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The marvellous Andy Bichel


Donny

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Yup. The Aussies seem to be enjoying this summer; Nicholson isn't doing too badly, Bic's been brilliant so far, Warney's brilliant as usual - just wish Jaques was in among the runs a bit more. Was hoping he could use this season to really push himself as the next opening partner for Hayden, but he's struggled to produce the big knocks that used to be his speciality in the last two seasons for Worcs and Yorks. Ah well, there's always the A-tour. Although on another digression, it does pain me that ****ing James Hopes is in the A-side as an allrounder, despite the fact that he's not worthy to wipe Bic's boots clean.

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PJ is making a few today, Sali. 33 n.o. as I write. But he and Chris Rogers just haven't been scoring runs which may push the selectors towards using Mike Hussey as Matt Hayden's partner and bringing back Brad Hodge at #5. The other (similar) alternative is to go with Hodge as an opener as he's very successful #3 for Victoria.

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Rogers is generally a flat track bully IMO - his seasons in England have seen him produce big runs at grounds like Taunton (flat wicket, small boundaries) and he's only had one very good season for WA last year. Jaques on the other hand had a 2-3 year span when he was in destructive form for the Blues, Australia A, any county team he played for and even Australia briefly - remember that blazing 94 on debut (ended by a dud umpiring decision). And the difference between him and Hodge is that at his best, he's capable of turning the game around in an hour or so - much like Adam Gilchrist (heck, Steve Waugh made that comparison a few years back). Give this man two sessions at a crease in most conditions/situations, and he'll be well beyond a hundred with the opposition forcing men on the boundary. He's got a couple of slight technical flaws, so at worst I'd suggest promoting Hussey to open and slotting PAJ in at 4 (with Clarke at 5), where his destructive capabilities will be allowed to flourish and his weakness against inswingers early in his innings might even be hidden. But one way or another, if there's a top 4 slot open, Jaques must move in - he's got more time ahead of him and a brighter future than Hodge (not to mention being a far more impressive batsman IMO - Hodge isn't as consistent in more challenging batting conditions).

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Bic took 7/36 against Derby in yesterday's County Championship. He took 4 of the top 6 then knocked the tail over. It's certainly a great County season for the old pacemen. Andy Caddick and Ottis Gibson are also in rare form. Bichel: 7 matches - 32 @ 18.15 Caddick: 14 matches - 61 @ 24.49 Gibson: 12 matches - 58 @ 21.79

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