Australia's Post Ashes Blueprint

[honestbharani]

Yeah, pity they didn't occur in the SuperSeries.....then again bloody Rudi probably wouldn't have referred 'em

REmember he actually shook his head to say "not out" to the Lara LBW appeal in the first inning. IT was only after McGrath's repeated appeals that he actually went to the third umpire. I remember McGrath asked Lara something as he ran across him for the single and Lara shook his head and then practised a drive angrily, as though he knew he was gone. I think Rudi should retire before tarnishing his reputation further, like STeve Bucknor has done.

 

[honestbharani]

BTW, I mentioned this in the super series thread as well, but I think Australia may have hit upon the right formula in this super test. I would personally rather see Tait in the side than MacGill if I am a west indian or a south african supporter.

 

[aussie]

It's more than just testing him. I've said somewhere else that he needs to be batting with batsman because he is a batsman. If he is only going to bowl 6 overs in a test match he should either be replaced or bat in the top 6 (I'd like to see him at 4 or 5). That way when he comes in there with a batsman with him and if a wicket falls Gilchrist follows. With him batting at 7 it is an unfamiliar position for him (at least in first class cricket) and like on Sunday he is in two minds as whether to bat aggressively or milk runs. Especially with Gillespie gone our tail isn't as strong as it used to be.

totally agree Watson has to be up at least at 6 so he can play as a top order batsman, i see no reason for him to come up & has u said now that Dizzy is gone our Tail has lost a bit of resistance so having Gilly batting with them will be crucial...

 

[aussie]

MaCGill

I know everyone will be saying that after stew''s superb bowling in the super-test he should probably playing more often & i agree once Tait doesn't recover to play anymore test this summer. But if Tait does come back & probably Dizzy comes back with a bang i'm not convinced that picking MaCgill is the best option.

Firstly we have Warne who can act as an attacking & defensive spinner in one, plsu the fact that Watson's bowling aint up to test standard. For me MaCgill still shoudln't be an automatic pick in the bowling attack if Tait or Dizzy comes back & bowl well, but once conditions suit he should play....

 

[marc71178]

With Watson and Katich struggling for runs, and the selectors prematurely moving Clarke to second drop, suddenly I think people are realising how valuable Damien Martyn was.

So if there's a doubt of Katich's fitness, is that not an obvious pick?

 

[aussie]

So if there's a doubt of Katich's fitness, is that not an obvious pick?

it should be but with hodge in the test squad, unfortunately Martyn chances of returning to the test side soon isn't good.

 

[Mister Wright]

I know everyone will be saying that after stew''s superb bowling in the super-test he should probably playing more often & i agree once Tait doesn't recover to play anymore test this summer. But if Tait does come back & probably Dizzy comes back with a bang i'm not convinced that picking MaCgill is the best option.

Firstly we have Warne who can act as an attacking & defensive spinner in one, plsu the fact that Watson's bowling aint up to test standard. For me MaCgill still shoudln't be an automatic pick in the bowling attack if Tait or Dizzy comes back & bowl well, but once conditions suit he should play....

Oh please! Now I've heard it all. Tait wasn't that impressive in his two test and does not demand to be selected ahead of a proven match performer. Dizzy is not guaranteed of coming out with a bang. MacGill must play. I don't care about the conditions. Every time that Warne and MacGill have bowled together it has been pretty successful.

 

[aussie]

Oh please! Now I've heard it all. Tait wasn't that impressive in his two test and does not demand to be selected ahead of a proven match performer. Dizzy is not guaranteed of coming out with a bang. MacGill must play. I don't care about the conditions. Every time that Warne and MacGill have bowled together it has been pretty successful.

Tait may not have been great but he showed great signs & would probably have gotten more of chance over Macgill anyway this summer if he didn't get injured.

I know MaCgill & Warne together have been successful but you got to look at what it would do to australia's attack if they both play together in all conditions added to the fact that Watson is in their, Warne can do everything as a spinner while on day MacGill can be expensive & Lee so we have to think carefully about that IMO...

 

[SquidAU]

Watson definately has to improve as a bowler before being taken seriously as an allrounder but letting him play more Tests would only help him, IMO.

And as long as Tait is out and no other pace bowler steps forward, MacGill should be in the side.

 

[marc71178]

Warne can do everything as a spinner while on day MacGill can be expensive & Lee so we have to think carefully about that IMO...

On the other hand, tait can be just as expensive as MacGill, so where's the logic in that when MacGill is more of a wicket-taking threat.

 

[Top_Cat]

Oh please! Now I've heard it all. Tait wasn't that impressive in his two test and does not demand to be selected ahead of a proven match performer.

I agree with the conclusion (i.e. pick your best available attack even if that includes two spinners) but Tait not impressive? You must be kidding. He had played only two or three matches before his first Test (two of them OD matches), took 3-fer in the first innings in taking a couple of big wickets and when Ponting ACTUALLY BOWLED HIM, he took wickets. He was absolutely on a hiding to nothing considering he wasn't expected to play and that the selectors made no provisions for the remote chance that he might have to play hence was very underdone and did what was expected; bowl fast, take wickets. What did you expect? A match-winning 10-fer? Come on.

 

[Mister Wright]

I agree with the conclusion (i.e. pick your best available attack even if that includes two spinners) but Tait not impressive? You must be kidding. He had played only two or three matches before his first Test (two of them OD matches), took 3-fer in the first innings in taking a couple of big wickets and when Ponting ACTUALLY BOWLED HIM, he took wickets. He was absolutely on a hiding to nothing considering he wasn't expected to play and that the selectors made no provisions for the remote chance that he might have to play hence was very underdone and did what was expected; bowl fast, take wickets. What did you expect? A match-winning 10-fer? Come on.

Geez...someone's sensitive...

What I meant is that he wasn't that impressive that he should play ahead of MacGill. I agree Tait did look good, but also he looked inexperienced. I'm a huge fan of Tait and I was hoping he'd stay fit so he could overtake Lee by the end of the summer.

 

[Mister Wright]

Tait may not have been great but he showed great signs & would probably have gotten more of chance over Macgill anyway this summer if he didn't get injured.

I know MaCgill & Warne together have been successful but you got to look at what it would do to australia's attack if they both play together in all conditions added to the fact that Watson is in their, Warne can do everything as a spinner while on day MacGill can be expensive & Lee so we have to think carefully about that IMO...

No. I think you're wrong. ATM Australia's best three bowlers in the country are Warne, McGrath and MacGill and must play all the time no matter what the conditions, even if its Perth. I don't care if the pitch is as flat as a road, I'd rather have MacGill in the team who has performed time and time again for his country than some rookie or over-rated paceman. The fact is - when Warne and MacGill bowl together in the same team Australia look threatening. We should continue with these two.

 

[social]

No. I think you're wrong. ATM Australia's best three bowlers in the country are Warne, McGrath and MacGill and must play all the time no matter what the conditions, even if its Perth. I don't care if the pitch is as flat as a road, I'd rather have MacGill in the team who has performed time and time again for his country than some rookie or over-rated paceman. The fact is - when Warne and MacGill bowl together in the same team Australia look threatening. We should continue with these two.

Correct.

MacGill averages nearly 5 wickets per test - it's ludicrous to leave him out unless the circumstances absolutely demand it, e.g. maybe Perth or a Brisbane green-top.

Let Tait compete with Lee and leave Watson alone until the end of the summer.

 

[howardj]

Here is Jamie Cox's blueprint . It involves Watson being picked as a specialist batsman to take over from Clarke at number four. Cox also states that Watson's bowling is merely a bonus - not something that will make him the next great allrounder. It also contains some quite scathing criticism (almost resentment) of Michael Clarke whose 'fairweather' batting is more suited down the order.

 

[Mister Wright]

Here is Jamie Cox's blueprint . It involves Watson being picked as a specialist batsman to take over from Clarke at number four. Cox also states that Watson's bowling is merely a bonus - not something that will make him the next great allrounder. It also contains some quite scathing criticism (almost resentment) of Michael Clarke whose 'fairweather' batting is more suited down the order.

That is a great article. I've heard Jamie Cox on the radio sometimes as a commentator and he has really impressed me. He has a great knowledge of the game and is not boring to listen to like some. I agree with all points in that article. A lot of respected people agreeing with what I have to say about the middle order and Clarke's technique...

 

[SquidAU]

That is a great article. I've heard Jamie Cox on the radio sometimes as a commentator and he has really impressed me. He has a great knowledge of the game and is not boring to listen to like some. I agree with all points in that article. A lot of respected people agreeing with what I have to say about the middle order and Clarke's technique...

And you paid how much to Mr Cox?

 

[aussie]

No. I think you're wrong. ATM Australia's best three bowlers in the country are Warne, McGrath and MacGill and must play all the time no matter what the conditions, even if its Perth. I don't care if the pitch is as flat as a road, I'd rather have MacGill in the team who has performed time and time again for his country than some rookie or over-rated paceman. The fact is - when Warne and MacGill bowl together in the same team Australia look threatening. We should continue with these two.

Fair enough, but Tait over-rated please

 

[aussie]

Here is Jamie Cox's blueprint . It involves Watson being picked as a specialist batsman to take over from Clarke at number four. Cox also states that Watson's bowling is merely a bonus - not something that will make him the next great allrounder. It also contains some quite scathing criticism (almost resentment) of Michael Clarke whose 'fairweather' batting is more suited down the order.

yea this is a good article no doubt but the problem is they none of them seem to think that Martyn should come back into the test side which is bemusing to say the least, i like the idea of Watson going up he order & Clarke batting at 6 but geez Martyn has to be their mayn......

 

[Mister Wright]

Fair enough, but Tait over-rated please

Tait is the rookie. Lee is the over-rated paceman.