***Official*** South Africa in Australia 2012

[Prince EWS]

I don't think four quicks is ever really a serious option when Watson exists; it's a waste of resources. I'd sooner pick another allrounder if I was really keen to leave the specialist spinner out.

I'd be really tempted to play Starc anyway though, ahead of possibly Pattinson or Hilfenhaus. It's the sort of unnecessary change that can look really, really bad if it doesn't work though so in the end I'd probably chicken out and just make Starc twelfth man.

[benchmark00]

SA have probably the best batting line up in world cricket, I fail to see how there would be an issue of under using Watson.

I'm always a massive fan of picking a spinner, but I'm more of a fan of picking your four best bowlers.

[adub]

Yeah same deal. Wouldn't see Christian as a long term No.6 probably, but if Watto is fit to bowl and we haven't got spinner worth a pinch then he or the others I named as No8 4th/5th seamer role could be a goer. Nice long batting line up with P Siddy back at 9.

[benchmark00]

btw I hope I'm very wrong about Lyon, but I have big fears for him throughout this series. He was carried last summer and was able to be carried because Australia were facing an abject batting line up, but in this series where Australia will need that fouth front liner to do a big job, I don't think he'll be able to stand up to it.

[Spikey]

it's ok i'm sure we'll get to the SA tail at some point


also if lyon does play, we'll get to see kallis' disdain for off-spinners. that's always fun to see.

[adub]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

btw I hope I'm very wrong about Lyon, but I have big fears for him throughout this series. He was carried last summer and was able to be carried because Australia were facing an abject batting line up, but in this series where Australia will need that fouth front liner to do a big job, I don't think he'll be able to stand up to it.

Agreed, but he was under plenty of pressure for his spot going into the Windies and produced, so maybe he'll turn it on when he needs to again. Hoping so.

[Justo]

I'd be very tempted to play 4 Frontline quicks + Watson at the Gabba and WACA. If SA are going to get on top of them then I don't see Lyon helping much TBH.

I don't see how having Watson on top of the other 4 is a negative. He's probably the rest reverse swing bowler in Australia while the other guys all provide something different.

[Spikey]

I guess if Starc was sorta like a repeat of the other 4 seamers, I'd be really against it, but he isn't.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Burgey

Yeah I can see the logic in Benchy's line of thought, but I just don't know if that's how sparingly they want to use Watson. Never mind over rates anyway. Since Lee has been out of the team, has it been an issue for Australia?

Yeh it sounds good in principle, but he has rarely been used as little as 5 overs even under Ponting. Would be great if the others do the job though and his bowling can be used sparingly (or pretty much not at all). Watto's time as a batsman is running out, and I would like, probably more than anything else for this team, to see him finally break through the barrier. Would be immensely satisfying to witness, both because he has struggled for so long, but also because we all know he is, or at least should be, better than he has been showing.

[adub]

On Lyon though (and remembering it's still early doors), has there been a bowler with a test record SOOOOOO much better than his non-test FC record?

13 tests, 42 wickets @ 27.8, sr 57.5 is close to top shelf for an offie, BUT,
14 other FC match, 35 wickets @ 50.5 sr 88.6 is 'back to Future's League for you son' (or 'here's a South Australian cap' - close enough to the same thing) dire.

[Ruckus]

I think it's almost good his FC record is that bad haha...cause it's kind of like it just isn't a very good representation of his ability. There is no way he is a 50 average bowler. I guess the opposite can be said for his test record though. Probably overachieved in tests, and underachieved domestically.

[Spikey]

tried to find a statsguru filter for bowling just to batsmen 1-7 but couldn't find it. I suspect that would be closer to the middle we're looking for.

[Spikey]

i forgot clarkeh got a 5er in his last game

[vic_orthdox]

Originally Posted by Spikey

tried to find a statsguru filter for bowling just to batsmen 1-7 but couldn't find it. I suspect that would be closer to the middle we're looking for.

If the figures came out ok, then it'd obviously be all the nightwatchman he's gotten out.

[Cabinet96]

I got this: Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Obviously did something wrong

Meanwhile: Batsmen Dismissed Summary