1st Test V India starting Boxing Day

[Hondo]

Steve Waugh came in when we were completely rock bottom in 1985-86. While losing to NZ is bad, we still are not as bad as we were in 1985-86. In his autobiography from memory he said in hindsight he shouldn't have started until he was 24 or 25. He just wasn't ready at age 20. Steve Waugh was also an all-rounder so he kept his spot because he was a very useful 5th bowler.

I just don't think Khawaja is that great at test level at this stage and I don't see why we need to give him even more time to show us that. Cowan and Marsh are more likely to trouble the Indians and more deserving of a test spot based at the moment. He could prove me wrong but 11 tests is a decent sample size to assess where he is at I think. Do we want to win some games here or just gift test caps to young guys that we are fans of? I think we have to take a tough approach and play our best XI at a given time. These young guys will demand to be picked if they are good enough.

[Jim05]

Steve Waugh came in when we were completely rock bottom in 1985-86. While losing to NZ is bad, we still are not as bad as we were in 1985-86. In his autobiography from memory he said in hindsight he shouldn't have started until he was 24 or 25. He just wasn't ready at age 20. Steve Waugh was also an all-rounder so he kept his spot because he was a very useful 5th bowler.

I just don't think Khawaja is that great at test level at this stage and I don't see why we need to give him even more time to show us that. Cowan and Marsh are more likely to trouble the Indians and more deserving of a test spot based at the moment. He could prove me wrong but 11 tests is a decent sample size to assess where he is at I think. Do we want to win some games here or just gift test caps to young guys that we are fans of? I think we have to take a tough approach and play our best XI at a given time. These young guys will demand to be picked if they are good enough.

Wouldnt think Hussey is in our best XI at the moment. Id rather gift caps to young kids than underperforming veterans living off their past glories

[FlyingHigh]

Steve Waugh came in when we were completely rock bottom in 1985-86. While losing to NZ is bad, we still are not as bad as we were in 1985-86. In his autobiography from memory he said in hindsight he shouldn't have started until he was 24 or 25. He just wasn't ready at age 20. Steve Waugh was also an all-rounder so he kept his spot because he was a very useful 5th bowler.

I just don't think Khawaja is that great at test level at this stage and I don't see why we need to give him even more time to show us that. Cowan and Marsh are more likely to trouble the Indians and more deserving of a test spot based at the moment. He could prove me wrong but 11 tests is a decent sample size to assess where he is at I think. Do we want to win some games here or just gift test caps to young guys that we are fans of? I think we have to take a tough approach and play our best XI at a given time. These young guys will demand to be picked if they are good enough.

No, we are not completely at rock bottom, in two years time we might be, and Hussey and Ponting won't be there by that stage anyway. I think there is room for one, not two.
Fair point re Steve Waugh and his bowling.
Agree Cowan opening and Marsh is the no 3 incumbent at the moment, but if he's injured who else do you bat there besides Khawaja? As Jim said, he is at least surviving often back-to-the-wall circumstances at no 3, whereas those at 4-6 aren't necessarily doing so. Ponting at 3, Hussey somewhere, Christian at 6 and drop Khawaja? No way IMO.

[Jimmy]

i assume this lineup for the start of the series will be...

warner
cowan
khawaja (marsh in if fit)
clarke
ponting (khawaja if marsh is fit and ponting fails again)
watson/hussey (if watto isnt 100% fit) or christian (if watto isnt fit and hussey fails again)
haddin (wade or paine when haddin is eventually dropped due to another brain fade while batting)
harris (or starc if not fit)
siddle
pattinson
lyon

by the end of the series, the ideal (fit) 12 should be...

warner
cowan
marsh
clarke
watson
khawaja
paine/wade (either is fine)
harris
siddle (EDIT: Cummins in for Harris or Siddle for form or injury??)
pattinson
lyon

12th: christian/starc.....

in regards to khawaja, he has batted in some interesting situations....he batted at 3 then 6 then back to 3...he was declared on when he was set to make some runs, has been run out unfortunately once and had some tough decks to bat on...give him some extended time in the team....ideally he should bat at 3 but i think with a fit marsh, an inform cowan and with huss and punter on the way out, there is room for him during and mainly after the indian series. to be honest, the sooner both the old farts go, the better we can settle our side for the next ashes series and the windies tour in the fall will help develop our side.

wonder what others think about that.

[locky801]

Squad announced

Clarke, Haddin, Christian, Cowan, Hilfenhaus, Hussey, Lyon, Marsh, Pattinson, Ponting, Siddle, Starc, Warner

[Alaska]

Listening to Inverarity Cowan and Warner to open Marsh No 3 if fit if not Christian. Starc or Hilfenhaus to fight for 12th man

[piccachu]

This would be my ideal side after this test series if all are available

Watson - Dont fix things that arent broken
Warner
Marsh - really like the way he bats, needs to keep his body sound, maybe needs to start fielding in the slips
Clarke
Khawaja - player of the future, has been very unlucky so far
Haddin / Wade - Still Haddin for me, not the worst bat in our current side by a mile, wade stalking though
Christian - he and Watson to share the 5th bowlers duties which allows watto to stay at the top of the order
Siddle - need that work horse for the long days in the field
Pattinson - could be anything, can see him gaining a few more yeards in pace if body stays sound
Cummins - like what i have seen so far
Lyon - continues to improve

Could be one batsman short but on the bowling side things look good, if we could rewind to the mitchell Johnson of 3 years ago would have him in for siddle which would strengthen the batting

[Squids]

Hilfenhaus Starc is no good either though

Well done to Harris on letting selectors know he isn't ready....if he played and broke down mid match he would never play for Aus. again.

[Lightning McQueen]

SQUAD ANNOUNCED
Michael Clarke (c) NSW 30
Brad Haddin (vc) NSW 34
Dan Christian SA 28
Ed Cowan TAS 29
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 28
Mike Hussey WA 36
Nathan Lyon SA 24
Shaun Marsh WA 28
James Pattinson VIC 21
Ricky Ponting TAS 37
Peter Siddle VIC 27
Mitchell Starc NSW 21
David Warner NSW 25

[Lightning McQueen]

Dear me

[story of my life]

Who is going in at 1st drop

[rod_rooster]

One can only assume that all the people pushing so hard to include the injury prone Marsh who hasn't picked up a bat for a fair while is based on his recent performance in Sri Lanka. He scored 240 runs at an average of 80 with 1 ton and 1 fifty. Quite impressive but if he should be automatically included now despite obvious injury concerns what of a bloke by the name of Mike Hussey scored who 463 runs at an average of 92.6 with 2 tons and 2 fifties in the same series? Apparently he should be dropped. Makes perfect sense. Despite Hussey struggling in the last 4 matches he has credits in the bank not just from the Sri Lanka tour but also from last summer. It's amazing how people remember Marsh performing but forget Hussey. I guess with Marsh it was a novelty that a bloke who averages under 40 in first class cricket actually performed at Test level so that's probably why.

[Squids]

Warner
Cowan
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
(christian / starc/
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon

[story of my life]

Who is going in at 1st drop

Would be Marsh. i should read the squad properly

[Jim05]

Dear me

Please dont give Hilfy the one trick pony a gig.
Simply not up to it at test level.
Disgusted they havnt stuck with Khawaja.

[Lightning McQueen]

Who is going in at 1st drop

Would be Marsh. i should read the squad properly

Worst thing is, Marsh is no certainty, I don't think they have his cover if he doesn't pull up, at this stage I would be thinking Huss will miss out, Dan will play, Hilf or Starc will get the other spot.

[Lightning McQueen]

From cricket.com.au

Commenting on the squad, National Selector John Inverarity said: “A 13-man squad has been named for the first Vodafone Test against India, commencing on Boxing Day.

“The NSP has named 13 players due to the ongoing uncertainty about the fitness of Shaun Marsh. Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja have been omitted from the Australian team that played in Hobart and Marsh, Ed Cowan and Ben Hilfenhaus have been added to the squad. Shane Watson was not considered for selection as he has not recovered sufficiently from his injury.

Ryan Harris has not yet achieved the volume of bowling required to be available for consideration for Test selection.

“Ed Cowan has been in excellent form in recent weeks. His inclusion is in recognition of his consistently good performances and we anticipate that he can provide steadiness at the top of the order. Ben Hilfenhaus has regained form this season and he provides a strong and reliable bowling option.

“We see both Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja as developing players with bright futures and remaining as players of significance. They are determined young men and I know that they will work hard to produce compelling performances and push strongly for further consideration,” Inverarity said.

The Australian squad assembles in Melbourne from tomorrow.

26 – 30 December: First Vodafone Test, Australia v India, MCG

[valleys07]

My line up would be:

1. Warner
2. Marsh
3. Cowan
4. Ponting
5. Clarke
6. Hussey
7. Haddin
8. Siddle
9. Pattinson
10. Starc
11. Lyon

The only player im suspect on is starc. Not sure whether he can be replaced though as going into a test against india with 3 specialist bowlers will be frought with danger. Not sure whether christo is up to it as an international bowler quite yet, so i feel that hussey and possibly clarke may have a bit to do in this test series to try and remove your dravids, tendulkars, laxmans and co.

Cant believe that hilfy was even considered after his figures against the poms....

[locky801]

From cricket.com.au


“The NSP has named 13 players due to the ongoing uncertainty about the fitness of Shaun Marsh.

Why select him at all then

[Lightning McQueen]

From cricket.com.au


“The NSP has named 13 players due to the ongoing uncertainty about the fitness of Shaun Marsh.

Why select him at all then

It makes you wonder what the contingency plan is then.

7 batsmen
* only one with all-round abilities.
* three possible openers.
* a failing number 4 and 6.
* a keeper/ batsman at 7 who is underperforming.
* 5 seamers, only one that can bat.
* 1 spinner.

If Marsh doesn't play, who will bat at 3?

I'd be thinking that this is how they aim to line-up:
Warner
Cowan
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke
Christian
Haddin
Siddle
Pattinson
Hilfenhaus
Lyon

I can't see any other reason Hilf would be in the squad unless they aim to pick him. They need a 5th bowler with the Indian top order.
I think Huss will be moved on.