*Official Third Test at Edgbaston

[howardj]

Myself, I'd keep Siddle. Even when going for some runs, he poses questions for the batsmen. On a flat deck like Edgebaston, that could be handy.

Yep, probably one of the best pieces of selection from this panel came in Melbourne when they retained Siddle after an underwhelming performance in Perth.

 

[Top_Cat]

The most interesting thing for me has been to observe the shock at Johnson's lack of decent bowling. Anyone wonder how a 26-year-old pace bowler with such obvious raw talent has missed out on playing so much for QLD? Injuries have played their part but it's also that low periods, where he looks absolutely rank, are nothing new for Johnson. He goes away for a while, puts in some net work and comes back a world-beater but he's always had periods like this. Dunno how long this will last (conceiveably, could be the whole series) but if histry is any indication, he'll come back strong.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

a reserve keeper who's surely only there in case of Haddin spontaneously combusting on the morning of a test.

You're obviously up to date with the keeping situation in Australian domestic cricket then.

 

[BoyBrumby]

In fairness, Manou was easily the best choice for the back-up keeper.

I'm with Jack, I don't think there's a need for any panic changes for the next Test. Not so much because they're all playing awesomely but mainly because the other options are a change for the sake of change rather than "**** me, Player X is batting/bowling the house down. We HAVE to pick him somehow." The Lords match essentially came down to one bad batting performance (and it was a stinker). I say, back the guys who are there to come good.

Not knocking Manou himself (never seen the bloke play for one thing), rather questioning the necessity in the squad for a reserve keeper. Do generally like one myself, tbh (with the distance involved you're really only a dodgy curry away from a non-specialist taking the gloves if you travel without back-up), but like a reserve specialist batsman more.

Inclined to agree there won't be knee-jerk alterations as well, but a good showing at Wantage Road might get Clark a gig ahead of Siddle. Assuming Lee's still crocked.

 

[Andre]

Yeah, agreed Corey. When Johnson is low, it's ugly, and has been historically.

Backing him to come good in the tour match, though. Will get a good, long bowl without the eyes of the world (and presumably his mum!) on him. I'd imagine he will find some rythum there. Anyone else think that his main issue is the off-field stuff he is going through? I don't think he is built like Warne was, who could separate just about anything from cricket and still perform. Johnson looks a bit more like someone who has bigger things on his mind but is absolutely trying his guts out to get it right. A lot of cricketers need things going well off the field to perform, can't help think that is playing a role.

I still personally think that the balance of our side isn't what it could be, though (and it's not knee-jerk, cause I've been saying it for a while now). We can't win this series, IMO, without another genuine bowling option for the next Test to compliment the other 4 rather than take the place of one of them. Hoping Watson is fit and performs in the tour match to bat 6, if not, bring Ronald in at 7. A lot rides on this game at Northampton - can't remember a more important tour match for years to be honest.

If Lee isn't fit for the tour match he has to be sent home, same with Watson. I'd be calling up Clint McKay and Brad Hodge for those two.

 

[BoyBrumby]

You're obviously up to date with the keeping situation in Australian domestic cricket then.

See my above post.

What I said is basically true tho, isn't it? No way Haddin's not playing if fit.

 

[Andre]

Not knocking Manou himself (never seen the bloke play for one thing), rather questioning the necessity in the squad for a reserve keeper. Do generally like one myself, tbh (with the distance involved you're really only a dodgy curry away from a non-specialist taking the gloves if you travel without back-up), but like a reserve specialist batsman more.

IMO, reserve keepers are a must for every long overseas tour. It's the only position in the squad where if they break down an hour before the Test, your are in massive trouble if you don't have a reserve. Where the selectors have erred was hedging their bets with Watson, Ronald and Clark all on the trip - one of them should have missed out for a top order batsman, the squad looks extremely unbalanced to me.

 

[BoyBrumby]

IMO, reserve keepers are a must for every long overseas tour. It's the only position in the squad where if they break down an hour before the Test, your are in massive trouble if you don't have a reserve. Where the selectors have erred was hedging their bets with Watson, Ronald and Clark all on the trip - one of them should have missed out for a top order batsman, the squad looks extremely unbalanced to me.

Wouldn't disagree with any of that, although you did (IIRC) tour the Windies last year without a reserve stumper and it must be just as much of a logistical ball-ache to get someone over there in case of illness or injury.

Think Clark was probably always going to tour if fit with his experience of the English conditions, but (as I alluded too) him and Lee in the same squad is a bit of a hail mary. A specialist bat for McDonald or Watson would've been my choice too tho, yes.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

What I said is basically true tho, isn't it? No way Haddin's not playing if fit.

The best keeper-bat in the country by a country mile being first choice?! Shocking revelations.

 

[BoyBrumby]

The best keeper-bat in the country by a country mile being first choice?! Shocking revelations.

So what are you disagreeing with then?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

The suggestion that there shouldn't have been a reserve keeper in the squad. It's quite obvious there should be a reserve batsman, but perhaps they figured batsmen in county cricket are good enough. Getting regular games and in the country, makes some sense to me.

 

[Andre]

Wouldn't disagree with any of that, although you did (IIRC) tour the Windies last year without a reserve stumper and it must be just as much of a logistical ball-ache to get someone over there in case of illness or injury.

Yep, I remember the selectors coming under a bit of fire because Haddin broke a finger in the opening Test too and Ronchi (remember him?!) was flown over as cover. It's a shemozzle if a keeper gets injured and there isn't a reserve. We've been extremely lucky, though, because from memory the only time an Aussie keeper over the last 20 or so years has missed a Test was when Healy broke a finger/thumb in Pakistan and Emery was called up. Gilchrist never missed a Test, and Haddin hasn't yet. Maybe it's one of those short memory things - it's been ages since a keeper got injured and missed a Test, maybe we just forget to insure for it more often than not. Any away tour (aside from NZ, possibly due to distance) requires a reserve stumper I reckon - but it shouldn't be at the expense of another squad member, it should be in addition to the 14/15 selected.

 

[BoyBrumby]

The suggestion that there shouldn't have been a reserve keeper in the squad. It's quite obvious there should be a reserve batsman, but perhaps they figured batsmen in county cricket are good enough. Getting regular games and in the country, makes some sense to me.

That's fair enough I suppose and again at the risk of repeating myself I did say I like one there as well. I was making more of a general point about the poor (IMHO, obv) make-up of the touring squad. If it was a straight choice between a keeping reserve and another batsman I'd go for the latter, however.

 

[aussie]

I'm sorry, what? Two opening batsmen, in-form, you shuffle them around to accommodate a bloke who's been out of the Test side for a couple of years and that's a 'stabilising' move?

No i'm suggesting a hypotetical situation. Trescothick clearly wont be playing for ENG again, but if he didn't have his mental issues, he would be opening & Cook @ 3.

Back in the 2006/07 season that was case.

 

[morgieb]

Why do people want North's head? Chances are that he's gonna score a century this game.

What I'd like
1. Hughes
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. North
6. Haddin
7. Johnson
8. Lee
9. Hauritz
10. Clark
11. Hilfenhaus

Soz Siddle, but you don't add anything that we already have. You haven't been anything special on this tour either.

 

[Burgey]

Lee's not fit mate. Won't be playing in the third.

 

[Top_Cat]

Backing him to come good in the tour match, though. Will get a good, long bowl without the eyes of the world (and presumably his mum!) on him. I'd imagine he will find some rythum there. Anyone else think that his main issue is the off-field stuff he is going through? I don't think he is built like Warne was, who could separate just about anything from cricket and still perform. Johnson looks a bit more like a mummy's boy

Fixed.

Not sure but he's not bowling like a bloke who's head is right. From what I've heard through the traps over the years, he gets down on himself a lot (think it's been in the press too so maybe I'm talking out of my arse here). His Maury Po-Bitch Mum can't be helping matters.

Reckon he works best with a simple plan. We've heard about his experiementations with arm position and how he could use them at will. Well, they've amounted to a big fat nothing so far, save for the occasional good ball.

Yep, I remember the selectors coming under a bit of fire because Haddin broke a finger in the opening Test too and Ronchi (remember him?!) was flown over as cover.

If there's any justice in the world, a situation will never again occur where someone in the Test side gets injured and bloody Luke Ronchi's name is mentioned as the next in line.

 

[morgieb]

ME Trescothick 837 Division 1 runs @ 64.38. I'm just saying.

Hasn't Tresco retired though?

 

[howardj]

With Lee not fit, and Watson not able to bowl:

Hughes
Katich
God
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
MacDonald
Johnson
Hauritz
Clark
Hilfenhorse

 

[Julian87]

Now that Haddin has performed so well I'm tipping Lee or Watson to come in for the unlucky M. North.

The reason being that the team needs an extra quick. Hope Watson bowls well in the warmup.

Agreed 100%

^^ You're mad. You'd drop North when he's scored a century last test because he was dismissed by a gem of an arm-ball from Swann in this test?

Has nothing to do with that I reckon.

Why do people want North's head? Chances are that he's gonna score a century this game.

What I'd like
1. Hughes
2. Katich
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. North
6. Haddin
7. Johnson
8. Lee
9. Hauritz
10. Clark
11. Hilfenhaus

Soz Siddle, but you don't add anything that we already have. You haven't been anything special on this tour either.

Because Hussey > North and lots of people reckon we need an extra bowler.

My 11 would be: (Presuming Lee is unfit)

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Hauritz
Clark
Hilfenhaus