Who's next?

[villa]

I want asutralia should pick hussey for thier future australian middle order batsman , he is a big hitter , who can also find gaps easily, get qiuck runs in the start and end , who can stay at the crease for a long time to.

[Leafy Seadragon]

Originally Posted by Seamer

We are now in a period of dominance and have no need to endure mediocracy.

Its fortunate that we didn't persevere with the other player in your list who showed a similar degree of 'mediocrity' at a time when Australia was dominant, namely Ricky Ponting - after 23 innings average 41.59, 2 centuries (2nd century in his 20th innings and 36 innings until his 3rd). Or that other no-hoper Langer, who scored his second century in his 22rd innings, when his average was 36.47. Not too dissimilar to Katich, so its fortunate we're not lumbered with these examples of mediocrity. Oh, hang on a sec...

Many of the best players don't necessarily start their careers in a blaze of glory for numerous reasons. That doesn't mean that they don't have the potential to go on to bigger and better things. That's particularly likely to be the case when a player is in and out of a team (through no fault of his own - just the incumbents are doing damn fine). Let's hope Katich kicks on in the same way

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

Anyway, my faith in Victorians and Hodge has been paid off with Hodge's spot in the tour of New Zealand. And he'll never play for Australia??? I dare say there is a chance he will. Seamer, this aint' a slanging match, rather in a bit of cross state rivalry and poking a little fun. Choke on the words, with 50 gasps inbetween each!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Paoli69,
Technically, i said he would never PLAY for Australia, so i won't start choking just yet. But in all fairness, I honestly believed the selectors would bypass players over 30 so on that point, i have been proven wrong. I do feel for Bevo though, he had done all he could, but Hodge has enjoyed good form for many seasons and his selection is deserved. Actually, i am very happy to see him in the squad and hope he knocks Katitch out of the team ( I suspect that is what the selectors have in mind). Hodge is a classy player, great to watch, and a matchwinner on his day and could make the Aussie team even stronger than what is was with Lehman. I am glad for Hodge, and Victorians in general, and hope he now nails down number 5 or 6 for the next 5 years.
To be fair P69, getting to the squad is good enough for me to have a nice choke on my words but i will only have 25 gasps in between.

[Milo]

Originally Posted by Leafy Seadragon

Its fortunate that we didn't persevere with the other player in your list who showed a similar degree of 'mediocrity' at a time when Australia was dominant, namely Ricky Ponting - after 23 innings average 41.59, 2 centuries (2nd century in his 20th innings and 36 innings until his 3rd). Or that other no-hoper Langer, who scored his second century in his 22rd innings, when his average was 36.47. Not too dissimilar to Katich, so its fortunate we're not lumbered with these examples of mediocrity. Oh, hang on a sec...

Many of the best players don't necessarily start their careers in a blaze of glory for numerous reasons. That doesn't mean that they don't have the potential to go on to bigger and better things. That's particularly likely to be the case when a player is in and out of a team (through no fault of his own - just the incumbents are doing damn fine). Let's hope Katich kicks on in the same way

I think the major piont here is that Australia didn't put up with the performances you mention above. Ponting and Langer (along with Martyn, Hayden from this team) all lost their place to be replaced by the likes of Blewett, Bevan, Elliott and Slater. The very fact they regained their place was more to do with the relative failures of these replacements.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Leafy Seadragon

Its fortunate that we didn't persevere with the other player in your list who showed a similar degree of 'mediocrity' at a time when Australia was dominant, namely Ricky Ponting - after 23 innings average 41.59, 2 centuries (2nd century in his 20th innings and 36 innings until his 3rd). Or that other no-hoper Langer, who scored his second century in his 22rd innings, when his average was 36.47. Not too dissimilar to Katich, so its fortunate we're not lumbered with these examples of mediocrity. Oh, hang on a sec...

Firstly, Ricky Ponting was 20, not 29 like Katitch so there was value in persevering with a young talent like Ponting. As far as Langer was concerned, he was dropped during the 2001 Ashes tour, got a reprieve with the demise of Slater, and drastically changed his batting approach and now has the batting prowess that Katitch could only dream about. Had he not changed, Australia would have been better off without him. At the end of the day, Centuries - and big ones - are what make a batsman and win matches. Not blokes chipping in every now and then. I would'nt even be able to hold my spot in my 2nd grade team with Katitch's conversion rate. In any case, i just hate the way he bats. Rather have several teeth pulled. Go Brad Hodge!!!!

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Beny

Seamer,

I dont care how many tons he makes. I'm far more interested in how many runs he makes. As I've pointed out above, he has only made 50 once and since than he's made numerous 70's,80's and even 99... are you going to drop this guy over 1 run? On top of that he, out of the three names mentiond in the post, is the most sucsessfull in Aussie Domestic cricket. My warning, don't take Katich at you're own risk, because taking Hussy ( a big hitter) along with a middle order consisting of Clarke and Gilly, is not a good structure.

Beny,
You obviously respect Katitch as a batsman and i definately do not. He is more of a South African style batsman than Aussie. Could save matches but not win them. This Aussie team is in the buisiness of winning matches. If not Hussey, then Hodge, Bevan or even Lehman again. We will just have to agree to disagree on this one. Would you take Kattitch over Hodge? I know i would'nt

[Leafy Seadragon]

Milo,
I accept that to some extent. However, the players in question were dropped while they were doing much worse than Katich is currently doing. In fact, for a while after Ponting's reinstatement, his figures still were comparable to Katich's. Langer was in a similar position, but to a lesser degree (when he finally established himself). Katich on the other hand has generally performed when required (well at least in my opinion).

Langer's average currently isn't leagues ahead of Katich and he was actually behind Katich before the last test of the summer. With more frequent tons, this suggests that Langer was actually 'failing' more frequently than Katich. There was (rightly) no consideration of dropping Langer. Both are playin well. The only reason that Katich failed to establish himself was the form of the incumbent (Lehmann), rather than Katich's own failure. Frustratingly for Katich he was dropped in the best test form of his career (following a 125 & 75* V India). Given that he wasn't able to capitalise on this run of form, his current average might have been even higher (and also his ratio of centuries), although he may have also crashed - we'll never know as he wasn't given the chance until a couple of tests later. Once again, he had to come in and prove himself, never actually having the opportunity and easing of pressure of knowing that a good run would secure him a place. Heck, even Clarke had to rely on injuries to maintain his place, despite a season that saw him as the Australian cricketer of the year...

[Milo]

It was scandalous that Symonds got given his test chance in front of many players (thus dropping Katich after the India game you mention) on the tour to Sri Lanka because of some form shown in one day cricket. The guy has never been too impressive at first class level and this was really unlike anything the Australian selectors had done before or since.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Milo

It was scandalous that Symonds got given his test chance in front of many players (thus dropping Katich after the India game you mention) on the tour to Sri Lanka because of some form shown in one day cricket. The guy has never been too impressive at first class level and this was really unlike anything the Australian selectors had done before or since.

Milo, I must remind you that Symonds was selected for that game to bat 7 as an allrounder. No one else in Australian cricket can bat, bowl offspin and medium pace. He is also the best fielder in the world. They also gave Watson a run as an allrounder as well . Australia want another allrounder option for team balance in certain tests so don't be surprised if Symonds gets another run in the future.

[Paoli]

Originally Posted by Seamer

I would'nt even be able to hold my spot in my 2nd grade team with Katitch's conversion rate. In any case, i just hate the way he bats. Rather have several teeth pulled. Go Brad Hodge!!!!

Go Brad Hodge Never thought youd say that.

Originally Posted by Beny

I dont care how many tons he makes. I'm far more interested in how many runs he makes. As I've pointed out above, he has only made 50 once and since than he's made numerous 70's,80's and even 99... are you going to drop this guy over 1 run?

Exactly. 1 every 23 should really be 1 every 11.5. Couldn't agree with you more Beny.