The VB Series 2006

[aussie1st]

Why waste Hussey up the order when you have guys like Jaques and Cosgrove being more than capable batting up the order. Also its not like Bevans are floating around in our domestic comp and when you have one doing as well as Hussey is, I think its best he stays at 7.

So much for the review after each ODI this summer. Hodge who failed with the bat is still in the squad. Jaques who scores 94 on debut is dropped. I think its time we review our selectors after each game....

Australian squad Adam Gilchrist (capt, wk), Michael Hussey, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brett Dorey, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, James Hopes, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds.

 

[James219]

Hussey has nailed down his spot at number seven for the one-day side, he's very productive there, no point moving him up and introducing more panic in the middle to lower order. We don't have Bevan's floating around in the domestic comp, but we still have Bevan.... I think he still hopes to be selected for the 2007 World Cup....
Good comfortable win by Australia, but Murali shouldn't have been saved for the last few overs, if he had stayed on and bowled well the pressure would have been relentless and possibly caused a few poor shot selections with the gap between balls and runs tightening. Who knows how Atapattu would have handled the situation, but he definitely would have remained more calm and decisive in his decisions anyway. Another crucial match between SL and Australia on Sunday, if Australia win could hold a firm grip on first place.

 

[IloveGilly]

Katich doesn't deserve to be in the squad at all. He has made 6 half-centuries and yet to make a big score while Jaques creating history on debut gets dropped and his career debut score of 94 is higher than Katich's highest score of 76.
Another problem i have is the fixtures having Sri Lanka play 5 games in a row.

 

[aussie1st]

I agree the schedule for SL is outrageous. Usually the 2 visiting teams have 3 games in a row but both of them will have 4 games in a row. Aus always have 2 games in a row so nothing new there.

 

[James219]

They should be given a chance to re-group atleast. Australia and South Africa should be playing this Sunday as opposed to another Sri Lankan match. South Africa have an advantage of observing how they strategically go about their back-to-back games now in terms of resting and selecting players, and recovery.

 

[aussie1st]

I agree its ridicouls how we have to play SL 3 games in a row.
But SA have said they won't rest key players. We shall see in 4 games time But Aus on the other hand don't have that excuse as they only have 2 games in a row.

Anyway with just over a year to the WC why aren't we trying more players (Jaques, Cosgrove). We have only tried Hodge who has failed to impress and Katich who has shown he is a good snail already.

 

[James219]

I wasn't referring to SA using their strategies, just seeing how they go about the rotation and their mentatlity about it. Smith might be able to formulate some sledges from the information
About the WC situation, I know it's mental, they say they want to establish and trial the best opening and top order combination possible so when Jaques performs they try more different things. Hodge isn't the answer either, they also have to think about age, you can't just bring in all these 'youngsters' at thirty. Cosgrove probably wont get a go for a while because if someone else was drafted in, it would obviously be Jaques, but they probably have to be a little less leniant and sacrifice the selection of a few inexperienced players. And It's not like they're going through or will go through a golden age with Katich and Hodge up there anyway.

 

[kodos]

Well SA don't have many key players to rest I agree why the hell did CA make Aus play Sri Lanka 3 times in a row and made Sri Lanka play 5 games in a row. Pathetic scheduling by CA and disadvatage to the Sri Lankans. I think CA scheduled Aus to play SA in the last few matches because they are held at the big grounds (Telstra Dome and SCG) and forgot about the Sri Lankans. Katich was average last night but it will be interesting how he goes when they have to chase a larger total or when they bat first. I still think he still wastes too many deliveries with dot balls and Jaques to be included in the squad. What more does he got to do to be in the team. If I was him I would be mighty pissed and many others as well. He probably should of played for England as he probably would of made it into the team by now

 

[James219]

Lol that's true, so patriotism shortens your international career

 

[aussie1st]

Its not like our ODI top order is stacked with stars. Jaques should be in the side now. Guys like Hussey and Hodge are the ones that should have moved to England to play for them as they have been waiting for ages behind class players. What Jaques has infront of him is certainly not a class player.

With Katich in our side I can't see us touching 300 unless Gilly, Ponting, Symonds blast one of those inns.

 

[IloveGilly]

I agree, Katich is more suited to Test although i don't think he should be in it at all.
He's slow, takes a long time to get into his innings and has yet to make an impressive score and it puts too much pressure on Gilly/Symonds to score at a run a ball.

 

[James219]

Its not like our ODI top order is stacked with stars. Jaques should be in the side now. Guys like Hussey and Hodge are the ones that should have moved to England to play for them as they have been waiting for ages behind class players. What Jaques has infront of him is certainly not a class player.

I think kodos was referring to the fact that Jaques could have moved to England because he has English parents and hence would have a dual passport, so could take up an immediate professional career and available for national selection without waiting like four years. But you're right, the top order isn't class and has not been that succesful anyway. If you just constantly persist with Katich, or anyone else really, for long enough then obviously they're going to score the odd half century or more, he knows how to bat, but is definitely not going to improve the team in any way.

 

[andrew_nixon]

I think kodos was referring to the fact that Jaques could have moved to England because he has English parents and hence would have a dual passport, so could take up an immediate professional career and available for national selection without waiting like four years.

Jacques does have a UK passport, however, just like Kevin Pietersen (also a UK passport holder) he would have also have had to fulfil a 4 year residential requirement before playing for England.

 

[kodos]

Yep as both andrew and James said above I was mentioning that Jaques has a UK passport due to his mother being English. Symonds also could have possibly played for England and Stuart Law I think is currently in England and seeking an English passport.

 

[James219]

Jacques does have a UK passport, however, just like Kevin Pietersen (also a UK passport holder) he would have also have had to fulfil a 4 year residential requirement before playing for England.

Oh ok, I didn't realise that. But you must be right because Pietersen has an English mother and still had to fulfil the four year requirements.