Aus v Sri Lanka ODI Series

[Major JW Hochstetter]

To be honest Jeb, no. Not as a straight swap for Hauritz at least.

I've changed my tune a bit on Smith. I think he certainly has the potential to be a very good spinner at International level, but at the moment he looks every bit Cameron White Mk II (just a more talented batsmen). To me he is way too rushed and too quick for a leg spinner and lacks enough variety through the air and off the pitch. So he needs a bit more work before being considered the main option at Test level IMO.

I would, however, have no problems at all seeing Smith take on North's role as a middle/lower order bat who bowls a bit.

As for the main spinner, while Hauritz does a fine job at holding up an end on most pitches, I think the time has come where we need to think about having a more attacking spinner. O'Keefe, Doherty, anyone, just someone who isn't a straight-break merchant. Although he took a bit of stick in a couple of his spells, I think one of the worst things we ever did in the spin department in the last couple of years was dump Jason Krejza so soon. He needed a bit of work, but at the time I think he was just the kind of attacking spinner we needed.

 

[Jeba]

What if we drop North for Smith, and play 4 pace bowlers?

I don't rate him hugely either but I think he's our best spinning option to be honest. Good fielder too (not that that counts for selection though)

 

[Browny]

Which four bowlers?

Dougy and Hilfy have to be certainty's

Mitch maybe if he can find his mojo

Harris? McKay? Siddle?

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

Yeah, I agree with 4 pacemen for the first Test while using Smith as the main spinner for that kind of line-up, with support of course from Clarke (and Katich if he wants/is allowed to bowl). Any other time though I would revert back to a specialist spinner and lessen Smith's role with the ball.

My pacemen for the Gabba would be Hilfenhaus, Bollinger, Johnson and either Harris (if fit, I have no idea how he's going TBH) or perhaps someone who puts in a good performance for Aussie A (I believe that's out of Cameron, Starc and George). Even Clint McKay if we really must.

I am growing more and more skeptical about Siddle and at the moment I wouldn't even consider him.

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

Well, cancel that call about the Aust. A bowlers, Hilditch and co. are picking the Test team before that game (typical).

Looks like it's business as usual, with Siddle coming in for the Rug or Haury.

 

[Bucking Beads]

What if we drop North for Smith, and play 4 pace bowlers?

I don't rate him hugely either but I think he's our best spinning option to be honest. Good fielder too (not that that counts for selection though)

That is what I hope they do at the Gabba, only problem is Siddle will be one of the quicks and he is hopeless.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Well, cancel that call about the Aust. A bowlers, Hilditch and co. are picking the Test team before that game (typical).

Looks like it's business as usual, with Siddle coming in for the Rug or Haury.

If Siddle play ahead of Dougie or Harris I will blow up deluxe.. Harris returned from injury in the Bulls 2nd XI last week, played a one dayer on saturday bowled well but didn't take wickets. The test for Harris is the shield game starting tomorrow against Tassie. Hopefully he rolls Punter .

 

[Jeba]

I think if Harris bowls well in the shield game this week he has to be in, doesn't he? Agree, Siddle is shit. Yes he will bowl long spells, but so did Ashley Giles for the Poms. Hilf and Dougy should be shoe-ins, and agree JW with Johnson and Harris there and Smith in for North.

Won't happen though as North won't get dropped and I doubt Hauritz will.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Harris should be in if he bowls well but the selectors have a love affair with Siddle. One of North or Hussey need to go we can't carry both of them. I get the feeling Smith won't be in the team because he isn't ready to be selected as a bowler but thats what the selectors view him as. The Selectors are noobs..

 

[Coxy]

Didn't you hear? Siddle's done lots of core work in the gym. He's the fittest man in the world! He must be good. :roll:

 

[Bucking Beads]

Didn't you hear? Siddle's done lots of core work in the gym. He's the fittest man in the world! He must be good. :roll:

he is a noob, it is like he is being selected because he has a southern cross tattoo on his back.

 

[ethos]

I can't believe the selectors' love affair with Siddle, Bollinger should be ahead of him every day of the week. Comparing the Test careers of the two..

Siddle: 61 wickets @ 31.52, S/R 62 balls
Bollinger: 49 wickets @ 23.79, S/R 45 balls