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

[ubeauty]

this might sound crazy but loosing this series could be a blessing in disguise........
its time for a clean out and time to start blooding some younger players.............

our team is way to old and up against quality younger opposition we have crumbled....aussie selectors take heed....................

YOU CRAZY

thats a shockin set of jatz crackers!!!!!!....

[Rotter]

Worst 13 man squad I have ever seen.

Trouble is we have to presume it's the best 13 man squad. That said, the series is gone so they might as well start seeing who can play up with an Ashes tour coming up.

[NFC]

Predict which year we will play someone (ie Hughes) under the age of 22?

2091. Shame I'll be dead.

[JK]

Dont be so pessimistic mate.

You might be around by then

[Hondo]

Predict which year we will play someone (ie Hughes) under the age of 22?

2091. Shame I'll be dead.

Steve Waugh is on record as saying that the selectors shouldn't have picked him at age 20, in hindsight. He said he simply wasn't ready for it at that age.

Don't be too quick to rush these kids into the side. They play until they are 36 these days there's no need to rush.

Gilly was 25 or so, Hayden was about 27 before he hit his straps, even Punter only really got going at about 23-24 or so and he was viewed far more highly than our mate Phil Hughes who has only 1 and a 1/2 good seasons under his belt.

[silicone skyline]

Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Michael Clarke, all early 20 debutants. There's no reason why they shouldn't give Hughes a go.

[ubeauty]

who cares wot age they are??.........if they are performing give em a go!!!!.....nothing to loose and everthing to gain...............................................

the aussies average age must be well over 30, which i have no problem with but all it means is we are gonna have to make more changes in the very near future and one of the things associated with a successful team is stability....

[Hondo]

Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Michael Clarke, all early 20 debutants. There's no reason why they shouldn't give Hughes a go.

There's a difference between early 20s and 20. Clarke was 23 - 3 years older than Hughes. McGrath was 24. Clarke had to be dropped because it was still too soon for him.

The others are legends of the game I don't think comparing Hughes to those guys is right.

If you do more harm than good playing them too early what's achieved? I am not saying delay him to 25, just wait until he's played more than 16 games for NSW It's a huge step up from belting State bowling attacks to test cricket.

He'll probably play in the Ashes and that's soon enough IMO

[stan]

In my opinion Hauritz should hold his spot. He did actually bowl reasonably well in the first dig considering. I would say the selectors will probably leave Hayden in the team and expect a fair well from the SCG for him. To replace Lee I think is a fair call to have Bollinger and Nannies in the squad. Nannes has 28 wickets this season as 19.85 I think. And Bollinger is bowling well after his return from injury. McDonald is a true alround in the sense that his medium pacers are good at shield level. As a 4 seamer he would actually be alright at test level. I would not want to see him as the 3rd seamer but as a 4th its not a bad selection. BUT and a big BUT is that I would prefer us to play a batsem like D.Hussey or M.North at that 6th spot. We really dont have a allrounder ready for a spot. Symonds has in the past looked alright in that spot, but now with his injury and lack of form and hes gone and Watson is injuryed but still never really looked at home, except for the indian series.
Just for the record my team for the final test would be, and sorry Hayden but the time has come.
1. Katich
2. Rogers
3. Ponting
4. Hussey
5. Clarke
6. D.Hussey
7. Haddin
8. Johnson
9. Hauritz
10. Siddle
11. The HilF

12. Nannes

I would play Rogers in the last test. He has made the runs so lets back him, see what he has and give him first crack at that spot. Give Jacques some time to get back into first class cricket and then see where things are at, I would say if he can get back to his best then he will walk into that opening possie. So definitly take him to England. Also young hughes, Take him to England. Not quite ready.

[NFC]

Predict which year we will play someone (ie Hughes) under the age of 22?

2091. Shame I'll be dead.

Steve Waugh is on record as saying that the selectors shouldn't have picked him at age 20, in hindsight. He said he simply wasn't ready for it at that age.

Don't be too quick to rush these kids into the side. They play until they are 36 these days there's no need to rush.

Gilly was 25 or so, Hayden was about 27 before he hit his straps, even Punter only really got going at about 23-24 or so and he was viewed far more highly than our mate Phil Hughes who has only 1 and a 1/2 good seasons under his belt.

Mate some players are clearly freaks and a class above. So what that he's 20? He's clearly a freakish talent and has dominated strong bowling attacks all over the country. Made 90 odd and 110 in the same match and made almost 60% of his teams runs, at 19, the guy is a class act and should be playing in Sydney, if not Sydney then the first test in South Africa.

[locky801]

Predict which year we will play someone (ie Hughes) under the age of 22?

2091. Shame I'll be dead.

Steve Waugh is on record as saying that the selectors shouldn't have picked him at age 20, in hindsight. He said he simply wasn't ready for it at that age.

Don't be too quick to rush these kids into the side. They play until they are 36 these days there's no need to rush.

Gilly was 25 or so, Hayden was about 27 before he hit his straps, even Punter only really got going at about 23-24 or so and he was viewed far more highly than our mate Phil Hughes who has only 1 and a 1/2 good seasons under his belt.

Mate some players are clearly freaks and a class above. So what that he's 20? He's clearly a freakish talent and has dominated strong bowling attacks all over the country. Made 90 odd and 110 in the same match and made almost 60% of his teams runs, at 19, the guy is a class act and should be playing in Sydney, if not Sydney then the first test in South Africa.

And we have seen how good Australia's strong bowling attacks around the country have been, but the lad has the runs and form on the board, there are others that don't, I say give him a go

[Dog_ger]

Maybe a couple of selectors need replacing....

[Adelaide Hawk]

Bradman was turning world cricket on it's ear at 21. Just as well we didn't put limits on people's ages back then huh?

Some players mature quicker than others. Whilst some may not be up to it until 24-25, others are ready at 21. If Hughes is good enough, get him in.

[Hondo]

Bradman was turning world cricket on it's ear at 21. Just as well we didn't put limits on people's ages back then huh?

Some players mature quicker than others. Whilst some may not be up to it until 24-25, others are ready at 21. If Hughes is good enough, get him in.

Thanks AH I think you've proven my point. Previously, the evidence for the readiness of 20 year olds was Tendulkar and Lara ... now you add Bradman SAFooty hysteria over a new player reaches new heights.

(This is to NFC) ... wow, he scored a 100 and a 90 in the SAME match. Get him in the Test side quick! Do you realise how many guys in the history of the Sheffield Shield have scored heavily in State Cricket but not been able to step up to test cricket ... Yallop, Dyson, McCosker, Hookes all come quickly to mind. But you say Hughes is a "freak" because he makes a few Shield centuries? If he's a freak for scoring 600 runs what does that make Klinger who's made 300 more against the same bowlers.

None of us know if this bright prospect is ready. Maybe he is. But history says that very few guys are ready to step into Test Cricket with only one full season of first class cricket behind them. IF he's not ready, then we do more harm than good rushing him in, even though he looks very, very promising.

[Rik E Boy]

............Do you realise how many guys in the history of the Sheffield Shield have scored heavily in State Cricket but not been able to step up to test cricket ... Yallop, Dyson, McCosker, Hookes all come quickly to mind...

A bit harsh on Graham Yallop hondo. Yallop's average is a healthy 41 with a high score of 268. He also went on to captain his country at a very difficult time.

GN YallopTests 39 Inns 70 Not out 3 Runs 2756 HS 268 Avg. 41.13

Also a little bit harsh on Rick McCosker who averaged nearly 40 at the top of the innings and scored four test centuries.

RB McCosker Tests 25 Inns 46 Not out 5 Runs 1622 HS 127 Avg. 39.56

regards,

REB

[rod_rooster]

Bradman was turning world cricket on it's ear at 21. Just as well we didn't put limits on people's ages back then huh?

Some players mature quicker than others. Whilst some may not be up to it until 24-25, others are ready at 21. If Hughes is good enough, get him in.

Thanks AH I think you've proven my point. Previously, the evidence for the readiness of 20 year olds was Tendulkar and Lara ... now you add Bradman SAFooty hysteria over a new player reaches new heights.

(This is to NFC) ... wow, he scored a 100 and a 90 in the SAME match. Get him in the Test side quick! Do you realise how many guys in the history of the Sheffield Shield have scored heavily in State Cricket but not been able to step up to test cricket ... Yallop, Dyson, McCosker, Hookes all come quickly to mind. But you say Hughes is a "freak" because he makes a few Shield centuries? If he's a freak for scoring 600 runs what does that make Klinger who's made 300 more against the same bowlers.

None of us know if this bright prospect is ready. Maybe he is. But history says that very few guys are ready to step into Test Cricket with only one full season of first class cricket behind them. IF he's not ready, then we do more harm than good rushing him in, even though he looks very, very promising.

Hondo, that is a fantastic post. Well said. Hughes has enormous potential so why would we rush him into the side now? South Africa have a magnificent attack and picking him now could really dent his confidence and set him back for a long time. Sure guys like Bradman, Lara and Tendulkar started early but these are 3 of the best players of all time.

[rod_rooster]

............Do you realise how many guys in the history of the Sheffield Shield have scored heavily in State Cricket but not been able to step up to test cricket ... Yallop, Dyson, McCosker, Hookes all come quickly to mind...

A bit harsh on Graham Yallop hondo. Yallop's average is a healthy 41 with a high score of 268. He also went on to captain his country at a very difficult time.

GN YallopTests 39 Inns 70 Not out 3 Runs 2756 HS 268 Avg. 41.13

Also a little bit harsh on Rick McCosker who averaged nearly 40 at the top of the innings and scored four test centuries.

RB McCosker Tests 25 Inns 46 Not out 5 Runs 1622 HS 127 Avg. 39.56

regards,

REB

Yet people label Symonds a "dud".

A Symonds Tests 26 Inns 41 Not out 5 Runs 1462 HS 162* Avg. 40.61

Not to mention Symonds' value in the field and with the ball. Sure he hasn't been fit the last couple of Tests and shouldn't have played this one but he is a much better player than people give him credit for.

[Rik E Boy]

I wouldn't call Roy a dud but he is one of many not providing value at the moment. We've dropped the series so injured players should be given a rest and that appears to have been done. Let's hope MacDonald and The Hilf can shake up the Jarpies in Sydney.

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

A bit harsh on Graham Yallop hondo. Yallop's average is a healthy 41 with a high score of 268. He also went on to captain his country at a very difficult time.

GN YallopTests 39 Inns 70 Not out 3 Runs 2756 HS 268 Avg. 41.13

Also a little bit harsh on Rick McCosker who averaged nearly 40 at the top of the innings and scored four test centuries.

RB McCosker Tests 25 Inns 46 Not out 5 Runs 1622 HS 127 Avg. 39.56

regards,

REB

Yes you are right, I was a bit harsh. I was trying to point out players that, if you looked solely at their first class stats, you'd call "freaks" like Phil Hughes apparently is because he's scored 600 runs this season. "Freaks" who you'd therefore expect to have scored 8000+ test runs, yet finished their careers nowhere close.

I could replace them with a host of names like Geoff Moss, Robbie Kerr, Wayne Phillips, Dene Hills, Michael Bevan. No disrespect intended to this quality State players, however there is a huge difference between State cricket and Test cricket. Just because you rack up some big Shield stats is no guarantee you'll step up to the next level.

Hughes looks great, no question. But calm down on the expectations on the lad at age 20 is all I am promoting.

[the big bang]

Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Glenn McGrath, Michael Clarke, all early 20 debutants. There's no reason why they shouldn't give Hughes a go.

wasnt the little master something more like 16?