Symonds seen as spin twin

[aussie1st]

AUSTRALIA has moved into the post-Shane Warne era by ordering explosive all rounder Andrew Symonds to shelve his medium pace and focus on spin.

Symonds revealed yesterday he had been advised by selectors to concentrate on practising his off spin with a view to becoming a spinning sidekick for Stuart MacGill in the Test side this summer.

MacGill is first in line to fill the biggest boots in world cricket - those of world record Test wicket-taker Warne - and Australia wants to lighten his load by having Symonds as a spin-bowling foil.

Full article here

Not a bad move, the coach should help him with a bit more variation and turn with his off spin.

 

[rickyp]

So does that mean....

Hayden
Jaques/Rogers/Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Watson/Hodge
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill

I would think that would suggest Symonds is in line to retain his spot, but does that mean Watson will play middle order, open, or not play at all. Given his world cup and pre injury form, surely they couldn't leave him out...

 

[Gilly Fan]

Mark, where is Gilly in that line up. No, Watson would never open in tests! No way!

 

[rickyp]

oh yeah lol.... EDIT!

 

[aussie1st]

I cant see the selectors relying on Symonds as the 4th bowler, he'll be more likely 5th. We're have the usual 4 specialist bowlers and then have Symonds off spin.

 

[Left_Hander]

I don't like this. Symonds is not a bad bowler but to be considered to be playing as a second fiddle with McGill seems a bit odd to me.

Mark having Gilchrist at 8 is far to low I believe.

 

[Hooper]

If he develops his Off Spin he could turn out to be great value for the Australians.

Iam a big fan of Big Symmo and I wish him the best, but I dont know if he can be looked upon to be a reliable option as a spin bowler in Tests. Sure, hes pretty effective in the ODIs with his variation and flat bowling. But when it comes to Tests he may have to bowl in excess of 20 overs, if the selectors are serious about him becoming a "Spin Twin" to MacGill.

However, I want him to succeed in the Test arena with both bat and ball and if the selectors are gonna finally show some faith in him than Iam all for it. Its about time he is looked as a permanent member of our Test XI. But Ponting also has to give some time to his bowling - I remember in the 3rd Ashes test in Perth when he picked up Freddie and Geriant Jones, and he was on 2-6 off 6 overs or something, and he just drags him? What the hell is with that?

I think the First Test in 2 months could look a bit like this;

Chris Rogers
Matty Hayden (Retire at end of season)
Ricky Ponting
Michael Hussey
Michael Clarke
Andrew Symonds (Defo not Shane Watson)
Adam Gilchrist (Retire at end of season)
Brett Lee
Stuart Clark
Ben Hilfenhouse/Mitchell Johnson
Stuey MacGill (Please dont play Dan Cullen)

So does that mean....

Hayden
Jaques/Rogers/Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Watson/Hodge
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill

I would think that would suggest Symonds is in line to retain his spot, but does that mean Watson will play middle order, open, or not play at all. Given his world cup and pre injury form, surely they couldn't leave him out...

Shane Watson won't play Tests because Symonds has the only spot that could even slightly be up for grabs. And Symonds scored that maiden 156 in his second last Test and is now in line for a new bowling promotion. So no Watto yet.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Symonds wouldn't less better then Chris Gayle for the Windies though as a spin option.

 

[sd92]

I dont like the sound of Symonds doing this. Like Ben said, he will be another Chris Gayle

 

[evertonfan]

Just replace Watson with Symonds. Watson is nowhere near good enough for Australia.

 

[sd92]

I don't agree. Symonds is a far better ODI player.

 

[Hooper]

I dont like the sound of Symonds doing this. Like Ben said, he will be another Chris Gayle

So? Chris Gayle is affective in Tests!

Just replace Watson with Symonds. Watson is nowhere near good enough for Australia.

I agree to some extent, but the selectors love Watson because he is their "Freddie".

 

[sd92]

Chris Gayle is boring and utter rubbish...i'd rather watch paint dry.

 

[smssia0112]

So does that mean....

Hayden
Jaques/Rogers/Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Watson/Hodge
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
MacGill

I would think that would suggest Symonds is in line to retain his spot, but does that mean Watson will play middle order, open, or not play at all. Given his world cup and pre injury form, surely they couldn't leave him out...

Well Hussey will be at 4 I assume, but Hodge would be pretty lucky to be given the reprieve that he so sorely deserves. The most unlucky cricketer in the world IMO, he never did anything wrong in the Test or World Cup lineups but got dropped in both. Watson and Symonds is a gamble though, personally I see:

Hayden
Rogers/Jaques (not Watson)
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
Tait/M. Johnson (MJ would be ahead of Clark in batting lineup)
MacGill (If Cullen gets it the selectors have serious issues)

Chris Gayle is boring and utter rubbish...i'd rather watch paint dry.

Chris Gayle is an aggressive batsman and a good bowler. What makes him boring?

 

[evertonfan]

For the love of God if the Australian selectors had any sense they would leave MJ well away from the Aussie side. a) Because he's not very good and b) because his initials are misleading. I seriously don't rate MJ. I wouldn't even have him in my Lancashire team.

I'd line up like this; You can stone me later.

Hayden
Hussey (Just so the legend Hodge can play)
Ponting
Hodge
Clarke
Symonds
Gilchrist
Lee
Clark
Bracken
MacGill
Twelfth man; Me

I never realized how much of a whole Warne would leave in the tail.