Red
The normal awards that everyone else has
The next test we play is in November against SA, so you'd assume/hope we'd have most players fit by then. Interested to hear some opinions on who will form our bowling attack for that series, considering we have plenty of pace bowlers to choose from (in contrast to our batting). I think our main stocks include:
Ryan Harris- Fully fit I think he is our most skillful and best quick. Unfortunately his body doesn't hold up for a long time ever. Hopefully he will be available for all this summer. Keep for tests only imo. Pretty handy lower order bat too.
Ben Hilfenhaus- Looked gone a while back, but has reinvented himself. Bowls pretty smart, but can struggle for wickets if conditions don't suit swing. Took 27 wickets at 17 in 4 tests against India in Aus last summer.
James Pattinson- Seems to have a bit of mongrel in him, and looks like a decent prospect in tests. Action reminds me a bit of Craig McDermott. 11 wickets in 2 tests against the Indians last summer, but seems to struggle with injury a bit.
Pat Cummins- Really exciting prospect I reckon. Pace, swing and smart. Has that extra pace like Steyn that makes batsmen hurry their shots. Only one test so far, against SA last year, where he smashed through the middle order, picking up a few big wickets.
Mitchell Starc- Popular with selectors, hasn't shown a heap at international level yet, but quick and left armed means variety. Needs a solid Shield season imo, doesn't need to be 12th man for Australia for the next 12 months.
Mitchell Johnson- The most frustrating cricketer in the world. Can create carnage, but then the gap between his best and worst is massive. I wouldn't be disappointed if he never plays tests again, but seems popular (and marketable). Should have worked a lot harder to develop in to an allrounder, as I think his batting is very decent (made 123 against a strong SA attack). Too enigmatic to be one out of only three quicks though.
In terms of spinners, I assume Nathan Lyon has consolidated his spot for the time being, with other contenders not really obvious.
Ryan Harris- Fully fit I think he is our most skillful and best quick. Unfortunately his body doesn't hold up for a long time ever. Hopefully he will be available for all this summer. Keep for tests only imo. Pretty handy lower order bat too.
Ben Hilfenhaus- Looked gone a while back, but has reinvented himself. Bowls pretty smart, but can struggle for wickets if conditions don't suit swing. Took 27 wickets at 17 in 4 tests against India in Aus last summer.
James Pattinson- Seems to have a bit of mongrel in him, and looks like a decent prospect in tests. Action reminds me a bit of Craig McDermott. 11 wickets in 2 tests against the Indians last summer, but seems to struggle with injury a bit.
Pat Cummins- Really exciting prospect I reckon. Pace, swing and smart. Has that extra pace like Steyn that makes batsmen hurry their shots. Only one test so far, against SA last year, where he smashed through the middle order, picking up a few big wickets.
Mitchell Starc- Popular with selectors, hasn't shown a heap at international level yet, but quick and left armed means variety. Needs a solid Shield season imo, doesn't need to be 12th man for Australia for the next 12 months.
Mitchell Johnson- The most frustrating cricketer in the world. Can create carnage, but then the gap between his best and worst is massive. I wouldn't be disappointed if he never plays tests again, but seems popular (and marketable). Should have worked a lot harder to develop in to an allrounder, as I think his batting is very decent (made 123 against a strong SA attack). Too enigmatic to be one out of only three quicks though.
In terms of spinners, I assume Nathan Lyon has consolidated his spot for the time being, with other contenders not really obvious.