The Cricket Thread

[pi]

Why cant they just pick Hodge over North?? Bizarre really since Hodge has been consistent for so long and is a far better batsman than North. His bowling is on par with North's as well.

Hodge retired from test cricket after the selectors ignored him for like two years (despite his double hundred and epic average). Apparently he had a stoush with them and there's been bad blood ever since. I still can't fathom how he is still to play in T20s and One-days. He's WAY better than Clarke.

atm, way better than all of the current Aussie batsman! Based on performances against India and more recently, SL.

[eeps]

I thought Hodge could have made a decent Aussie batsman given a full proper chance - he was always in and out of the squad. Though it was not to be, shame we couldn't see his full potential in international cricket.

[samiira]

Why cant they just pick Hodge over North?? Bizarre really since Hodge has been consistent for so long and is a far better batsman than North. His bowling is on par with North's as well.

Hodge retired from test cricket after the selectors ignored him for like two years (despite his double hundred and epic average). Apparently he had a stoush with them and there's been bad blood ever since. I still can't fathom how he is still to play in T20s and One-days. He's WAY better than Clarke.

atm, way better than all of the current Aussie batsman! Based on performances against India and more recently, SL.

yup! .. so truee

[Russ]

I thought Hodge could have made a decent Aussie batsman given a full proper chance - he was always in and out of the squad. Though it was not to be, shame we couldn't see his full potential in international cricket.

He got dropped because the selectors don't understand the concept of long term success

People got used to the decade of winning every match after declaring and got upset when it couldn't continue

[Cthulhu]

I hope Australia loses some matches I'm sick of seeing them win. It makes the games boring.

[samiira]

I hope Australia loses some matches I'm sick of seeing them win. It makes the games boring.

+100000000

[Russ]

Best headline I read was in The Age a couple of years ago when Australia lost the Ashes - "Australians realise that winning all the time wasn't actually that boring"

[pirocan1]

I have a feeling Dohertys gonna smacked around the ground. The next Bryce Mcgain.

[pi]

I have a feeling Dohertys gonna smacked around the ground. The next Bryce Mcgain.

If he gets wickets it should be worth it, that's his advantage over Hauritz in any case...

I'm pretty sure Australia is going to get owned in this first test. My prediction of captains: Strauss making a century and Ponting getting caught hooking on a low score.

[pirocan1]

1st Test predictions:

Broad for most wickets
Bell century
Cook more runs than Watson

[name]

I think first test either draw or Aus win. England did show good form in the Aus A match last week though.

[pi]

Clarke has been confirmed to be fit. Does anyone think he will have an impact?

[iNerd]

Clarke has been confirmed to be fit. Does anyone think he will have an impact?

No. He will fail. Interesting poll can be found below...
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/clarke-to-play-bolly-out-of-ashes-opener-20101124-186lf.html

[pi]

Clarke has been confirmed to be fit. Does anyone think he will have an impact?

No. He will fail. Interesting poll can be found below...
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/clarke-to-play-bolly-out-of-ashes-opener-20101124-186lf.html

I was feeling the same way, I think he batted better when he had more hair (strange correlation though). That poll IS interesting, with most 49% thinking England will win, not to mention the 16% of 'none of the above'. Reflects the results of our poll a bit, assuming that 'none of the above' is split between Australia and England!

Wonder if that poll will get published?

[eeps]

I was feeling the same way, I think he batted better when he had more hair (strange correlation though).

LOL going off current form, I'd put England to win the Ashes.

Since, Warne and co left - Australia hasn't been the same - there isn't that aura about us - which other teams feared in us. As well as the fact, it has been rare for Australia to have the same XI consistently playing - with injuries and poor form and so on.