James Hopes

[Mr. Wicket]

Probably the most improved Australian player in some time. Not the best of knocks, but his bowling spell was outstanding at points. He's turned from a dobbly medium pacer into far more - was clocking in the high 130s regularly, hitting the deck hard and bowled a fantastic spell, using the short ball particularly well (and producing a couple of cracking bouncers that were nearly unplayable).

[Cricketics]

this Indian line up can easily make him a poor medium pacer.. It's just that this team is a bit new to all these crazy situationz.. hence, may be Hopes is enjoying his bowling against India.. if he improvez his batting.. he can surely be a regular member of the aussie side..

[Ram]

He is a better bowler than i originally thought, for sure. He just ambles in, but his pace is right up there and obviously, he generates just enough movement to keep the batsman honest. Havent seen him play a substantial innings yet but obviously, he has the talent and tis just a matter of time before he does that too.

[Mr. Wicket]

I think he's in the wrong part of the lineup to play substantial innings. I'd like to see him thrown in at the top of the order a bit more. His game is quite weak against spin, and in post-Gilchrist days he could be very handy opening with Hayden (seeing as the fcktard selectors aren't going to bring Kat or PJ back) against the seamers. His bowling's definitely gone up a few notches though - was about a year ago that I was watching him trundle down dibbly dobbly mid 120s stuff against NZ and England.

[talksport]

He will be forgotten soon

[Cricketics]

I think he's in the wrong part of the lineup to play substantial innings. I'd like to see him thrown in at the top of the order a bit more. His game is quite weak against spin, and in post-Gilchrist days he could be very handy opening with Hayden (seeing as the fcktard selectors aren't going to bring Kat or PJ back) against the seamers. His bowling's definitely gone up a few notches though - was about a year ago that I was watching him trundle down dibbly dobbly mid 120s stuff against NZ and England.

Pj ain't a good fielder unlike other aussie fielderz for ODI.... about his batting ability.. hez a good bat but may be just like how langer didn't get to play in Odis much for Aus.. same way his carrer might be played too

[Ram]

From an Indian point of view, we need to target Hopes' bowling, surely. Bowlers like him get stronger as they get into their spell. One of the two batsman at the crease must decide to go after him if he comes into the attack.

[Chaos]

He is a better bowler than i originally thought' date=' for sure. He just ambles in, but his pace is right up there and obviously, he generates just enough movement to keep the batsman honest. Havent seen him play a substantial innings yet but obviously, he has the talent and tis just a matter of time before he does that too.[/quote'] dont try to be bill lawry by using word's like HONEST. Be urself ;)

[Donny]

Has been impressing regularly in recent matches. I'd like to see him open with Hayden and Braddin at 7. Looks a solid unit. Hayden Hopes Ponting Clarke Hussey Symonds Braddin Hogg Johnson Lee Bracken Clark

[Mr. Wicket]

Agree with most of that XI, Donny. Much more solid in the glovework and batting department, although I wonder - would it be worth it to have either Mike Hussey or Braddin open and leave out Hopes (keeping four specialist bowlers and Clarke/Symonds as fifth bowler) to bring in David Hussey?

[Donny]

He'd certainly be handy in the XI and that is a viable alternative.

[16 str8]

Hopes will do well in international cricket. He has a very uncomplicated technique with the bat and ball and that will serve him well. However I would continue to play him down the order, and have Haddin open after this series.

[Mr. Wicket]

He'd certainly be handy in the XI and that is a viable alternative.

Yeah, I figure any guy who can field sharply, bowl decent offspin, average 56+ in f/c cricket and nearly 40 in ODIs while being able to smash the ball into another district could be handy in any XI. :regular_smile:

[pete_mac]

Probably the most improved Australian player in some time. Not the best of knocks' date=' but his bowling spell was outstanding at points. He's turned from a dobbly medium pacer into far more - was clocking in the high 130s regularly, hitting the deck hard and bowled a fantastic spell, using the short ball particularly well (and producing a couple of cracking bouncers that were nearly unplayable).[/quote'] Agreed... I had to check whether I was watching the same James Hopes last night! Hopefully he can keep up his good form. marirs_mania has a point though... I think the Indian batsmen allowed him to settle into a rhythm last night. If they can dominate him early and force him to mix things up, it will certainly open up more scoring opportunities.

[Donny]

However I would continue to play him down the order' date=' and have Haddin open after this series.[/quote'] Either would be ok. I was just so impressed with Braddin's 2 innings down the order in the last ODI series in India.