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Around the Wicket - Rating the Aussies
Australia Player RatingsAlright, so we know the Aussies were outplayed, but there were still some good performers. Incidentally, we had two of the best 3 bowlers, and 3 of the best 4 batsmen... stats don’t always tell the true story. Here’s how I rated the Aussies.
Matthew Hayden – 3. Done. A poor series, which basically set the tone for the side. Often appeared confused at the crease, and dropped catches – signs that the reflexes are on the way out, and his mind isn’t at ease. Will need to score some runs for Queensland if he wants to stay in the side.
Simon Katich – 6.5. The Kat had a very similar series to Hashim Amla. Made more runs, but averaged slightly less. Produced consistent results – averaging 50 opening the batting, but didn’t get that big ton that he and his country needed from him. I wonder how Hayden’s form was affecting Katich?
Ricky Ponting – 7. Single handedly kept Australia in the hunt in Melbourne when nobody else could rise to the challenge, but too many failures other than that hurt him. It doesn’t help him going in at 1 for none all the time either. I thought his captaincy improved a bit this series, and I would reckon he learned a lot about his side, despite the loss.
Mike Hussey – 5. His first extended slump with the bat, but seemed to be nearing the form of old in the 2nd innings at Sydney. He dropped an absolute howler in Melbourne, but otherwise fielded pretty well, and took it upon himself to be the ‘head cheerleader’ for the series. Will have learned a lot about his batting this series.
Michael Clarke – 9. Scored more runs than the man of the series - Smith, and fielded brilliantly. Really came of age this series I think, and has developed a lot as a cricketer. Is definitely the man to lead the next generation in Australian cricket. Got his runs at a crucial time, and got them ugly at times too – which he has failed to do in the past.
Andrew Symonds – 5. Was clearly unfit for the series, and probably let his country down by not admitting it. He may find it difficult to get back into the side from here, and one has to wonder if he still has the passion for the game. Still averaged more than Hayden and Hussey though...
Brad Haddin – 7. Out batted Boucher, with 228 runs at 45, but too often we saw the cracks appearing in his keeping again. I think that’s a case of adjusting to test match level, and playing 3 test matches in 3 weeks. I think once he starts becoming adjusted to the demands of playing for Australia, we will see a more polished Haddin behind the stumps.
Brett Lee – 5. Another one who wasn’t fit. Gutsy of him to bowl in Melbourne with a broken foot, but probably shouldn’t have done it. A spell from the game will hopefully allow him to away and get his mind and body right for the Ashes tour. Yes, he should be there if he’s fit.
Mitchell Johnson – 9.5. Best bowler of the series for mine. Steyn took more wickets, but I thought Johnson bowled the better. Always looked threatening, and really showed a liking for leading the attack. Also proved very capable with the bat, and probably had a better all round series than Kallis. We know he’s going to be a key part of Australia’s rebuilding stage, and he will be a star for years to come.
Peter Siddle – 7.5. 13 wickets at 27 was enough for him to be the 3rd best wicket taker for the series. Great breakthrough series for the Vic quick. Has a lot of potential, and desire to fulfil that potential. Man of the match in Sydney will boost his confidence no end, and give him belief going forward.
Nathan Hauritz – 6. Did his job, and bowled tidily for his skipper, going at just 2.5 per over. However, his inability to break partnerships and take wickets in general is not a good sign for him. He’s at a crucial part of his career – you get the feeling this is last throw of the dice for Horry.
Jason Krejza – 2. Ordinary. Never looked like it in Perth, and deserved to be dropped. If a spinner isn’t taking wickets, he’d better be keeping it tight. Krejza didn’t, and paid the price.
Andrew McDonald – 6. Looked out of his depth with the bat at number 6, but didn’t do too badly with the ball. I would much prefer a specialist batsman at 6, but Ronnie did a decent job I guess.
Doug Bollinger – 6. Unlucky would be the word I’d use to describe the previously bald “swing” bowler. Could have had a few more wickets, but bowled really well on debut. Will likely make way for Stuart Clark, but a good replacement if needed.
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Tracks are so flat these days it seems that teams never get rolled. Our issue has been taking wickets not making runs in the most part. So why not bat Johnson at 6 & play an extra bowler.
Or play an allrounder giving you the extra bowler! McDonald is not a Test allrounder - not a good enough bat and not fast enough at mid 120s. Why was Hopes passed over?
Looks like Hilfenhaus has missed the boat. Bollinger in for SCG on 'horses for courses', but it wasn't a Sheffield Shield SCG pitch, yet another flat track - so the 'policy' is wrongly named. With Clark likely back, Lee for the Ashes and Tait perhaps for South Africa - swing bowler Hilfy will surely miss swinging England.
Woz, I don't know that Johnson could be a number 6 just yet. Possibly a 7, if they chose to bat Haddin at 6, but I'd still prefer 6 specialist batsmen, with one of those being able to bowl 15 overs of medium pace in an innings. That was the beauty of Steve and Mark Waugh, and Symonds to an extent. I think Watson would be ideal at number 6, if he can ever stay fit.
Gill, I'd say we'll take 5 quicks to England - Lee, Clark, Johnson, Hilfenhaus, and Siddle. That's a strong pace attack.
brem i gotta disagree, steyn bowled a little better than johnston.
symonds will be back in as soon as he is fit. He's a part of the old experienced crew who carry a certain aura.
watson would be the ideal no.6 of course, but dont count on him yet with his fitness problems.
so symonds is my no.6 - good enough as a batsman alone - to go with the handy bowling and brilliant fielding. David hussey or someone might be a better batsman but they can't field as well as arent intimidating as a new player. Watson could also bat as a no.6.
so i would like 6 batsmen + haddin + 4 bowlers.
I like the pace crew (will we see a FBC again?) for england that you came up with. Hilfenhaus has gotta be given a go. I think I'd want bollinger for siddle though. Bollinger's seems to be more skilful for different conditions and works batsmen over more methodically.
Some questions :
1) I dunno about a spinner? Has anyone seen Mcgain bowl
2) How is moises henriques coming along?
3) who would open if hayden is out?
I like it when you disagree. That's the beauty of these sorts of columns, we all see things differently.
As far as your questions...
1) Bryce McGain was the leading wicket taker for spinners in the Pura cup last year. Will be picked when fit.
2) Henriques had a good start to the season, but hasn't done much lately. Is only 21 though. Plenty of time for him.
3) Phil Jaques. Should never have been dropped in the first place, and is the first choice when fit for me.
when i'm less lazy i tend to disagree ;)
i meant to be clearer - symonds would be the first choice no.6 before watson
as for phil jaques...he was just injured not dropped right?
If you remember, Jaques was intially dropped from the side after the West Indies tour when Hayden was fit. Then in India he injured himself training. I reckon if Jaques had been fit, he may well have played in Sydney...
Johnson, Lee, Clark, Siddle, Hilfenhaus - that still puts him number 5 selection in a 3 horse race. Bad injury spate, or poor form epidemic to get there. Siddle stikes me as a young Merv - a tearaway who got hit around on flat pitches.
Bollinger (from NSW) is still in selectors memories, with Tait coming back as well - perhaps even for Tests (as a replacement for Lee in South Africa?). If Hilfie wants a long Test career, he should move to New Zealand - NOW!
Partner for Katich? Jaques, if fit.
Other option? Given major series v South Africa (there) and England (there) - should go for experience over promise?
Rogers has runs this season and experience in England.
(NSW) Hughes has runs this season, but would have preferred blooding him at home, before 'throwing him to the wolves' overseas. (Hayden has something to be accountable for, remember Lehmann [offering to?] giving way for Clarke in India).
Klinger - too many runs in Adelaide.
why do you guys rate hilfenhaus so low? I think he should be ahead of siddle and even bollinger. Nothing worse than a guy with a german name running through them, for the poms. (By the way, it was a serious question).
Maybe i am being romantic but i would keep hayden till the end of the ashes. I think he will come good.
When will mcgain be fit?
It's not that I rate hilfehnaus low, it's just that others have moved in front of him in the course of this season. If he starts taking wickets in the shield, he will very quickly be back in consideration. He does have a CA contract, so he's not forgotten.
Hayden may come good - but over the space of his last 40 tests, his average has dropped by 16 runs. That's not a temporary form loss, that's a decline. He's through.
McGain will play club cricket this weekend - so he's not far away.
McGain did play today, and managed 0/59 off 9 overs somewhere in the bush, as part of Cricket Victoria's "country" round.
He will play for the Vic 2nd XI against the ACT in Canberra, starting Monday.
Victoria then has a shield match against SA at the G starting Jan 30.
I rate Hilfenhaus, but this season was the season he had to make it into the Aussie side (particularly with Clark and then Lee injured). It appears the Aussie selectors don't - other than as their last gasp selection (and two are fellow Tasmanians). He keeps getting into the squad and then being left out. And now we have another Blues player ahead of him.
you're saying hayden has averaged 34 over his last 40 tests brem???
i rate hilfenhaus because he can swing the ball and bowl 140 and looks like a test cricketer, not a fairy like bracken or a bogan like siddle
About Hayden...
His average for his first 55 tests was 62.78.
His average for his last 48 tests has been 44.46.
His average for his last 14 tests has been 35.32
He is declining - and I don't think anyone should be fooled by his average of 50.
As far as Hilfenhaus goes - he's just not taking wickets in the Shield comp at the right time. But, he is CA contracted, and the 20/20 last night did give him a chance to show he can still bowl well. The ball that got Kallis was a pearl.
Comments on Hayden written before he retired. Interesting to see all the different perspectives on our team. In short the form players should be rewarded by the mini tours of South Africa and England. As the tours are not what they used to be. Days gone by you could have taken the likes of Hughes and Hilfenhaus on tour and they would get experience by playing the County games. These days after the two warm games they will be sitting in the dressing room and mixing the drinks.