4th 3 Mobile Test: Australia v India @ Adelaide (Thu-Mon)

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Paul Nixon Age 36

The wicketkeeper who is currently taking the job was a surprise selection for the CB series and the world cup. He has lots of energy behind the stumps and is a strong aggressive batter. He also brings lots of experience to the team, despite few international caps.

Chris Read Age 28

The best glovesman in the country has never got the chances that he deserves. Has the glove skills to match any international keeper but is unproven with the bat on the international stage. However, if he gets a long run in the team then he should start to prove his batting skills.

Geraint Jones Age 30

He came into the team in 2004 to replace Read as he was deemed a better batsman. His glovework remained a doubt, but improved in 2006. However, he quickly lost his batting form and was dropped in favour of Read. If he can get his batting form back he might regain his place and he is very encouraging behind the stumps. But has he had too many chances?

Matt Prior Age 25

The most gifted batsman out of the keepers, he got a chance in ODIs only as a specialist bat. He was badly out of form and quickly discarded. If he can improve his glovework he could become a serious candidate for the job.

James Foster Age 26

James Foster is the most gifted at both jobs. He was only 20 when he made his England debut, yet has had few chances since then, due to injuries and form. He is equally talented at both jobs and would be a good compromise between a keeper and a batsman.

Steve Davies Age 20

Picking Davies would be a pick for the future. He impressed last season at Worcestershire and found himself in the academy squad touring Australia and features now on A tours. He may need more experience though before stepping up to the international stage.

Niall O’Brien Age 25

Why not? Like Joyce before him, O’Brien is aiming to qualify for England and has been playing for Ireland in his qualifying period. He is a good keeper batsman and he has Nixonesque enthusiasm behind the stumps.

Jon Batty Age 32

Very much the outsider, but seeing Nixon in the team will give him hope. He has been consistent with the bat in the past seasons for Surrey and is capable with the gloves.

Personally I would go for Read, because he is the best gloveman and with spin bowlers such as Panesar and possibly Rashid and Lawson in future years it is important. He is a capable batsman if he is given the chance.
 

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I'll predict 2/73 at stumps.

Jaques out for 13
Hayden not out 31
Ponting not out 17
Hussey out for 8

:p

Think you left out Lee the nightwatchmen in there somewhere;)
 
I think 1/90 at stumps, maybe a late wicket. This match is headed for the dreaded draw though - India didn't show much intent by blocking late in that innings instead of smashing it, and Australia will be happy to win the series 2-1.

We avoided the draw by a miracle of Clarke at the SCG, but can't see it happening here. We'll make 450-500 this dig, hopefully in quick time.
 
Most important 90 mins of the Test match. If Australia can get through might be able to work there way back into it. If India get 3 or more wickets this game is over.
 

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I reckon Jaques will get out for less than 20.

Hayden to go out in the 20s.

Hope you are wrong, I think we need one of them to go on with it to be any chance of even drawing this game.:cool:
 
Can I just raise a point about all those wanting young spinners to play in the Pakistan tours. First of all:

I don’t know that any spinners meet your requirement given their form this season

Bailey (22) has 1 wkt @ 103.00
Cullen (23) has 11 wkts @ 50.63 (Test cricketer # 397)
White (24) has 4 wkts @ 29.75
Heal (24) has 3 wkts @ 79.00
Casson (25) has 4 wkts @ 93.75
Hauritz (26) has 0 wkts @ ---- (Test Cricketer # 390)
McGain (35) has 24 wkts @ 33.41

Then again the top 2 aren't much either..

MacGill (36) has 9 wkts @ 67.33
Hogg (36) has 20 wkts @ 41.30

Then for all you saying 'oh but give them a go and see how they do' I have something else to say to that:

Test cricket is not a training ground. That's FC, ODI, Twenty20s and perhaps Tests against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The only time I'd advocate youth like this is when two players are more or less similar and one is much younger than the other.
 
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