***Official*** India in Australia 2011/12

[Redbacks]

Scored over 200 runs across 2 innings in the shield final which is handy.

He's been owed a run after the hasty dropping in England. Now it seems fair that he has had a few tests and can go back to the drawing board for a couple years, score 1000 runs in a season, and then have another crack.

 

[Furball]

He had a bit of a good run at the tail-end of last FC season, but very little between his Test match stints, no.

So basically apart from his debut series and the 09 Ashes he's never actually been put into the Test side in the middle of good FC form?

And thanks to the geniuses at Cricket Australia, the management can't say "sorry Phil, it would be better if you went back to New South Wales and found some FC form" because the Shield doesn't start again until after the Test series. Bravo CA, bravo.

 

[morgieb]

Can I ask why Hughes being out of nick and constantly getting out the same way is grounds for dropping, yet Ponting constantly falling over his front pad and getting out lbw all the ****ing time isn't?

Ponting's too hard to drop. Plus he's scored some runs recently.

I actually agree with you ftr, but I understand why the selectors are being cautious here.

 

[morgieb]

So basically apart from his debut series and the 09 Ashes he's never actually been put into the Test side in the middle of good FC form?

And thanks to the geniuses at Cricket Australia, the management can't say "sorry Phil, it would be better if you went back to New South Wales and found some FC form" because the Shield doesn't start again until after the Test series. Bravo CA, bravo.

Yeah Cricket Australia have REALLY ****ed up on having the Big Bash during the test matches. Wouldn't it make more sense to have it during the one-dayers or whenever Australia aren't playing internationals?

 

[Howe_zat]

Hughes did initially. Has he actually had a sustained period of good Shield form since his dropping in England? I know he came into last year's Ashes in woeful nick.

Have a very good 09-10 season. Scored 990 runs in 11 matches, average well over 50.

So basically apart from his debut series and the 09 Ashes he's never actually been put into the Test side in the middle of good FC form?

Came in for an injured Watson in NZ in March 2010, got an 80* or some such.

 

[Furball]

Ponting's too hard to drop. Plus he's scored some runs recently.

I actually agree with you ftr, but I understand why the selectors are being cautious here.

Hughes has scored a ton and an 88 in his last 5 Tests. Looked glorious during his 88, whereas Ponting during his twin 50s looked like a guy unsuccessfully trying to get out.

 

[NUFAN]

I'm really sick of the experienced batsman doing bugger all. Ponting is dropped from my team.

1 E Cowan 2 D Warner 3 S Marsh 4 S Watson 5 MClarke 6 M Hussey 7 M Wade 8 P Siddle 9 J Pattinson 10 R Harris 11 N Lyon

I'm a big Khawaja fan, but I dont think he's done enough.

 

[social]

I'm really sick of the experienced batsman doing bugger all. Ponting is dropped from my team.

1 E Cowan 2 D Warner 3 S Marsh 4 S Watson 5 MClarke 6 M Hussey 7 M Wade 8 P Siddle 9 J Pattinson 10 R Harris 11 N Lyon

I'm a big Khawaja fan, but I dont think he's done enough.

I understand what you are saying but Ponting will not be dropped and you can put money on that IMO

He may be given a word at the end of the India series but that's about as far as it will go

Hussey may well be dropped but that's not a great bet either for another test or 2 and at least he has the excuse of copping a couple of decent balls

Haddin may be the sacrificial lamb but the previous selectors earmarked Paine as his replacement and he's injured

 

[Howe_zat]

Still think the Aussies will win it despite their batting woes.

India's bowling abroad is on the verge of downright poor. When was the last time Zaheer completed a Test tour? And finger spinners in Australia have been almost besides the point in recent years.

 

[Ruckus]

I don't think anyone actually thinks Ponting will be dropped. It's just wishful thinking. The only player that will be dropped is Hughes. Hussey and Haddin will survive as well.

 

[Woodster]

Had Australia won this Test against NZ, there would be few questions about Ponting, Hussey, and Haddin ahead of the Indian series, rightly or wrongly, but I do think there will be plenty talked about in the press,etc, about whether they should be retained after all the recent collapses. I think all three will be selected and if Ponting doesn't impress in this series, he may fall on his sword.

 

[Ruckus]

Yeah I actually think if Ponting fails again in this series, it will be curtains whether he likes it not. He'll get pushed by the selectors to resign if he doesn't do it himself.

Ponting, Hussey have forfeited right to call time on their innings

This article pretty much somes up the situation for me (although I'd be inclined to give Hussey one more chance).

 

[jorel'sspawn]

Still think the Aussies will win it despite their batting woes.

India's bowling abroad is on the verge of downright poor. When was the last time Zaheer completed a Test tour? And finger spinners in Australia have been almost besides the point in recent years.

its not a bowling competition. Runs scored are just as good as runs prevented. And considering the fragile nature of Aussie batting, this series is even keeled at best from their point of view.

 

[Scaly piscine]

This is who I'd go for.

Warner
Katich/Oz no-name bat
Marsh
Oz no-name bat/Katich
Clarke
Watson
Oz keeper who isn't Haddin
Copeland
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon


I think the worries about Watson starting against spin are over the top. His distribution of scores makes him an ideal number 6 really. If your number 6 is consistently getting 50s it will make you far less prone to collapse, which is a far more important consideration. I also think being at the back-end of an innings might focus his mind a little more, he can bat more in the here and now, knowing it could be all over in two balls rather than just having the freedom to bat on and on - which seems to make him drift off.

 

[NasserFan207]

I think Haddin should be dropped before Ponting or Hussey, simply because he has a clear replacement.

 

[Howe_zat]

Being adamant about dropping someone when you've no idea who should replace them is absurd.

 

[nsniks]

Would it be a bad idea if we move Laxman to no.6 position and promote Kohli/Rohit to number 5?? as most of the time the batsmen at number 6 have to bat with tail and Laxman has been pretty great at that. Even when Ganguly was in the team he used to bat at 5 and Laxman at 6

 

[ganeshran]

Would it be a bad idea if we move Laxman to no.6 position and promote Kohli/Rohit to number 5?? as most of the time the batsmen at number 6 have to bat with tail and Laxman has been pretty great at that. Even when Ganguly was in the team he used to bat at 5 and Laxman at 6

I think the current batting order is good. Three solid batsmen come one after the other and the chances of back to back quick wickets are reduced. Plus the number 6 is a good place for youngsters to prove their mettle and claim the vacant spots when the big 3 retire

 

[Jarquis]

Being adamant about dropping someone when you've no idea who should replace them is absurd.

That's the thing for me, as dire as Ponting and Hussey have been there's nobody bashing the door down. One of the players to put up the biggest numbers in recent years is in the side already owing to injury (Khawaja) and he's hardly impressed in his limited outings.
That's why the calls for Hughes's and Haddin's heads are a lot more justified IMO, Warner hasn't put a foot wrong in his fledgling career and Wade's gone about the right way in making a massive case for his inclusion.

 

[honestbharani]

The people wanted it. Don't you recall the public saying we were terrible hosts?

All the while forgetting the guests basically did the equivalent of not flushing a turd then complaining about the stench.

rofl.. now you are ranting against your own countrymen? or did I just misunderstand your post?