NZ vs Australia, Test series, 2010

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Senior Cricket Australia official Michael Brown admits Michael Clarke is no certainty to take part in the upcoming two Test tour of New Zealand beginning next Friday. More... Clarke included into the test team for NZ but doubts linger From Greg Buckle in Auckland, New Zealand March 10, 2010 Australia have included troubled vice-captain Michael Clarke and out-of-form batsman Marcus North in a 14-man squad for the coming two-Test tour of New Zealand. Clarke retained his place despite quitting the Chappell Hadlee series tour of New Zealand on Monday for personal reasons related to a nude-photo scandal involving fiancee Lara Bingle. Australia's chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, also named young New South Wales all-rounder Steve Smith, Blues opener Phillip Hughes and uncapped Queensland quick Ryan Harris. The two-Test series starts on March 19 in Wellington. Ten of the 11 players from Australia's third Test against Pakistan in Hobart in January have been retained, pace bowler Peter Siddle the only player missing because of a back injury that will sidelined him for several months. Australia squad Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Phillip Hughes, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger. Senior Cricket Australia official Michael Brown admits Michael Clarke is no certainty to take part in the upcoming two Test tour of New Zealand beginning next Friday. Clarke, who returned home to deal with personal issues believed to be related to fiancee Lara Bingle's well publicised nude-photo scandal involving AFL bad boy Brendan Fevola, was named in a 14-man Test squad on Wednesday. While confident the 28-year-old will rejoin his team-mates across the Tasman on Monday, Brown revealed there is still a chance the vice-captain will miss the upcoming tour to sort out his private life. "I'm hoping he'll be there, but he hasn't given me a drop-dead date," Brown said. "I'm hoping to talk and see him later today, we need to address those issues because (Chairman of selectors) Andrew (Hilditch) has a team to run, but we also respect that he needs time." "He only just got home and we want to give him time to make the right decisions." "There's no point in forcing any player to go back into a cricket team when he's not comfortable, because the team won't be comfortable to have him, and that's the message the captain has given me." "Ricky (Ponting) wants Michael back 100 percent committed to cricket and that's when he wants him back.'' Quizzed on Clarke's current state of mind, a tense Brown replied: "I talked to him the past few days and talked to him last night. We obviously have a Test tour looming with the team departing Sunday and Monday and I would be hoping he'll be part of that group, but as Ricky and I discussed this morning, unless he's ready to go there's no point in going." "We'll talk to him over the next few days and the intention to get him back for the Test matches, but time will tell." "I told him he needs to deal with the issues and we'll be there to support him, but we do need to get to a point where we need to move forward and he needs to take these next couple of days to do that." Meanwhile, Brown staunchly defended Clarke's decision to leave his one-day team-mates mid series on Monday night. "His view to coming home was to deal with issues that were important to him," he said. "I respect that and the distractions that go a long with it are no different for any cricketer or sportsman that lives in the modern era." "We've shown a lot of compassion over the years with Nathan Bracken, Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath, who have all for various reasons been required to be with their partners." "In this case we support Michael and Lara." He added of Clarke's double life as a major celebrity: "I'm more than comfortable with the image Michael Clarke portrays to young people who play the game. He's not 100 percent responsible for developing his own image ... if you saw him in Twenty20 and way he motivates young players and what he has done for young children in the game, there aren't too many better role models." But Brown would not be drawn on the effect the recent drama would have on his future captaincy prospects. "That's a hypothetical question, he's vice captain and he'll continue to be vice-captain in the future," he said. He was equally coy when asked of Bingle's future role in the Australian team. "As I last looked Lara's not on our contract list, but that's question for Michael and Lara," he said with a smile.

[Chalks]

I like Steve Smith's inclusion. :two_thumbs_up: But what does North have to do (or not do) to be dropped? :dontknow: I know they gave M. Hussey a long rope, and he started scoring again. But he scored heavily for several years (in FC cricket and then Tests) prior to his slump. North has been either all duck (centuries) or no dinner (several low scores) in Tests, and has stuff all form behind him this summer. It remains a truism that it's harder to be dropped from the Australian team than to be selected in the first place.

[99.94]

People are being too harsh on North. He was one of our best batters for most of 2009 and really only had one bad series. It would be far too harsh to drop him. For the record I DISLIKE the inclusion of Steve Smith – he is utterly garbage and all hype. Reports are saying that Clarke has broken up with Bingle.. don’t know how true they are.. If it is the case I wonder what he’s gonna do about this

[Bradman99]

North is the next to be dropped, he struggled a little against South Africa (just one big score) and then against Pakistan and West Indies failed also, his only real success has come against England.I think Smith will be the one to take his place. I'm surprised you think Smith is all hype, personally I think he is Australia's next star along with Hughes- Khawaja looks a talent also. Smith averages about 54 with the bat in the shield and is a better bowler than North and has age on his side, just 20 years old. This year in the sheild he has scored 744 runs @ 82.66. The sooner he comes in the better I feel, he's such an exciting prospect.

[Bradman99]

Bit surprised White didn't make the squad, mind you.

[Karan114]

North is the next to be dropped, he struggled a little against South Africa (just one big score) and then against Pakistan and West Indies failed also, his only real success has come against England.I think Smith will be the one to take his place. I'm surprised you think Smith is all hype, personally I think he is Australia's next star along with Hughes- Khawaja looks a talent also. Smith averages about 54 with the bat in the shield and is a better bowler than North and has age on his side, just 20 years old. This year in the sheild he has scored 744 runs @ 82.66. The sooner he comes in the better I feel, he's such an exciting prospect.

Also, a lot of your batsmen are on the older side - Katich 33, Ponting 35, Hussey 34, so that is another reason to get in a youngster like Smith instead of North, who is 30 himself. North's problem is that he rarely manages to make it through the initial phase in his innings - once he gets past it he makes 90's and 100's but it doesn't happen often enough. At no.6 he hardly has the excuse that say opening batsmen have of facing the new ball and fresh bowlers, making it harder to get starts.

[Bradman99]

Also' date=' a lot of your batsmen are on the older side - Katich 33, Ponting 35, Hussey 34, so that is another reason to get in a youngster like Smith instead of North, who is 30 himself. North's problem is that he rarely manages to make it through the initial phase in his innings - once he gets past it he makes 90's and 100's but it doesn't happen often enough. At no.6 he hardly has the excuse that say opening batsmen have of facing the new ball and fresh bowlers, making it harder to get starts.[/quote'] Completely agree with you mate. North either goes cheaply (most of the time) or gets a century, I don't think that's good enough. Smith would be a good injection of youth into the side, also another fantastic fielder.

[virufan]

Australia Test squad vs NZ, 2010 Marcus North retained. Ryan Harris and Steven Smith added. Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus are still nursing injuries. Uncertainty over Michael Clarke’s participation. Phillip Hughes in terrific form in the Sheffield Shield scoring 953 runs at 56.05. The team: Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Phillip Hughes, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger.

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New Zealand Test squad vs Australia : Sinclair recalled by New Zealand New Zealand recall Mathew Sinclair after a two-year absence from Test cricket in place of Neil Broom for the first Test against Australia. More... Mathew Sinclair in New Zealand squad to face Australia Sinclair averages 32.55 overall although only 14.13 against Australia New Zealand have called Mathew Sinclair into their squad in place of Neil Broom for the first Test against Australia, which starts on Friday. The move comes after the Black Caps' batting problems were exposed during the one-day series against Australia. "We felt we needed a cover top-order batter, rather than cover for our middle order," said New Zealand selector Mark Greatbatch. He added that Broom had been a "little unlucky" to be dropped. Sinclair, 34, averages 32.55 from 32 Tests, although his average in eight matches against Australia is only 14.13. He last played a Test two years ago, having been dropped after a poor home series against England in March 2008. Greatbatch also confirmed that all-rounder and captain Daniel Vettori will bat at number six in the order. "He has been very successful there over the last half-dozen Tests," he said. "It also gives a very good balance to our side. It enables us to play the five bowlers we are looking for, whether that is four seamers and one spinner, or three seamers and two spinners - we have the ability to be flexible." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Zealand squad: Daniel Vettori (capt), Brent Arnel, Martin Guptill, Peter Ingram, Brendon McCullum (wk), Tim McIntosh, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, Mathew Sinclair, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, BJ Watling.

[Serani]

Seems NZ keep returning to proven failures, not much talent coming through?

[Watson87]

Even Bob Sinclair can't win this match against the Aussies.

[Mr Eintstein]

Seems NZ keep returning to proven failures' date=' not much talent coming through?[/quote'] don't get why they don't try broom in tests. his FC average is 42, higher than anyone else in the domestic comp.

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Michael Clarke rejoins Australian test team in New Zealand More... Michael Clarke returns to New Zealand GREG BUCKLE March 15, 2010 AAP Michael Clarke declined to comment to a media scrum at Wellington airport as he rejoined the Australian cricket squad ahead of Friday's first Test against New Zealand. The vice-captain skipped the last three games in Australia's five-match one-day series against the Kiwis to sort out his relationship with model Lara Bingle. Clarke's management announced on Friday night that the pair's engagement was off and now the 28-year-old is keen to turn his focus back to cricket. Clarke has not spoken publicly since he left the one-day squad in Hamilton early last week and did not speak to reporters as he was chaperoned by team officials from Wellington airport to a car en route to the team hotel. Meanwhile Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger is confident he can shake off a modest one-day series and regain top form for Friday's first Test against New Zealand. The big left-armer struggled to have an impact, taking 4-231 at an average of 57.75, while Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Shane Watson did the damage with a combined tally of 28 wickets for Australia. The tourists claimed a three-two series win to retain the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Bollinger, who has played only six Tests, is likely to share the new ball at Wellington's Basin Reserve with one-Test player Clint McKay. Victoria's McKay is competing for a spot in the team with uncapped Queensland seamer Harris, while Johnson is expected to continue as a strike bowler at first-change. Bollinger, who boasts an impressive Test record of 27 wickets at 24.11, says he welcomes the extra responsibility he'll have in the Test bowling attack with fellow pacemen Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle unavailable for the tour because of injuries. "It was not the best one-day series but you can't get four-for every game," the NSW quick said on Monday. "I don't think I've done it to the best of my ability this series but that's the way it goes and I'm sure I'll be back. "I'm happy to take that (extra Test responsibility) on. I think that's the best way, taking it head-on. "It's something that I've wanted to do for so long so it'd be great to do."

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Bollinger set for senior role in the test team Pace bowler Doug Bollinger only became a Test cricketer last year but the big left-armer is set to take on a senior role in Friday's first Test against New Zealand. More... Bollinger set to lead Australia's new-look pace attack in New Zealand By Greg Buckle March 15, 2010 Pace bowler Doug Bollinger only became a Test cricketer last year but the big left-armer is set to take on a senior role in Friday's first Test against New Zealand. And the crowd favourite from Sydney's west can't wait for the extra challenge. Bollinger is confident he can shake off a modest one-day series and regain top form for the two-Test series. He struggled to have an impact in the one-dayers, taking 4-231 at an average of 57.75, while Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Shane Watson did the damage with a combined tally of 28 wickets for Australia. "It was not the best one-day series but you can't get four-for every game,'' the New South Wales quick said. "I don't think I've done it to the best of my ability this series but that's the way it goes and I'm sure I'll be back. "Hopefully I'll do well in the Test matches. "There's not much I can do about the one-dayers. "That's the game. That's why we love it and that's why we hate it. The tourists claimed a 3-2 series win to retain the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Bollinger, who has played only six Tests, is likely to share the new ball at Wellington's Basin Reserve with one-Test player Clint McKay. Victoria's McKay is competing for a spot with uncapped Queensland seamer Harris, while Johnson is expected to continue as a strike bowler at first change. Bollinger, who boasts an impressive Test record of 27 wickets at 24.11, welcomes the leadership role in the absence of injured fellow pacemen Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle. "I'm happy to take that (extra Test-match responsibility) on. "It's something that I've wanted to do for so long so it'd be great to do. "While the series could be a step forward for Bollinger taking on a more senior role, the tour has already been a watershed with the 28-year-old scoring his first run in one-day internationals. After 20 ODI matches and three innings, Bollinger has a career tally of one run with an average of 1.00, including two not outs. "Thanks for bringing it up,'' Bollinger said. "I just go out there and enjoy myself, that's all I can do.'' AAP

[thevortex]

This is a good test for the youngster. I am curious to see how Johnson acquits himself in this series as well as in the near future.

[Sir john]

dougy is superb

[Chorazin Reto]

Yeah North has to have a good series here, there are some others performing with the bat in domestic, if he doesnt perform in this series i would definitely look to replace him with some of the batting stars from the sheffield shield like a Hughes(av 56.05 this domestic season) or a Khawaja(av 53.72 this domestic season).

[Watson87]

1 Simon Katich, 2P. Hughes, 3 R. Ponting, 4. M. North 5 M. Hussey 6. S. Watson 7. Brad Haddin 8. M. Johnson 9. R. Harris 10. Hauritz 11. Bollinger Clarke needs some time, hopefully he'll be ok. I hope he comes back stronger.

[Bradman99]

Yeah North has to have a good series here' date=' there are some others performing with the bat in domestic, if he doesnt perform in this series i would definitely look to replace him with some of the batting stars from the sheffield shield like a Hughes(av 56.05 this domestic season) or a Khawaja(av 53.72 this domestic season).[/quote'] Steve Smith ?

[Chorazin Reto]

He has done well with the bat also this season averaging 55.92, he has had the benefit of carrying the bat a couple of times batting down the order compared to say Hughes or Khawaja. The benefit of having Smith would be having another bowling option Ponting could go to as it seems they bowl Clarke less and less because of his recurring back problem, so looking at the role North plays in the squad Smith would probably fit the role the best out of the 3.