Prediction

[sqwerty]

Unless Ponting continues the way he is going, Mike Hussey will be the number 1 batsman in the world by the end of this year.

There isn't a batsman in the world at the moment (Ponting included) that looks more solid from ball 1 than Hussey.

The guy has no flaws and an impeccable technique.

Hasn't really been tested against the best spinners, or the best pacemen but frankly I think he is the most complete and assured looking batsman in the world at the moment.

Time will tell.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

T_C will have something to say about this.

 

[sqwerty]

I take it that means he disagrees

 

[Barney Rubble]

He's good, but he's not that good. He'll finish with the same sort of Test average as the likes of Martyn, Langer, and countless other Australian batsmen - a top-class player, but not in the pantheon of great batsmen like Ponting no doubt will be.

 

[NZTailender]

I think he'll be one of the fastest to 1000 runs (not the fastest obviously)

 

[andyc]

It'll be interesting to see how he goes in the Ashes. He certainly does seem composed at the crease, but he has been around for a very long time, so you'd expect that. He'll certainly have his spot in the team for a few years, but I'm not sure about him being the best in the world. One of the top 5 or 10, maybe.

 

[aussie]

I think he'll be one of the fastest to 1000 runs (not the fastest obviously)

yea i agree with this, but i don't think he will be the best batsman in the world by the end of the year tbh..

 

[sledger]

hes just an allround good solid impressive player, but nothing extraordinary if you ask me.

 

[Barney Rubble]

He hasn't been around in Test cricket long enough for teams to try and work out a weakness yet - his start reminds me of Andrew Strauss. It took a while for teams to work out where you could and couldn't bowl to him, just as it'll take them a while to work out Hussey. Once Fletcher and his analysts have had a look at him, and the England attack have examined him over the winter, we'll know what he's made of.

 

[sledger]

yes i think thats true, although in fairness it seems that he doesnt have as many obvious weaknesses as strauss perhaps did, having said that strauss didnt have many himself.

 

[Barney Rubble]

yes i think thats true, although in fairness it seems that he doesnt have as many obvious weaknesses as strauss perhaps did, having said that strauss didnt have many himself.

Every batsman has a weakness - it's just that some hide them better than others.

 

[honestbharani]

How good is he against spin? Is he good or is he Ponting good?

 

[open365]

I don't think he'll be the best in the world until he is allowed to bat higher up the order, which with the Aussie team looks pretty unlikely atm.

He's one of my favourite cricketers and i don't think it's that implausable that he could get to a 1000 runs the fastest

 

[Tom Halsey]

I'll rate him after he's faced the England seam attack when under pressure, or some top-quality spin under intense pressure.

So far he hasn't faced too much quality bowling.

 

[luckyeddie]

Every batsman has a weakness - it's just that some hide them better than others.

Sign of a very good player is that he can turn a perceived weakness into a strength (e.g. Trescothick - the source of his frequent downfall is also the source of his runs)

 

[silentstriker]

I've been wondering, what exactly is Dravid's weakness? I mean, where do you bowl to him?

I've heard he is the weakest until he scores about the first 10 runs, but even if that time...what do you do as a bowler?

 

[sledger]

Sign of a very good player is that he can turn a perceived weakness into a strength (e.g. Trescothick - the source of his frequent downfall is also the source of his runs)

just wait till richard comes along and sees that.

 

[luckyeddie]

just wait till richard comes along and sees that.

What's he going to do - prat on me?

 

[Dick Rockett]

He hasn't been around in Test cricket long enough for teams to try and work out a weakness yet - his start reminds me of Andrew Strauss. It took a while for teams to work out where you could and couldn't bowl to him, just as it'll take them a while to work out Hussey. Once Fletcher and his analysts have had a look at him, and the England attack have examined him over the winter, we'll know what he's made of.

Seconded - totally what I was thinking! This sort of thing happens with new players all the time.

 

[adharcric]

I've been wondering, what exactly is Dravid's weakness? I mean, where do you bowl to him?

I've heard he is the weakest until he scores about the first 10 runs, but even if that time...what do you do as a bowler?

If I was bowling to him, here's what I'd try.

a) don't bowl a foot outside off-stump like Hoggard was doing, bowl a few inches outside off-stump so that there's a threat of an incoming delivery shackling him, and put a touch of outswing on it to see if dravid gets an edge

b) pitch it on his legs and get some outswing from there, meaning a ball pitching on the legs and moving towards off-stump ... slight chance he might miss the line when he flicks to leg, he loves that shot