Who's going to be the fall guy to let Symonds in?

[Nostromo]

Looks like Oz have dropped Hodge after all to make room for Symonds and kept Hussey and Watson for the SA match today. IMO the former decision is a mistake, one which they might well end up regretting. Time will tell.

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by Younis Khan #1

I can't believe you suggested Mike Hussey!?!? i don't think australia can win the WC without him. ....

You're quite right. He is a great finisher. He just finished himself against South Africa.

[Aussie-Yank]

Originally Posted by Nostromo

You're quite right. He is a great finisher. He just finished himself against South Africa.

With respect, I disagree - he played for Australia, he only had a few balls left in the innings to play so go for the runs. I would have thought Hodge would have played to keep his wicket and Australia would not have got as many runs.

Watson was used as the bowler and therefore the reason he was not dropped - which is what I suggested earlier in this thread.

So dropping Hodge ended up being the correct course - Australia wins and Symonds gets a match to increase his fitness and form.

[acker]

Well that about summed it up. And to South Africa welcome to the real deal.

[Quagmire]

Well I think it is a bit funny that people seem to think that Hodge is a slow batsman, his strike rate in ODI's is at 93.98.

These are his scores since he was reintroduced into the side.
Comm Bank
vs Eng - 0 off 3 balls
vs Eng - 1 off 6 balls
vs Nzl - 99* off 86 balls
vs Eng - 5 off 10 balls
vs Eng - 49 off 46 balls

Chappel-Hadlee Trophy
22 off 49 balls
97* off 86 balls
12 off 10 balls

WC
vs Scot - 29 off 28 balls
vs Net - 123 off 89 balls

[Aussie-Yank]

The main reason is that Hodge starts slowly and then heats up in the later part of the innings;

For example is his 123 against the Netherlands;

15 off 25
30 off 39
36 off 47

He keeps to about a run a ball at this stage until he gets to 50 - then he starts to unwind

49 off 58
50 off 61
55 off 67
75 off 72

The problem is when he gets out early - in the 15 to 20 run range he uses up more deliveries than most of the Australian batsman - this is where he gets the slow scorer from.

ie the 22 from 49 deliveries in the Chappell Hadlee Trophy.

It is not to say he cant score quickly - just that is his normal style, and when he gets out it gets highlighted - when he doesn't and goes on with it, he has a very good run rate.

[Quagmire]

Well concidering that was the game where Australia were all out for 148 and when Hodge came in Australia were 3-45. Hussey top scored with 42 off 96 balls.