SA Footy

Can anybody tell me what the hype is around this guy and what does he bring to the team? He's an All Rounder who bats at 8, he's not a great fielder in the mould of Symonds, Clarke, Ponting, Hussey etc and his bowling is gentle medium pace nothing short of mediocre.

Doesn't really dominate for QLD either.
Please somebody give me a reason why he is a permanent fixture in the One Day team.

He has bowled pretty well the last two matches, but his batting has seemed lacking at international level. A teriffic domestic player though.

Unless he's opening the bat to give us a left/ right combination and an extra bowler, I can't see why he's in there.

He's been batting out of position. He does really well opening the batting for Qld. but coming in at 8 all too often he has too big a job to do. So much pressure has been on the lower order and it's time the batsmen stood up and did their jobs for a change.

If you take him out who do you put in? exactly no one....... He has bowled ok he isnt in there to take 5 for he is in there to go at 4 an over and take 1-2 wickets.

His batting ability cant be questioned he has been a solid performer for QLD but he is batting much lower than he is used to and comes in when the tempo is set and the Aussies are on the back foot.

I still wanna see Noffke, Hopes is playing a role suited perfectly to him.

LBT wrote:I still wanna see Noffke, Hopes is playing a role suited perfectly to him.

Probably 12 months too late, I think we may have missed his peak. I agree though, would be very well suited in that role.

Hopes does a job and gets a pass mark, but he gets a game when the other 2 queensland cripples are in rehabilitation.
We definately miss the brisk batting of Symonds and Watson [I believe he is the last batsman to score a 100 for australia in ODI games]


Marsh pulled a hammy, perhaps Hopes can open[and show if he is up to it] and then open the door for Mcdonald or Noffke to come in and give us a 5th frontline bowler

So you all reckon he should open the batting for Australia? I'm sorry i just don't rate this bloke!

The Riddler wrote:So you all reckon he should open the batting for Australia? I'm sorry i just don't rate this bloke!

I don't think that he's done too much wrong, we set a precedent with Gilly having the ability to open the batting and keep, we need to find the extra spot for a middle order batsman with the ability to score quickly. To do this we need to finds an all-rounder to open the batting or a keeper. Come to think of it, Haddin's keeping has been poo in this series, two costly errors late in the game last night hurt.

Haddin also saved a french cut late which saved 4..... i think that the aussies need to focus on the basics and the media and public need to give them a break. They are very capable cricketers but are sturggling atm with some confidence and LUCK....

I would bring in Lee Caseldine.... he is smashing them bat him above D Hussey and open with Hopes

Footy Smart wrote:Haddin also saved a french cut late which saved 4..... i think that the aussies need to focus on the basics and the media and public need to give them a break. They are very capable cricketers but are sturggling atm with some confidence and LUCK....

I would bring in Lee Caseldine.... he is smashing them bat him above D Hussey and open with Hopes

I've been saying on here for a couple of weeks Carseldine should be in there, I think Catfish deserves a chance at the top, we need a left/ right opening combination, I can't agree with Haddin though mate, he has been terrible. It's mainly his sloppy glove-work and poor decision making that is getting me annoyed, he threw the ball at the stumps for no reason in a close one vs RSA that resulted in another run and a change in strike for the worst.

He really needs to work on the ball that bouces before him, he is dropping the leg and trying to field it like a fieldsman, he should have the confidence to glove them cleanly and in front of his pads for protection. I'm not calling for a replacement, just a touch up on his skills behind the stumps, his batting is not of such a high standard that we can settle for an average keeper.

D.Hussey has been disappointing aswell, as I stated before, he is one that is failing because he is too scared to play his natural game incase he fails.

Lightning McQueen wrote:

Footy Smart wrote:Haddin also saved a french cut late which saved 4..... i think that the aussies need to focus on the basics and the media and public need to give them a break. They are very capable cricketers but are sturggling atm with some confidence and LUCK....

I would bring in Lee Caseldine.... he is smashing them bat him above D Hussey and open with Hopes

I've been saying on here for a couple of weeks Carseldine should be in there, I think Catfish deserves a chance at the top, we need a left/ right opening combination, I can't agree with Haddin though mate, he has been terrible. It's mainly his sloppy glove-work and poor decision making that is getting me annoyed, he threw the ball at the stumps for no reason in a close one vs RSA that resulted in another run and a change in strike for the worst.

He really needs to work on the ball that bouces before him, he is dropping the leg and trying to field it like a fieldsman, he should have the confidence to glove them cleanly and in front of his pads for protection. I'm not calling for a replacement, just a touch up on his skills behind the stumps, his batting is not of such a high standard that we can settle for an average keeper.

D.Hussey has been disappointing aswell, as I stated before, he is one that is failing because he is too scared to play his natural game incase he fails.

Footy Smart wrote:Haddin also saved a french cut late which saved 4..... i think that the aussies need to focus on the basics and the media and public need to give them a break. They are very capable cricketers but are sturggling atm with some confidence and LUCK....

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hopes' bowling somehow continues to get the job done. He doesn't go for much and he normally picks up 1 or 2 wickets.

His batting however, sucks. He's an average 'all-rounder'.