Aussie tour of South Africa

[m1c]

Batted well but he is finished IMO. I was a huge fan of his but he is done.

His second innings efforts were the best I've seen in a while. Clarkie is doing a solid job of pumping up his tyres - he certainly needs the confidence boost. Whether his improved performance is the work of some mind games from his captain or another too fleeting discovery of his holy grail, I'm unsure. Though I suspect it might be the latter. Despite his disappointing first innings and far too many 4 balls, I'm happy to persist with him against NZ. He should at least be walking a little taller than he was 5 days ago, here's hoping he can transfer it into wickets. Either way I far prefer him to Peter Poo.

How someone can get to this level with such limited variation is mystifying. Most grade cricketers have more tricks than Siddle. I think he'll be goone now Arthur is the man. He is also a huge fan of Johnson.

 

[Jeba]

Even though he batted well in the second innings, Punter still looked really unconfident to me. Played a few pull shots but they were nowhere near as authoritive as when he was in his prime.

Having said that, he came in faced with a tough situation and full credit to him and Khawaja for getting our innings back on track.

 

[m1c]

Punter should have put away his pull and hook 4 years ago. I'm unsure whether many of baffling failings are a result of a self-opinionated stubbornness or an underdeveloped cognition. However, remove the rate limiter and Punter would, IMO, be averaging into the 60's.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I find it hard to justify keeping Johnson in the side when he just hasn't been taking wickets at all. We have a pretty good crop of young quicks that are ready for the opportunity imo.

 

[Coxy]

I find it hard to justify keeping Johnson in the side when he just hasn't been taking wickets at all. We have a pretty good crop of young quicks that are ready for the opportunity imo.

Yeah, if only Harris was reliably fit. He could lead the attack for another couple of seasons until the youngsters establish themselves. Unfortunately that's not the case, so I think either Siddle or Johnson has to keep getting picked.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think it's almost time to put a line through Harris. Just no point picking him if he keeps playing 1 test then missing 2.

 

[Coxy]

I think it's almost time to put a line through Harris. Just no point picking him if he keeps playing 1 test then missing 2.

Sadly I agree.

 

[Bucking Beads]

It's a shame he would have been handy to lead the attack for a few years but I just can't see it happening now. I think Cutting deserves a crack at the Kiwis.?

 

[simmo77]

Cutting at the Gabba is a sight to see. He won't let the side down.

 

[m1c]

Harris must play when fit. He is our only world class bowler. It isn't the worst scenario either as it provides a great excuse to manage the youngsters. Pattinson, Starc and Cutting are also banging the door down, however each have been plagued by injury. Here is hoping CA took note of how England managed Finn last summer.

The picture will become a little clearer when we find out who carries the drinks for Aus A. Starc and Pattinson are both 'chosen ones', whilst Cutting has had to do the hard yards through Shield cricket. He must have gained a few yards off pace as he ruffled up a set (70*) O'Keefe with ease - I've seen him bowl live plenty of times before his ankle injury wouldn't have described him as rapid. Starc has taken a bag of wickets this summer however I question the validity of them. He has mopped up a few tails. Pattinson bowled one of the most menacing spells I've witnessed against the Bulls late last year. I think he has the most upside out of the lot.

You also have Hilfy in there who is certainly worth another chance under pitch-it-up Clarkie. He was wasted as a stock bowler under Ponting and never bowled to his strengths. Any man who can swing it at 145 clicks will take wickets. He's proven in Shield cricket.

 

[Coxy]

Hilfy should get a go. Don't forget Copeland too. Good length bowler with some movement

 

[Clintos]

Big Hilfy fan. All for his return.

 

[Big Pete]

I think Hilfenhaus is done as well, he doesn't cop anywhere as much flack as he deserves for the Ashes. He was useless.

Copeland I don't mind as a stop-gap option.

 

[Jeba]

Disagree about Hilf's performance in the Ashes BP. I thought he bowled a lot better than his figures suggest.

 

[m1c]

Hilfy should get a go. Don't forget Copeland too. Good length bowler with some movement

Hilfy was shafted by Ponting and Neilson. He's an attacking bowler who took bags of wickets in domestic cricket through pitching up the swinging rock. They negated his strength and used him as a line and length stock bowler.

I'm a huge advocate of Copeland. I loved Stu Clark (90 odd wickets @ 23) as a bowler and he's cut from the same wily cloth. Clark had untimely injuries however his treatment at the hands of the hierarchy was disgraceful. To discard a man of his record in our barren times is inexcusable.

I find the lacklustre speed an asset. Batsmen are forced to make their own pace which is a risk in itself given the good areas he can maintain. As you say Coxy, Copeland has the ball on a string and can move it at will. Also love that he didn't come through the system at a time when it has produced flawed produce. He's completed a long apprenticeship at grade and state level, advancing only because he figured out how to dismiss batsman.

 

[ningnangnong]

Big Hilfy fan. All for his return.

This!

Hilfy is a champ. Would love to see him back in the team.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Hilfy needs to do more with the ball if he wants to get selected. Bowling well this summer so is a chance but must take early wickets otherwise he is useless to us. Did bowl way to short in the ashes. I like him but his talent is minimal IMO.

 

[mrslong]

Hilfy was shafted by Ponting and Neilson. He's an attacking bowler who took bags of wickets in domestic cricket through pitching up the swinging rock. They negated his strength and used him as a line and length stock bowler.

I'm a huge advocate of Copeland. I loved Stu Clark (90 odd wickets @ 23) as a bowler and he's cut from the same wily cloth. Clark had untimely injuries however his treatment at the hands of the hierarchy was disgraceful. To discard a man of his record in our barren times is inexcusable.

I find the lacklustre speed an asset. Batsmen are forced to make their own pace which is a risk in itself given the good areas he can maintain. As you say Coxy, Copeland has the ball on a string and can move it at will. Also love that he didn't come through the system at a time when it has produced flawed produce. He's completed a long apprenticeship at grade and state level, advancing only because he figured out how to dismiss batsman.

I could never understand what happenned with Clark.