Test squad Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke (capt), Michael Hussey, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Trent Copeland, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Beer.
i for one am ok with this line up; Beer i'm not sure, but why not? With Lyon in as well maybe we'll see a shoot-out for the spin spot... dare they play two on a bunsen?
Obviously i'm chuffed with the inclusion of Pattinson.
Hughes, well... he can't say he isn't getting a fair crack at it now. Ponting at 3 would worry me, but respect to him for having the character to do the right thing stepping down and hopefully re-align his stats and bat without the burden of leadership...at least Lyon won't have him setting a field!
stoph verismo
down the wicket
Shaun Marsh to open. Hughes to be played only if we have to or better still to sit prominently in the window of the bus (on a cushion if necessary). Ponting should be at home preparing the ground for his veggie garden. Nothing to be admired in a man who can't see past the shadow of his former greatness. The pace attack is always better with Siddle and Harris in it and Pattison and Copeland are big ticks. Won't make any difference on the slow, low tracks they will play on. Sri Lanka were ordinary against England but then Strauss' men have made a habit of doing that to opposition teams in the last few years. Unfortunately for Clarke, he hasn't got a bowling attack that will take 20 wickets a Test under these conditions. One victory will be enough to win the series and Sri Lanka at home look specials. The start of a long, long and likely sad summer for Clarke and his men.
ReplyDeleteLyon is not ready - the cycle of spin continues! I agree about Ponting; he should step down and selectors say to Kahwaja and Marsh 'the spots are yours for a few series' giving them chances to prove their worth against different attackes and in different conditions.
ReplyDeleteThe thing with shield cricket as preparation is that it's all on Aus wickets; admittedly with some variation like Hobart vs the GABBA but you never encounter anything like the wickets in Sri Lanka and India. Lyon will be eaten alive in Sri Lanka having barely played shield cricket he's never bowled long spells and I'd imagine he'll make Deano's health in his double in India in 1987 look like a party when Sanga and co. bat for 3 days.
They'll play Hughes and it's another chance for him to show he's learned and warrants selection. I hope it works but I doubt it will. At least they've seen Smith is not an international cricketer.
I bet before the end of the summer we'll see no fewer than 5 specialist spinners used; Hauritz, O'Keefe, Lyon, Beer and Doherty. God help them all because CA won't.
I also agree on Ponting. It's all about him and his record now. He can't help the team move forward so should move on.
ReplyDeleteAt least Hughes won't be troubled as much by the short one. I think he will do well.
I would like to see Kahwaja at 3.
It seems the selectors like giving players contracts, then not picking them. I refer to one B. Hodge.