*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[Julian87]

Also looks to me as though they haven't played Doherty in the A game to keep the English batsmen from facing him.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Was just going with the theory of including a spinner that has other strings to his bow. Yes I agree with you it would be a bit negative, and a move I can't imagine they'd make. I'd be pretty pleased if they went in with Smith, but can't see it.

If they were going to do that then surely they'd have stuck with Hauritz as his batting has been good of late and they know he isn't dreadful with the ball.Whoever they pick is a big gamble that could backfire massively.

 

[howardj]

Is Smith going to be a better option in place of Doherty then ? Few overs of leg-spin, and batting at number 8 strengthens the batting at least. Can't imagine he'd bat much higher than that yet.

C'mon mate, he averages 50 with the bat in FC cricket.

Hope they don't make the same mistake with him that they made with Watson - ie. just because he can bowl, they think his batting is not up to scratch and therefore bat him below the keeper.

Crazy stuff.

 

[robelinda]

Yeah if they do play Smith it cant be at 8, way to low. Cant really see them dropping North though, to fit Smith in.

 

[Ruckus]

Reckon they'll pick Smith to bat 8 and bowl part time with North. They'll back the 3 seamers + Watson to take the wickets and Smith there sures up the batting.

I'd be incredibly suprised if they actually did that. Almost certain the squad playing will be:

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Doherty
Bollinger

 

[Julian87]

Smith shouldn't bat ahead of Haddin though IMO.

 

[Jarquis]

C'mon mate, he averages 40 with the bat in FC cricket.

Hope they don't make the same mistake with him that they made with Watson - ie. just because he can bowl, they think his batting is not up to scratch and therefore bat him below the keeper.

Crazy stuff.

Fixed

 

[howardj]

Yeah if they do play Smith it cant be at 8, way to low. Cant really see them dropping North though, to fit Smith in.

Not even this panel would bat Smith at 8.

Would they?

 

[howardj]

Fixed

Shield then.

 

[howardj]

fixed

47

 

[flibbertyjibber]

I'd be incredibly suprised if they actually did that. Almost certain the squad playing will be:

Watson
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Doherty
Bollinger

That is what i think you'll go with.As long as there is no reaction from Bollinger's injury but i presume they have checked he is fine this morning before announcing the squad.

 

[howardj]

I think Siddle will play ahead of Douglas.

I'd pick Doug though.

 

[Ruckus]

I think Siddle will play ahead of Douglas.

Really? Why do you think that?

 

[Woodster]

C'mon mate, he averages 50 with the bat in FC cricket.

Hope they don't make the same mistake with him that they made with Watson - ie. just because he can bowl, they think his batting is not up to scratch and therefore bat him below the keeper.

Crazy stuff.

I realise he has a decent first class average, but he's only played around 17 first-class games. Although I thought his bowling average was closer to 50 than his batting in first-class cricket ?

I'm just not much of a fan of his mate, I'm sure you guys have seen much more of him, but what I've seen is not good enough for an Australian Test player, but maybe that's a reflection of your choices these days.

His technique with the bat (I know tech isn't everything) looks pretty shoddy, strikes a clean ball, I'll give him that. As you say he does make runs, so he's obviously doing something right.

His bowling needs a lot of work aswell, he may become a decent player, but can't think he'll develop quick enough to play a serious part in this series.

 

[Burgey]

I assume the filth will go with:

Bounce Catch (c)
Flatters to Deceive
The Pommy Raina
Skunk
Wobbles
Crybaby
Dental Work Required (Wk)
Ladyboy
Ramjet
Dracula
The New Righthanded Chris Matthews

 

[howardj]

I realise he has a decent first class average, but he's only played around 17 first-class games. Although I thought his bowling average was closer to 50 than his batting in first-class cricket ?

I'm just not much of a fan of his mate, I'm sure you guys have seen much more of him, but what I've seen is not good enough for an Australian Test player, but maybe that's a reflection of your choices these days.

His technique with the bat (I know tech isn't everything) looks pretty shoddy, strikes a clean ball, I'll give him that. As you say he does make runs, so he's obviously doing something right.

His bowling needs a lot of work aswell, he may become a decent player, but can't think he'll develop quick enough to play a serious part in this series.

Cool, yeah he's definitely nowhere near the finished article and will need to improve if he is to play regular Test cricket. I just see great scope there for rapid improvement, and a good set of early numbers so far in his career.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

I assume the filth will go with:

Bounce Catch (c)
Flatters to Deceive
The Pommy Raina
Skunk
Wobbles
Crybaby
Dental Work Required (Wk)
Ladyboy
Ramjet
Dracula
The New Righthanded Chris Matthews

Can you be more specific?

 

[howardj]

Really? Why do you think that?

I think the fact that they rested him before the Test, and that the selectors think he complements Johnson and Hilfenhaus more so than Doug. As I say, I think it would be a mistake.

 

[Woodster]

If it was up to me (given the announced squad), I'd play Smith at 8, use his bowling sparingly, and rely on the pace attack with an major role for Watson. If anything will let us down this Ashes it will almost certaintly be out batting.

Using Smith as an 8, you're effectively losing a bowler in the side if he's to be used sparingly, so you're relying on your bits and pieces - Watson, North, Clarke, etc, to fill in, when you can go in with four specialist bowlers that will share the workload. I appreciate my evaluation of Watson may be somewhat flippant, but he is essentially a batsman that bowls a few overs, perhaps slightly better than that.

If they were going to do that then surely they'd have stuck with Hauritz as his batting has been good of late and they know he isn't dreadful with the ball.Whoever they pick is a big gamble that could backfire massively.

I agree it's going to be a gamble if they choose a spinner. Four seamers looks a safer option. Surely they're not selecting a left-arm offie on the premise that KP will struggle against him ??

 

[Woodster]

Cool, yeah he's definitely nowhere near the finished article and will need to improve if he is to play regular Test cricket. I just see great scope there for rapid improvement, and a good set of early numbers so far in his career.

Definitely a problem leaving a ball that crashes into your off stump though first ball!!