World Cup Squad

[Donny]

Forthright as usual, JLC. But, as usual (lol) you've left holes big enough to drive a Mack truck, filled with the Balmy Army, through.

Don't you think, if the Australian selectors had ANY intention of considering him for the World Cup, Steve Waugh would, at the very least, be playing for Australia A ? He's getting no limited overs practice at all.

No matter how hysterical the Sydney media carry on or the likes of Stacky (amusing and endearing, but astute? I don't think so) reckons he should be in the final 15, he's got buckley's. Actually, Bux has more chance of being selected.

Anyway, m8, where would you fit him in? As the present top 6 batsmen will go and there's only room for one spare batsman, are you advocating selecting him ahead of Maher, Blewett, Love, Hussey, Clarke, Langer or Campbell, named as a 'must' by Richie Benaud as cover for Gilly and the extra batsman.

Make no mistake about my respect for Tugga. History will rank him near the top of the cricketing tree, and rightly so. He's our most successful Test captain - not necessarily the best tactician but a wonderful people manager who gets the utmost from his players. Yes, his world Cup 120 against South Africa was a masterpiece but he was never a great limited overs batsman (check his figures). He was, however, a great leader.

Until recently, he's the batsman most people would pick (with A.B. at the other end) to be there when your team was in trouble. Not that he's considered as a gutsy batsman only. Early on he was a great stylist and NO-ONE cut and square drove better.

There IS a glint of hope for Tugga supporters however. Malcolm Speed, in an interveiw this morning, revealed it IS possible for players not selected in the original 30 to be selected in the final 15 but they would have had to do something nearing spectacular for the W.C. committee to consider it. This also brings MacGill back into the equation if Warney doesn't make it.

Spot on, JLC, about appreciating just how good Warney is after watching MacGill bowl in this Test. I also wouldn't take him to the World Cup. Hogg looks to have the inside running for that spot.

I don't agree Watson is garbage. He's a young all-rounder worth nurturing, as they have been. But with Harvey back from injury, I agree he should go ahead of Watson. Watson's time will come.

So, the squad will be pretty close to this:

The present 12 but with Harvey in for Watson and Hogg in if Warney doesn't come up, with the other 3 spots going to (1)Maher or Langer (Campbell if they want cover for Gilly), (2) Hauritz and (3) Noffke or Bracken.

One last word on Tugga, m8. I'll be very happy if he goes (if a little bemused) and you'll be more than a little happy to drive that Mack truck right over me. Lol.




Donny.

GO THE MIGHTY WOODSMEN !! ALL THE WAY IN 2003 AND BEYOND !!!!

[This message has been edited by MAGFAN8 (edited 29 December 2002).]

[This message has been edited by MAGFAN8 (edited 29 December 2002).]

[JLC]

Interesting to note that Steve Waugh averages 48 with the bat in World Cup matched 15 runs higher than his one day average and clearly superior to any Australian in contention for the squad in terms of World Cup averages. Admitedly they have not played as many World Cup games in Haydens case zero but at least it shows Waugh performs on the Big World Stage.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[gobbles21]

In my opinion Ryan Campbell should be a certainty. We need a backup keeper for Gilly. Ponting could do the job, but its a bit much to ask in a world cup (especially if a final). Plus using Punter as keeper takes alot away from our fielding. If Campbell does go his batting ability allows us to use him as a batsman as well if needed.

My squad would be:

Hayden
Gilchrist (VC)
Ponting (C)
Martyn
Lehmann
Bevan
Symonds
Warne / Hauritz
B. Lee
Gillespie
McGrath
Bichel
Campbell
Watson
Maher

With Michael Clarke as a roughie to replace Maher. I have selected Hauritz over Hogg as the spinner if Warne doesn't go. Although it was hard to seperate the two because of Hogg's batting and fielding ability. Symonds is a much better batsman than Watson in the last few overs of an innings. With our top order we really don't need a quality batsman at No. 7 but Symonds is handy in the dying overs. And his bowling isn't of a very high quality but if Warne does'nt go he provides an extra spin option, or he can bowl medium pace. He doesn't need to bowl 10 overs a match, Lehmann, Martyn and Bevan are all capable to have a trundle if Symonds is getting a hammering. Watson should go just in case Symonds doesn't play well.

"I'm such a good lover because I practice a lot on my own." - Woody Allen

[JLC]

I found this very interesting It is an article from the Sky Sports website:

Veterans Gary Kirsten and Lance Klusener have been included in South Africa's squad for the forthcoming World Cup despite dips in form.

Both players have been in and out of the national squad in recent months, with all-rounder Klusener's bad run a particular worry.

The player of the tournament at the 1999 World Cup has struggled badly, but chipped in with a 50 when he returned against Sri Lanka last month.

Opener Kirsten, meanwhile, has been preferred to in-form batsman Jacques Rudolph, who has been a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket this season.

Rudolph, who has scored five domestic centuries and a 90 against Pakistan earlier this month, made the headlines after losing out in the race row on last year's South African tour of Australia.

He was replaced by a black player, Justin Ontong, for the third test on the behest of United Cricket Board president Percy Sonn.

The South African squad includes five players of colour as agreed with the South Africa minister of sport Ngconde Balfour, while there are places for veterans Allan Donald and Jonty Rhodes.

South Africa captain Shaun Pollock and his vice-captain Mark Boucher have both been retained for the tournament.

Squad: Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Jonty Rhodes, Monde Zondeki








Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[gobbles21]

The Australian final 15 man squad has been named:
Ricky Ponting TAS (C)
Adam Gilchrist WA (VC)
Michael Bevan NSW
Andrew Bichel QLD
Jason Gillespie SA
Matthew Hayden QLD
Brad Hogg WA
Brett Lee NSW
Darren Lehmann SA
Jimmy Maher QLD
Damien Martyn WA
Glenn McGrath NSW
Andrew Symonds QLD
Shane Warne VIC
Shane Watson TAS

[JLC]

Are the selectors serious or they think this is some domestic level tournament ?? The way i see it is that South Africa despite its flawed selection policy being the host nation has the best chance of knocking off Australia. So a good test of our squad would be to see if they would get a game for South Africa.

Shane Watson - All Rounder Doesnt bowl or bat particularly well. Would he get a game for South Africa ?? Very very unlikely unless he stays out in the sun and gets burnt to a crisp.

Andrew Symonds - The guy who promises so much and has been given chance after chance yet blows each one. Doesn't or won't construct an innings and throws away his wicket. Only an adequate bowler at best. Brilliant fielder though i will give him that. Yet he is in the selectors good books obviously for some reason.

Andrew Bichel - The all round good guy. Always enthusiatic and is a good team man to have around. His selection is a bif iffy but he is an ok player. Wouldnt get a game for South Africa though.

Jimmy Maher - Is an batsmen. Isnt an option in the bowling ranks but selectors seem to like the idea of him being a floating batsman. Is this because he isnt good enough to command a position in the batting order ??


I really really hope that Gilchrist continues his good form at the top of the order against some of the quality bowling attacks because i don't think their is a specialist opener capable of playing in his spot.

Obviously the selectors know best but personally i think their are a few too many passengers in the world cup squad. I refuse to see how Symonds can get chosen ahead of Ian Harvey or a specialist bowler or batsmen. There is also no left arm bowler to add variety to the attack!! Pakistan have Akram, South Afrcia have Klusener, India have Zaheer Kahn.

jlc




Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[Fradam]

I'll probably be in the minority here but I think Brad Hogg is a good selection. He can bowl and can bat.

I wouldn't have taken Watson or Symonds. Watson does nothing with the ball and Symonds is very dissapointing with the bat. I would've picked Harvey even though he continually fails with the bat, the fact is he's a better bowler than the other two and it's not like they are making more runs than him.

The other player I would've picked would be Deano!!!!!!!!

Bring him back we need him.

Seriously though, Campbell would've been the other one. Not as a back up keeper but more becuase of his explosive batting down the order would be very handy.

Fradam Wrote This

[Donny]

JLC! Maaaaaaaaaaaate. You've done it again. Lol.

What's the point of having a left armer in there if he's not good enough?! You say it'd be good to have someone like Zaheer Khan. Why?? He only has 80 wickets in 51 matches, has never taken a 5 wicket haul and goes for 4.8 runs per over!

In the same sentence about lefties, you name Klusener. He goes for 4.7 an over and, incidentally m8, he's a right armer!

And as for your very negative thoughts about this squad trying to win in South Africa, correct me if I'm wrong but didn't we thrash them (SA) over there in the one-dayers recently? 5/1 and a tie, wasn't it?

Donny.

GO THE MIGHTY WOODSMEN !! ALL THE WAY IN 2003 AND BEYOND !!!!

[gobbles21]

Well said Donny. Beat me too it.

[gobbles21]

Anyone got any opinons on Ryan Campbell's omision from the squad? What happens if Gilchrist is injured for say a semi final?, is Ponting good enough to keep, or do we leave Gilchrist out for the remainder of the series and bring Campbell in?

[Donny]

Yeah, gobbles. I would rather have Ryan Campbell in there instead of Jimmy Maher, although Maher deserves his spot.

Using Ponting to keep would be counter productive. He ranks, along with Jonty Rhodes and Andrew Symonds, as the best fieldsman in world cricket.

I think Marto would keep if Gilly got a minor injury otherwise Campbell would replace Gilly completely, as you said.

Although I had Ian Harvey in my squad, I'm not unhappy Symonds got that spot. On his day he is capable of superlative play, on all fronts.

Donny.

GO THE MIGHTY WOODSMEN !! ALL THE WAY IN 2003 AND BEYOND !!!!

[Donny]

I'm with you, Fradam. Bring back Deano!! He was the best Oz limited overs batsman, by a long way.

Donny.

GO THE MIGHTY WOODSMEN !! ALL THE WAY IN 2003 AND BEYOND !!!!

[JLC]

Ok lets see if that squad returns with the World Cup. When they do i will get on here and and you can gloat and say you were right etc etc. I will apologise to the selectors and Symonds and whoever else i thought was not good enough.

However i fail to see how that squad will win the World Cup. They should make the first stage but i wouldnt be surprised if they bow out in the first stage of the knockouts. I will be rapt if im wrong and they do win the World Cup

They have picked too many players who dont excel with either bat or bowl. I think Symonds should be smart enough to click that Buchanan, Hohns and Border all being fellow QLD's must have gone into bat for him in a BIG way. Obviously the Australia A games don't mean much as he didnt do much with the bat in them.....lol surely they don't think he is a good bowler ??

By the way remember that its very hard for Indian pace bowlers to perform that well as their wickets are not condusive for fast bowling and maybe this is the reason his economy rate is not that good? I think Zaheer Kahn will do ok in the World Cup along with Javagal Srinath who has been in great form. Id take Klusener ahead of Watson and Symonds and Bichel anyday.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[JLC]

I don't think you can replace Gilchrist he is one of a kind. His explosive batting can't be replaced. I doubt if any of the other players are good enough to keep to Warne (assuming he plays). After watching India trying to play with a make shift keeper in Dravid it makes you appreciate the likes of Gilchrist who maybe sometimes is taken for granted

Heaven forbid if he was injured i would send a replacement out ASAP.

jlc

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[Donny]

We were only talking of replacing Gilly if he got a bad injury.
In which case, Campbell would be the man.

Donny.

GO THE MIGHTY WOODSMEN !! ALL THE WAY IN 2003 AND BEYOND !!!!