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

Justo

U19 Debutant
I'd potentially look at blooding Burns if Ponting is injured. Looks to be one for the future(potential Ashes candidate as well) and is good against pace. Has the best form out of the likely candidates and the Gabba is his home ground as well. Can also slot in at 4.

For Watson it ultimately depends on whether you want to go with 5 bowling options or not. Could see McDonald or Maxwell getting the nod(whether they deserve it or not). Interestingly picking Maxwell might actually be a blessing in some ways since the selectors would then likely run with 4 front line quicks. If either were to be chosen I'd bat them at 7 and promote Wade to 4. If a pure batsmen were to be selected then I'd go with Burns again. In either situation Ponting would bat at 3.

If both are injured then we're in a bit of trouble. I'd definately run with 2 pure batsmen(no Maxwell or McDonald to get the strongest possible batting lineup) with 4 front line bowlers(one being Lyon) and would probably choose any of Hughes, Dussey, Khawaja, Quiney, Cosgrove or Burns as the batsmen. The loss of both Watson and Ponting would leave the top order quite low on experience(with Warner or Cowan not having been around for long) so I'd be potentially willing to bat Hughes at 3 and Dussey at 4 just to get more experience in the lineup. The top 3 being left handed could be a concern though. With Dussey's form though I could easily run with Hughes at 3 and Burns at 4.

I wouldn't move Clarke or Mussey up the order. Both have struggled there in the past and with such a lineup you'd want to get as much as you can out of them.

I personally wouldn't have Doolan anywhere near the Test team yet. While he's having a brilliant season he's hasn't done anywhere near as well in the past. Ferguson also shouldn't be anywhere near the frame either. Needs to maintain his current form across the entire season before being even remotely looked at. Bailey's another possible option(and probably someone the selectors are thinking about) but he's been pretty poor in the games he's had so far.
 

Noble One

International Vice-Captain
The fact we have to consider Maxwell, Doolan, Burns and several out-of-form batsmen shows how dire the batting depth is in this country.

Everything would be so much clearer if Hughes or Khawaja had a blazing start to the season (Sheffield Shield only).
 

Andre

International Regular
If Ponting and Watson are injured, the least disruptive selections for the batting order would be Hughes/Khawaja at #3 and Bailey at #4, however their form this season is not great, especially when added to Cowans (150 runs @ 21.42)

Hughes 239 runs @ 34.14
Khawaja 238 runs @ 34.00
Bailey 71 runs @ 23.66

Based on this form, I'd only pick one of the above (Khawaja as the best #3) and I'd pick Maxwell for Watson so that we could go with a 4 man pace attack.
Hughes and Khawaja FC ton count for 2012/13 summer: 0.

5 tons from each before they are considered for Test selection again, please. Hard for anyone to know yet if they have fixed their glaring weaknesses since they last played as they haven't made big runs consistently to prove it.

Oh how I live for the days when you had to bash the door down rather than make a pretty 43.
 

Spikey

Request Your Custom Title Now!
really, i'd just tell wade to get rid of the gloves and move up the order. bring in haddin or paine or nevill or whoever. seriously.
 

Spikey

Request Your Custom Title Now!
I
****, you realise the cupboard is bare when Steven Smith is a legitimate top 6 option if the incumbents fall over.

also i'm gonna defend ole ferret face here. at least the ugly ****er is consistent. none of this mediocre-career-then-purple-patch-then-struggling-to-justify-state-spot **** from him. i wouldn't pick him, but at least he's remaining around the fringes and performing. also i really wish smith (and all the other guys it affected) had actually got to play in those aus a games during the winter instead of winter camp at darwin. smart work guys
 

NUFAN

Y no Afghanistan flag
Hughes and Khawaja FC ton count for 2012/13 summer: 0.

5 tons from each before they are considered for Test selection again, please. Hard for anyone to know yet if they have fixed their glaring weaknesses since they last played as they haven't made big runs consistently to prove it.

Oh how I live for the days when you had to bash the door down rather than make a pretty 43.
Australian top 7 named in the First Test squad FC ton count for 2012/13 summer: 1.

Fair to say we'll be going into the Gabba Test with not many batsman used to reaching three figures.
 

Red

The normal awards that everyone else has
If Ponting's out....

Warner
Cowan
Watson
Quiney
Clarke
M. Hussey
Wade
-
-
-
-

If Watson's out...

Warner
Cowan
Ponting
Clarke
M. Hussey
Wade
McDonald/Henriques
-
-
-
-

If both Watson and Ponting are out...

Warner
Cowan
Quiney
M. Hussey
Clarke
Wade
McDonald/Henriques
-
-
-
-
 
Last edited:

Pup Clarke

Cricketer Of The Year
There's just no way that Clarke is going to be batting after a test debutant. The management will want him to 'lead from the front' as it probably shows a sign of 'mental weakness' from the captain.
 

Cabinet96

Global Moderator
There's just no way that Clarke is going to be batting after a test debutant. The management will want him to 'lead from the front' as it probably shows a sign of 'mental weakness' from the captain.
I think people just want him to remain at 5 where he has done so well. I can't say I disagree with them.
 

Pup Clarke

Cricketer Of The Year
And Cummins has to slow his approach down at the point of delivery to potentially minimise the likelihood of injury. I don't think it's so much his age or lack of experience - he literally charges in to the crease so he's isn't balanced when he releases the ball.

He should look to Lee as an example of a bowler who can bowl 150+ by having a run-up and action that is smooth and repeatable - as well as maintaining pace near enough 15 years.
 

Pup Clarke

Cricketer Of The Year
I think people just want him to remain at 5 where he has done so well. I can't say I disagree with them.
I agree, but I'm looking at it from a Cricket Australia viewpoint. Yes, every man and his dog knows how well he's done at 5 - but Quiney or whoever won't bat before him. Maybe if Watson's fit he'll be 3.
 

Ruckus

International Captain
If Watson and Ponting are out, should just go in with a team of allrounders lol.

Warner
Cowan
Dussey
Hussey
Clarke
Wade
Smith
Maxwell
McDonald
Henriques
Butterworth

Just look at the depth!
 

NUFAN

Y no Afghanistan flag
I agree, but I'm looking at it from a Cricket Australia viewpoint. Yes, every man and his dog knows how well he's done at 5 - but Quiney or whoever won't bat before him. Maybe if Watson's fit he'll be 3.
Reckon it would be a terrible move making Clarke bat ahead of Quiney personally. Quiney is an opening bat and recently both Cowan and Khawaja have debuted in front of Clarke so it has been done in the past.
 

chaminda_00

Hall of Fame Member
If Watson's out they will play a specialist batsmen like last season. They won't be picking an all rounder unless they are justifying a spot as specialist batsmen or bowler and 2nd skill is bonus.

Did they play Dan Christian last season for the sake of playing an all rounder.

Quiney is probably your best as he can slot into 3 and put pressure on Cowan if it is short term injury.

If Pointing is out they will probably play Quiney as well, but Watson at 4.

If both are out Bailey will come in down the order.

Personally think Cosgrove and Dave Hussey are the players you pick against the SA, rather then mediocre FC cricketers. But that will never happen.
 

Red

The normal awards that everyone else has
Reckon it would be a terrible move making Clarke bat ahead of Quiney personally. Quiney is an opening bat and recently both Cowan and Khawaja have debuted in front of Clarke so it has been done in the past.
Yep.
 

robelinda

International Vice-Captain
Why give Quiney a go when Doolan has made more runs this season, and SA couldnt even dismiss him? its not like Quiney averages 50+ at FC level.

Meanwhile, Smith bowling absolute rubbish.....long hop after full toss, total filth.
 

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