Australia v England @ SCG

[SOTTERS]

Its a bit hard not too be nervous when you get called into the side for a one off innings, make runs and he is on the plane to the West Indies, fail and his career hangs on a knifes edge. He should of been given four or fives game on the trot, and then we could of seen a true indication fo him as a international one day cricketer.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Hodge also has a glaring weakness against the shorter ball.

[am Bays]

Its a bit hard not too be nervous when you get called into the side for a one off innings, make runs and he is on the plane to the West Indies, fail and his career hangs on a knifes edge. He should of been given four or fives game on the trot, and then we could of seen a true indication fo him as a international one day cricketer.

True SOTTERS, but good international players have the ability to put their thoughts to one side and just concentrate on the ball, a la M Clarke 4 years ago when he came into the side due to Boof getting banned and he scored 49 (I think) on debut....

[SOTTERS]

And Andrew Symonds who played for five years without making a run. He only got picked for the last World Cup becuase of Ponting insisted he goes. His batting average for the triangular series before the 2003 world cup was 8. Some plyers like Symonds need to be given a extended run.

[am Bays]

True but first game in Symonds made 86* on debut in 1999.....

IIRC Hodge got a run of games in either 2004-05 or 2005-06 but didn't produce......

With Ponting fit who would he replace given that I expect Watson to play as an opener in the Hadlee Chappell trophy prior to the World Cup....

[SOTTERS]

Hodge made a 50 in his second match against New Zealand last year, when he knew that he was in the side for the three games. Watson as a opener what a joke, why dont the selectors start picking the best sides intead of Pontings mates. Watson at 6 or 7 but not opening, he dosn't open for QLD.

[mal]

Hodge also has a glaring weakness against the shorter ball.

Something COSGROVE failed to expliot last week.

[SOTTERS]

Hodge also has a glaring weakness against the shorter ball.

Something COSGROVE failed to expliot last week.

Plays the hook and pull pretty well Mal. Don't get sucked into all the media hype bout Hodge and the short ball, becuase he once got out in a test match to a short ball on the stoke of stumps. Im pretty sure Tait would of tested him last week with plenty.

[mal]

Hodge also has a glaring weakness against the shorter ball.

Something COSGROVE failed to expliot last week.

Plays the hook and pull pretty well Mal. Don't get sucked into all the media hype bout Hodge and the short ball, becuase he once got out in a test match to a short ball on the stoke of stumps. Im pretty sure Tait would of tested him last week with plenty.

My dig was at COSGROVE.

As for HODGE I havent noticed a percieved weakness that AH has expressed.
But I will stay out of that one and let you 2 sort it out.

IF he has a glaring weakness I suggest he wears sunglasses.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Hodge also has a glaring weakness against the shorter ball.

Something COSGROVE failed to expliot last week.

Cosegrove's shorter ball isn't going to worry anyone. I'm talking about good short of the length bowling, in line with the body. That is the place to bowl to Hodge consistantly if you want to get him out. I was getting very annoyed with the half volleys we kept serving up to Hodge, and kept telling my maye exactly where we need to bowl.

Suddenly, Harris bowls one that takes off short of the length, in line with the body, head high ... Hodge didn't have a clue how to handle it. What did we do after that? Go back to bowling half volleys. I have no idea what the Redbacks bowlers were thinking the other night. If Hodge had to face the West Indies attack of the 80s, he would never reach double figures.

Cosgrove cannot bowl because he simply in unable to bowl a consistant line and/or length. He bowls rubbish. Keep dealing up rubbish to Hodge like we did Wednesday night and he will make 100s.

[Booney]

$7 for a roughie in a two horse race,good enough odds for FIGmal to take? Methinks not...

m a l

[mal]

$7 for a roughie in a two horse race,good enough odds for FIGmal to take? Methinks not...

m a l

B NEY

Did you get on

[mighty_tiger_79]

$7 for a roughie in a two horse race,good enough odds for FIGmal to take? Methinks not...

m a l

B NEY

Did you get on

im betting BOONEY didnt get on

[mal]

Hodge also has a glaring weakness against the shorter ball.

Something COSGROVE failed to expliot last week.

Cosegrove's shorter ball isn't going to worry anyone. I'm talking about good short of the length bowling, in line with the body. That is the place to bowl to Hodge consistantly if you want to get him out. I was getting very annoyed with the half volleys we kept serving up to Hodge, and kept telling my maye exactly where we need to bowl.

Suddenly, Harris bowls one that takes off short of the length, in line with the body, head high ... Hodge didn't have a clue how to handle it. What did we do after that? Go back to bowling half volleys. I have no idea what the Redbacks bowlers were thinking the other night. If Hodge had to face the West Indies attack of the 80s, he would never reach double figures.

Cosgrove cannot bowl because he simply in unable to bowl a consistant line and/or length. He bowls rubbish. Keep dealing up rubbish to Hodge like we did Wednesday night and he will make 100s.

AH au v nz
I noticed as soon as HODGE came in they took off the quicks and
brought on STYRIS with VETTORI and bowled half volleys to him
99*

[Booney]

$7 for a roughie in a two horse race,good enough odds for FIGmal to take? Methinks not...

m a l

B NEY

Did you get on

@ $4.20 when they were 1/60 odd.....

[mighty_tiger_79]

at least you had something on!!!!!!!!!!!

good work

[mal]

Did we all see Richard Eales report in the pres today
SA V EG o/d fictitous game and whp would win.
Earle is a very very good reporter BUT he said
only Flintoff, Strauss and possibly Bell would make the SA team.[no PANESAR...hmn]
Big statement, he also said SA would win in a romp.

MALS COMBINED X1
-----------------------

ELLIOTT
JOYCE
BELL
LEHMANN
COSGROVE
FLINTOFF
COLLINGWOOD
NIXON
GILLESPIE
TAIT
PANESAR
12th man MARK HUGH JACKMAN CLEARY

I have 6 poms in the team
Had PLONKERSEN,STRESSCOTHIK,VAUGHAN + ANDERSON been fit there
would have been more Poms in my team.

TODAYS GAME AU V EG
---------------------------
Ponting playing, Hodge in ?
Lets hope AU bats first for the food vendors, bar takings .......
My tip I will again stick my head out and select AU to win
Lets hope TAIT tears them apart.
Will LOYE get caught in the keeper slips region for the 5th time in 5 games ?
Can STRAUSS make a 50 vrs AU this season ?
Will AU try and get to 400 runs if batting first.[absurd]
Will AH call 50 over games a joke AGAIN.

I stuck my head out and tipped AU to beat EG

I dont feel as bad now
Richard Earle said SA would beat EG in a romp
EG beat AU the next 3 games.

[rod_rooster]

If Hodge had to face the West Indies attack of the 80s, he would never reach double figures.

I missed this one Geez he's really on his own there

Fact is he doesn't have to face the WI's of the 80's. That WI side will not be replicated again anytime soon. The statistics of many players would be different had it not been for that great WI team of the 70's 80's and early 90's.

Bottom line, Hodge is a class act and will make runs at international level if given the chance. Having said that there are better options for Australia. Before mal says it Watson isn't one of them.

[Adelaide Hawk]

If Hodge had to face the West Indies attack of the 80s, he would never reach double figures.

I missed this one Geez he's really on his own there

Fact is he doesn't have to face the WI's of the 80's. That WI side will not be replicated again anytime soon. The statistics of many players would be different had it not been for that great WI team of the 70's 80's and early 90's.

Bottom line, Hodge is a class act and will make runs at international level if given the chance. Having said that there are better options for Australia. Before mal says it Watson isn't one of them.

The way people miss the point on this forum is frightening. I actually DO realise Hodge won't be facing the West Indian attack of the 80s. My point was being made in relation to his very poor technique in playing short pitched bowling. Hodge will not make runs against any Test attack who works him out, and therefore his position in the Test team will always be tenuous. The Test selectors know this, and that is why they have been hesitant in selecting him in the Test team. He'll be fine in the one day matches facing all those half volleys.