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

[Dan]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yeah, due was definitely there for experience. Although if this whole fast bowler rotation thing happens, they do need a replacement for Cummins at the WACA. Hazlewood to play a Test by this time next year, IMO; the selectors love him.

[Ruckus]

As much as I don't like him, I'd actually be really tempted to play Johnson at the WACA. And it does sound like he is still in the picture to some extent, going of various media reports. I just really hope if he does play in that test and does well, it won't mean he is around for future tests much. We just can't go back to the 'Johnson is the strike bowler' era.

[Pup Clarke]

I'd say he has a decent shout to play in this series. Four tests ain't it?

Haze that is

[Ruckus]

na it's only 3

[uvelocity]

johnson is just an absolute **** **** I don't care what he's bowling

[Dan]

I agree with Uvelocity on this one.

Johnson's head is far too fragile to risk him in a Test. As h4x as he is when you put him on the WACA, I wouldn't want him playing ahead of Starc, Haze or Butterworth. He may very well give you 8/60, but the risk of 0/100 at 5 an over is too great, IMO.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by uvelocity

johnson is just an absolute **** **** I don't care what he's bowling

The definitive article on Johnson is here.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by Burgey

The definitive article on Johnson is here.

It's a good article, and a lot is probably to do with his confidence, but how do explain the fact he was consistently swinging the ball with a tumbled seam?

[NUFAN]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

Who the **** is Margarine Paris!

[uvelocity]

Originally Posted by Burgey

The definitive article on Johnson is here.

We expect that our sporting stars be robust in thought, as well as deed; that they wear emotional armour. But sports people are human too. They share the doubts and difficulties of us mortals too.

I like you burgey but if you're happy with weak minded ****s like this playing cricket for our country we need to sort some **** out.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Ruckus

It's a good article, and a lot is probably to do with his confidence, but how do explain the fact he was consistently swinging the ball with a tumbled seam?

I can't. That's why the **** is an enigma.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by uvelocity

I like you burgey but if you're happy with weak minded ****s like this playing cricket for our country we need to sort some **** out.

Nah ****, I'm not saying he should play. I'm saying i can't work the **** out.

[uvelocity]

It's simple. He's a pussy. When the going gets tough he gets going. But put him on his favourite patch of dirt and a bit of his batting comes off and he think's he's king of the world again - unstoppable.

cut from a different cloth than what we need

[Ruckus]

A loincoth?

[hendrix]

It's a little bit simplistic to write off action problems, inaccuracy and general poor form as "weak-minded". With the action that he bowls with, he's inherently not going to have the consistency of someone like Steyn and is going to go through fluctuations in form. Coming from a non-Australian perspective, I think you guys are a bit harsh on him. I would pick him as a 4th seamer on pacey wickets.

That said, I think the Aussie bowling lineup for the remainder of this series should be Siddle, Starc, Pattinson, Lyon.

Ideally I think Siddle is more of a first change bowler, but I don't think Pattinson is quite ready to be the spearhead.