Cricket Australia Contracts

[Howsie]

Both Katich and Clarke are on record as saying they don't bowl much to avoid injury and frankly that's smart. Considering how valuable they are with the bat, anything which gets in the way of that (i.e bowling) has to go. The idea that Clarke and Kat can fill in for overs really should be let go, it ain't going to happen when both the players themselves have said they don't want to do it.

As for McDonald, the bowling unit bowled better as a team with him than without him. And he took wickets in SA. In the absence of a decent spinning option, that's a decent reason to keep him, especially if he contributes with the bat as much as he did in the last Test in SA.

McDonald brings nothing to the table, he is completely useless. I don't know why James Hopes doesn't play test matches over McDonald because he would be a better option.

 

[vic_orthdox]

McDonald brings nothing to the table, he is completely useless. I don't know why James Hopes doesn't play test matches over McDonald because he would be a better option.

Because McDonald's a better first class bowler, especially on flat wickets?

Hopes has done half of his career bowling on what has generally been pretty seam friendly conditions at the Gabba for Pura Cup games. McDonald has busted his behind on flat slow MCG and Junction Oval tracks for his figures. He builds pressure from one end - so what if AB DeVilliers went to boomtown on him, it was one over and his figures were still immaculately tight.

 

[wfdu_ben91]

Because McDonald's a better first class bowler, especially on flat wickets?

Hopes has done half of his career bowling on what has generally been pretty seam friendly conditions at the Gabba for Pura Cup games. McDonald has busted his behind on flat slow MCG and Junction Oval tracks for his figures. He builds pressure from one end - so what if AB DeVilliers went to boomtown on him, it was one over and his figures were still immaculately tight.

There really isn't much difference between the MCG and the GABBA. Victoria have got another 5 bowlers that average under 30, so that says something about the conditions.

 

[wfdu_ben91]

Um, don't think we really have 4 test quality strike bowlers. Unless 'strike' means 'unable to bowl a tight spell'. To quickly update you on current events re Clark and Lee, it's not 07/08 anymore.

Clark will still be a pretty good bowler and even though Lee isn't his oldself, he'll still be very formidable. I like the look of Johnson, Siddle, Clark & Lee.

 

[four_or_six]

When is the Ashes squad announced OOI?

My spies tell me it will be on cricket.com.au at 11am next Wednesday.

 

[Top_Cat]

There really isn't much difference between the MCG and the GABBA. Victoria have got another 5 bowlers that average under 30, so that says something about the conditions.

How many games did Vic play on the MCG last year?

Anyway, McDonald bowled beautifully last year so I don't really see what you're on about.

 

[Goughy]

No state player can be paid more than the lowest CA contracted player (although there's a loophole RE: assistant coaches).

Very interesting. Im amazed that is legal.

 

[Mister Wright]

Because McDonald's a better first class bowler, especially on flat wickets?

Hopes has done half of his career bowling on what has generally been pretty seam friendly conditions at the Gabba for Pura Cup games. McDonald has busted his behind on flat slow MCG and Junction Oval tracks for his figures. He builds pressure from one end - so what if AB DeVilliers went to boomtown on him, it was one over and his figures were still immaculately tight.

Obviously didn't see Hopes' Superman effort in the Pura Cup final. If it wasn't for dropped catches he could easily have had 8 wickets on a very flat road.

 

[Howsie]

How many games did Vic play on the MCG last year?

Anyway, McDonald bowled beautifully last year so I don't really see what you're on about.

McDonald was alright but he was nothing special. I guess the Aussie selectors already know that but I just can't see why we will stick with him. I mean come on, he is only about 125kmph. And his batting has looked pretty week too, I just don't see why there should be a place for him.

 

[Howsie]

Obviously didn't see Hopes' Superman effort in the Pura Cup final. If it wasn't for dropped catches he could easily have had 8 wickets on a very flat road.

My All-rounders ratings for test cricket:

1.Shane Watson
2.James Hopes
3.Andrew Symonds
4.Andrew McDonald

 

[Mister Wright]

It's great to have another Queenslander on the forum.

 

[four_or_six]

I think it's Hopes' FC batting that has meant he's not in the running for tests, not his bowling.

 

[Howsie]

It's great to have another Queenslander on the forum.

I'm not trying to be biased or anything but Hopes would be a better option then McDonald. His batting has improved a lot at the ODI level and I would like to see how he goes at test match level.

 

[Top_Cat]

It's great to have another Queenslander on the forum.

Well, someone has to seriously suggest Hopes for a Test spot. No-one else will.

I think it's Hopes' FC batting that has meant he's not in the running for tests, not his bowling.

Bingo. Averaged a good 25 runs less last year and, well, probably every year before that.

 

[vic_orthdox]

There really isn't much difference between the MCG and the GABBA. Victoria have got another 5 bowlers that average under 30, so that says something about the conditions.

Or the fact that, without doubt, we have the best fast bowling stocks in the country? (Aside from a fully fit NSW side, even then I think it'd be pretty close)

 

[DaRick]

I'm happy with most of the list. I'm not sure why Cameron White was given a contract when he's done very little for Australia. That being said, he did do well domestically.

Dave Hussey is lucky to receive one, IMO. He's been a failure at international level.

Leaving Phil Jaques out is exceptionally harsh.

I'm not sure about Shaun Tait. Even though he's been thereabouts with regards to ODI and T20 selection, he's struggled to get through a few games without injuring himself. Trying to play in the IPL despite just recovering from injury was fairly irresponsible, so that may've been a factor in his exclusion, rightly or wrongly.

I suppose that Brad Hodge is supposed to be the reserve batsman?

 

[Son Of Coco]

McDonald brings nothing to the table, he is completely useless. I don't know why James Hopes doesn't play test matches over McDonald because he would be a better option.

You obviously watched the SA series closely.

 

[Son Of Coco]

It's great to have another Queenslander on the forum.

That explains it.

 

[aussie]

Haa, i am shocked at the level of appreciation McDonald is getting.

Disagree. Reckon he'll do alright if he's selected for the Ashes. He's exactly the kind of nothing, dibbly-dobbler bowler that can be successful over there.

Thats debatable, he got a lot of lucky wicket in SA. He was a bad selection ITFB in the selectors desperate search for a all-rounder & he should just be banised.

Would rather him than any of the specialist spinners in the role of workhorse/over-rate remedier.

Having a spinner in England is likely to be highly irrelevant this time around given the grounds being used. The only time spin may come into the equation is @ the Oval, thats why i have advocated Krejza.

Plus why would you want to pick McDonald as you say, to have the role as the "workhorse/over-rate remedier", when in the likely XI (presuming Watson isn't picked over North) North, Katich & Clark can do that. Plus 5 other seamers in squad??.

And if you reckon he's worse than some of those you've named, I'd have to say you're wrong.

All of them are the worst Australian test players i've seen. They offer nothign significant at test level..

 

[aussie]

My All-rounders ratings for test cricket:

1.Shane Watson
2.James Hopes
3.Andrew Symonds
4.Andrew McDonald

Haa, you mean:

Shane Watson & Mitchell Johnson.

Hopes should never play test cricket, Symo was never really an all-rounder although the selectors tried hard to create the fascade that he was & McDonald should never have played test cricket.