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Smith to take North spot at No 6 for Aus test team

Malleeboy

U19 12th Man
Given part of the reason to pick North was his part time tweaking, then Smith for North would make good sense. Unfortunately Marcus North just has never grabbed me as solid number 6.

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Smith
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Siddle/Harris
Bollinger
 

Matt79

Global Moderator
As per my sig, would rather see White in the short term, but Smith has made a really good start to his career and long term, I think they could both be in the team. The "spin-bowling number 6" has become less important with Hauritz's improvement in anycase - with Watson already providing a fifth bowling option, and Katich and Clarke in the team anyhow, the number 6 slot should simply go to the best batsman.
 

andyc

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
That's why I was really annoyed that North got amongst the runs in NZ; if he'd failed in both Tests, and maybe even just the first, Smith would be a shoe-in come the Pakistan series. Given that North did score though, his position will be guaranteed for a little longer, and so the only chance of Smith getting a game is as a spinner coming in at number 7 at the highest, which would not only be a waste of his batting, but an overstatement of his bowling at the moment (IMO), as well as a bit of a slap in the face to Hauritz, who has done well.
 

Noble One

International Vice-Captain
Pointless role the 6th bowling option.

North is currently in the side solely for his batting. Considering the selectors stuck with North through a pretty horrid run of form, and he came good, then he will retain his place.

Selecting Smith as a number six batsman will simply ****** his development as a leg-spinner. The last thing he needs is to bowl 5 overs a game and be considered largely for his batting. He will simply never develop, and that would be such a waste. Wait until he proves himself a better spinner than Hauritz trough Sheffield Shield cricket.
 

Matt79

Global Moderator
Correction: wait to see IF he proves himself a better spinner than Hauritz. Ritz is pretty good these days.
 

Nate

You'll Never Walk Alone
Smith's batting has shown more promise than his bowling in First Class cricket imo. That said, he is developing into a genuine FC all-rounder. His bowling against the Redbacks back in March was lovely.
 

Jarquis

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Before his 7fa he was averaging about 4 billion with the ball wasn't he? Definitely not the time to be picking him based on his bowling IMO. If he's the best #6 batsman you have, then fair enough.
 

Noble One

International Vice-Captain
I think what excites many about the bowling of Smith is how much he improved in the space of a season. At the start of the 09/10 season many of us (including myself) wrote him off, as he was horrendous. Struggled to land a threatening delivery, and would resort to a flat trajectory as soon as he was attacked. Over the space of the season many of us then recognized just how much he had improved. He is not the finished product yet but if has a similar season of learning then he could be great.

How many flat trackers has he bowled in this T20 world cup? Probably count them on one hand. Last year he would bowl 3 an over.

Keep him away from the Test team until he actually does deserve it.
 

Matt79

Global Moderator
Book him in for a couple of two hour sessions with Warne a month. He's still raving in the media about how much Warney taught him in fifteen minutes out the back of the nets when he was 12th man.
 

BoyBrumby

Englishman
Think the boy's bowling is a lot better than his career figures suggest. Oz seems a spinner's graveyard just now because Haurtiz is no way a 40+ per wicket bowler, as his test figures obviously show.

Haven't seen enough of his (Smith's) batting to judge if he's ready for the top 6 in tests yet.

UK passport holder ftr, so we can bathe in his glory too. :cool:
 

GotSpin

Hall of Fame Member
Book him in for a couple of two hour sessions with Warne a month. He's still raving in the media about how much Warney taught him in fifteen minutes out the back of the nets when he was 12th man.
yeah when we were at the pub a couple months after he couldn't stop raving about the great man
 

zaremba

Cricketer Of The Year
He's part of a major trend in pug-faced Crim cricketers, along with Siddle, Warner and White.
 

Sir Alex

Banned
Not primarily as a bowler though, please, Cricket Australia.
Yes but I think he should be playing alongside White as spin options and bat at no.7? I can't see him batting above that considering competition/seniority in the Aussie ranks right now.
 

andyc

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Yes but I think he should be playing alongside White as spin options and bat at no.7? I can't see him batting above that considering competition/seniority in the Aussie ranks right now.
Ahhhhhhhhhh nooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!

If there's one positive that came from Cam White playing as a specialist spinner in Tests, it's the lesson that he should never, under any circumstances be picked for anything but his batting ability. He's loathe to bowl himself in FC cricket, FFS.
 

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