***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Nnanden]

Am actually a fan of the idea tbh. Would prefer Bollinger and Hilfenhaus play, but McDonald might be in big form in the nets. North can definately do the spinning job imo.

[four_or_six]

Nice one though... here, have your international cap. By the way, you're our number one spinner.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Nnanden

Am actually a fan of the idea tbh. Would prefer Bollinger and Hilfenhaus play, but McDonald might be in big form in the nets. North can definately do the spinning job imo.

If both North and McDonald play, and we get bowled out twice, it will be a national disgrace. That XI will have either McDonald or Haddin at eight (eight!!!!), followed by Johnson.


Probably get rock'n'rolled for 180 and 230 now I've said that.

[Julian87]

Wonder how many packs North has gone through waiting for the final XI.

[pup11]

Originally Posted by four_or_six

If Clarke could bowl playing four quicks would make more sense. Assuming he can't (or not much) it seems a bit much to rely so heavily on North for the spin.

Tbh, North's spin bowling > Clarke's spin bowling...

Anyways, the point is selectors are just not getting it, Australia have been unable to take 20 wickets, and the whole emphasis should be on working towards achieving that goal, but instead, stacking the batting order and dropping a specialist bowler in doing so, is absolutely dumb.

Boon was saying a few days ago, how plenty patience and planning are required to make this current lot click, but sorry to say, they are hardly backing their own words, I just seriously can't understand what they are trying achieve here, but whatever it is, this is getting so ****ing annoying now.

[Steulen]

Originally Posted by pup11

Tbh, North spin bowling > Clarke's spin bowling...

There's also the Kat. He could bowl a few overs without the Saffies laughing too much.

[NUFAN]

It's like people here think Hauritz and McGain are wonder bowlers.

Is it case of the selectors picking the initial squad, with the captain and a few others picking the make up of the Test?

[four_or_six]

I'm sure they won't play McDonald. It's just that if they're playing four quicks there aren't any others in the squad so if one goes down on the morning of the match he has to come in.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by four_or_six

I'm sure they won't play McDonald. It's just that if they're playing four quicks there aren't any others in the squad so if one goes down on the morning of the match he has to come in.

McGain is still going to the game. They can play him if a bowler goes down; they don't have to stick to the twelve.

[pup11]

Originally Posted by NUFAN

It's like people here think Hauritz and McGain are wonder bowlers.

Is it case of the selectors picking the initial squad, with the captain and a few others picking the make up of the Test?

Playing XI is picked by the on tour selector, captain, v-c and coach can only make suggestions, secondly McGain is no wonder bowler, but he is decent enough wrist-spinner, who can lend some much needed variety to the attack, and help take those 20 wickets, don't know how McDonald and North would help with that.

[four_or_six]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

McGain is still going to the game. They can play him if a bowler goes down; they don't have to stick to the twelve.

Yeah, I know. Tbh, what's the point of the twelve in this case, with the exception of giving the Saffas a heads up that they don't want to play a spinner.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by pup11

Playing XI is picked by the on tour selector, captain, v-c and coach can only make suggestions, secondly McGain is no wonder bowler, but he is decent enough wrist-spinner, who can lend some much needed variety to the attack, and help take those 20 wickets, don't know how McDonald and North would help with that.

I don't know why you're assuming McDonald will play. I think it's pretty unlikely myself - it's Hilfenhaus who will come in for McGain.

[pup11]

Originally Posted by four_or_six

I'm sure they won't play McDonald. It's just that if they're playing four quicks there aren't any others in the squad so if one goes down on the morning of the match he has to come in.

I don't know why you're assuming

McDonald will play. I think it's pretty unlikely myself - it's Hilfenhaus who will come in for McGain.

Not sure about that at all, if they can pick White over Clark, then, them picking McDonald over Hilf, shouldn't even come us a surpise to any of us.

[Precambrian]

Originally Posted by Steulen

There's also the Kat. He could bowl a few overs without the Saffies laughing too much.

So true.

Ridiculous that he was so underused in the India series.

[Steulen]

Originally Posted by Precambrian

So true.

Ridiculous that he was so underused in the India series.

Yup. He's a decent bowler for a specialist batsman. So even without Clarke being able to bowl, North and Katich should be good enough to take care of the 5th bowling option.

And if the worst comes to pass, there's always the medium pace might of Ricky "Vaughankiller" Ponting or Michael "Deathbowler" Hussey to fall back upon of course.