The VB Series 2006

[James219]

Does the order of the line-up suggest Hussey opening? It would make sense since Katich hasn't found his feet there. Not even a record amount of ING centuries in a season can get Jaques a spot.

 

[aussie1st]

Nope thats just hope the list the captain and vice captain. Usually Ponting is first, Gilly second. Plus Hussey is more suited down the order especially when you have Katich in the side. Where would we bat him if Hussey opened?

 

[James219]

Yep ok just not sure about the positioning there because Gilchrist opens as well as having the captaincy today, so if Ponting was first on the list I would have understood clearly. True he wouldn't fit anywhere naturally with the middle order consisting of the players that they have, but Supersub is always open, Stuart Clark might do a better job

 

[Sando]

I hope Katich has a good one today to get the wolves off his back. He hasn't had a bad record at the top of the order, an average of 31 at a strike rate of 75 isn't bad when you're facing the new ball. His summer as a whole hasn't been at all bad, I just think he is suffering because the Aussies have dropped a couple and he doesn't play a particularly attractive style of cricket. That's not to say I don't think Jacques deserves a spot, he's obviously a supreme talent in top form, but in my opinion Katich has worked hard to get into the team and doesn't deserved to be axed on form.

Kat's summer.

v SL 19 (29)
v SAF 0 (7)
v SL 60 (78)

@ NZ 2 (4)
@ NZ 36 (50)
@ NZ 54 (65)

v WXI 47 (71)
v WXI 58 (79)

 

[aussie1st]

Its solid but he isn't going on. If Katich was attacking like Gilly then those scores would be fine because they would be coming in quick time. But he isn't like Gilly so he needs to anchor the inns. He hasn't been doing this thus one of our middle order batters have to do his job.

 

[James219]

Yes he's worked hard and is definitely a class player but he should atleast be rested and possibly be eased back in when Australia are a little more comfortable. This type of rotation is fine, but resting the key players who have to lead the team in the future is ridiculous. He's not getting them off to extravagant or even solid starts where he can play through the innings and work the strike constantly to allow his partner to play their game in correspondence. This is why they've got to see how Jaques handles it again soon, because they need to get the combination that's functional and balanced.

 

[James219]

Jayasuriya out of the Sri Lankan side with a shoulder injury. Atapattu won the toss and elected to bat, Stuart Clarke as the supersub goes against Australia who now field first.

 

[Sman-21]

Katich appears to me that he would rather finish with good stats than take any risks to help the team out.
A bit selfish meaning the players batting with him need to take extra risks to try to keep the score ticking.

Australias perfect team right now would be
Gilly
Jaques (in top form just got another 100 in ing cup)
Ponting
Martyn
Clarke
Symonds
Hussey
Hogg
Lee
Bracken
Mcgrath
Super Sub a batsmen

I would like to see Cosgrove given a go in the vb series also another player in great form at the moment and capable of opening the batting

Hussey could easily open the batting aswell hes a great opener trouble is just like bevan he does such a great job lower in the order that they dont want to take him out of that spot.

 

[aussie1st]

Jayasuriya out of the Sri Lankan side with a shoulder injury. Atapattu won the toss and elected to bat, Stuart Clarke as the supersub goes against Australia who now field first.

I was going to ask where he was, thanks for the info. I was watching the tennis when they did the news on him.

Pretty good team sman, if Martyn goes into a form slump I would get Cosgrove in and not Hodge. Cosgrove is the perfect number 4 and a dam good opener if we need one. Also it doesn't look like the selectors are looking for antoher spinner which to me means Warne will be back for the WC and Hogg his backup.

 

[James219]

Cosgrove would be preferable. He's younger and a very promising talent who can bat in a few positions. Very slow start by Sri Lankan openers, offering not to play a shot at wide deliveries in any case. They seem to be scoring only when opening the face and running it down to third man.

EDIT: Well SL are now pushing the scoring rate up with some aggressive strokeplay. Smart plan really to wear McGrath and Lee down and not allowing them any real confidence in the form of wickets.

 

[y2j826]

gilchrist and hussey has to open the innings for australia, cuz hussey is not the one who can got out easily. so he can be an opener for the team.

 

[aussie1st]

Tharanga is really fraustrating Sangakkara. The SL openers are dam slow although Mubarak at least got out trying to smash it. 250 could well be enough on this pitch with the spinners SL have.

 

[irottev]

Ouch bad luck Sangakara. Ball rolled onto the stumps.

 

[James219]

Unlucky dismissal, hurts chances of pushing on and getting on top of Aus. bowling. You really should be able to choose your supersub after the toss, meaning bringing a 13-man squad along.

 

[irottev]

The pitch is a snail, so its gonna be hard to chase. Sri Lanka don't look like making enough runs though.