***Official*** Australia in South Africa

[Prince EWS]

Marcus "you don't have to score any runs for your state to be playing for Australia" North is pretty lucky. Sure Ian Chappell wasn't picking the squad?

Yeah I dare say he's been picked with his bowling in mind though. Obviously he'll be selected predominantly as a batsman but the selectors seem to be set on #6 being able to bowl to a decent standard and North's offies have really improved this season.

I've never rated him as highly as most as far as batting goes ITBT but I think he's a decent pick for balance. It's not like he's been having an absolute nightmare of it either.. he's failed in his last couple of games but he's scored over 500 runs at almost 40 in the Shield this season with two tons so he's batted decently enough.

I really would have liked to see another specialist batsman go on tour ahead of one of the spinners though; if someone gets injured we'll be left with North at 5 and McDonald at 6.

 

[howardj]

Bracken's ommission is a farce.

The attack is too greenhorn.

 

[Precambrian]

Bracken's ommission is a farce.

The attack is too greenhorn.

True that.

However Australia is a point where they have nothing to lose and all to gain. So going in with a fresh attack might be just the injection that they needed.

Apart from North, no surprises really. Brad Hodge can safely kiss his hopes of another stint in the baggy greens goodbye.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

True that.

However Australia is a point where they have nothing to lose and all to gain. So going in with a fresh attack might be just the injection that they needed.

Apart from North, no surprises really. Brad Hodge can safely kiss his hopes of another stint in the baggy greens goodbye.

FFS HODGE IS INJURED.

How are people not getting this.

 

[pasag]

Yeah I dare say he's been picked with his bowling in mind though. Obviously he'll be selected predominantly as a batsman but the selectors seem to be set on #6 being able to bowl to a decent standard and North's offies have really improved this season.

I've never rated him as highly as most as far as batting goes ITBT but I think he's a decent pick for balance. It's not like he's been having an absolute nightmare of it either.. he's failed in his last couple of games but he's scored over 500 runs at almost 40 in the Shield this season with two tons so he's batted decently enough.

I really would have liked to see another specialist batsman go on tour ahead of one of the spinners though; if someone gets injured we'll be left with North at 5 and McDonald at 6.

Yep on both counts, North is there as cover for McDonald and if they both play if someone gets injured, God help us.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

North's bowling being seriously overrated here. He's handy but he's no all-rounder, he'll get absolutely pumped if he has to to bowl more than 5 to 10.

 

[pasag]

Dave Hussey's ODI selection really was quite the poison chalice.

 

[Precambrian]

FFS HODGE IS INJURED.

How are people not getting this.

 

[Johnners]

FFS HODGE IS INJURED.

How are people not getting this.

Too busy trollin'

 

[howardj]

I'll have to cut my Peth based spy, who floated Goffers MacGoffin's name, loose.

 

[Moses]

Glad to see Phillip Hughes made the cut, it'll be good for him to start in the familiar partnership with Katich.

 

[andyc]

I'll have to cut my Peth based spy, who floated Goffers MacGoffin's name, loose.

Probably for the best.

 

[aussie]

OMFG, these selectors...

I can see the reasoning why North was picked for the sake of a top-order batsman that can bowl spin. But its clear he isn't a better batsman than D Hussey. So that selection is crap. Too bad Hodge is injured, hopefully he'll be in the Ashes squad.

McDonald of course is a stupid choice. Noffke would have been a better choice as the bowling all-rounder clearly.

Picking two spinners is ok because its clear both McGain & Hauritz could have contrasting use based on the team balance in SA. Although the bowling attack should be depending on its pace arsenal mainly.

But regardless of these obvious blunders, as a true fan in the troubling times i shall support strongly.

Best XI out of this farce bunch:

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Johnson
Siddle
McGain
Hilfenhaus

Go Australia

 

[HMas]

3-0 to Aus

 

[Simon]

Even if North wasn't the right choice if he plays we are getting back towards something like what the team should look like with a number 6 that is first and foremost a batsman.

 

[Julian87]

I really would have liked to see another specialist batsman go on tour ahead of one of the spinners though; if someone gets injured we'll be left with North at 5 and McDonald at 6.

Haddin > McDonald with the bat.

If a batsman goes down, we'll see either Jaques, Hodge or Dussey flown in IMO.

 

[oldmancraigy]

I actually think this is a squad capable of winning the series!

The bowling attack, although terribly inexperienced, should do well.
Johnson had a fantastic year, and is about as good as it gets as a first change paceman.
Siddle bowled really well in Melbourne and Sydney and looks like he's getting comfortable with test match conditions
Bollinger was a tad unlucky in Sydney (some dropped chances) and on a deck that offered no swing (his main weapon) he toiled well and improved his length over the course of the match.
McGain gives us a spin option who can genuinely take wickets - and in the variety (legspin) the South Africans hate to face.
McDonald is in fine form with the ball, can keep it tight, and, when conditions offer, produces good swing.

The batting is slightly more concerning BUT
We scored enough runs to win all 3 tests in Australia - our bowlers in the first and second tests couldn't manage breakthroughs at crucial times.
Hayden was basically a passenger for the series - if Hughes can simply match that output, then our batting output should be basically the same. One finds it hard to believe Hughes won't outdo Haydens 3 test numbers; Mike Hussey to make runs; McDonald only needs to better the numbers that Symonds put up in tests 1+2 to be worth his spot as a batsman.

We probably can't expect the tail to wag - but the top order is in better form and looks more likely to fire.

Inexperience might hurt us badly - but the skill level looks to be there.

 

[Top_Cat]

McDonald of course is a stupid choice. Noffke would have been a better choice as the bowling all-rounder clearly.

Except for the fact they didn't pick McDonald as a bowling all-rounder.

I dunno about you but the day I see Noffke coming in to bat at 6 is the day I know the selectors have completely lost it.

 

[Julian87]

I would have picked Jaques as well to use Katich as cover for the opening and middle order positions, but I can't complain.

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
McDonald
Johnson
McGain
Siddle
Bollinger

Probably has the best balance for mine. If they contemplate playing 4 quicks, then I'd get Noryth in for McDonald and change the order accordingly./

 

[Julian87]

Except for the fact they didn't pick McDonald as a bowling all-rounder.

I dunno about you but the day I see Noffke coming in to bat at 6 is the day I know the selectors have completely lost it.

The fact that McDonald batted ahead of Haddin suggests that they have already lost it anyway. If McDonald plays he should bat at 7 behind Haddin. No questions asked.