Northants v Australians at Northampton

[The Cadet]

Starts Friday, 3 day game.

The side I would play.

P.Hughes
S.Watson
M.North
M.Hussey
A.McDonald
R.Ponting
M.Johnson
G.Manou
N.Hauritz
B.Lee ( if fit if not Siddle or Hilf )
S.Clark

Would like to see McDonald perform here and make his way into the next test.
Johnson, Hussey need to perform here or could be on the outer. I think Siddle and Hilf have cemented there spot for the next test and maybe Hauritz unless it's a green deck. Even though North got a ton at Cardiff I still think he could be a surprise omission if he fails here.

[Dogwatcher]

Watson opening is an interesting proposition.....next test?
Or could North go to the top of the order?

I do believe Hughes is a talent. But there are people gunning for him to be dropped (and they are much more important than those on this forum).

Will a tidy Manou performance do anything for his chances?

[Pup]

Watson opening is an interesting proposition.....next test?
Or could North go to the top of the order?

Ah no thanks..

I do believe Hughes is a talent. But there are people gunning for him to be dropped (and they are much more important than those on this forum).

Such as? He has played 4 innings on this tour and you want him dropped? Ridiculous IMO.

Will a tidy Manou performance do anything for his chances?

No.

[Dogwatcher]

I agree Pup, neither North or Watson are what we want at the top of the order.
I didn't say anywhere in my post that I wanted this to happen either.
But there are people gunning for Hughes after his first two tests in England - former players, players within the squad and media (from what I'm hearing).
I'd rather Hughes stay and I'd think the batting list won't change but stranger things have happened.

And...you're probably right about Manou too. But, as good as Hads' batting has been - his keeping has not been good.
I actually can't see the side changing for the next test - Ponting sticks by his men.

[The Cadet]

Yes Ponting does stick by his men, thats the only reason Watson is on tour, and I belt he made a big case to have his mates in Lee and Clark inclued in the squad even though both are coming back from injury. If Watson somehow gets through without injuring himself in this tour game, I have a strong feeling that Ponting will pick the golden one to play the 3rd test.

[Pup]

Yes Ponting does stick by his men, thats the only reason Watson is on tour, and I belt he made a big case to have his mates in Lee and Clark inclued in the squad even though both are coming back from injury. If Watson somehow gets through without injuring himself in this tour game, I have a strong feeling that Ponting will pick the golden one to play the 3rd test.

Watson will not play in the third test.

North made a century in the first test and just simply can not be dropped.

Who would you rather in the squad than Lee and Clark, both should be there and probably one of them should be playing at the moment.

[The Cadet]

What a joke If Lee didn't get injured he wouldn't of even made the tour. He was going to be dropped after the boxing day test if it wasn't for his injury ruling him out anyway. Clark is under done thats the reason why he didn't play the 1st test. Makes it hard when you pick a side that has two bowlers at the end of their career and have had very little bowling under there belt. Lee breaks down second tour game big mistake not to send him home, word is he wont be fit for this tour game ruling him out of the 3rd test. So what is he there for, he must make a good cordial for the drinks break. At best he wont bowl til the 4th test and that will be with no bowling for some time, Bollinger should of been sent over as soon as Lee got injured.

[rod_rooster]

Watto to open People are forgetting his rather eventful experiment with that at Shield level after Langer retired? He opened in about 4 games i think and made at least 4 ducks. He proved that he is not an opening batsman's ar5ehole. Yes he has done okay in limited overs cricket but that is a very very different game.

He has also come out tonight trying to say he adds a bowling option. Probably 12-15 overs a day. More like 12-15 overs a year Give it a rest Watto. If you bowl we will be a player down and have to find another player to open. FFS the guy is a walking injury. Well when fit a walking injury

[Gozu]

I think Hughes, Watson, Hussey, North, McDonald, Manou, Johnson, Clark and Lee (if fit) all have to play in this match.

[locky801]

Bloody hell does Watson have tickets on himself or what. Just heard an interview with him where he stated he should be in the 3rd test team because of his allround ability. I nearly choked on my crumpet when he said he gives the Australians another pace bowler option and that he could be also used as an opener or middle order batsman. Says he is 100 percent fit and raring to go

[rod_rooster]

Bloody hell does Watson have tickets on himself or what. Just heard an interview with him where he stated he should be in the 3rd test team because of his allround ability. I nearly choked on my crumpet when he said he gives the Australians another pace bowler option and that he could be also used as an opener or middle order batsman. Says he is 100 percent fit and raring to go

Even rodents learn to stop doing things when they have the same negative result time and time again. Not Watto though. He just keeps trying to bowl. He's like Bart Simpson in the episode where Lisa proved her brother was dumber than a hampster.

[dedja]

Why are people so unkind?

[smac]

Some in the media are calling for Johnson to go because his batting shouldn't cover his bowling inadequacies. Why should Haddin be afforded more leeway, when there is every chance Manou could do just as well with the bat and is a far superior keeper?

[Pup]

Some in the media are calling for Johnson to go because his batting shouldn't cover his bowling inadequacies. Why should Haddin be afforded more leeway, when there is every chance Manou could do just as well with the bat and is a far superior keeper?

I have been really critical of the way Johnson has bowled in the first 2 tests but the more i hear that Johnson and Hughes are being looked at the more worried i get with our selection panel.

Hughes needs more than 4 innings to prove himself as does Johnson, both were really good in South Africa and need to rewarded with more time.

[rod_rooster]

Some in the media are calling for Johnson to go because his batting shouldn't cover his bowling inadequacies. Why should Haddin be afforded more leeway, when there is every chance Manou could do just as well with the bat and is a far superior keeper?

I have been really critical of the way Johnson has bowled in the first 2 tests but the more i hear that Johnson and Hughes are being looked at the more worried i get with our selection panel.

Hughes needs more than 4 innings to prove himself as does Johnson, both were really good in South Africa and need to rewarded with more time.

Agree with both of you. Lets also not forget that we have only had three innings with the bat. No need for panic stations because were performed poorly in one match. On the Haddin/Johnson comparison you raise an extremelly valid point smac. Haddin's keeping has been every bit as poor (if not worse) than Johnson's bowling.

[dedja]

FWIW I'm of the same view ...

[Dogwatcher]

Me too.

Consensus building.

[matt]

Watson is a muppet and the selectors f****** muppets for selecting him in the first place.
What were they thinking not taking a reserve batsman, an unfit allrounder and two unfit/no match fitness quicks.
There will most likely be only one change and it will be Clark in for someone. I reckon Hauritz will be the unlucky one.

[locky801]

Still reckon we will win the series, dont know why but have that feeling

[bulldogs]

i think the Aussies in the first Test were a bowling option short. trying to bowl them out we had to use North, Clarke , Katich. We dont have that medium pacer to bowl some tight overs also on day 5 the stump to stump line with the pitch being up and down. This is why i would play McDonald and drop Hauritz and use North, clarke , katich as the spinning options