox]

I guess it's worth inclusion, as his name was being bandied about as being an Ashes bolter, and was part of the Australian A squad, but won't be any more as Mitchell Starc is out for a while with a side injury: Starc out for four weeks

[Howe_zat]

Originally Posted by vic_orthdox

I guess it's worth inclusion, as his name was being bandied about as being an Ashes bolter, and was part of the Australian A squad, but won't be any more as Mitchell Starc is out for a while with a side injury: Starc out for four weeks

That is interesting, though he's likely be back for the one-dayers. Who's going to be the quicks for Oz A then? I'd guess George, Harris and Cameron?

[Spark]

Well all reports suggest that Clarke's back was much less good than I first imagined. It didn't seem to inhibit his strokeplay towards the end of his innings but it certainly inhibited his running between the wickets.

Would be astonished if he missed the first test though.

EDIT: http://www.cricket.com.au/news-displ...ps-sweet/22634

[flibbertyjibber]

Originally Posted by Spark

Well all reports suggest that Clarke's back was much less good than I first imagined. It didn't seem to inhibit his strokeplay towards the end of his innings but it certainly inhibited his running between the wickets.

Would be astonished if he missed the first test though.

EDIT: Cricket Australia > Latest News > News

He'll have 10 days intensive treatment on it and be fine.Would have to go completely on morning of 24th for him to miss match.Might not be allowed a sub fielder for him though if England are sensible about it.

[howardj]

Now, Clarke is someone who should be rested in the lead up to the First Test.

Anyway, with all the injuries to our players so early in the season (Harris, Bollinger, Starc, MacGoffin, and now Clarke), hopefully it will put to bed the little myth that too much cricket actually causes these injuries.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by flibbertyjibber

He'll have 10 days intensive treatment on it and be fine.Would have to go completely on morning of 24th for him to miss match.Might not be allowed a sub fielder for him though if England are sensible about it.

He'll just say he's going off between bowling spells for a towel down and some coaching, should be right as rain.

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by Burgey

He'll just say he's going off between bowling spells for a towel down and some coaching, should be right as rain.

Was just thinking exactly the same thing reading that comment.

[BoyBrumby]

I rate Clarke (as a test match batsman, I mean; captain, limited overs batsman, human being: not so much), but not to the extent I'd have him in the side even if his back is totally shot. It's not like he's in prime nick just now.

[Sylvester]

If we didn't have any batters to replace him then I would consider it but we have quite a few putting their hands up.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

I rate Clarke (as a test match batsman, I mean; captain, limited overs batsman, human being: not so much), but not to the extent I'd have him in the side even if his back is totally shot. It's not like he's in prime nick just now.

Looked awesome for NSW against a good Victorian attack. Crook back in the second innings and all.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Sylvester

If we didn't have any batters to replace him then I would consider it but we have quite a few putting their hands up.

Do we really?
I think Australia's Test-class batting depth is probably at its lowest point for about fifteen years at the moment. Khawaja aside, all the batsmen in the country who I'd back to average 40 in Tests in the short term are either in the team already, have been blacklisted by the selectors or are in poor form.

[four_or_six]

Aggers on the radio this morning said Harris himself says he's unlikely to be fit for the test.

[Sylvester]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

Do we really?
I think Australia's Test-class batting depth is probably at its lowest point for about fifteen years at the moment. Khawaja aside, all the batsmen in the country who I'd back to average 40 in Tests in the short term are either in the team already, have been blacklisted by the selectors or are in poor form.

This was including the blacklist players who are actually available. Cosgrove has been making runs before SA stuffed him about, still did well in England averaging 49.5 and started this season well. David Hussey enough said really. Cameron White has been averaging close to 50 when he gets the chance to play for Victoria. So in there we have 4 batsmen capable of replacing him and averaging over 40 in Test. You can throw in Steve Smith who had scored 4 centuries last season and Hughes who was dropped, started the season slowly before being the 3rd highest run scorer last season. Played 2 games this season so really I don't consider that a good enough period to say hes out of form.

[Noble One]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

Do we really?
I think Australia's Test-class batting depth is probably at its lowest point for about fifteen years at the moment. Khawaja aside, all the batsmen in the country who I'd back to average 40 in Tests in the short term are either in the team already, have been blacklisted by the selectors or are in poor form.

This is the main issue that many don't realise. The Australian batting depth is at a very low point at this time, we are championing for the likes of White (FC average of 41.80), Ferguson (FC average of 36.34) and McDonald (39.58). I don't think these types of batsmen will ever return Australia to past glory, and yet they are the best of our backups.

It is a far cry to the 90's and 00's when players like Martin Love could only manage 5 Tests (with a FC batting average of 49.85), Darren Lehmann managed only 27 Tests (and averaged 57.83) and the likes of Martyn, Langer and Hayden had to battle it out for years until they deserved a full time Test spot, even Gilchrist couldn't crack Test cricket until he was 28. To think some guys like Siddons, Di Venuto and Maher hardly deserved a mention for Test selection (yet if they were at their peak would deserve automatic selection in the current day). This current generation of batsmen is highly unlikely to bring Australia the success that many in the media and many Australian fans believe is our right. The hope does rest with Smith, Khawaja, Hughes etc who are turning out numbers that compare with the early days of Lehmann, Martyn, Langer etc.