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

[Garson007]

I agree that there is place for a good gloveman in test cricket. I disagree that it should be seen as an extra batsman. That said, De Kock I think has made a big enough statement as a batsman to be included as an ODI wicket keeper. Hell, we need a new opener anyways.

[MrPrez]

Yeah well the debate about Tsolekile is around Tests No way I'd have him in the ODI team, I'd value a batting keeper over his glovework and a 21 average any day. Don't really mind ABDV keeping in ODIs, but in Tests I reckon we need a genuine gloveman at 7.

People say it'll take away from our batting but tbh we shouldn't need to rely on a specialist number 7 when history dictates a top 6 and a specialist keeper is fine, and when we have Amla, Kallis, de Villiers beefing up the middle order (fair to say the best top/middle order in the world atm?).

[Noble One]

Originally Posted by howardj

Surprised that they weren't a little more imaginative with the Adelaide squad, given the cloud over Watson. The extra bowler in the first three days is almost essential in Adelaide and, as tidy as Quiney's Gabba offerings were, he's no more than a trundler. Certainly I think Moises or an allrounder of his ilk should have at least been part of the squad

I'm not a fan of carrying an all-rounder for the sake of carrying one. Quiney, Hussey and Clarke are decent enough to bowl the 20-25 overs that may be required from a fifth bowler. If Australia have such a need; it's likely Kallis or Amla are scoring +100 and a bowler of modest ability like Henriques wouldn't make much difference.

[Monk]

Added phase 5

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

Shane Watson innings guide:

Phase 1 - belt a few classy looking shots to the boundary, accumulate 20 or 30 runs really quickly.

Phase 2 - run out opening partner.

Phase 3 - get bogged down by opposition spinner. Whack one ball over midwicket for 6. Continue to get bogged down.

Phase 4 - milk applause of crowd as you reach your half century. Take a fresh guard and a moment to regain your concentration. Nick next ball to the cordon.

Phase 5- twinge hamstring and sit out remainder of summer. Ensure fitness is adequate for lucrative T20 tournaments

[howardj]

Originally Posted by Noble One

I'm not a fan of carrying an all-rounder for the sake of carrying one. Quiney, Hussey and Clarke are decent enough to bowl the 20-25 overs that may be required from a fifth bowler. If Australia have such a need; it's likely Kallis or Amla are scoring +100 and a bowler of modest ability like Henriques wouldn't make much difference.

I agree that you shouldn't pick one for the sake of it. However, in Adelaide particularly for the first three days, I think you need that extra bowling option. Hussey and Quiney are not genuine wicket taking options in the way that Watson and Henriques are.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by howardj

I agree that you shouldn't pick one for the sake of it. However, in Adelaide particularly for the first three days, I think you need that extra bowling option. Hussey and Quiney are not genuine wicket taking options in the way that Watson and Henriques are.

Looking at it the other way though, how effective is someone who effectively a bits-and-pieces player going to be bowling brisk medium pace of a flat surface like Adelaide?

Adelaide's the type of ground where five bowlers would come into serious consideration if you had a genuine bowler capable of batting seven (like Tim Bresnan, say) but I don't think it's really the surface you want to pick a batting allrounder who bowls medium pace for ahead of a better batsman, in all honesty. A batsman who bowls some decent twirlers could be a different story though, just thinking about it.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

Looking at it the other way though, how effective is someone who effectively a bits-and-pieces player going to be bowling brisk medium pace of a flat surface like Adelaide?

Adelaide's the type of ground where five bowlers would come into serious consideration if you had a genuine bowler capable of batting seven (like Tim Bresnan, say) but I don't think it's really the surface you want to pick a batting allrounder who bowls medium pace for ahead of a better batsman, in all honesty. A batsman who bowls some decent twirlers could be a different story though, just thinking about it.

[robelinda]

Luke!

[Ruckus]

But I wouldn't be playing 5 bowlers anyway. This batting up line-up, despite the strong showing in the last match, is still well and truly capable of collapsing badly. Would be far too risky I reckon to reduce the batting depth even further. It's a shame that Watson (probably?) won't be in contention to bowl, but really, aside from Hilf, the bowling last time wasn't too bad. Pattinson is on fire atm, and Siddle will probably only improve on his performance (was starting to show some better signs by the end of that test). There's no doubt Starc will provide some firepower too if he plays, but let's just hope he can avoid gifting too many runs in doing so.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by robelinda

Luke!

You sir win a hundred dollars!

Btw liking the avatar you've got going there. Looks like you need to lay of the schwag a bit though.

[Pup Clarke]

Is Hazlewood still in the squad?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by Pup Clarke

Is Hazlewood still in the squad?

Played the domestic one dayer in North Sydney yesterday. Perhaps he'll link up with the squad late if there isn't any conflict with Shield games.

[Ruckus]

Surely Hazlewood wasn't ever really in contention to play anyway though. Was probably just one of the 'be around the squad for experience' things.

[robelinda]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

You sir win a hundred dollars!

Btw liking the avatar you've got going there. Looks like you need to lay of the schwag a bit though.

Its my "oh man, Kallis is batting" face.....

[Ruckus]

haha and with good cause