boxing day test changes

[Rik E Boy]

Hilf in for Siddle. Horrie in for Krazy. Krazy goes for too many tons and Siddle isn't good enough. The ICC rankings say we are number one but we are probably number three at best. The sad fact is that we are about equal with England now IMO.

regards,

REB

[THE BARKING SPIDERS]

wot happens to the spinners spot in sydney if hauritz goes for 4+ runs per over & only bags a couple of wickets?

do the selectors show faith in hauritz, which would be a slap in the face to krazja or do they drop hauritz for krazja or another spinner or do we see the unlikelyhood of playing both spinners

i think the selectors got this 1 wrong

[Rik E Boy]

You might be right Spidey, it's a tough gig for the selectors at the moment. Not only did Warne give it away but Magilla and Hoggy pulled the pin as well. We are going into test matches now with what would have been our four best spinner a few years back and now Clarky is hurt too.

How's this for an attack in Melbourne

Lee
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

If our spinners are carp, perhaps it's time to go with an all seam attack? I'm glad I'm not a selector at the moment that's for sure.

regards,

REB

[blink]

How's this for an attack in Melbourne

Lee
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

I like the look of that attack REB for Melbourne - doubt the selectors do though. I think a major reason that they persist with playing a spinner when there obviously isn't one capable for the job, is to help the over rates. The ICC has got Ponting & Co. running scared with their severe pressure on maintaining good over rates - hence 4 pronged pace attack is forgone.

Does anyone know when Bryce McGain is going to be fit? Is he a chance to tour South Africa, to show what he can do before the Ashes begin?

[the joker]

haydos is very good on Boxing day

Hayden has played 9 tests for 1072 with an average of 76 with 6 hundreds, highest score of 156
i am backing him to get a heap of runs

[wycbloods]

haydos is very good on Boxing day

Hayden has played 9 tests for 1072 with an average of 76 with 6 hundreds, highest score of 156
i am backing him to get a heap of runs

I bet ya he won't.

[the joker]

haydos is very good on Boxing day

Hayden has played 9 tests for 1072 with an average of 76 with 6 hundreds, highest score of 156
i am backing him to get a heap of runs

I bet ya he won't.

we will see!!!!!.
he has not been in bad form he just keeps finding ways to get out. People thaught that his career was over after the 4th test of the 05 ashes but he came back. he will do it again

[wycbloods]

haydos is very good on Boxing day

Hayden has played 9 tests for 1072 with an average of 76 with 6 hundreds, highest score of 156
i am backing him to get a heap of runs

I bet ya he won't.

we will see!!!!!.
he has not been in bad form he just keeps finding ways to get out. People thaught that his career was over after the 4th test of the 05 ashes but he came back. he will do it again

he may prove me wrong but i think he just isn't the force he once was. One of his greatest strengths was his ability to bully the attack and then make them bowl to him, i think he has lost that ability and that is why bowlers are much more confident of dismissing him cheaply.

[Psyber]

A time comes to all sportsmen when their body is no longer as fit as it was and the reflexes are no longer as sharp.
Concentration and experience can compensate for a while, but the end comes - usually before the player or the selectors realise it...
Hayden has been a great player, but he is on the way out. Ponting will be the next to not know when to go.

[whufc]

I dont mind the Hilf in the side. i can see him swinging the ball around and bowling well under overcast conditions on an MCG pitch.

I dont think we will take a spinner into the second test. The Vics are top of the sheffield shield and haven't been playing a specialist spinner in their side in matches at the MCG.

We are picking the wrong spinners in my opinion. I don't mind Krejza because he does attack and bowls to get wickets. Hauritz IMHO is far to defensive and negative lets try and get 20 wickets.

I think either Casson or Cullen should be the spinner used. I really rate Cullen and love the attitude he bowls with alot like Harris from SA. There is no South Australian bias there either as im Victorian

What happened to Callum Bailey?

[ubeauty]

You might be right Spidey, it's a tough gig for the selectors at the moment. Not only did Warne give it away but Magilla and Hoggy pulled the pin as well. We are going into test matches now with what would have been our four best spinner a few years back and now Clarky is hurt too.

How's this for an attack in Melbourne

Lee
Johnson
Hilfenhaus
Bollinger

If our spinners are carp, perhaps it's time to go with an all seam attack? I'm glad I'm not a selector at the moment that's for sure.

regards,

REB

agree 100%................why the obsession with a spinner???....sure it gives variation but if they arent up to the task why pick them???............
look at the great West Indian team of the late 70's ealy 80's rarely if ever did they use a spinner, i realise we arent in the same league but they certainly proved that a spinner is not always required..........but then again they did have Garner, Holding, Robert and Croft....not a bad line-up in anyones terms.........

but seeing the last test at the Waca it make u realise just how much we miss Clark!!!......wot would i give to have him back in the side......ARGH!!!!!...

[Gozu]

That was pretty interesting reading in The Rupert today how much other cricketers around the world are hanging to see us lose. The Indians wernt even watching Dravid's century they were all watching the Test here on the TV screen. When you get down to it it's good for the game. We've been murdering sides for so long spearheaded by Warne and McGrath and all the trash talking under Steve Waugh and now everyone want's to see us get some back. Normally I cant stand the arrogance of the safricans but they've been handling themselves pretty well. No Andre Nel types yapping away to get us fired up.

They won that Test easily. It does feel like we're done. Unless Stuart Clark is fit for the return leg over there we might get flogged. Ponting's out of form, rigor mortis has set in with Hayden and Michael Clarke and Symonds are still playing like it doesnt matter if they get out someone else will get the runs. Our only batsman that has been truly impressive this year is Katich. Bowling wise Lee has got no one to hide behind anymore, Clark is injured, Siddle's no Test bowler, Johnson still despite the wickets still bowls a lot of rubbish and the spinners are all ordinary at best.

As painful as it all is it's still good viewing though. I used to get sick of say the Ashes getting pumped up like last time and we go out there and beat them 5-0. It's good to see us in a genuine battle.

[NFC]

You don't make wholesale changes just because a quality team chased you down on the fifth day on a flat wicket. The situation is this: our very best batsmen are contributing almost nothing. One of our lead quicks is out injured while our other is WAY below his best. Despite this we pushed the second placed side into the fifth day and made them chase a near world record last innings total for victory. Long story short, with a couple of form reversals and perhaps one minor change to the side we are a great chance to make it 1-1 with the Boxing Day test.

Everyone already knows what my change would be (Hilf in for Siddle) so I won't go into it. There isn't too much wrong with our line up - Krejza struggles with control but we've finally found a spinner who can produce those genuine wicket-taking deliveries. The problem right now is he bowls a few really excellent balls then a couple of shockers that immediately relieve any pressure he created. With good coaching and more opportunities at the highest level he should start cutting those out of his game, we just need to be a bit patient.

As for Lee, he's in the side to lead our attack and up until the Indian series he was doing a good job. We can't give up on him yet and we definitely cannot afford to drop him with someone like Clark missing.

Finally given all that Hayden has produced for our side over the years he deserves a chance to try to bring himself out of the slump he's in imo.

Great post mate although I do disagree on a few points.

Krejza has conceeded 100+ in each of his innings. Not good enough, simply can't control well enough to be our #1 spinner. I'd rather Haurtiz, at least he has the ability to contain the batsmen and dry up the runs. Might not take as many wickets but certainly won't go for as many runs. Krejza's time will come and as you said he certainly has plenty of promise but right now he's not what the doctor ordered.

I'm real worried about Lee. Fact of the matter is that he really relies on pace and without it he's a shadow of the player he once was. He now can't reach 150, is around 145 and is no longer the quickest bowler in the side. Shocking in India, average against NZ (one good spell), and a shocking 1st test against RSA; I'm sensing a real Gillespie style fade out.

Siddle isn't anywhere near being ready, hadn't done enough at FC level to even warrant a call-up but the selectors decided to take a gamble that hasn't paid off. Maybe give him another chance in 2-3 years but he's a long, long way off. Simply doesn't go enough with the ball and bowl enough wicket taking deliveries. I've been calling for the Hilf to get in the side for a long, long time now so it's fantastic to see him in the squad with a real chance of making the team. And given his selection, it would appear as though he'll be on the Ashes squad which is essential given his ability to swing the ball which will be furhter boosted by the English conditions.

[FD88]

There seems to be a perception among international circles recently that Siddle is basically the extent of our depth in terms of up-and-coming quicks. If that's the case and the Saffers lack a bit of respect, to be honest I can see the Hilf doing a bit of damage. Not to pump his tyres too much of course >_>

[Rik E Boy]

That was pretty interesting reading in The Rupert today how much other cricketers around the world are hanging to see us lose. The Indians wernt even watching Dravid's century they were all watching the Test here on the TV screen. When you get down to it it's good for the game. We've been murdering sides for so long spearheaded by Warne and McGrath and all the trash talking under Steve Waugh and now everyone want's to see us get some back. Normally I cant stand the arrogance of the safricans but they've been handling themselves pretty well. No Andre Nel types yapping away to get us fired up.

They won that Test easily. It does feel like we're done. Unless Stuart Clark is fit for the return leg over there we might get flogged. Ponting's out of form, rigor mortis has set in with Hayden and Michael Clarke and Symonds are still playing like it doesnt matter if they get out someone else will get the runs. Our only batsman that has been truly impressive this year is Katich. Bowling wise Lee has got no one to hide behind anymore, Clark is injured, Siddle's no Test bowler, Johnson still despite the wickets still bowls a lot of rubbish and the spinners are all ordinary at best.

As painful as it all is it's still good viewing though. I used to get sick of say the Ashes getting pumped up like last time and we go out there and beat them 5-0. It's good to see us in a genuine battle.

Top post. Although personally I don't mind Andre Nel, I reckon it's a bit of front the way he carries on. Usually straight after he has this goofy grin on his moosh. He's just competitive that's all. Yep, we are in rebuilding mode for sure. The Ashes is going to be a very tight series. The Saffies will be a perfect preparation IMO.

regards,

REB

[Psyber]

I haven't seen much of Hilfenhaus, but on what I've seen I'll be pleased if he is given a go.
I'd like to see more attacking field placings used too.

[stan]

Appartently the MCG pitch will be no joy for spinners. So I guess why play one. If you want a bit of variety then get symonds bowling off breaks and use simon katich.
Lets play our 4 best bowlers in the country. Which are Johnson, Lee, the HilFF and then probably Dirk Nannes (28wkts @ 19.00).

[Hazbeen]

Hauritz - 14 1st class wickets in 3 seasons.
A truely inspirational choice by the selectors.
Keep Krejza or try someone else as Hauritz is obviously not shield standard let alone up to playing for Australia.

Hauritz's move from Qld (where he couldn't get a game) to NSW has paid big dividends, inheritting a Baggy Green made available by SCG McGill which was reserved for a Blue Bagger.

[MADDOG3]

Looks like theiy're still doling out baggy greens in the brown paper bags at the SCG... Hauritz certainly does not deserve to be in the Aussie side - can't even get a game for the Shield side for crying out loud.

On that logic, Tait and Cullen Bailey could be playing. Sorry boys, might wanna move east if you're after national honours.

[NFC]

I haven't seen much of Hilfenhaus, but on what I've seen I'll be pleased if he is given ago.
I'd like to see more attacking field placings used too.

And believe it or not, Ponting was bagged for setting fields that were too attacking.