White for India?

[Ernest]

Yes Nikhil but the wickets in India are made for SLA like Giles to bowl defensively on, Warne is the wrong type of bowler for that, Giles took a lot of stick in the media, for how he bowled in India, but it was good stuff bowled leg stump, but he had to be accurate.

Murali turning the ball the other way, did not have that option, but a finger spinner, even an off spinner should do ok in India.

[Mike]

     O    M   R  W Econ R Match
SM: 36    8 134  5 3.72 D 3rd Test  v SA  in Aus 1997/98 at Adelaide [1397] DRAW
SW: 48    8 147  3 3.06 D 3rd Test  v SA  in Aus 1997/98 at Adelaide [1397]

SM: 40.2  6 107 12 2.65 W 5th Test  v Eng in Aus 1998/99 at Sydney [1439] LOSS
SW: 39    7 110  2 2.82 W 5th Test  v Eng in Aus 1998/99 at Sydney [1439]

SM: 16    5  41  3 2.56 W 1st Test  v WI  in WI  1998/99 at Port of Spain [1448] WIN
SW: 14    4  35  0 2.50 W 1st Test  v WI  in WI  1998/99 at Port of Spain [1448]

SM: 22.3  3  84  3 3.73 L 2nd Test  v WI  in WI  1998/99 at Kingston [1451] LOSS
SW: 30    8  94  1 3.13 L 2nd Test  v WI  in WI  1998/99 at Kingston [1451]

SM: 41   11  95  1 2.32 L 3rd Test  v WI  in WI  1998/99 at Bridgetown [1453] LOSS
SW: 39.5  6 139  1 3.49 L 3rd Test  v WI  in WI  1998/99 at Bridgetown [1453]

SM: 65.2 19 174  7 2.66 W 3rd Test  v SA  in Aus 2001/02 at Sydney [1582] WIN
SW: 61.5 13 179  6 2.89 W 3rd Test  v SA  in Aus 2001/02 at Sydney [1582]

SM: 38.2  6 143  5 3.73 W 1st Test  v SL  in SL  2003/04 at Galle [1685] WIN
SW: 57.4 14 159 10 2.76 W 1st Test  v SL  in SL  2003/04 at Galle [1685]

SM: 17    1  89  0 5.24 W 2nd Test  v SL  in SL  2003/04 at Kandy [1688] WIN
SW: 41.2  5 155 10 3.75 W 2nd Test  v SL  in SL  2003/04 at Kandy [1688]

Totals:
SM 370.3 Ov; 59 M;  867 R; 36 W; 2.34 Econ; 24.08 Ave
SW 331.4 Ov; 65 M; 1018 R; 33 W; 3.07 Econ; 30.84 Ave

Since MacGill's first Test match in 1998 Australia have played 76 Test matches. MacGill has played in 32 of those and Warne has played in 49. MacGill has toured twice to the West Indies, once to Pakistan and recently to Sri Lanka. In the same period Warne has toured India twice and all the other Test countries once except for Bangladesh and Pakistan. In the same period both players played the same Test match on 8 occasions for the following results: D,L,W,L,L,W,W,W.

MacGill's figures in those head-to-head contests are better than Warne's. Warne has never taken more than 10 wickets in a Test series in India which may be why the selectors are reluctant to take two leg-spinners. They probably figure that only one leg-spinner will go into a match and that should be Warne. Warne usually fields at 1st slip and is a better bat than MacGill which would have been taken into account.

[Beny]

Plus nobody likes Macgill .

In all seriousness though. Macgill is what, 32,33 compared to White, who is a likely allrounder at 21 and to take the mentality of the English supporters, this dictates that he is going to get better. Put aside how he has profomed at State Level and just concentrate on how he proforms in the event he plays a test. The Potential is certinly there and he will be better for the experiance.

[Big Merv]

If White is only 21 then there's no rush to bring him into the test team. If he deserves it then so be it but putting him into the team to get experience just seems odd to me. He could get experience at state or county cricket.

[Beny]

The thing is though that the only other replacement is McGill and he is not only a ^&*% but I think if it were to be between taking Macgill over somebody like Kaspa then my money's on Kaspa.

[Nikhil]

I believe eveyone agrees on the fact that Warne is the best spinner in Australia. If think most would also agree on the logic that, Aussies will play only one spinner and three seamers in India. So, it leaves only Warne with a chance in the playing eleven.

Now the logic of picking White and Heuriatz (pardon my spelling) becomes very clear. White is similar to Kumble. So, Aussies will play him in the nets in hope to prepare for Kumble and similarly with Heuriatz.

I think it's a good move by the selectors.

[Wilcrap]

Hauritz or White will play as a last resort only if Warne is injured. More damage can be done with the quicks anyway, especially if the ball goes reverse. I would rather see Symonds play as a second spinner/medium pacer/batting/fielding genius. I dont know why i have such a soft spot for Symonds, just the way he can do everything on the field, attack and bat sensibly now as well.

I disagree with Nikhil however, White is nothing compared to Kumble. Anils variations of spin, pace and flight are thrilling to watch. White sends darts down with minimal spin. He would be eaten alive.

Forget bowling spin to the Indians anyway. I dont even forsee Warne being that successful. Leave it to McGrath, Kaspa and Gillespie.

[Beny]

Looks like the selectors got it right. Kaspa is bowling briliantly.