Pick the XI for Boxing Day v India

[BACCS]

I'd tell Ponting and Hussey if you don't average more than 50 for the series then you will be replaced.
My XI

Watson
Warner
Marsh
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Haddin
Siddle
Harris
Pattison
Lyon

This is certainly the most realistic side for Boxing Day, and I'd be fine with that. Watson and Marsh may change around, and Khawaja will play if Marsh isn't fit. Not sure who would replace Harris if he isn't fit (anyone but Starc though!), but hopefully it doesn't come to that....

 

[scottwade]

Link posted by Kyptastic in the Hughes thread.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/c...ate-on-top-seven/story-fn67w6pa-1226221133891

FADING champions Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey are guaranteed selection for the Boxing Day Test against India - and beyond - after Australian coach Mickey Arthur revealed an exit plan for the veterans had not even been discussed.

Out-of-form opener Phil Hughes will be axed.

Arthur believed selectors would engage in "healthy debate" over the rest of the batting order with Shane Watson expected to return and Tasmanian opener Ed Cowan a chance of being handed a first Test cap.

But Shaun Marsh is almost certain to be unavailable,

As I wrote in the Hughes thread;
Most concerning part of that article IMO (and it is conjecture on behalf of the journo) is;

(Watson's) likely return, the consideration of Cowan's credentials and Ponting and Hussey's retention may spell trouble for Usman Khawaja, who has notched just one half-century in six Tests, averaging 29.22.

Now Khawaja hasn't set the World on fire, but surely at some stage we have to find out just who is the future.

We know Hussey & Ponting won't be, but it seems they can under perform with a degree of immunity, not allowed other players.

If their axing seriously hasn't even been mentioned (as Arthur states) then you wonder at what stage their credits will finally run out.

So it seems a new coach, a new captain, new selectors and a record that shows that since 2008 Australia has lost 16 Tests, with only the West Indies and Bangladesh having lost more Tests in the same period and it is still essentially maintain the status quo.

 

[The Governor]

I was on SEN this afternoon and this is my TESTXI for Boxing Day:

Shane Watson
David Warner
Shaun Marsh
Ricky
Michael Clarke
Daniel Christian
Matthew Wade (WK)
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood

The dark horse would be Jayde Herrick from Victoria. He reminds me of a young Rodney Malcolm Hogg. He has white line fever!!

My TEST XI for the WI Tour

Shane Watson
David Warner
Shaun Marsh
Ricky
Michael Clarke
Daniel Christian
Matthew Wade
Peter Siddle
James Pattinson
Patrick Cummins
Nathan Lyon

The selectors have to make a tough call. They have to give Michael Hussey a tap on the shoulder regardless of how much support he has in Australia. The time is right for Michael Hussey to retire.

If Hussey does not retire, Ponting should be given a tap on the shoulder to save himself from further embarassment.

THE GOV

 

[The Passenger]

 

[TheBrownlowMan37]

Now Khawaja hasn't set the World on fire, but surely at some stage we have to find out just who is the future.

We know Hussey & Ponting won't be, but it seems they can under perform with a degree of immunity, not allowed other players.

If their axing seriously hasn't even been mentioned (as Arthur states) then you wonder at what stage their credits will finally run out.

Pathetic if Khawaja is dropped and Hussey and Ponting given the entire summer. Who cares about his average, he's just started his test career so we can expect a few failures but if he's not a player for the future then I don't know who is.

Cook from England is a great example of a player who started poorly but had a solid game, and look at him now? Khawaja could be every bit as good as Cook, maybe better. We may never know if we keep having different rules for the boys club members in Hussey, Ponting and Haddin ahead of a very promising kid who's performed better than most of them in the last two series.

 

[CHIEF SMACKAHOE]

our selectors are, bar none, the worst in the world. prepare yourselves for a 5-0 ashes whitewash.

 

[Ian Dargie]

I do see the contradiction. But we have seen what Hughes can do at test level. We have seen the great and we have seen the very ugly. ATM, he has been worked out and no test nation is going to let up on him. He has had plenty of opportunity to show his value, you can see its there, but right now, his downside outweighs the positive things he could do.

For that reason, he should be dropped and another youngster given the chance to claim a spot. The new player couldn't do any worse

I agree that this is the right course of action.

I'm just saying that's it at odds with your claim that we should "pick them and stick with them".

What happened to Steve Smith? Should we keep picking Mitch Starc?

Maddinson was just a name thrown out there as an example. I don't keep up to date with all the youngsters in the shield arena, so i'm happy to hear other ideas for players who are young and have promise of being a very good test player.

Well, that's part of the problem, isn't it?

There actually aren't that many young batsmen smashing it at FC level. Hughes and Khawaja are the two young batsmen with the best FC records and they were promptly elevated into the Test side. After them, you're choosing between guys who haven't really delivered at FC level – we'd be punting.

Consider this – Cameron White has a FC average of 41 and that actually puts him ahead of most of the other guys being mentioned. His record is, for instance, much better than Daniel Christian's. I'm not saying we should put Cameron White in the side, just that it illustrates the fact that there aren't many young guys really pushing for selection through weight of runs domestically.

But what i want to see is the similar to the overhaul of the 80's. How many games did Healy play before they identified the talent and shoved him in and let him do his thing.... Warne? McGrath?

Warne and McGrath didn't really come along until the early 90s but I take your point. But the talent has to be there to begin with.

And I think it's interesting the way people talk about us aggressively blooding young guys, mentioning Warne, McGrath, Ponting etc. What about the examples of Langer, Hayden, Martyn, Hussey and Gilchrist? These guys were in their late 20s by the time they cemented spots, so there's something to be said for picking guys who have some experience. It can't just be all about picking 22-year-olds even if they haven't demonstrated that they're good enough.

 

[Ian Dargie]

Pathetic if Khawaja is dropped and Hussey and Ponting given the entire summer. Who cares about his average, he's just started his test career so we can expect a few failures but if he's not a player for the future then I don't know who is.

Cook from England is a great example of a player who started poorly but had a solid game, and look at him now? Khawaja could be every bit as good as Cook, maybe better. We may never know if we keep having different rules for the boys club members in Hussey, Ponting and Haddin ahead of a very promising kid who's performed better than most of them in the last two series.

Relax, there's no conspiracy here.

Marsh probably won't play so Khawaja should be safe.

 

[TheBrownlowMan37]

Relax, there's no conspiracy here.

Marsh probably won't play so Khawaja should be safe.

Never said it was a conspiracy, the "boys club" members is a safety option. They've been there for years, so let's keep them. The coach shouldn't come out with comments like this about two senior players in pretty poor form.

 

[TheOldXav]

Micky Arthur has stated that Ponting & Hussey are certain starters for Boxing Day. I hope Australia get torn to shreds for their own sake on the biggest day of Australian cricket.

 

[Phone]

it happened last year. nothing changed.

 

[Greasyrhys]

This is my ideal XI:

Warner, Klinger, Khawaja, Clarke, Watson, Christian, Wade, Harris, Pattinson,
Cummins, Lyon.

12th: Siddle

Clearly our selectors have NO balls, they love their precious Ponting & Hussey, those two must be immortals in the selectors' eyes.

Their time is well and truly up, just hope they BOTH get twin ducks in the BDT, and put egg on the selectors' faces.

 

[Funkalicous]

That was the coach stating that. And it's a pretty predictable statement given his role!

The selectors haven't said anything, but don't forget that they are new and brought in to bring the Aussie team through the next generation. I still won't be surprised at all if Ponting is sacked. The way he's getting out is diabolical. Even he can see that. Don't rule out him stepping down in the next couple of days on his own terms...

 

[TheOldXav]

That was the coach stating that.

Arthur is a selector too, not just a coach. Even though he doesn't speak for the 5 selectors as a whole, I doubt they are going to pull rank on his statement given his position & that the captain (who is another selector) is also close with Ponting & Hussey.

 

[happy_eagle]

I thought it would be good to have a look at the players that we now know won't be dropped for Boxing Day. Safe Players are

Warner, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon


So the question marks are over
Hughes - Almost guaranteed to be replaced by Watson

Khawaja - Can either be swapped for Marsh or Cowan. Marsh slots in nicely, but he isnt fit. Swapping him for Cowan allows Watson to bat down the order

Haddin - I have a feeling he will keep his spot, but Wade is very close

Starc - I think another pace bowler will be tried here. The general consensus is either Christian, Hazlewood, Copeland, but they would only be filling a spot untill Cummins or Harris return

 

[Ian Dargie]

Starc - I think another pace bowler will be tried here. The general consensus is either Christian, Hazlewood, Copeland, but they would only be filling a spot untill Cummins or Harris return

Christian as a frontline bowler? Really? Why?

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...t_wickets_career.html?id=6788;type=tournament

I would have thought Bollinger is more likely than those guys.

 

[eddiesmith]

It is getting quite obvious they will not deviate from the plan of Paine as Haddins replacement

Not sure what is happening with Ricky, his body language seemed resigned to the fact that he was done in the last test, maybe he has been told to wait a week and not take away from the start of the Big Bash???

 

[happy_eagle]

Christian as a frontline bowler? Really? Why?

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...t_wickets_career.html?id=6788;type=tournament

I would have thought Bollinger is more likely than those guys.

People seem to be thinking that Watson + Christian = 4th Bowler

 

[Ian Dargie]

People seem to be thinking that Watson + Christian = 4th Bowler

People don't think that.

If they do, they're dicks.

 

[Ian Dargie]

Dean Jones, Ashley Mallett, Merv Hughes and Geoff Lawson have picked their Boxing Day XIs in the Fairfax press:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cric...-pick-their-boxing-day-xi-20111213-1otbo.html

For all the talk of change, Hughes is the only unanimous casualty. None of them suggest Haddin be dropped. One axes Hussey. One axes Ponting.

I think it exemplifies a mindset that people want change but don't really know how to immediately improve the side.

People might get the sense that time is up for Ponting or, at least, that one of he and Hussey have to go because we can't carry two guys that age unless they're scoring heavily. But really, how do you replace them in a way that indisputably strengthens the side?

It's well and good to make bold statements about "looking to the future" and selectors needing to have bigger balls but if the solution is dropping Ponting or Hussey and picking Daniel Christian – does that really make us more likely to beat India?

 

[Slax]

Dean Jones, Ashley Mallett, Merv Hughes and Geoff Lawson have picked their Boxing Day XIs in the Fairfax press:

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cric...-pick-their-boxing-day-xi-20111213-1otbo.html

For all the talk of change, Hughes is the only unanimous casualty. None of them suggest Haddin be dropped. One axes Hussey. One axes Ponting.

I think it exemplifies a mindset that people want change but don't really know how to immediately improve the side.

People might get the sense that time is up for Ponting or, at least, that one of he and Hussey have to go because we can't carry two guys that age unless they're scoring heavily. But really, how do you replace them in a way that indisputably strengthens the side?

It's well and good to make bold statements about "looking to the future" and selectors needing to have bigger balls but if the solution is dropping Ponting or Hussey and picking Daniel Christian – does that really make us more likely to beat India?

Everyone in Australia knows Hughes won't be in Melbourne including Phillip Hughes. Watson will open but won't bowl. I also liked Warne's comments the other night on bowling him, - I'd only use him spells of 3-4 overs and only once or twice in a session. He isn't your main bowler and shouldn't need to to bowl more than 10-25 overs in an innings tops.

Dan Christian offers more than Hussey as he is a better bowler and on current form a better batsman too. He offers the real option to the attack of us having a proper 5th bowler and with Clarke we'd have a 6th.

Ponting is looking more and more likely to hold his position, if only because I doubt Marsh will be declared fit.

I think the whole India question is not so much up to which team we pick but who India go, if the bat as well as they can then we're screwed no matter what.

 

[Jimthegreat]

Micky Arthur has stated that Ponting & Hussey are certain starters for Boxing Day. I hope Australia get torn to shreds for their own sake on the biggest day of Australian cricket.

Oh my god, the coach would be kidding wouldn't he? .

How could they play on form? At very worst I'm happy for one to play, not both. Outside of Hughes I'll spew up if they drop a younger player. I'd rather fail with a younger bloke than over the hill veterans. At least you feel you're developing someone.

 

[KiwiRoo]

Wonder if they'll play Bollinger for Starc if they still want a leftie.

Cant see Bollinger playing for Aussie again..Talented enough, but cant see Selectors picking someone his age plus I dont think they were too impressed with his fitness when he did play.

I'd stick with Starc too..has the talent, let him learn the game at the top level.
Warne & McGrath went for plenty in their first tests,they stuck with them and look how that turned out.

 

[Slax]

Micky Arthur has stated that Ponting & Hussey are certain starters for Boxing Day. I hope Australia get torn to shreds for their own sake on the biggest day of Australian cricket.

Just because he has said that we need experience in our middle order doesn't necessarily mean they are safe neither does the following comment

"We haven't even come to any thought of how we manage any exit for any of those players,"

You don't need to have an exit stratergy to ease them out of the team, the axe is still the axe whenever it falls.

 

[scottwade]

It's well and good to make bold statements about "looking to the future" and selectors needing to have bigger balls but if the solution is dropping Ponting or Hussey and picking Daniel Christian – does that really make us more likely to beat India?

Not sure how you reach the conclusion that Christian would replace Hussey or Ponting. However.

Since 2008 Australia has lost 16 Tests, with only the West Indies and Bangladesh having lost more Tests in the same period.

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.