NSW didn't need Lee

[Milo]

Well, it was clear that New South Wales didn't need Big Brett to fly in to the rescue and make a mess of their push for the Pura Cup. Bracken did the business, just as he has all season. This guy has bowled really well this year (including one amazing spell of 7-4) and I feel should get a trip to England this summer. If called into play, he could be the hidden weapon that will rattle England's cage. I remember Reiffel showing up when McDermott went home in 93. Could Bracken be the one to come through now for the Aussies? or will they simply pick the vastly over-rated run machine Brett Lee if injury occurs?

[Rachael]

Depends how brave they are: few would call for the heads of the selectors if Brett Lee is called in and (as we predict) sucks.. but if it were Bracken that came in and he was merely ordinary there might stil be a lot of ranting on the terraces.

[Teatime FatCat]

I think Bracken was called up for a test last year, and was pretty ordinary then.

[Milo]

He was ordinary, but so were many players when they first come in (as was Gillespie in that series). I think the break will have helped him - and he has been bowling very well of late.

[Leafy Seadragon]

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Tait getting a go. He's quick, has done the business in the Pura Cup (Oz Domestic) and as he's still very young, might benefit the most from spending the Oz winter with the Aussies. On top of that, I think that he's probably Oz's best long-term prospect.

[Paoli]

Bracken has done nothing wrong, when playing for Australia on two occasions in tests, he has shown promise. Didn't get called up to the Aus A side, but in the 20/20 game vs. Pakistan was a late call up for Brett Lee and took 1/14 off his four. He is a very good ODI bowler, deserves another shot...He can still play tests, but we have to remember he is only 25/26

[acker]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

Bracken has done nothing wrong, when playing for Australia on two occasions in tests, he has shown promise. Didn't get called up to the Aus A side, but in the 20/20 game vs. Pakistan was a late call up for Brett Lee and took 1/14 off his four. He is a very good ODI bowler, deserves another shot...He can still play tests, but we have to remember he is only 25/26

Brackens done a hell of a lot more than Kaspawhathisname.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by acker

Brackens done a hell of a lot more than Kaspawhathisname.

Lets compare there records then
Kasprowicz
Tests
96 wickets @ 30.96
ODI's
60 wickets @ 23.9
First class
876 wickets @ 26.29
Bracken
Tests
6 wickets @ 58.5
ODI's
28 wickets @ 19.71
First class
147 wickets @ 27.73
By what do you base your above statement on then Acker? You are entitled to your opinion, and to your dislike of Queensland cricketers, but at the end of the day if you can't back up your statements with some semblance of fact (anecdotal evidence at the least), they have no credibility and will be treated as such

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Teatime FatCat

I think Bracken was called up for a test last year, and was pretty ordinary then.

He wasn't ordinary, rather the batsmen he bowled at very extra ordinary, an in form Sehwag, Laxman, Dravid, Tendulkar (and believe it or not) even Ganguly ...on hopelessly flat wickets (some of the flatest I have ever seen in Australia) ...

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

He wasn't ordinary, rather the batsmen he bowled at very extra ordinary

He played the 1sr, 3rd and 4th Tests. Gillespie played alongside him in the 1st and 4th.. Lee played alongside him in the 3rd and 4th. The innings returns were as follows:

Bowling                      O      M      R      W
Gillespie                   31     12     65      4 (2nb)
Bracken                     26      5     90      1 (1w)

Gillespie                    5      1     17      0 (2nb)
Bracken                      4      1     12      2

Lee                         27      7    103      2 (10nb)
Bracken                     28      6     71      1

Lee                         22      3     97      2 (3nb)
Bracken                     25     13     45      2

Lee                         39.3    5    201      4 (18nb)
Gillespie                   45     11    135      3 (5nb, 4w)
Bracken                     37     13     97      0

Lee                         12.2    2     75      0 (6nb, 1w)
Gillespie                    7      2     32      1 (1nb)
Bracken                      8      0     36      0

Going on nothing but the stats I think it's fair to say that Bracken (at least tidy) trashed Lee's (4 for 201 off 39.3 is just too funny) claim to be the next best seamer after McGrath and Gillespie... and that Gillespie showed that neither were in anything like HIS class.