The battle to be the next Australian quick

[Quagmire]

Since McGrath has retired from test cricket there is currently Lee and Clark already in the side but there are three young candiates, who have all been impressive this year in either domestic or ODI matches.

Ben Hilfenhaus 23 years old opening bowler for Tasmania - This season he is the leading wicket taker in Pura Cup matches with 34 wickets at 27.35 in 6 matches with a Best Bowling of 7-79, three five wicket hauls. Hilfy has also taken 12 wickets at 24.83 in the Ford Ranger Cup and made his International debut against New Zealand where he opened the bowling getting the wicket of McCullum and ending up with figures of of 1/26 off 7 overs. He also bowled very well in the Twenty/20 match against England taking 2/16 off his four overs getting the wickets of Collingwood and Bell.

Shaun Tait 23 years old opening bowler for South Australia - This season he is third on the leading wickets list in Pura Cup with 26 wickets at 21.00 from 5 matches with a best bowling of 5-43, Tait has also taken 8 wickets at 27.62 in the Ford Ranger Cup.

Mitchell Johnson 25 years old opening bowler for Queensland - This season he has only played three Pura Cup match with 12 wickets at 24.58 with a best bowling of 4-56, he has also exploded onto the International one day scene with 23 wickets at 23.78 with an impressive 4/11 against India where he ripped through the Indian top order getting out Dravid, Sehwag, Pathan & Tendulkar. Impressive

Jason Gillespie is back in form with 21 wickets at 24.85 and has been bowling like he was pre ashes 2005

[Younis Khan #1]

I think it is between tait and johnson. Very close, but tait i feel is the better TEST for the future. Looked great pre ashes, too....

[Aussie-Yank]

I think the selectors are hoping that Johnson is the next big thing. A left handed quick is nice to have in your side - especially for the variety it creates with a left and right hand fast attack.

Tait to me is another Lee - and as I can take or leave Lee he really does not impress me much. Lee however has changed his action somewhat and is looking like a better bowler - so is this Mr Cooley's contribution?

[darksideofthemoon]

I can see the Test bowlers as
Lee
Clark
Johnson

and the ODI side
Lee
Bracken
Johnson
Hilfenhaus

Tait I feel with be injury prone.

[Wiljoy]

Australia has so much talent in the ranks,it must be frightening for the other cricketing nations.

[greg]

Originally Posted by Wiljoy

Australia has so much talent in the ranks,it must be frightening for the other cricketing nations.

I'm not scared.How many test wickets do they have so far?

Anyway we have Plunkett,Broad and a fully fit Anderson to throw into the test side so we have a few decent youngsters too.

[KennyG]

Johnson is a lefty with good control and was 12th man this ashes so he will get the spot first.
Johnson is a better batsman than the others also.
With Warne going he will slot in after Lee.

Tait and Lee in the same team equals high R.P.O.
Hilfy looks good but will have to wait his turn.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by KennyG

Tait and Lee in the same team equals high R.P.O.
Hilfy looks good but will have to wait his turn.

Definately, whilst Tait is very quick I dont think he'll be that sucessful at test cricket, whereas Johnson could do a good job and if he stays fit could be Aussies new Gillespie - pitching the ball up at good pace at moving it about.

I've seen little of Hilfenhaus but I'd imagine he'd be a good pick when the Aussies tour NZ and England.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

I've seen little of Hilfenhaus but I'd imagine he'd be a good pick when the Aussies tour NZ and England.

If Lee is expected to bowl as poorly as he did through MOST of the recent Ashes tournament.... then Australia would (in strict bowling terms) be well advised to let Hilfenhaus take his place alongside Clark and Johnson... but Lee did produce something a tad better at the end of the series... and as he's the only one with real experience and can bat at eight... I suspect Hilfenhaus will ahve to wait on injuries.

What I don't doubt is that he should be ahead of Tait in the pecking order: the moment one of Lee, Johnson and Clark are injured, the kid should be given his test debut.

[pie_chucker]

I think an Aussie attack of Lee, Clark, MaGill and Johnson is a decent attack with Hilfenhaus to come in for MaGill on a seamers wicket. Although I hope in '09 they go with Lee and Tait.