Australia Vs Kiwis First test

[the joker]

the sqaud will be announced in half an hour. it was supposed to be announced at 11, but they are have trouble with the make up of the side

EG, Krezja could get 12 wickets on debut and miss the next test. because they want 4 pace bowlers at the Gabba
whether to play 2 allrounders, but if only one which one out of form symonds or propably our best player in India Watson
and there is talks that Clark will make way for either hilfy or taity

[Hazbeen]

First Test X111

Ricky Ponting (c)
Michael Clarke (vc) subject to fitness
Matthew Hayden
Simon Katich
Michael Hussey
Andrew Symonds
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin
Jason Krezja
Brett Lee
Stuart Clark
Mitchell Johnson
Peter Siddle

Surely it is Roy back in for Watto unless Pup is not fit then they both will play.

12th out of Siddle or Krejza if Clarke unfit and both Watson and Symonds play

[the joker]

the pitch will determine the final 12
if it will spin they will play Krejza but if its a pace bowlers wicket (it will be)
siddle or clark will replace Krezja (12 wickets on debut then made 12th man )
because Simmo will replace White and he can bowl offies to compliment pups left armers

[wycbloods]

The GABBA was Warnies best deck and we surely need to play a spinner there it always turns.

I think Watson deserves his spot ahead of Symonds however, i think, Symonds will get the call up.

[NFC]

I'm sorry but there is no way you could drop Watson for Symonds.

1. Watson was good in India

2. Symonds' form has been TERRIBLE for Qld.

[the joker]

i personally think they will play both, Symonds at number 5 predominantly as a Batsmen and Watson at 6 as a Bowling allrounder.

My side is

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Symonds (batting Allrounder)
Watson (bowling allrounder)
Haddin
Lee
Krejza
Johnson

Clark 12th
Siddle 13th

But maybe watson the Bowling allrounder to drop out for clark.
You have to remember we have not won a test since simmo was stood down and before that he was one of our most consistant batsmen over the last 18 months to two years

its a very hard side for Ricky ponting (who loves simmo in his side) and the selectors to pick

[rod_rooster]

i personally think they will play both, Symonds at number 5 predominantly as a Batsmen and Watson at 6 as a Bowling allrounder.

My side is

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Symonds (batting Allrounder)
Watson (bowling allrounder)
Haddin
Lee
Krejza
Johnson

Clark 12th
Siddle 13th

But maybe watson the Bowling allrounder to drop out for clark.
You have to remember we have not won a test since simmo was stood down and before that he was one of our most consistant batsmen over the last 18 months to two years

That is a good point and begs the question, have we won a Test match that Watson has played in? I seriously can't remember it happening. Not to say Watto playing is the reason we haven't won these games but it is an interesting stat. Does anyone know the answer for sure?

[am Bays]

That is a good point and begs the question, have we won a Test match that Watson has played in? I seriously can't remember it happening. Not to say Watto playing is the reason we haven't won these games but it is an interesting stat. Does anyone know the answer for sure?

We won the test he made his debut in, New Years Test Sydney 2005 v Pakistan.

[Grahaml]

That is a seriously unfair question. You can't rate players based sheerly on wins and losses, just the contribution they made. Just for the record though the answer is: He has a win/draw/loss record of 3/2/2.

Watson MUST play. Form has to be rewarded and he did enough. Roy has not been in good anough form to replace him. The only possiblility for Roy to play is if they play 3 front line bowlers (unlikely IMHO) or an illness/injury problem with a batsman.

So my final XI is

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Johnson
Clark
Krezja

I think Stuart Clark deserves another go in more suitable conditions. Krezja should hold his spot and Lee gets another chance a la Clark. Johnson has done enough in India for a go on his former home ground.

[rod_rooster]

That is a good point and begs the question, have we won a Test match that Watson has played in? I seriously can't remember it happening. Not to say Watto playing is the reason we haven't won these games but it is an interesting stat. Does anyone know the answer for sure?

We won the test he made his debut in, New Years Test Sydney 2005 v Pakistan.

Just looked it up. He's played in 3 winning Test matches if you count the Rest of the World Test.

[rod_rooster]

That is a seriously unfair question. You can't rate players based sheerly on wins and losses,

I never suggested that. All i did was ask the question. You may have missed this line:

Not to say Watto playing is the reason we haven't won these games but it is an interesting stat.

[Drop Bear]

Viewers don't tune in to watch Watson play. Just look at the way Channel Nine are plugging tomorrow night's 20/20 match (ROY IS BACK!!!).

Surely that would have some effect on Cricket Australia's decision. Symonds is a much more exciting player to watch. Even when he's not batting he's unbelievable in the field.

[hearts on fire]

Symonds is the most exciting player in the world, he is always doing something, that keeps the audiences happy.

[Pag]

i personally think they will play both, Symonds at number 5 predominantly as a Batsmen and Watson at 6 as a Bowling allrounder.

My side is

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Symonds (batting Allrounder)
Watson (bowling allrounder)
Haddin
Lee
Krejza
Johnson

Clark 12th
Siddle 13th

But maybe watson the Bowling allrounder to drop out for clark.
You have to remember we have not won a test since simmo was stood down and before that he was one of our most consistant batsmen over the last 18 months to two years

its a very hard side for Ricky ponting (who loves simmo in his side) and the selectors to pick

I think this is what they go with as well. Ponting and the selectors have a good record of backing guys in who are in form slumps, obviously Symonds is going through one at the moment, but I think they all know he's in the best 11 and will play him, and have confidence that he'll regain touch sooner rather than later.

So from the 4th test at Nagpur, White out, Symonds in. Symonds at 6, Watson 7, Haddin 8.

[CoverKing]

in the kiwi's tour match v NSW, i thought it was very interesting to see that the Kiwi's batted for 85.3 overs making 266 and with Beau Casson, who was playing test cricket only a couple months ago to not even bowl a ball. He is in the side and is batting 9 but Dominic Thorneley decided to bowl Nathan hauritz for 16 overs (0/44) and the young leg spinning all rounder Steven Smith 27 overs and finished with 2/85...from this im assuming Casson is completely out of the question for any tests throughout the home series?

[stan]

in the kiwi's tour match v NSW, i thought it was very interesting to see that the Kiwi's batted for 85.3 overs making 266 and with Beau Casson, who was playing test cricket only a couple months ago to not even bowl a ball. He is in the side and is batting 9 but Dominic Thorneley decided to bowl Nathan hauritz for 16 overs (0/44) and the young leg spinning all rounder Steven Smith 27 overs and finished with 2/85...from this im assuming Casson is completely out of the question for any tests throughout the home series?

Was there something wrong with Casson yesterday. He would have been pissed in not bowling a ball against NZ!

[CoverKing]

well im assuming there would not be something wrong with him as it was day 1 of the match and they bowled first... unless he got injured while fielding early on? but even that seems highly unlikely

[MADDOG3]

You couldn't possibly play Watson ahead of Symonds - he wasn't that good... had he managed series averages of maybe 35 with the bat and 30 with the ball, you'd consider it. I didn't think his batting was anything special and that is his strong suit.

The difference? Watson is a player, Symonds is a MATCHWINNER.

[Benchwarmer]

The Indians made two cruicial mistakes when they faced Watto in India ... they played for movement off the pitch ... and they waited to see if he would vary his pace!

I vote the "Watto-string" for 13th man!

[wycbloods]

You couldn't possibly play Watson ahead of Symonds - he wasn't that good... had he managed series averages of maybe 35 with the bat and 30 with the ball, you'd consider it. I didn't think his batting was anything special and that is his strong suit.

The difference? Watson is a player, Symonds is a MATCHWINNER.

I don't disagree with what you are saying but watson was never going to average 30 with the ball and i don't think anyone did besides krejza who was in the high 29's i think. As an (batting)allrounder i would be happy to see him average 35+ and below 40 with the ball. I do think that he should be picked ahead of Symonds though.