3rd Ashes Test - WACA

[Rik E Boy]

Too easy really.

Something that is less easy than writing down a dozen names is how Lee is going to get out a better England team when he couldn't five years ago. I can see why you didn't bother to do so.

Lee has always been an all brawn no brain bowler who was most effective when McGrath was leading the attack (no shame in that of course). When his turn came to lead the attack he couldn't go on with it. It's over for him in Test cricket IMO.

regards,

REB

[wycbloods]

PLAY LEE!!

No thanks

Why not? Been in great form this season, is a proven international wicket taker, is better than Siddle and Dougeth, why not?

Care to explain what that great form is?

[carey]

didnt think much of mark waugh till i heard that excellent to see a bloke speak his mind not enough of it.......

although it didnt help hookes or hodge

[Lightning McQueen]

PLAY LEE!!

No thanks

Why not? Been in great form this season, is a proven international wicket taker, is better than Siddle and Dougeth, why not?

Because we're not sponsored by Elastoplast. He's a hazbeen and a broken one at that.

[smithy]

Mitchell Johnson is set to be recalled for the third Test in Perth next week while Ryan Harris has been cleared of a chest muscle injury as Australia's attack for next week's third Test in Perth takes shape.



Shane Warne has taken a radical approach to Australia's spin conundrum, describing calls for his return as "flattering" and suggesting the selectors turn to unheralded West Australia left-arm spinner Michael Beer.

By contrast, Steve Waugh claims it will be difficult for Australia to turn around the Ashes series after going 1-0 down, saying the selectors should seek stability rather than continue to chop and change.

The return of Johnson appears inevitable after he was told to rest from the Sheffield Shield match between Western Australia and Queensland, beginning in Brisbane on Friday. Harris, Australia's best bowler in the innings defeat to England in the second Test, was cleared of injury on Thursday after visiting a specialist.

While his troublesome right knee is holding up well after early problems with swelling following mid-year cartilage surgery, his lack of bowling appears to be taking a toll. But Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris was optimisitc about his chacnes of selection.

"He is expected to be available for selection in for the third Test in Perth," Kountouris said, describing Harris's injury as minor.

"He was able to bowl during the game unrestricted and scans have cleared him of any significant damage."

Doug Bollinger's lack of fitness looks set to cost him a place after Ricky Ponting claimed the left-arm speedster "hit the wall" during two days of bowling under the hot Adelaide sun.

Ben Hilfenhaus also looks certain to return with his ability to bowl consistent outswing into the Fremantle doctor.

However, the batting remains a conundrum, with Usman Khawaja scoring another nice half-century for NSW, but failing to nail the big score which would make him a red-hot chance to replace Marcus North. And an opening batsman is required to replace Simon Katich, with Shaun Marsh emerging in a very bare frame given such a poor start to the season by Phil Hughes. Marsh has opened the batting for Australia in one-day cricket and looks WA's best batsman among a modest lot.

Warne stated the obvious when he said spin-bowling options are difficult following the mauling Xavier Doherty copped in Adelaide, when he had figures of 1-158 and conceded almost six an over.

Nathan Hauritz continues to put his name forward, scoring a century for NSW on Wednesday after bowling his state to victory in the previous Shield match with career-best figures of 5-39.

"We are now back to what I said before the series started. Where do they go?" Warne said in his London newspaper column.

"Do they opt for Nathan Hauritz or a wrist-spinner like Steve Smith?

"Do they play two spinners or none at all and prepare a green, grassy wicket in Perth?

"That would be a big gamble against England's seam attack. The pitch is not fast and bouncy these days, so maybe you get a local guy who knows the Perth conditions, like left-arm spinner Michael Beer. Sometimes horses for courses works."

Beer, 26, made his debut for WA this year and has played just five first-class matches, claiming 16 wickets at an average of 40.

Warne refuses to rule himself out point-blank four years after his retirement but teammates and officials laugh off the possibility of him returning at the age of 41.

"There has been a bit written in Australia and people have been asking me about making a comeback," Warne said.

"All I can say is that it is very flattering to hear those words."

He sympathised with Ponting's predicament.

"Leading a losing team and being the only captain who could lose three Ashes series in the modern era is hard for such a great player," Warne said.

Waugh was part of the last Australian team to lose an Ashes series on home soil in 1986-87, but then played in eight successive series wins, captaining the last two.

"It's going to be difficult, it's almost like the shoe is on the other foot, we've reversed roles," Waugh said.

"We're sort of used to doing a demolition job on England and I know how hard England found it to come back from that situation, so it won't be easy for Australia to come back. I don't know what the selectors are going to do, because they have chopped and changed I think probably too much in the last 12 months."

[smithy]

If they recall Johnson then Hilditch has to go IMO.
A guys been dropped for poor form and needs his action worked on.
He hasn't played since being dropped so how can he be recalled?
What has he shown the selectors to win a recall ?

JOKE !

[mal]

SMITHY
Go to NS V SA thread and read about your man THE NATH

[smithy]

he can make a triple century MAL and it still wouldn't change my mind.
The guy is in the team to take wickets.
He's been dropped from the test team twice already.
Time to play a young kid with potential.
I notice SMITH has taken more wickets than Hauritz this match.

[Jim05]

Steve smith has been given an armchair ride by cricket australia. They have pumped him to be the next mesiah. At the moment he seems to be worrying more about his batting than bowling. His shield figures prove it :
Steve smith 19 games 33wkts at 50.2 average. Hardly good enough to proclaim as our saviour. Yet missing out on a game for nsw is a guy seen fit to play for australia A who has taken 37wkts in 10 games at an average of 24.2. Absolutely phenomenal stats coupled with a batting average of 55. His last game he was australias best player by a mile and totally outbowled smith. He took 4 good wickets and top scored with 70. Also took a 7 fa against sri lanka A who are traditionally good players of spin. This guy is the real mesiah
OKEEFE

[Jim05]

And before everyone says okeefe cant get a game for nsw, yes sad but true. They are not going to play 3 spinners and they cant drop someone just dumped from aus team. Smith is the golden boy so his spot is secure. There wouldnt be another spinner anywhere in australia with such good stats. If i was in charge of saca i would be in sydney with an open cheque book. He will one day be a star for australia

[bayman]

anyone hear what richie benaud said about the shane warne rumours ?.................very funny stuff, paraphrasing he said that he was upset at this shane warne story & asked why he replied ''they haven't asked me to make a comeback''

[locky801]

anyone hear what richie benaud said about the shane warne rumours ?.................very funny stuff, paraphrasing he said that he was upset at this shane warne story & asked why he replied ''they haven't asked me to make a comeback''

GOLD Ritchie

[stan]

if you have a look at Hauritz test stats there not bad. He has taken I believe 63 Wickets at 34. Which is not that bad considering we all bag the shite out of him.
Still I hope they stick with Doherty for a while, I do believe he has something to offer.
Smith is not even close in my opinion. Has not done anywhere near enough to even warrent people talking about him. Unless you are suggesting picking his as a batsmen.

[Interceptor]

Selectors are meeting tonight, squad announced tomorrow.

[NFC]

he can make a triple century MAL and it still wouldn't change my mind.
The guy is in the team to take wickets.
He's been dropped from the test team twice already.
Time to play a young kid with potential.
I notice SMITH has taken more wickets than Hauritz this match.

100% AGREED.

Would be a complete and utter FARCE if he's selected.

[Aerie]

Haha good stuff from M Waugh.

My 3rd Test side:

Watson
Hussey
Ponting
Clarke
Khawaja
Haddin
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

[Media Park]

PLAY LEE!!

No thanks

Why not? Been in great form this season, is a proven international wicket taker, is better than Siddle and Dougeth, why not?

Bowling short spells in the limited overs yeah, he's the leading wicket taker RYOBI-style, bro...

Can't bowl more than twelve for the day, may be needed to bowl near that on the trot in a Test, going full-boar the whole time...

Will break down...

[stan]

Noting that Harris is now out and Katich is also out. My Team for the 3rd test would be:

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Khawja
Haddin
Doherty
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

[tnt]

My Side below. Boost the bowling with two spinners. Using the Freo Doctor i wouldnt be surprised if Watson does well with the ball Terry Alderman Style.
Offies have always done OK at the WACA again using the Freo Doctor Bruce Yardley Style!

Cowan
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Smith
Haddin
Hauritz
Siddle
Hilfy
Bollinger


If Bollinger isnt fit then try one of the young quicks.

[Brodlach]

My team for the 3rd Test

Watson
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Christian
Smith
Johnson
Harris
Hilfenhaus