Ashes Squad Selection

[Hondo]

Pup when he failed in the first dig in my mind that was it TBH. Scratching around this dig seals it for me that his best is behind him.

I was trying to be fair to him when I gave him one more innings. But it was only to convince me he's still got it, not to send him to England, because I've said all along there's no obvious alternative so he'll probably go regardless.

I then made the comment about the "2nd innings of a dead rubber" because I knew the Hussey fan club would be shouting the house down if he scored 100

Even you know there's doubt because you also said he needed to score this innings. I know you know he's in trouble because you're so defensive about him when I bring this up. Dean Jones says he's finished but Deano is infamous for his big statements.

[Rik E Boy]

Hussey is struggling but to say he's finished is pushing it a bit far. I reckon Jones lets his jealousy show a fair bit sometimes. Maybe he said it to get in before our very own Greg Matthews.

regards,

REB

[Pup]

And now he is out regardless.

39

[hearts on fire]

It's sad to see Hussey like this, but i think he needs to go.

Hayden was told to go because of his poor form, now it's his turn.

[rod_rooster]

Whilst i agree Hussey is struggling and he must be on very shaky ground who would replace him? It's very easy to say he should be dropped but there needs to be a replacement. None of this Hodge rubbish either cos it just won't happen. Is it maybe time to have Clarke step up and bat at 4 and allow Hussey to slide down to 5 or 6? This might be worth a shot rather than simply dropping the guy.

[Dogwatcher]

Agreed Rod.

[Ned]

Whilst i agree Hussey is struggling and he must be on very shaky ground who would replace him? It's very easy to say he should be dropped but there needs to be a replacement. None of this Hodge rubbish either cos it just won't happen. Is it maybe time to have Clarke step up and bat at 4 and allow Hussey to slide down to 5 or 6? This might be worth a shot rather than simply dropping the guy.

Problem solved, swap him and Clarke around in the batting order. Big difference in batting 5 than 4 .

The signs are there that he is on the way out, we can ignore these or push on with him in the side similar to 2005 when Gillespie played when out of form and all of a sudden the Ashes are lost.

[Ned]

Will Be Selected

Katich
Hughes
Ponting
Clarke
North
Haddin
McDonald
Johnson
Siddle
Hauritz

Maybe Selected
Batsmen
Rogers
M.Hussey
Fergusson
Klinger

All Rounders

J.Hopes
A.Symonds
C.White

Bowlers
Lee
Clark
Bollinger
Hillfenhaus
Geeves
Magoffin

Spin Bowlers
Krejza
McGain

Keepers
Manou
Hartly

Smokeys

D.Hussey
Hodge
Butterworth
Wade
Dorey
R.Harris

.

[Rik E Boy]

The signs are there that he is on the way out, we can ignore these or push on with him in the side similar to 2005 when Gillespie played when out of form and all of a sudden the Ashes are lost.

That is a very good analogy. Dizzy's demise was heartbreaking to witness.

regards,

REB

[Hondo]

The options are there for Hussey's spot, it depends how daring the selectors want to be:

Hodge - could easily do a reasonable job, or at least as good as what Huss has done recently
Katich - move to 4/5 and slot Jaques or Rogers in with Hughes to open
Ferguson - move Clarke to 4, Ferg at 5 (10 years younger, good look to the future)
David Hussey - not sold on him myself but a reasonable alternative surely
Klinger - more of an outside chance

To me, all are very reasonable alternatives. Ferg is my favourite, good chance to give him a crack on an Ashes tour. We've blooded players before on Ashes tours with good success.

I was using the "who else" argument when I was trying to defend Adock being captain of SA and, in hindsight I was wrong. It's not the right way to look at it. Rod, you yourself told me this. Swapping him to 5 is hardly going to make any difference.

Are we picking on form or reputation?

[Ned]

The options are there for Hussey's spot, it depends how daring the selectors want to be:

Hodge - could easily do a reasonable job, or at least as good as what Huss has done recently
Katich - move to 4/5 and slot Jaques or Rogers in with Hughes to open
Ferguson - move Clarke to 4, Ferg at 5 (10 years younger, good look to the future)
David Hussey - not sold on him myself but a reasonable alternative surely
Klinger - more of an outside chance

To me, all are very reasonable alternatives.

I was using the "who else" argument when I was trying to defend Adock being captain of SA and, in hindsight I was wrong. It's not the right way to look at it. Rod, you yourself told me this. Swapping him to 5 is hardly going to make any difference.

Are we picking on form or reputation? DW, you preached this to me when we were debating Matt Hayden. Huss' form slump is now officially longer and worse than Haydos'.

Good call Hondo.
In 2005 England were not sure on one batting spot before the 1st test, it was to be out of the old warhorse in G.Thorpe who had a good record against the Aussies or a young K.Peiterson yet to make his debut. They picked Peiterson and he played a big part in the regaining of the Ashes. Even though I am a big Hodge fan at age 34 I dont think he will be picked. Hussey out Fergusson in, as we have seen with Hughes in the S.A series, and with Peiterson in 2005 the excitment and exuberance of youth will prevail.

[rod_rooster]

The options are there for Hussey's spot, it depends how daring the selectors want to be:

Hodge - could easily do a reasonable job, or at least as good as what Huss has done recently
Katich - move to 4/5 and slot Jaques or Rogers in with Hughes to open
Ferguson - move Clarke to 4, Ferg at 5 (10 years younger, good look to the future)
David Hussey - not sold on him myself but a reasonable alternative surely
Klinger - more of an outside chance

To me, all are very reasonable alternatives. Ferg is my favourite, good chance to give him a crack on an Ashes tour. We've blooded players before on Ashes tours with good success.

I was using the "who else" argument when I was trying to defend Adock being captain of SA and, in hindsight I was wrong. It's not the right way to look at it. Rod, you yourself told me this. Swapping him to 5 is hardly going to make any difference.

Are we picking on form or reputation?

You do make a good point hondo but of your options there Hodge is no chance and Katich won't be moved from opening. Your assesment of the others is pretty much my line of thinking though. I am not saying that Hussey shouldn't be dropped because there is no-one else i would just like to know who those calling for his axing would replace him with as well as where that replacement would bat.

Personally i'd give Hussey another chance but bat him at 6 with Clarke to bat at 4 and North at 5. If he still struggles Ferguson would be the guy i'd bring in.

[Media Park]

So there's 17 players???


Kat
Hughes
Ponting (c)
M Huss
M Clarke
North
Ferguson
Klinger
Haddin (wk)
Manou (wk)
Watson
McDonald
Johnson
Clark
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Hauritz

[stan]

Whilst i agree Hussey is struggling and he must be on very shaky ground who would replace him? It's very easy to say he should be dropped but there needs to be a replacement. None of this Hodge rubbish either cos it just won't happen. Is it maybe time to have Clarke step up and bat at 4 and allow Hussey to slide down to 5 or 6? This might be worth a shot rather than simply dropping the guy.

Yeah agree with this!

[Gozu]

I'd tell Hussey he's got the first two Tests. After that if he still hasn't made some runs then I think he would deserve to be dropped and unfortunately I wouldn't consider him again given he's almost 34.

I'm not sure if he still intends to play in the IPL next month but the selector's should really convince him to take a break and freshen up. We've still got the 2 x T20 matches and 5 x ODI's left of this South African tour, then we go straight to the Middle East for 5 x ODI's and 1 x T20 match against Pakistan in the UAE and Abu Dhabi. At that point there would be about 3-4 weeks left of the IPL season and once that finishes there is only 1-2 week break before the T20 World Cup and Ashes in England. We'll be in England for like three and half months then go to India for 7 x ODI's, then back to South Africa (I think) for the ICC Champions Trophy and then come back here to start our summer. It's a packed schedule and that's obviously why not many of our Test guys are going to play in the IPL this year.

[FlyingHigh]

Whilst i agree Hussey is struggling and he must be on very shaky ground who would replace him? It's very easy to say he should be dropped but there needs to be a replacement. None of this Hodge rubbish either cos it just won't happen. Is it maybe time to have Clarke step up and bat at 4 and allow Hussey to slide down to 5 or 6? This might be worth a shot rather than simply dropping the guy.

Yep agree Rod, think it helps the balance of our batting line-up in general.

[Pidge]

So there's 17 players???


Kat
Hughes
Ponting (c)
M Huss
M Clarke
North
Ferguson
Klinger
Haddin (wk)
Manou (wk)
Watson
McDonald
Johnson
Clark
Siddle
Hilfenhaus
Hauritz

I would leave Klinger out and take either Magoffin or Bollinger.
I would replace Watto with Roy.

[hearts on fire]

Pidge, are you serious about Magoffin?

[Pidge]

Pidge, are you serious about Magoffin?

I like Magoffin, obviously you dont?

[hearts on fire]

I never said i don't like Magoffin, i just don't think he will be packing his bags for England.

Klinger is ten times better than him.