Bracken's test chances

[Josh]

Anyone else reckon, that now with the retirement of McGrath, Nathan Bracken might be a chance to make it into the test side? I mean, look at his form of late, I know a lot of people don't like to compare OD and 5-day, but honestly he's gotta be right up there.

How was his FC season?? The bloke is a dead-set gun; quiet achiever tbh.

[pasag]

Lee
Clark
Johnson
MacGill

Would love to see Bracken succeed in Tests although I doubt he'll be given a chance to get back in.

[Josh]

Would rate him better than Johnson. That said I'd also have Hogg over MacGill, but that just comes from plain hatred for the man.

S'pose Johnson would probably be the better choice though being younger. Young blood is something we haven't spawned probably since Brett Lee.

[Simon]

Johnson's stocks have gone down imo, its wide open and really anyone with form next time a squad is picked will get a chance...

[pasag]

Originally Posted by Josh

Would rate him better than Johnson. That said I'd also have Hogg over MacGill, but that just comes from plain hatred for the man.

S'pose Johnson would probably be the better choice though being younger. Young blood is something we haven't spawned probably since Brett Lee.

Selectors don't though. It's pretty clear Johnson's been earmarked and I'd be very suprised if he's not playing in our next Test.

[oz_fan]

Bracken definately deserves a chance in the test squad. I can't remember the last time he didn't perform well in OD's. He offers variety as well because he is left handed and usually gets good swing and is able to change his pace.

[Pup Clarke]

Originally Posted by pasag

It's pretty clear Johnson's been earmarked and I'd be very suprised if he's not playing in our next Test.

He shouldn't though IMO.He started his OD career well but in the last 4-5 he played he was hammered all over the place.He's done not much in the ODI game to be considered a test player.I'd rather go for Tait or Hilfenhaus TBH.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by oz_fan

Bracken definately deserves a chance in the test squad. I can't remember the last time he didn't perform well in OD's. He offers variety as well because he is left handed and usually gets good swing and is able to change his pace.

Precisely

[gettingbetter]

Originally Posted by pasag

Selectors don't though. It's pretty clear Johnson's been earmarked and I'd be very suprised if he's not playing in our next Test.

In saying that, they did ear-mark Dorey, Lewis and Joe-blow didn't they?

Just to defend myself before I get in trouble, Australia have blooded a number of players (more so bowlers) in attempting to find the right combination for this World Cup. It is clear that, Johnson was to be featured, but his form in the CB series has warranted him a position.

Maybe he isn't the flavour of the month anymore.

The 'youth' factor is in Johnson's favour, in saying that Bracken is only 29 - but the 'Dad's Army' tag that Australia has been attached with could work against him.

Overall:

Lee - Clark - Spinner - Tait

Yeah, after all that, I think that Tait will get the Test place.

[Josh]

Originally Posted by Pup Clarke

He shouldn't though IMO.He started his OD career well but in the last 4-5 he played he was hammered all over the place.He's done not much in the ODI game to be considered a test player.I'd rather go for Tait or Hilfenhaus TBH.

Soild calls, tbh.

[Simon]

Id prefer Tait in the side too, but I dont think the selectors will go that way, Hilfenhaus would be a great choice if he's in form come next summer...

[FaaipDeOiad]

Bracken's a fine ODI bowler - in fact, he's well on the way to being a genuinely great ODI bowler. Not sure he'll get much of a go in tests in the near future though. Clark, Lee and MacGill are certainties next summer, as is Watson fitness permitting, and I think the temptation will be to go for an unproven bowler with the potential to be devastating to fill the other spot, like Johnson or Tait or perhaps Hilfenhaus, rather than a safe option like Bracken. I think Bracken could probably be a good test bowler, but the assets which make him so good in ODIs wouldn't really have an impact in tests, particularly if he's not given the new ball. 120 kph cutters aren't going to frighten too many set batsmen in a test.

He could be extremely good if the ball is swinging though, or in the subcontinent. I'd not mind seeing him get another go at some point, but I just can't see it happening next summer without a string of injuries.

[pasag]

Originally Posted by Pup Clarke

He shouldn't though IMO.He started his OD career well but in the last 4-5 he played he was hammered all over the place.He's done not much in the ODI game to be considered a test player.I'd rather go for Tait or Hilfenhaus TBH.

Wait up. What does not having done much as a One-Day player have to do with not getting a run in the Test side? I can understand that Bracken has done excellently in the one-dayers so he deserves to be considered for Tests, you'd be stupid to ignore a player in the form of his life. But the logic doesn't work the other way. IMO.

[chaminda_00]

A couple months ago Johnson would have been near certainity. But the same would have said about him playing in starting XI at the World Cup. Back them most people thought Australia would go for four prong pace attack which included Lee, Bracken, McGarth and Johnson. Clearly a lot has happened since then and i think Johnson has fallen down the pecking order.

Tait has been very good (brillant at times) at the this World Cup, surely that has to count for something if they go for the youth factor. Hilfenhaus performance in the Pura Cup Final and in general in domestic cricket has probably put him ahead of of Johnson as well.

With the Bracken the question will always be his ability to swing the red ball, as much as the white one. But how many of his wickets recently have been a result of massive swing. Most have been due to sutle changes in swing, seam movement or pace changes. Overall personal i think he would be Australia's best option.

But i would be very surprised if Tait isn't lining up now in the 1st Test against Sri Lanka. From a Sri Lankan POV i much rather a unproven Tait, Johnson or Hilfenhaus lining up against us then Bracken. But im sure the selectors will go for youth and most likely the extra pace of Tait.

[pup11]

I would rate Tait ahead of Johnson as a test-match bowler, in a test match he need not worry about the wides so he can bowl more aggressively and freely.



If it doesn't swing Bracken ain't too good with the red-cherry, his cutters and slower balls won't make too much of an impact in test-matches.


These should be the Test-bowling options to choose from :-

1.Lee
2.Clark
3.Tait
4.McGill
5.Gillespie
6.Watson
7.Hilfenhaus
8.Johnson