eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
This is simple. McDonald is a better batter and bowler than Hauritz. McGain would be next in line anyway, not Hauritz
-
AFLW 2024 - Round 10 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Critics of Andrew McDonald, where are you now?
- Thread starter The Cryptkeeper
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I've never said Hauritz was next in line. And I have stated all along that I would have McGain in over McDonald, the last Ashes in England, Warne took over half our wickets and was the only reason we even stayed in the series so spin should not be underestimated.
sherb
Hall of Famer
The Australian attack looks horribly out of balance to me with McDonald as the fourth bowler.
Either we select four specialist bowlers and McDonald goes out, or we have four specialist bowlers and McDonald starts showing he can hack it at Test level as a batsman (to enable him to bat higher than eight).
Either we select four specialist bowlers and McDonald goes out, or we have four specialist bowlers and McDonald starts showing he can hack it at Test level as a batsman (to enable him to bat higher than eight).
You're spot on there. Ronnie's style of bowling's ok with wickets that are doing something but flat tracks will find him out. We are never going to get away with Ronnie as a 4th bowler in the long run. We'll kill our 3 frontliners with overwork. Either he's a 5th bowler, meaning he best pick up with the bat or it's difficult to find a long-term spot for him.
The other aspect in regards to McDonald and the Ashes is that Watson and Symonds may be ready to go by the Ashes. That's a choice of 3 players although if they picked Roy it could well be more as a number 6 who bowls, leaving a choice of 2. We know Watson can bowl around 140k on a decent line and length and can bat (144 last game). Symonds is now bowling his medium pacers well and already has 3 of the 6 wickets to fall in the Shield Final. If he takes another wicket or 2 then makes 70-80 or more in a big final you bet your ass he'll be on the plane to England (I'm talking from a selectors view, not mine). If his batting finds form the selectors may feel his medium pace bowling is English conditions would be most dangerous as he swings and seams it both ways. You'd bet, if that was the case, he'd be straight in to number 6. More water to flow under the bridge yet though.
Ronald ends up with more wickets than Brett Lee and at better average, and also has a better batting record (eventually, he averages around 30 in first-class I think).
Can't bat for shit.
Not an All-Rounder.
Not good enough to be there purely as a bowler.
Shouldn't be in the side.
Not an All-Rounder.
Not good enough to be there purely as a bowler.
Shouldn't be in the side.
- May 10, 2004
- 24,853
- 5,691
- AFL Club
- Geelong
- Other Teams
- Pistons/Hammers/Sri Lanka/The Exers
His batting has been disappointing at best to say the least. When the Jaapie commentators are laughing at you you know you've got trouble.
They even called his dismissal right on the dot
- Jan 12, 2008
- 8,041
- 8,178
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
- Other Teams
- Chelsea, Fiorentina, Aus. Cricket
They'd be all out in force now, you'd think.
For good reason, too. His batting may be useful at first-class level (not that I've seen much of him there), but so far, he's looked as tentative as hell in Test matches. He's batting like a tailender.
His bowling is useful - he can tie up and end and create pressure. However, he was never meant to hold his place in the side exclusively as a bowler. As mentioned here ad nauseum, he is also unlikely to do more than take the odd wicket from time to time, except on bowler-friendly tracks.
He probably should be dropped after this Test match, if there is no improvement (given that Clark will probably return, anyway). We cannot afford to have a situation where our tail starts when the 5th wicket falls.
For good reason, too. His batting may be useful at first-class level (not that I've seen much of him there), but so far, he's looked as tentative as hell in Test matches. He's batting like a tailender.
His bowling is useful - he can tie up and end and create pressure. However, he was never meant to hold his place in the side exclusively as a bowler. As mentioned here ad nauseum, he is also unlikely to do more than take the odd wicket from time to time, except on bowler-friendly tracks.
He probably should be dropped after this Test match, if there is no improvement (given that Clark will probably return, anyway). We cannot afford to have a situation where our tail starts when the 5th wicket falls.
His batting is shit his fielding is not as great as it could be but I will give him some credit with the ball he is handy for tying up and end and building presser. He has to show something with the ball in this inning now we are under some presser and I think he might be able to keep his spot as a specialist 4th bowler but I am not holding my breath.
Cousin Jed
Retired President of BigFooty
He's not even good enough to bat at number 7.
The problem I have with McDonald is neither his batting nor his bowling appear to be Test standard. With the exception of players like Sobers and Miller whose abilities would have kept them in the team as either a batsman or a bowler, other all-rounders have at least one discipline that commands selection whilst the other is a bonus.
Unfortunately, anything McDonald can contribute right now would be pure bonus. The odd score of double figures and 1 or 2 wickets a match doesn't inspire me with confidence we've found another Miller.
The fact he continues to be selected test after test just boggles the mind.
- Banned
- #116
I don't see why you wouldn't play 4 genuine quicks and have Clarke/North fill the void as the spinner? Those two aren't considerably worse spinners than Harris is for example.
Katich is there as an option as well.
This desire to construct an all rounder out of bits and pieces is insane and clearly isn't working.
Katich is there as an option as well.
This desire to construct an all rounder out of bits and pieces is insane and clearly isn't working.
i'm right here. been adequate in the situation, for sure. long term won't cut it. i doubt the supporters of such fine all-round talent would want him in the side if the even-better watson was fit (even though he's still a work in a very long process).
might be more useful in the ODI side for bowling alone.
might be more useful in the ODI side for bowling alone.
i will probably get shot down for this but if they want to play someone in this role then surely James Hopes would be a better option than Ronald
but no doubt Watson will slot in for the Ashes - but whats the point when he'll be calling for the physio after the 1st game or getting scared of ghosts in hotels
but I agree with playing 4 quicks from now on and using the part time spinners especially after see McGain tonight
but no doubt Watson will slot in for the Ashes - but whats the point when he'll be calling for the physio after the 1st game or getting scared of ghosts in hotels
but I agree with playing 4 quicks from now on and using the part time spinners especially after see McGain tonight
Exhale You
Premiership Player
Hopes certainly would be a more solid selection, given his international experience, however his cards seem to be marked as an ODI player only.
Given his end of season form, Hopes could certainly be a chance.
What do you know picking McDonald has saved us from the horrors of McGain. What was Hopes pace during the Shield final? I know he use to clock 140km/h but during the ODIs he was about McDonald pace. If that is the case then we probably are better off sticking with McDonald as he has proven he can keep it tight at Test level.
low 130s
Selected Test after Test? He is only playing his 4th Test match & Australia won the previous 3 Test matches he played in. You don't change a winning team for the sake of it. He did enough with the ball in his previous 3 Tests to keep his spot in the side, but I think even he would agree he is not a long-term answer for the 4th bowler's position.
McDonald may sneak into the Ashes squad, but I would suspect we will only see him at Test level in the future as a replacement for an injured bowler.
Although Hopes' effort in the Shield final was full of courage, he looked rather pedestrian as the Vics' first innings progressed, with White & Wade looking comfortable against him after some early hiccups.
I personally think Qld lost any chance of winning the Shield final during his spell to White & Wade, during their long partnership. After the couple of dropped chances, White & Wade justed waited for Hopes' bad balls & were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
I doubt Hopes has another consistent pace or variety to regularly trouble batsmen at Test level.
The desperation to play an All-Rounder is just stupid.
If need be, you pick your next best bowler, or your next best batsman - but that doesn't apply with All-Rounders.
You either have one who demands selection, or you don't play one, simple as that.
If need be, you pick your next best bowler, or your next best batsman - but that doesn't apply with All-Rounders.
You either have one who demands selection, or you don't play one, simple as that.
Similar threads
