*Official* Fourth Test at the MCG

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Got_Spin

BOM is generally quite accurate

Melbourne Metropolitan Area

Yeah, BOM is, the 28-day rain chart isn't always

[Spikey]

siddle out
jon holland in

[vicleggie]

johnson bowls well on these slow low pitches- this is where his cutters will come in handy.

dunno how finn will bowl down here, a lack of variation on a slow pitch may be an issue. bring in shahzad- pace goes well in melbourne, especially in the second innings.

swann has to bowl well i'd think if they're to take 20 wickets.

Punter and Hughes to ton up on day 1, Johnson and Siddle to bowl well against the demoralised england top order.

Watch out for pietersen, its just the type of pitch he'd enjoy

[vicleggie]

Originally Posted by Spikey

siddle out
jon holland in

na siddle bowled beautifully here 2 years ago. on a low pitch with a bit of variation, he attacks the stumps with hostility.

jon holland/any spinner besides hauritz will offer nothing- a wasted position.
Pick the best four bowlers in the country

[GotSpin]

Unless they decide to pick Hauritz I'd prefer the same bowling attack honestly. Need to pick our best 4 bowlers

[Spark]

Same bowling attack or Hauritz in for Siddle/Hilf. Would prefer Hauritz in for Hilf myself.

[Ruckus]

I think one of Hilfenhaus or Siddle should be replaced (preferably with Bollinger) but it's hard to pick which one. On one hand Hilfenhaus has been keeping things tight, but just doesn't take enough wickets in a spell, whilst Siddle has been a bit erratic but has the potential to have a devastating spell like at the Gabba. I'd probably drop Hilf, because the MCG will likely be pretty damn good for batting and we are going to need proper wicket takers.

[Redbacks]

Most were impressed by hilf's performance but he should still be in a bit of doubt for Melbourne. He was great in tandem with Mitch on day 2 but should the roles need to be reversed he just doesn't have a good enough strike rate to warrant selection. I'm sure with the pressure off a 'bigger picture' look will be made for the G

[vicleggie]

Originally Posted by DeusEx

I think one of Hilfenhaus or Siddle should be replaced (preferably with Bollinger) but it's hard to pick which one. On one hand Hilfenhaus has been keeping things tight, but just doesn't take enough wickets in a spell, whilst Siddle has been a bit erratic but has the potential to have a devastating spell like at the Gabba. I'd probably drop Hilf, because the MCG will likely be pretty damn good for batting and we are going to need to take wickets.

what makes you think bollinger wont be undercooked/rubbish like in adelaide. hes only played 10 tests or so and maybe his good form there was the 'off-day' as opposed to his bad form. He's done not much in recent memory to command a position. If it aint broke dont fix it

[GotSpin]

Reckon Hilfenhaus played a perfect role in the match. He's not picking up the wickets, but he keeps it tight and works perfectly in a 4 man pace attack. If, however, they were to consider a spinner (Hauritz hopefully????), I might have to re-evaluate my stance.

[schearzie]

drop clarke, if they can drop/rest the leading wicket taker from last year then what has clarke done sinse march to prove himself when the team needs him? Kwhaja has proven he deserves a call up for the g
I know it won't happen tho

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by vicleggie

what makes you think bollinger wont be undercooked/rubbish like in adelaide. hes only played 10 tests or so and maybe his good form there was the 'off-day' as opposed to his bad form. He's done not much in recent memory to command a position. If it aint broke dont fix it

Because for the majority of his career (both in tests, FC and ODIs) he has been excellent. Fitness surely shouldn't be an issue for him now either. Also, we can't rely on Johnson or Harris to produce match winning spells every game. While it's good to have someone who keeps things tight, they also need to be able to step up and take wickets. Hilfenhaus just doesn't seem to be able to do that (yet to even have a 5-for in tests).

[vicleggie]

Originally Posted by schearzie

drop clarke, if they can drop/rest the leading wicket taker from last year then what has clarke done sinse march to prove himself when the team needs him? Kwhaja has proven he deserves a call up for the g
I know it won't happen tho

I agree, but apparantly you "know nothing about cricket" on this forum if you even dare to suggest that clarkes poor form could see him potentially out of the team for a bit.

[vicleggie]

Originally Posted by DeusEx

Because for the majority of his career (both in tests, FC and ODIs) he has been excellent. Fitness surely shouldn't be an issue for him now either. Also, we can't rely on Johnson or Harris to produce match winning spells every game. While it's good to have someone who keeps things tight, they also need to be able to step up and take wickets. Hilfenhaus just doesn't seem to be able to do that (yet to even have a 5-for in tests).

fair point. just looked at his fc stats they're a lot better than hilfs.
if they feel that he's in some sort of form and still not working his way back, maybe they should pick him

[NUFAN]

Originally Posted by vicleggie

I agree, but apparantly you "know nothing about cricket" on this forum if you even dare to suggest that clarkes poor form could see him potentially out of the team for a bit.

Potentially he could eventually, but Clarke has runs on the board and Smith doesn't and currently Hughes doesn't either.

Clarke isn't going anywhere until the worst batsman in the team get dropped and the guys coming in perform very well with Clarke still underperforming.