SA Footy

We have finally bowled out the Poms twice in this series but the selectors now have a bit of a head scratcher on their hands. Stuart Clark revitalised our flagging attack but he could be the man in the gun if they decide to play Nathan Hauritz at the Oval.

For all of the flak we have given the selectors this series it is probably time to sit back a bit and give them some credit for the job they have done. However, the selection of the bowling attack for the 5th test is a curly one and a really tough decision probably has to be made.

Do we need Horrie for the Oval? If so, which bowler misses out? I wouldn't want to be in there shoes. I'm thinking that Clark might be the unlucky man as the selectors might have one eye on the future but surely the job has to be to pick a side that can bowl out the Poms.

regards,

REB

Tough call for the selectors. Johnson and Hilfenhaus are certainties. They couldn't drop Siddle after a 5 wicket haul. Clark would be the unlucky one if Hauritz comes back in surely. It would be pretty harsh to drop him though but what else can you do?

rod_rooster wrote:Tough call for the selectors. Johnson and Hilfenhaus are certainties. They couldn't drop Siddle after a 5 wicket haul. Clark would be the unlucky one if Hauritz comes back in surely. It would be pretty harsh to drop him though but what else can you do?

They could keep the side that won in for the 5th test.

MightyEagles wrote:

rod_rooster wrote:Tough call for the selectors. Johnson and Hilfenhaus are certainties. They couldn't drop Siddle after a 5 wicket haul. Clark would be the unlucky one if Hauritz comes back in surely. It would be pretty harsh to drop him though but what else can you do?

They could keep the side that won in for the 5th test.

Yep they could but it was also a bit harsh to drop Hauritz for the last Test after 3 pretty good games before that. He was dropped as it was deemed the wicket was more suitable for the seamers. If this wicket looks to suit spin bowling then one of the quicks will miss out.

It all depends on what pitch is cooked up. The only reason to put Hauritz in is if it's going to be a real turning wicket, but as we've seen in this series, the ball has swung in every Test to some degree.

For mine, if it aint broke ...

Clark out and Hauritz in IMO.

Booney wrote:Clark out and Hauritz in IMO.

I agree, but only if the pitch suits Hauritz.

If it's a turning pitch the selectors have to make the hard call on someone or they aren't doing their job properly

This isn't like football where you can back in winning sides. Each pitch is different so you need to pick the right team for the conditions.

Hauritz has done enough in the first 3 tests anyway. As tough a call as it is, I'd lose Siddle and keep Clark.

rod_rooster wrote:

MightyEagles wrote:

rod_rooster wrote:Tough call for the selectors. Johnson and Hilfenhaus are certainties. They couldn't drop Siddle after a 5 wicket haul. Clark would be the unlucky one if Hauritz comes back in surely. It would be pretty harsh to drop him though but what else can you do?

They could keep the side that won in for the 5th test.

Yep they could but it was also a bit harsh to drop Hauritz for the last Test after 3 pretty good games before that. He was dropped as it was deemed the wicket was more suitable for the seamers. If this wicket looks to suit spin bowling then one of the quicks will miss out.

Yep that will be the case if it is a turning pitch. Clark will be out and Horrie in IMO.

I hate to say it, but if Hauritz end up being needed in the conditions, I hope they retain Clark rather than Siddle.

One of the big problems for three tests was the inability to apply consistent pressure. Clark came in and did that and reaped immediate dividends. Yes, Siddle cleaned up the tail beautifully, but I ask myself what I would prefer - a tail cleaned up or top order batsmen put under constant pressure, and the answer is the latter.

It would stink to leave a bloke out after a 5 wicket haul, but you've got to play to your strengths.

I don't think that Hauritz has the capabilities to win a match off of his back, the other 4 bowlers have that ability IMO.

I agree, but who in international cricket has a spinner that can do that, The Cheat not included?

I don't think that's the whole question when picking a team - it's about balance. I loved Shoaib Akhtar in his prime but wouldn't select four of him. A spinner gives you something quite different. I wouldn't be surprised if he came back.

I'm just of the belief that you don't pick a spinner for the sake of having a spinner, if he's not of world class standard it matters very little. Having said that, he has outdone himself somewhat this series, whether it'a a case of "the more you bowl the more wickets you'll take" or whether it was a case of excellent spin bowling remains the question.
I don't dislike him, I just don't rate him that highly.

keep clark, he bowls a consistent line/length better then the others

siddle can go

Clark gets more turn that Hauritz. They both bowl a similar pace too. No Change.

In the right conditions, someone we think is not a "world class" spinner can turn into one. He can seem like a world class spinner on that particular track. Look at part-timers over the years that have suddenly taken a haul in the right conditions (AB for one v WI Sydney 1988-89).

Australia most times picks a spinner and that spinner is the best available at the time, even if he's not "world class". That's because you need a balanced bowling attack. If the pitch is flat and 3 fast bowlers can't get the job done then chances are a 4th fast bowler won't make a scrap of difference. The batsman get their eye in and just get used to right handed fast bowlers, over after over after over ... so the bowlers' effectiveness drops off.

However, if that 4th bowler is a spinner you get the variety you need to keep the batsman honest and so you improve your chances of getting a wicket. If the pitch is flat or turning.

That's how I see it. Siddle or Clark out, Horrie in.

By the sounds of things I would think Hauritz would need to come back in. Remember at the time he was left out he had been our second best bowler in the series. Siddle's 5/21 looks impressive but he cleaned up the tail, Clark was our best bowler in the first innings rout of 102 and set the match up. Also his career record against the poms is extremely impressive being our best bowler in the last Ashes series.

If need be Siddle out, Hauritz in.

hondo71 wrote:In the right conditions, someone we think is not a "world class" spinner can turn into one. He can seem like a world class spinner on that particular track. Look at part-timers over the years that have suddenly taken a haul in the right conditions (AB for one v WI Sydney 1988-89).

Australia most times picks a spinner and that spinner is the best available at the time, even if he's not "world class". That's because you need a balanced bowling attack. If the pitch is flat and 3 fast bowlers can't get the job done then chances are a 4th fast bowler won't make a scrap of difference. The batsman get their eye in and just get used to right handed fast bowlers, over after over after over ... so the bowlers' effectiveness drops off.

However, if that 4th bowler is a spinner you get the variety you need to keep the batsman honest and so you improve your chances of getting a wicket. If the pitch is flat or turning.

That's how I see it. Siddle or Clark out, Horrie in.

I think that's the beauty of the 4 pacemen we have atm, they all are very different.
Mitch: Left Armer, Quick.
Hilf: Pitches it up with some away swing.
Siddle: Aggressive and can hit the turf pretty hard.
Clark: Uses the upright seam to decieve the bastman both ways and bowls very full.

It's no surprise to see the bowling attack take 20 wickets with Clark bowling great line and length and keeping one end tight.

Hauritz in, Hussey out! hehe.

Hauritz can bat a bit and could make more runs than Hussey has made this series.