The whole rotation/selection thing

[Kiwi Eagle]

Interesting debate on all of this

I can see where they are coming from with the bowlers but to me it is crazy to be resting a fit Warner for risk of burnout, it's not like he has been getting huge scores or anything

Leaving Hussey out to look at the future is a strange one when in the same squad they pick Haddin over an in from Paine

And just on the keeping, I again found it crazy for a selector to say that if they take 2 keepers to India and England, Haddin will be going. Gives no incentive to Paine to perform to make a tour and could also mean Haddin coasts knowing performances don't really matter

 

[Volley]

I'm fine with them resting players from ODI's tbh. In Tests though, pick your best available side.

In form Paine? He's averaging less than 22 with the bat in Shield this season, and averaging 20 in the Ryobi Cup (domestic 50 overs comp).

He's going ok in the Big Bash, but a long way to go to push for higher honours in the other forms.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Fair point, all I have seen is the Big Bash though and he looks in fair form in that, definitely comparable to Haddin

I understand resting Clarke with his back issues, it's just the Warner one that is weird for me

 

[Chip and Chase]

It might be also a tactic for the selectors to have a look at some of the candidates for the vacancies left by Punter and Huss retiring. I know that the ODI's aren't necesarily that great as a yardstick for Test selection, but it's better than nothing. I'm guessing that they want to have a look at as many options as possible by leaving out Clarke, Hussey, Watson, Warner and Wade.

I must admit that the Haddin selection is a bit of a puzzling one, are they saying he is likely to be the back up option for Wade on upcoming tours to India and England ?? Maybe they just want a bit of an experienced old head in there to help the young guys, only really Dave Hussey that fits that bill outside Haddin. I don't mind Haddin to be honest, and he could still be our test keeper except for him having to give up his spot because of personal issues.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

If we look at the next test tour to India, who is the 2nd spinner ? Is Maxwell up to much or more of a part timer ? Again only going on Big Bash stuff so not the best guide but Beer hasn't looked too bad

Don't think Wade 6 Johnson 7 is viable v the stronger nations, obviously Watson comes into the side if fit. Khawaja an option for 6 ? Tbh he hasn't convinced me at all from what I have seen of him, haven't seen a lot of young bats coming through in the BBL either really. Burns looked ok the time I saw him. Lynn hits the ball nicely as well.

 

[Volley]

Maxwell's spin hasn't impressed me much tbh.

I think Haddin still has it in him for the year ahead. He'd be my second choice for India and the Ashes.

Johnson at 7 has no mileage at all. Khawaja has to be next cab off the rank.

Warner
Cowan
Hughes
Watson
Clarke
Khawaja
Wade
Siddle
Pattinson
Lyon
Bird

Johnson
Starc
Hazlewood
Haddin

I'd tour with at least those guys for the Ashes, injuries of course permitting.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

You'd need at least 1 more bat in that squad probably, unless Wade played as a specialist and Haddin gloves

 

[Volley]

Agreed, I couldn't think of anyone worthy. Maybe Moises Henriques, who's finally doing something at Shield Level (78 with the bat, 17 with the ball this season).

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Amazing how far the likes of Marsh and Quiney have dropped off after their shot at tests.

Been impressed with Rohrer a few times in this big bash, he is getting on a bit though isn't he ? Forrest seems to have gone backwards. Bailey any good in the longer form ?

 

[Chip and Chase]

Marsh keeps getting injured. I don't think Quiney was ever a serious contender, they just used him as Phil Hughes' human shield during the SA series.

The balance of the lineup depends on lot on whether Shane Watson is going to be doing much bowling moving forward. If he concentrates on batting then we may be short in the bowling department. Aussie selectors have had a long time love affair with picking all rounders for the sake of it, regardless of ability. We carried Symonds for a long time before he produced, we've had White, McDonald, Smith, North etc. If you could be certain Johnson could get consistency in his bowling then he isn't the worst option, his batting is pretty handy on its day.

 

[The Eagle]

What is it with Aussie keepers these days and sucking ass? Wade cant catch up close but makes a ridiculous catch 30 metres plus behind his position

Haddin is pretty much Haddin

On the rotational policy i'd like to see the selectors rotated out of Cricket Australia and over to South Africa so they can rest Stein next series,****ing imbiciles rested Starc for possibly the biggest show of the year and for what? because he may get injured? Look at what happened to Hilfy,he got rested and then he got injured,probably because of the rest

Did they rest Dennis Lillee? Glenn McGrath? Craig McDermott? No they didnt rest any of these blokes needlessly and they performed for long careers and were well respected the world over

 

[Fluffy]

Watson wouldnt be able to hold his spot as just a bat if we werent so weak on backups right now and punter/huss retiring. May even swap cowan for watson then bring in khwaja.

I would try to keep a lefty in the side johnson or starc. Bird is 26 so hitting peak body fitness and along with siddle dont need to be rested.

Spinners to back up i heard were the 2 young fellas Zampa and boyce for experience in spin friendly conditions

 

[Chip and Chase]

Watson wouldnt be able to hold his spot as just a bat ....

We're about to find out, as it is being reported today that he is taking an indefinite break from bowling to concentrate on his batting and reduce his risk of injury. Definitely opens up a spot for a bowling allrounder on upcoming tours, and one would imagine that it would be a spinning allrounder as our fast bowling stocks are pretty healty at the moment.

 

[Volley]

He should be taking an indefinite break from International cricket if he won't be bowling.

 

[Chip and Chase]

If we drop Watson (38 Tests) we'll have a side very short on experience at Test level. We've lost Ponting (168 Tests) and Huss (79 Tests), Clarke has 89 Tests under his belt and the rest of the current lineup is

Warner 15
Cowan 13
Hughes 20
Wade 9

Any likely replacements for Huss and Watson will only have a handful of Tests at best. We have two very tough tours coming up in India and the Ashes, so that's a big weight for Clarke to carry.

We all know that Watson has some technical issues with his batting, but I think he can hold his spot outright as a batsman. We need him for the next 12 months, at least until someone better throws their hand up anyway.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Amazing how quick you guys rack up test matches !! Warner around a year and 15 already

I see they were talking about leaving Watson out of the ODI series when he is fit and have him batting in Shield cricket instead, that would be a smart move

How secure is Cowans slot ? I think he will be a reasonable opener if persisted with, capable of averaging 40-45 which is solid without being outstanding, but only averaging 32 at the moment so not sure how long he will get to prove that

 

[Chip and Chase]

Watson is only averaging in the 30's, and Hughes would have to be less than 40 also.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

It's amazing the change in the space of 15 years with the batting

Names like Hodge, Siddons, Love, Lehmann, Maher, D Hussey, Bevan etc all churning out big runs but barely getting a chance, if they were even lucky enough to get a crack. All would probably stroll into a tour these days

 

[Volley]

Richard Chee Quee would probably get a start.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Maybe we need to follow the poms lead and advertise for batsmen in South Africa.