2ND TEST MATCH AUST V STH. AFRICA AT THE MCG

[catchisthecry]

Nice sarcasm.
SA blooding Duminy really hurt didn't it...
You can find examples for anything.
Let's pick players who are in form and can contribute, not fading stars playing on past glories.

Blooding one player into and experienced lineup as South Africa have done with Duminy is not exactly akin to what people are suggesting Australia should be doing. Duminy has all the blokes around him to give advice and support. Australia already has Siddle who is in just his 3rd Test, Hauritz the same, Haddin has only been in the side for 8 months, another debutant in Hilfenhaus will play in Sydney with Lee injured but people want to bring in another two debutants to add to that list. FFS it simply is a recipe for disaster. 3 debutants, 2 other players playing just their 4th Test, Haddin very inexperienced, Mike Hussey terribly out of form. Could get very very ugly for Australia if that happens.

Fair enough, but at what stage do you say enough is enough?
Heard Damien Fleming on ABC radio this morning and he made an interesting point... Obviously we are missing Warne and McGrath but those blokes had senior bowlers around them who knew how to bowl - Gillespie, Bichel, Kasper, Reiffel etc.. all experienced campaigners.
Probably backing your argument more than my own Rod So point taken!

[The Yetti]

Nice sarcasm.
SA blooding Duminy really hurt didn't it...
You can find examples for anything.
Let's pick players who are in form and can contribute, not fading stars playing on past glories.

Good Call Catchisthe cry
It is not long ago we were laughing at the poms who only had 1 player under thirty in their side.
I am pretty sure we only have 2 under thirty in our side at the moment.
Ian Chappell retired at around 31.
Players are staying in the game for $$$$$ (and you can't blame them) Not just in the test but also in the Sheffield shield.

Where are the Lehmann's and Hookes who were playing state cricket as teenagers?
AFL players are drafted at 17 and 18 and fading stars are delisted or put on 1 year contracts at 30 by most AFL clubs

Previous posts adout Australia looking mentally and physically shot are spot on .....fading stars

[rod_rooster]

Making a comparison between ages of AFL footballers and cricketers is seriously one of the most stupid things i have read on this site. I should know too as i say my fair share of stupid things

[alamodog]

Thats the problem that Hayden has encountered. A team that can catch behind the wicket...and to make it worse, he is incapable of adjusting his game. He can't put his head down and grind out an innings...which is what we needed. Hayden is the only one that should be dropped due to lack of form.

[The Yetti]

Making a comparison between ages of AFL footballers and cricketers is seriously one of the most stupid things i have read on this site. I should know too as i say my fair share of stupid things

Thanks for that RR
Why is it it one of the most stupid things that you have read on this site?

At 30 eyesight begins to fade
Soft tissue injuries increase
You are getting older, slower and wiser

[rod_rooster]

Nice sarcasm.
SA blooding Duminy really hurt didn't it...
You can find examples for anything.
Let's pick players who are in form and can contribute, not fading stars playing on past glories.

Blooding one player into and experienced lineup as South Africa have done with Duminy is not exactly akin to what people are suggesting Australia should be doing. Duminy has all the blokes around him to give advice and support. Australia already has Siddle who is in just his 3rd Test, Hauritz the same, Haddin has only been in the side for 8 months, another debutant in Hilfenhaus will play in Sydney with Lee injured but people want to bring in another two debutants to add to that list. FFS it simply is a recipe for disaster. 3 debutants, 2 other players playing just their 4th Test, Haddin very inexperienced, Mike Hussey terribly out of form. Could get very very ugly for Australia if that happens.

Fair enough, but at what stage do you say enough is enough?
Heard Damien Fleming on ABC radio this morning and he made an interesting point... Obviously we are missing Warne and McGrath but those blokes had senior bowlers around them who knew how to bowl - Gillespie, Bichel, Kasper, Reiffel etc.. all experienced campaigners.
Probably backing your argument more than my own Rod So point taken!

I don't know the answer but i really think the selectors need to have a plan in place to ensure we don't have a situation where we lose a whole group of players at once. Young players coming into the side need to have experience around them.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Symonds should never have played in this match, he is simply NOT FIT, and as such SHOULDNT play in Sydney

I was once Symonds' biggest supporter. I used to push for his selection in Test teams and World Cup squads long before other people ever did. He was a spectacular player, a clean crisp hitter of the ball, brilliant fielder and could help out with some handy medium pace and off spin bowling. He did well.

However, the worst thing that can happen to a professional sportsman (apart from injury) happened to Symonds. He lost the hunger, and the passion to play for Australia. He decided he'd rather go fishing than attend boring team meetings, etc.

I had no problem with any of that. Nobody holds a gun at someone's head and forces them to play cricket for Australia. If Roy had lost the passion, that was disappointing, but easy to understand.

Why he decided to play again when he clearly shows disinterest in what he is doing is a mystery to me. Once again though, that was Roy's decision. Contractual obligation maybe? Who knows?

Where I have the problem is in why the selectors chose to re-include him in the team when he had done nothing for Queensland in his "come-back". He should have been expected to make at least one century before being selected.

I appreciate Roy is injured at present but it goes much deeper than that. He looks as disinterested in being out there as Damien Martyn did in those last two Tests against England.

Sadly, time's up for Roy when I honestly felt he had at least 3-4 more years of top cricket left in him. I will be very surprised if he plays Test cricket for Australia again.

[brod]

Symonds should never have played in this match, he is simply NOT FIT, and as such SHOULDNT play in Sydney

I was once Symonds' biggest supporter. I used to push for his selection in Test teams and World Cup squads long before other people ever did. He was a spectacular player, a clean crisp hitter of the ball, brilliant fielder and could help out with some handy medium pace and off spin bowling. He did well.

However, the worst thing that can happen to a professional sportsman (apart from injury) happened to Symonds. He lost the hunger, and the passion to play for Australia. He decided he'd rather go fishing than attend boring team meetings, etc.

I had no problem with any of that. Nobody holds a gun at someone's head and forces them to play cricket for Australia. If Roy had lost the passion, that was disappointing, but easy to understand.

Why he decided to play again when he clearly shows disinterest in what he is doing is a mystery to me. Once again though, that was Roy's decision. Contractual obligation maybe? Who knows?

Where I have the problem is in why the selectors chose to re-include him in the team when he had done nothing for Queensland in his "come-back". He should have been expected to make at least one century before being selected.

I appreciate Roy is injured at present but it goes much deeper than that. He looks as disinterested in being out there as Damien Martyn did in those last two Tests against England.

Sadly, time's up for Roy when I honestly felt he had at least 3-4 more years of top cricket left in him. I will be very surprised if he plays Test cricket for Australia again.

Good point of view..and i say that Id agree with that

[jackpot jim]

Making a comparison between ages of AFL footballers and cricketers is seriously one of the most stupid things i have read on this site. I should know too as i say my fair share of stupid things

I'll never agree on Symonds with u RR but i agree with u on this one.
Ages of Footballers and Cricketers Retirement ages are chalk and cheese.
Gee, i gave up Footy at 21 and am still playing cricket and having one of my best seasons with the bat at age of double that.

[Adelaide Hawk]

At 30 eyesight begins to fade
Soft tissue injuries increase
You are getting older, slower and wiser

Two classic examples of cricketers whose careers came to screeching halts because of failing eyesight were Lawrence Rowe and Wayne Phillips. It happens.

[rod_rooster]

Making a comparison between ages of AFL footballers and cricketers is seriously one of the most stupid things i have read on this site. I should know too as i say my fair share of stupid things

Thanks for that RR
Why is it it one of the most stupid things that you have read on this site?

At 30 eyesight begins to fade
Soft tissue injuries increase
You are getting older, slower and wiser

Different sports, different physical requirements. A footballer and a cricketer peak at different stages and that is widely accepted. Footballers are in their prime at a much earlier age than a cricketer and for a much shorter time. For example Mike Hussey did not debut until he was 31. He has averaged 60 despite his current form slump. Name me a footballer who has debuted at 31 and has been a success for several years?

[brod]

If Ponting makes a ton here, it will be just his THIRD in the third innings of a match, where he averages only 43.
Also Ponting averages only 35 when the Aussies lose (do we rely on him)

[Dogwatcher]

While we're talking ins and outs - let's talk selectors.

Some of the decision making in the past three series (Ind/NZ/SA) has been mind boggling. Playing favourites and picking blokes at the wrong time, or too late or who are injured.

[jackpot jim]

If Ponting makes a ton here, it will be just his THIRD in the third innings of a match, where he averages only 43.
Also Ponting averages only 35 when the Aussies lose (do we rely on him)

3rd Innings ?

[silicone skyline]

This is the third innings of the game.

[brod]

This is the third innings of the game.

Correct a mundo

[silicone skyline]

Ponting on 87.

Lee bowled.

No connection?

[rod_rooster]

If Ponting makes a ton here, it will be just his THIRD in the third innings of a match, where he averages only 43.
Also Ponting averages only 35 when the Aussies lose (do we rely on him)

3rd Innings ?

He's referring to the third innings of the match. Aus 1st innings, SA 2nd innings, Aus 3rd innings, SA 4th innings.

Lee gone.

Aus 7/180 at tea.

[Dutchy]

and no mention of the coach who just got an extention to the end of 2011

[mighty_tiger_79]

Making a comparison between ages of AFL footballers and cricketers is seriously one of the most stupid things i have read on this site. I should know too as i say my fair share of stupid things

I'll never agree on Symonds with u RR but i agree with u on this one.
Ages of Footballers and Cricketers Retirement ages are chalk and cheese.
Gee, i gave up Footy at 21 and am still playing cricket and having one of my best seasons with the bat at age of double that.

do you open the batting JJ??

If you do theres a vacancy in the Australian team opening the batting........