Australia all set to touch new low in test cricket

[99.94]

Don't forget that there is still Haddin before Paine gets his chance. In fact on comms this morning thats what Gilly was saying that the wicket keeping transition has been the most seamless - from Healy to himself to Haddin & Now Paine being ready to replace in case Haddin is injured like now..

Chris Hartley and Matt Wade are two other wicketkeepers who are quite talented (28 and 22 years old respectively).

[Rajiv]

I don't agree with the OP but there is one observation I would like to make is that, Aus seem less aggressive, not enough planning and lot of basic mistakes. I haven't seen Ponting give Katich and Clarke a lot of bowling as well, pace is good but on a flat track with not enough bounce, he should be using them Whats going on, not much emotion or joy..simple oh ahhs, rushing for the Ashes?

[Precambrian]

http://www.cricinfo.com/ci-icc/content/current/story/481371.html It's confirmed...

[dial_100]

Very good discussion. Not seen many decent posts as everything gets derailed so quickly. Yes, as Australia we will struggle too. But it depends on how long we will struggle for. Unlike Aussies, our new batsmen will definitely keep us in TOP 3. I have no doubt about that. Especially, after seeing Vijay & Pujara bat yesterday. If that is how they take the pressure of the 4th innings toughest chase so easily then I dont see as much struggle as Aus did. Plus add VS, GG and Raina to the list. These 3 are around for last 2-3 years. Are playing international cricket. Batting looks good if not convincing. I dont know about bowling. We are struggling right now. I dont think our bowling is going to be worse than this. ???

[siddhu]

Very good discussion. Not seen many decent posts as everything gets derailed so quickly. Yes, as Australia we will struggle too. But it depends on how long we will struggle for. Unlike Aussies, our new batsmen will definitely keep us in TOP 3. I have no doubt about that. Especially, after seeing Vijay & Pujara bat yesterday. If that is how they take the pressure of the 4th innings toughest chase so easily then I dont see as much struggle as Aus did. Plus add VS, GG and Raina to the list. These 3 are around for last 2-3 years. Are playing international cricket. Batting looks good if not convincing. I dont know about bowling. We are struggling right now. I dont think our bowling is going to be worse than this. ???

Are you sure about that?? What happens when Zak retires after a couple at the most 3-4 years (he is already 31-32). We will be loosing Tendulkar, Dravid, in the same timeframe as well.

[dial_100]

Are you sure about that?? What happens when Zak retires after a couple at the most 3-4 years (he is already 31-32). We will be loosing Tendulkar, Dravid, in the same timeframe as well.

Have you not see us playing w/o Zak before??? I think in Aus 2004, we had no Zak. So as I said, it will not be a shocking. Our bowling will just look like what it is right now. We are any way worse bowling attack. At least not in TOP 3 bowling line-up right now. I dotn want to comment on current Aussies bowling line-up. But outside, India, these bowlers will do wonders. Hilfy, Mich are too good.

[siddhu]

Have you not see us playing w/o Zak before??? I think in Aus 2004, we had no Zak. So as I said, it will not be a shocking. Our bowling will just look like what it is right now. We are any way worse bowling attack. At least not in TOP 3 bowling line-up right now. I dotn want to comment on current Aussies bowling line-up. But outside, India, these bowlers will do wonders. Hilfy, Mich are too good.

2004 Zak was a lot different than Zak of todays (actually past 3 years). He has become a lot more consistent over the past few years. 2004 Zak was a little lazy...:--D Anyway, the major difference will be in the mentality. If a new bowler is trying to make his name, he will try that much harder knowing that once the Zak is available, he will be sidelined. But who's to say that he will perform with the same intensity after the retirements of the great. Same thing happened when Kapil retired, Srinath retired. We tried variety of bowlers before we could find some sort of attack. Luckily, it didn't happen when Kumble retired. Hopefully, BCCI will learn and keep rotating bowlers and unearth new talents not just depend on one frontline bowler (Zak), like they did in case of Kapil. and to some extent Srinath.

[Bradman99]

Usman Khawaja has the number 3 spot sewn up once Ponting retires. Hit a double century the other day against South Australia.

[Sachin2210]

Three years ago,if someone told me three years from now Aus would be ranked 5 in test....I would have thought what a fool he is. It is really surprising to see the way their squad quality has gone down over the years.They were said to have the best domestic structure and bench strength.And I thought they would have absolutely no problem finding ready replacement for the likes of warne,mcgrath and all.Although I didn't expect their young guns to be as good as the one's retiring but I expected them to do just enough to make sure the legends are not missed.The void they left is still screaming out to be filled it seems.

[Bradman99]

Three years ago,if someone told me three years from now Aus would be ranked 5 in test....I would have thought what a fool he is. It is really surprising to see the way their squad quality has gone down over the years.They were said to have the best domestic structure and bench strength.And I thought they would have absolutely no problem finding ready replacement for the likes of warne,mcgrath and all.Although I didn't expect their young guns to be as good as the one's retiring but I expected them to do just enough to make sure the legends are not missed.The void they left is still screaming out to be filled it seems.

Ok on the first point I think Aussies do have the best domestic structure, the performances of Aussie based sides in the IPL also are further proof of that (although I know thats just 20/20). On the second point.. absolutely no problem? McGrath and Warne were legends of the game, I don't think Aus will ever have a spinner as great as Warne and to find a pacer as good as McGrath will be hard to find as well. I think the problem was that too many retired too close together, which meant that half the team had to be replaced. If you have a look at the players who have come into the test side in recent years, you have: Watson- Performed exceptionally well, one of the best test players over the past year Katich- Extremely consistent, doesn't let us down. Hughes- Regardless of what people may say about his batting technique, he is still only 21 and has a test average above 50. North- Here is a player who I am divided on. I think he scores too many low scores. It seems to be either big score or no score with North. I'd rather see him replaced for a young lad sooner or later. Paine- Just the 3 matches, but has done well so far averaging 40 and taking some great catches. Haddin- I think he has done a good job replacing Gilly, averaging just under 40 Bollinger- He's been our best bowler over the past year and I think he is one of the players we can rely upon. Hilfenhaus- Been pretty impressive, was our stand out in the ashes and also against India. Johnson- Also been pretty good for us, was best bowler in the world not too long ago and can pick up some crucial wickets. Siddle- A bright prospect. Hauritz- **** That leaves Ponting, Clarke and Hussey who are still in the side who were so successful not too long ago. Whilst Hussey is in the decline and has been for a while, Ponting is just starting to find some form and Clarke along with Katich and Watson has been our most consistent batsman. I think that we don't have a bad side on paper.. It's really quite impressive and the lads who have come in have done a good job for us statistically you would think. However, they just need to start breeding a winning habitat and I think that will only come about once Ponting retires and we get a new captain and can begin to move to the future and begin a new era. I think Ponting can help get us back on track by leading us to victory over the poms then maybe it might be his time to go, however because he has been so great for Australia I can't see that happening. You chuck in the likes of Marsh, Ferguson, Khawaja, Henriques, Smith, White, Harris, Starc, Hazlewood on top of those players already mentioned and I think Australia are looking pretty good going forward. Hopefully we wont have to wait too long to see these players get a chance. PS- 99.94 or another aussie can ya help me out with any other players we got coming through?

[Chandan]

You missed Bailey. I think he is a promising leggie and Australia needs a leggie on their pitches to make an impact not any finger spinners!