Gillespie's bowling becoming a concern.

[Seamer]

Is it just me, or can everyone else see how bad Gillespie is bowling. His first delivery in yesterday's final almost bounced twice before reaching Gilchrist. The cordon then moved up, and Gilchrist was still taking half the balls around his ankles.
Ok. Even if by some miricle he gets up above medium pace, what about how the ball comes out of his hand. The commentators showed slow motion shots of the ball coming out of his hand and were surprised to see the ball was constantly coming out scrambled. It was no surprise to me however, as he had this problem in the NZ tour and last summer in Aus.
His figures in the NATWEST overall:
Matches - 7,wickets - 5, Average - 50.2,
Against England
Matches - 4,wickets - 1, Average - 144.0
Fortunately he picked up the prize scalp of Tremlett or he would be asking the others how it felt to get an Englishman out."
Statistics aside, every batsmen (tailenders too) have looked comfortable against him, and his lack of penetration is becoming clearer to see with each succesive game. If he is struggling with the basic fundemental of keeping the seam upright when releasing the ball, how can he justify the claim of being a world class bowler. I think he is going to harm our chances of keeping the Ashes if selected, and i will be reviving this thread as a told-you-so at the end of the series.
What do you think? Does he actually deserve to keep his spot, or is it just because the CA marketing men want him there?

[Beny]

I wouldent include him in the first test. I'd let Lee and Kaspa have a go.

[R W S]

Asking the question 'Who would England rather face?' the answer would, atm, be Dizzy! But I heard Merv Hughes (recently appointed as an Aussie selector) on the radio yesterday and he was pointing out how Dizzy was getting the ball 'in the right areas' and from what I could tell he indicated that Dizzy would start the first test.

Good news.

[John]

Isn't it reassuring that you can go in with Gillespie off form Bradd Hogg and Symonds not great bowlers and you can still come close to winning.
I take it they will give Dizzy a run out before the first Test and if he underperforms again they will replace him. What about Tait?
Do you think Symonds should be included? If I were English I would be happy to see him get on the plane after the last one day game.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by R W S

But I heard Merv Hughes (recently appointed as an Aussie selector) on the radio yesterday and he was pointing out how Dizzy was getting the ball 'in the right areas' and from what I could tell he indicated that Dizzy would start the first test.
Good news.

I bet you were pleased RWS.
I heard the same inteview(we are recieving the English radio coverage) while lying in bed last night and shook my head in wonder. My mates and i have come to the conclusion that Merv (and possibly all the selectors) are either suffering from mass delusion or are recieving directives from higher up. Or that Merv does'nt know what he is talking about and will be brought into line by Hohn's like Border was.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by John

I take it they will give Dizzy a run out before the first Test and if he underperforms again they will replace him. What about Tait?
Do you think Symonds should be included? If I were English I would be happy to see him get on the plane after the last one day game.

These are questions that the selectors are hoping they don't have to answer, John. Their idea of selection is picking the same 12 over and over and hope they continue winning.
Tait has never played a test and will be too big a gamble i think.
Before the series began, i stated my ashes wish to be Symonds being called into the test squad and playing the tests. I hope it comes true. We could bring Lee into the frame, or McGill and go with two leg spinners.
The best scenario is Gillespie suddenly bowling well and going in with the same team we have used for the last 12 months, but i don't think Gillespie will come good. And it must be said, Kasprowicz is not bowling that well either. Thank god McGrath and Warne will be there is all i can say.

[John]

I am fairly naive here I believe that if they say Gillespie should play I bow to their greater knowledge of the game.
If I see someone like Gillespie bowling badly I assume they should not be risked for the Ashes.

[greg]

I think more worrying is the fact that yesterday was easily Gillespie's best performance in the tournament yet he still looked way off his best.I say play him

[Junior_Flem]

They will play him in the first Test, and probably the second. It may not be the right decision but they will play him. Given his waning form since our last summer, once they drop him it will be permanent. I daresay the selectors are very aware of this and are giving him every chance. He regained form in NZ, let's hope he can do it again.

That aside, they are nuts if they don't take Lee into the first test, ahead of Kasper. If Gillespie continues to fail, then bring Kasper in. That's my thoughts.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Junior_Flem

That aside, they are nuts if they don't take Lee into the first test, ahead of Kasper. If Gillespie continues to fail, then bring Kasper in. That's my thoughts.

That is probably what they will do i suspect, JF. My concern is have you noticed how Lee struggles once the shine goes off the ball? And Gillespie needs a proud seam to get movement off the wicket? The only specialist change bowler we have in the squad is Kasprowicz. If we go into the test with three openers, what happens once the ball is 25 overs old?