3rd Ashes Test - WACA
Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:32 amHere is an article to kick off talk for the 3rd test.
NEW South Wales fast bowler Mark Cameron is the fresh face in contention for the third Ashes Test starting in Perth next Thursday.
The 29-year-old right-armer has supporters among a group of former players who were asked yesterday to select a team for the do-or-die Test.
Ian Healy and Simon O'Donnell nominated Cameron for inclusion on a Perth track expected to be fast and bouncy, returning to its character of the 1980s and 1990s.
But Healy warned against panic and said left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty should be retained despite taking only three wickets in his first two Tests.
"My first couple of Tests weren't very good and nor were Shane Warne's," Healy said.
"To drop Doherty would smack of impatience and ridicule his selection in the first place. England panicked for 17 years before they started getting their selection right.
"As far as our pacemen go, I wouldn't choose Mitchell Johnson again until he's gone back to domestic ranks and got some confidence.
"Doug Bollinger plays only if he's a lot fitter than we saw in Adelaide and Mark Cameron is a big, strong bloke who impresses me. I'm also worried that Ryan Harris might have a niggle."
Former leg-spinner Stuart MacGill said Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke should swap batting positions. He also recommended recalling paceman Brett Lee from the wilderness and giving Nathan Hauritz another chance as the first-choice tweaker.
"If they told Brett Lee they wanted him to play, he would play," MacGill said.
Former batsman Greg Blewett said he wouldn't be upset if the selectors went with Cameron and he hoped they pick four quicks for the WACA Ground, plus Shane Watson and Steve Smith.
"In reality, Smith probably isn't ready but, being a leggie, he might just snaffle you a couple of wickets," he said.
"We have to take wickets and I think Smith is a better option than Xavier Doherty. The other player they may look at is Jason Krejza. He is the most attacking spinner in the country."
Former all-rounder Simon O'Donnell said the Australian selectors must make a statement, such as stating Steve Smith and Phillip Hughes are going to be part of the Test side for some years.
"Far from the doom and gloom which is hanging over Australian cricket, I believe our future is bright, particularly in the fast bowling ranks," O'Donnell said.
"The problem is injury has hit Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Mitchell Stark, but all three of those boys will play Test cricket for Australia.
"Right now we don't have a leader of our attack. Mitchell Johnson should be that person and if he comes back he must demand the new ball. It's laughable that he has often bowled as a first change."
Greg Matthews said Hussey should go, despite his strong start to the summer.
"Mike Hussey got more chances than most. Sure, he has made runs now, but Usman Khawaja should have been picked ahead of him for the first Test," he said.
"And Ben Hilfenhaus has played 15 Tests but never looked liked taking a five-for."
NEW South Wales fast bowler Mark Cameron is the fresh face in contention for the third Ashes Test starting in Perth next Thursday.
The 29-year-old right-armer has supporters among a group of former players who were asked yesterday to select a team for the do-or-die Test.
Ian Healy and Simon O'Donnell nominated Cameron for inclusion on a Perth track expected to be fast and bouncy, returning to its character of the 1980s and 1990s.
But Healy warned against panic and said left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty should be retained despite taking only three wickets in his first two Tests.
"My first couple of Tests weren't very good and nor were Shane Warne's," Healy said.
"To drop Doherty would smack of impatience and ridicule his selection in the first place. England panicked for 17 years before they started getting their selection right.
"As far as our pacemen go, I wouldn't choose Mitchell Johnson again until he's gone back to domestic ranks and got some confidence.
"Doug Bollinger plays only if he's a lot fitter than we saw in Adelaide and Mark Cameron is a big, strong bloke who impresses me. I'm also worried that Ryan Harris might have a niggle."
Former leg-spinner Stuart MacGill said Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke should swap batting positions. He also recommended recalling paceman Brett Lee from the wilderness and giving Nathan Hauritz another chance as the first-choice tweaker.
"If they told Brett Lee they wanted him to play, he would play," MacGill said.
Former batsman Greg Blewett said he wouldn't be upset if the selectors went with Cameron and he hoped they pick four quicks for the WACA Ground, plus Shane Watson and Steve Smith.
"In reality, Smith probably isn't ready but, being a leggie, he might just snaffle you a couple of wickets," he said.
"We have to take wickets and I think Smith is a better option than Xavier Doherty. The other player they may look at is Jason Krejza. He is the most attacking spinner in the country."
Former all-rounder Simon O'Donnell said the Australian selectors must make a statement, such as stating Steve Smith and Phillip Hughes are going to be part of the Test side for some years.
"Far from the doom and gloom which is hanging over Australian cricket, I believe our future is bright, particularly in the fast bowling ranks," O'Donnell said.
"The problem is injury has hit Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Mitchell Stark, but all three of those boys will play Test cricket for Australia.
"Right now we don't have a leader of our attack. Mitchell Johnson should be that person and if he comes back he must demand the new ball. It's laughable that he has often bowled as a first change."
Greg Matthews said Hussey should go, despite his strong start to the summer.
"Mike Hussey got more chances than most. Sure, he has made runs now, but Usman Khawaja should have been picked ahead of him for the first Test," he said.
"And Ben Hilfenhaus has played 15 Tests but never looked liked taking a five-for."
