Test Team Against New Zealand

[Treefrog]

What does everyone think the team will look like come Friday. I am thinking they will play it safe and just use the team that was used to beat WI, minus Siddle. The most contentious position is that of North's but I think he deserves one more shot after what he did overseas. If he goes poorly in the first game then it may be appropriate to bring in someone else. It looks like Smith is on the verge of making every international team atm. I'm not sold he is our best spin option but if he was to come in at 6 to bat then I can somewhat understand his inclusion in the side. Not really sure how Hughes can really fit into the side at the moment either. The remaining bowling spot is a tough one to pick. Harris seems to be a favorite at the moment but McKay might come in too.

 

[Bucking Beads]

North should not be seen in a baggygreen ever again IMO. Smith has more talent with both bat and ball and he can field too. North has had his chance to keep his spot by at least performing at shield level but he couldn't do that so tough titties I say. I'd have Harris as the 3rd quick as he actually does something with the ball.

 

[Coxy]

Easy decision for me. Bring in Harris for Siddle. Give North another shot. If he fails in the first Test, then give Steve Smith the number 6 spot.

Hauritz remains our best spinner, by a long way. But Smith can offer some variety.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Easy decision for me. Bring in Harris for Siddle. Give North another shot. If he fails in the first Test, then give Steve Smith the number 6 spot.

Hauritz remains our best spinner, by a long way. But Smith can offer some variety.

Smith has scored 3 centuries in a row in shield cricket and also got 7/64 last match I think it is his time to bat at 6. Norths form has been so so bad he couldn't even get runs at shield level!! Smiths time is now!!

 

[Browny]

If Smith is included it will be as a batting allrounder not a specialist spinner. Whats the point of having North who also bowls offies?

Katich - Left arm chinaman/leggies
Pup - Left arm offies
Hauritz - Right arm offies
Smith - Right arm leggies

gives punter plenty of back up options if Dougie,Mitch, Watson and Harris/Mckay are struggling

 

[Meat77]

I'm not convinced about Smith just yet - he's got obvious talent but is he a test level bowler? No.

Just taking him on tour will do him the world of good but I'd give North the two games as a last chance - it wasn't that long ago he was productive 6 and TBH I'm not really sure Smith is a Test number 6 at the moment either

 

[Coxy]

Smith is definitely not a Test bowler yet. He gets regularly smashed to bits by state batting lineups. His batting is probably good enough for NZ though.

 

[Browny]

Move Haddin up to 6 and bat smith 7? Maybe that way Haddin might not give his wicket away like its a one dayer

 

[m1c]

It's frustrating that media somehow have him pegged as our next spin bowling savior. The guys bread and butter is his batting. He is a batsman first and a bowler second. You COULD NOT have him in the team on bowling ability alone. He might be handy for a few overs but IMO at international level would get picked apart.

I would have taken Cam White. The fact he's the second best slipper in Aus (behind Simpson) has him jump a few in the queue. Can't wait for Khawaja (sp) to be given a chance. He'll be the goods in another year.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Move Haddin up to 6 and bat smith 7? Maybe that way Haddin might not give his wicket away like its a one dayer

That is a superb idea. I just can't justify selecting North in the side and leaving out Smith. Ponting won't give Smith much of a bowl anyway so having him in the team as a batting all rounder is a superb idea.

 

[Treefrog]

Easy decision for me. Bring in Harris for Siddle. Give North another shot. If he fails in the first Test, then give Steve Smith the number 6 spot.

Hauritz remains our best spinner, by a long way. But Smith can offer some variety.

I somewhat agree with this post. North deserves one more crack after what he did overseas.

 

[Browny]

Move Haddin up to 6 and bat smith 7? Maybe that way Haddin might not give his wicket away like its a one dayer

That is a superb idea. I just can't justify selecting North in the side and leaving out Smith. Ponting won't give Smith much of a bowl anyway so having him in the team as a batting all rounder is a superb idea.

Ponting has started to use his part timers more lately, shit he even used Mike Hussey.

Haddin has so much potential but he needs to stop trying to belt the ball out of the park every ball

 

[Treefrog]

Well CricInfo predicts that North will get another shot with Harris coming in with McKay on standby if he is not fit.

 

[Bucking Beads]

The selectors are off there Scone if they pick North again... Same with Hussey and Hayden give them a lifetime to find form and they eventually will. Smith is a 10 year + test player why hold him back?? He has knocked the door right down and still will most likely not be selected.

 

[Meat77]

Why the rush to get Smith into the team? He's only 20 isn't he? I would doubt he even knows his game yet

 

[Bucking Beads]

Why the rush to get Smith into the team? He's only 20 isn't he? I would doubt he even knows his game yet

Simple because he is better than North.

 

[Meat77]

Is he? I truly don't see him as a Test-class number 6 and that seems to be the role you would have him play in the team

 

[Bucking Beads]

Is he? I truly don't see him as a Test-class number 6 and that seems to be the role you would have him play in the team

Would Norths form over the last 4 months suggest he has the ability to be a test-class number 6??