First Test Match at the WACA: Australia v South Africa

[CoverKing]

Only a fortnight and a couple days to the first test at the WACA versus the improving and dangerous South Africans.
Who will play and have a chance to face the best attack in the world at the moment, or the most inform top 6 in the world at the moment for the aussies?
The side that i think will play will be:
Hayden
Katich
Ponting
M.Hussey
Clarke
Symonds
Watson
Haddin
Lee
Johnson
Clark
12th man: Krejza/Hauritz

I think the selectors will go a four paced attack, they will drop Hauritz for Watson, to improve their batting and bowling stocks, with Clarke and Symonds to bowl the spin if needed. I dont see the aussies picking a specialist spinner! It will be an interesting selection whichever way they go! Could Nathan Bracken be the smokey, with the current figures on day one against Tasmania of 5/14 off his 10 overs - will provide a much needed swing option at the bouncy WACA (has a good record against Smith and De Villiers)

[wycbloods]

I would be surprised to see Watson and Symonds in the same side.

[CoverKing]

I would be surprised to see Watson and Symonds in the same side.

did in the first test! i think watson's bowling in india and he 7 fa against the redbacks may get him in to be the fourth quick! Other ideas?

[Adelaide Hawk]

I think you're on the money CoverKing, that would be my squad, and depending on the wiscket (which I expect will be a quick one), I agree with your final XI as well.

[wycbloods]

I would be surprised to see Watson and Symonds in the same side.

did in the first test! i think watson's bowling in india and he 7 fa against the redbacks may get him in to be the fourth quick! Other ideas?

I think we will see the inclusion of another batsmen, not sure who, to bolster the batting against what will be a strong bowling line-up with a couple of batsmen currently under performing, symonds and hayden. If the selectors think Brad Haddin will stand up and make runs then the team you have selected will probably be the one they go with. Having said that i just don't think that is the way the selectors will go.

[rod_rooster]

I would be surprised to see Watson and Symonds in the same side.

did in the first test! i think watson's bowling in india and he 7 fa against the redbacks may get him in to be the fourth quick! Other ideas?

I think we will see the inclusion of another batsmen, not sure who, to bolster the batting against what will be a strong bowling line-up with a couple of batsmen currently under performing, symonds and hayden. If the selectors think Brad Haddin will stand up and make runs then the team you have selected will probably be the one they go with. Having said that i just don't think that is the way the selectors will go.

So are you suggesting the selectors will replace a bowler with a batsman or are you suggesting a batsman currently in the side will be dropped?

[wycbloods]

I would be surprised to see Watson and Symonds in the same side.

did in the first test! i think watson's bowling in india and he 7 fa against the redbacks may get him in to be the fourth quick! Other ideas?

I think we will see the inclusion of another batsmen, not sure who, to bolster the batting against what will be a strong bowling line-up with a couple of batsmen currently under performing, symonds and hayden. If the selectors think Brad Haddin will stand up and make runs then the team you have selected will probably be the one they go with. Having said that i just don't think that is the way the selectors will go.

So are you suggesting the selectors will replace a bowler with a batsman or are you suggesting a batsman currently in the side will be dropped?

Yes the spinners position. Maybe even for a batsmen such as D Hussey who can bowl some part timers.

[CoverKing]

thats what i am sayin Bloods, just they will have watson as the batsman that will replace hauritz!! so then they dont lose too much in the bowling department!

[wycbloods]

thats what i am sayin Bloods, just they will have watson as the batsman that will replace hauritz!! so then they dont lose too much in the bowling department!

I know what you are saying CK i just don't believe it will be with Watson.

[Hondo]

Watto and Siddle will fight it out for Hauritz' spot. Krejza will be in the squad but won't play.

I'd say Watto will be favourite although Haddin's form with the bat may make the selectors more comfortable to play 4 specialist fast men.

Love or hate him, the truth is that Watto's bowling is now pretty good, certainly well ahead of Roy who, since his shoulder injuries, is no more an all-rounder than Katich or Clarke. He's currently just not up to holding down the number 6 batting spot like Roy can.

Thats my assessment.

[Gozu]

Watson's bowling has improved leaps and bounds. Symonds has never been an all-rounder. An all-rounder is someone that can be selected on either their batting or their bowling and he's never been picked for his bowling. He's in the side as a batsman. Watson is closer to being an all-rounder but he wouldn't get picked solely for his batting.

Conclusion: Watson to come in for Hauritz and Symonds retains his spot as a batsman. As much as I love the guy's play he'd want to get a decent score in this series or might be a chance of being left out for the return leg in South Africa.

Last chance for Hayden too. If he doesnt step up this series I think they'll tap him on the shoulder and blood Marsh in the one dayer's in preparation for the South African tour and then the Ashes. Hayden can't be carried until then. He needs runs and proof that his timing and footwork havent completely deserted him at 37.

[stan]

Watson's bowling has improved. His series against india was good, he was also went pretty well in the first test. And look at his performance in the last first class match against SA. (and lets not get carried away and say it was only SA and crap like that, remember SA won the match on a batsmens pitch). So Watson probably deserves another chance. But what In would like to see is M.North come into the team for Symonds. I believe he is ready, also I would probably replace Hauritz with Siddle for the WACA. I believe the part time spin of North and Clarke would be suitable on the WACA.
My Side:

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
M.Hussey
Clarke
North
Haddin
Lee
Johnson
Siddle
Clark
12th: Krezja

[Rik E Boy]

The selectors will win or lose this test series. I believe if they bring back Shane Watson and leave out a spinner at Perth we will drop the test. If we go one down we might not be able to recover again. Shane Watson has proven himself to be an outstanding Sheffield Shield player yet again with a fine performance against the Redbacks but he's not going to get seven wickets in Perth and I wouldn't back him to make a lot of runs against the South African attack either.

South Africa now have the best pace attack in world cricket. Dale Steyn has taken more test wickets than anyone in 2008 and Morkel and Nntini make a formidable trio. As usual, South Africa's weakness is not only against spin bowling but in the spin bowling department as well.

There has been a gradual change in the character of Australian wickets over the last few seasons and the WACA is no longer the spinner's graveyard that it used to be. Australia went in with four quicks against India in Perth last year and we promptly dropped the test. The South Africans would be delighted if Krejza and Hauritz are serving the drinks. Hauritz and Krejza are obviously no Shane Warne but Harris of South Africa isn't going to be able to put the pressure on as well as Daniel Vettori, Harbajhan Signh or Anil Kumble either. The balance of our attack is our strength. Krejza would be the ideal player for this test and I believe that Andrew Symonds as the more experienced all rounder should be selected ahead of Watson who deserves to be made 12th man ahead of Peter Siddle or Nathan Hauritz.

Hayden
Katich
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Symonds
Haddin
Lee
Johnson
Krejza
Clark
12th Watson

If we pick a balanced side we win this series. If we don't, we'll make history for all the wrong reasons this summer.

regards,

REB

[Stumps]

if they are using an "old" wicket like last sumemr i agree REB if they are using one of the relayed ones watson will come in IMO

[Drop Bear]

One change. Krejza in for Hauritz.

[rod_rooster]

Watson's bowling has improved leaps and bounds. Symonds has never been an all-rounder. An all-rounder is someone that can be selected on either their batting or their bowling and he's never been picked for his bowling. He's in the side as a batsman. Watson is closer to being an all-rounder but he wouldn't get picked solely for his batting.

Conclusion: Watson to come in for Hauritz and Symonds retains his spot as a batsman. As much as I love the guy's play he'd want to get a decent score in this series or might be a chance of being left out for the return leg in South Africa.

Last chance for Hayden too. If he doesnt step up this series I think they'll tap him on the shoulder and blood Marsh in the one dayer's in preparation for the South African tour and then the Ashes. Hayden can't be carried until then. He needs runs and proof that his timing and footwork havent completely deserted him at 37.

Name a player in world cricket that fits this category? Closest you would get would be Kallis and Flintoff. If Kallis couldn't bat would he have played much for SA though?? Look at some of the great "all-rounders" such as Hadlee, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham. These guys would have struggled to gat a game purely as a batsman with the possible exception of Imran (questionable though). To be an allrounder you need to be able to justify your spot based purely on either batting or bowling. If they are handy with the other discipline then you can consider them an allrounder. Not too many players like Sobers going around.

For this arguments sake if Watson couldn't bat you wouldn't pick him as a bowler and if he couldn't bowl you wouldn't pick him as a batsman. He's closer as a batsman still IMHO but not close enough yet. Symonds can justify his place as a batsman and he can be a useful bowler to offer a bit of variety to the attack.

[the joker]

The Change to the 13 will be Watson in and Hauritz out
and Watson and Siddle will be fighting it out for that last spot

[scottiemc]

Watson will get the nod before Siddle, Clarke, Symonds the spin options

[Gozu]

Name a player in world cricket that fits this category? Closest you would get would be Kallis and Flintoff. If Kallis couldn't bat would he have played much for SA though?? Look at some of the great "all-rounders" such as Hadlee, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham. These guys would have struggled to gat a game purely as a batsman with the possible exception of Imran (questionable though). To be an allrounder you need to be able to justify your spot based purely on either batting or bowling. If they are handy with the other discipline then you can consider them an allrounder. Not too many players like Sobers going around.

For this arguments sake if Watson couldn't bat you wouldn't pick him as a bowler and if he couldn't bowl you wouldn't pick him as a batsman. He's closer as a batsman still IMHO but not close enough yet. Symonds can justify his place as a batsman and he can be a useful bowler to offer a bit of variety to the attack.

I just threw that in there as it's something I'd always been taught growing up and Terry Jenner came out and said the same thing a few weeks ago. It's semantics (on my behalf) really as both Watson and Symonds are considered all-rounders by most on today's understandings of the term. I've always thought of Kallis and Flintoff as genuine all-rounders. I'd put Jacob Oram in there too. In the past guys like Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood also. In his prime Kallis would've been almost a lock as a bowler but not these days.

That's just it with the bowling form Watson is in I think he can command a spot as a bowler with his batting being seen as a bonus. I love Symonds don't worry. His bowling's more useful to rest others/improve over rates these days but I spent a long time arguing for his selection in the Test team when for years he was pigeon holed as one day player. I got into a good one with my father once when he kept telling me he wasnt a Test player and if ever picked would never get a score. Suffice to say he's a fan now.

OTT, My old man was one of those "Boof cant handle pace, gets all his runs against spin" types. I pointed out that the vast majority of his 25,000 Shield runs would've been against pace to no avail. Had to get the old prick Boof's biography for a birthday once which I dont think he appreciated. He was a big Stuart MacGill fan too.

[rod_rooster]

Name a player in world cricket that fits this category? Closest you would get would be Kallis and Flintoff. If Kallis couldn't bat would he have played much for SA though?? Look at some of the great "all-rounders" such as Hadlee, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Ian Botham. These guys would have struggled to gat a game purely as a batsman with the possible exception of Imran (questionable though). To be an allrounder you need to be able to justify your spot based purely on either batting or bowling. If they are handy with the other discipline then you can consider them an allrounder. Not too many players like Sobers going around.

For this arguments sake if Watson couldn't bat you wouldn't pick him as a bowler and if he couldn't bowl you wouldn't pick him as a batsman. He's closer as a batsman still IMHO but not close enough yet. Symonds can justify his place as a batsman and he can be a useful bowler to offer a bit of variety to the attack.

I just threw that in there as it's something I'd always been taught growing up and Terry Jenner came out and said the same thing a few weeks ago. It's semantics (on my behalf) really as both Watson and Symonds are considered all-rounders by most on today's understandings of the term. I've always thought of Kallis and Flintoff as genuine all-rounders. I'd put Jacob Oram in there too. In the past guys like Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood also. In his prime Kallis would've been almost a lock as a bowler but not these days.

That's just it with the bowling form Watson is in I think he can command a spot as a bowler with his batting being seen as a bonus. I love Symonds don't worry. His bowling's more useful to rest others/improve over rates these days but I spent a long time arguing for his selection in the Test team when for years he was pigeon holed as one day player. I got into a good one with my father once when he kept telling me he wasnt a Test player and if ever picked would never get a score. Suffice to say he's a fan now.

OTT, My old man was one of those "Boof cant handle pace, gets all his runs against spin" types. I pointed out that the vast majority of his 25,000 Shield runs would've been against pace to no avail. Had to get the old prick Boof's biography for a birthday once which I dont think he appreciated. He was a big Stuart MacGill fan too.

For that to be true you would have to be suggesting that Watson is in the best 4 quick bowlers in the country. I don't even think NFC would go that far.

Rest of your post is pretty well spot on IMO although i'm not sure i'd go as far as saying Oram is particularly good at anything. He looks better cos he plays in such an incredibly mediocre side.