Australia then SA ,little chasm then NZ and a big chasm then other 5 teams

[keith]

Yeah the best prospective batsman in the country should be told not to keep IMO.

[Stuge]

Remember guys ..IPL .period ;)

[BluePrithvi]

England is probably going out

[MCGGG]

Yeah the best prospective batsman in the country should be told not to keep IMO.

I think if a young up and coming batsman enjoys keeping and he's good at it he should continue to do it, but as Brendon said he doesn't enjoy it, so....... How would Gilchrist be remembered if he wasn't a keeper, him being a keeper is what set him apart from most other great batsmen, arguably the most valuable player in the world in his day.

[keith]

I think if a young up and coming batsman enjoys keeping and he's good at it he should continue to do it, but as Brendon said he doesn't enjoy it, so....... How would Gilchrist be remembered if he wasn't a keeper, him being a keeper is what set him apart from most other great batsmen, arguably the most valuable player in the world in his day.

The batting lineup that Gilchrist went into was one of the best in the history of the game. He had no chance of breaking into the top order, which is insane given just how good of a batsman he was. It's a freak occurrence to be honest. 95% of the time (Test) teams are better off picking keepers who are 25-30 years of age who've shown excellent glovemanship and the ability to bat well at number 7. In NZ's case Tom Latham vs Brendon McCullum is a good example. Latham kept at age group level but he's our most promising young talent in his age group (a couple of years younger than Williamson). Hesson and co have figured out that genuine top order batsmen are rarer than good wicket keepers in NZ*. McCullum on the other hand has always done everything for the team - he's the ultimate team man. Which has meant that despite him dominating attacks at age group level he put on the gloves as well as batted out of position throughout his career. He was an amazing wicketkeeper during his stint but he's under-delivered with the bat, which is a shame as we could have been looking at a batsman with around a 45 average rather than someone who'll struggle to get his career average over 40. *I think NZ and Australia should always be able to produce decent wicket keepers since what's required are good hands and athleticism. Incidentally, I think the Afghan wicket keeper has been the best one on show in terms of pure keeping ability so far. He looks exceptional.

[MCGGG]

The batting lineup that Gilchrist went into was one of the best in the history of the game. He had no chance of breaking into the top order, which is insane given just how good of a batsman he was. It's a freak occurrence to be honest. 95% of the time (Test) teams are better off picking keepers who are 25-30 years of age who've shown excellent glovemanship and the ability to bat well at number 7. In NZ's case Tom Latham vs Brendon McCullum is a good example. Latham kept at age group level but he's our most promising young talent in his age group (a couple of years younger than Williamson). Hesson and co have figured out that genuine top order batsmen are rarer than good wicket keepers in NZ*. McCullum on the other hand has always done everything for the team - he's the ultimate team man. Which has meant that despite him dominating attacks at age group level he put on the gloves as well as batted out of position throughout his career. He was an amazing wicketkeeper during his stint but he's under-delivered with the bat, which is a shame as we could have been looking at a batsman with around a 45 average rather than someone who'll struggle to get his career average over 40. *I think NZ and Australia should always be able to produce decent wicket keepers since what's required are good hands and athleticism. Incidentally, I think the Afghan wicket keeper has been the best one on show in terms of pure keeping ability so far. He looks exceptional.

i think Finch should try his hand at the art, he's never going to break into our test 11 as a batsman but if he worked hard learning the art of keeping he could find himself with a baggy green, he has the body shape, very strong legs and he's an excellent slip, and let's face it Australia doesn't have another Keepers nightmare like Warne on the horizon.

[MCGGG]

You can quote me. No they won't. In fact if Clarke was fit before the tournament (as they planned)' date=' Bailey wouldn't have even been in the squad- Shaun Marsh would have. Clarke's bowling is no more than a 2-3 over change up. Just saves us having to bowl Maxwell for 10. I'd rather take 7 from Maxwell and 3 from Clarke.[/quote'] So let's say we end up having to play NZ in NZ in the qtr final, do you really think the selectors won't seriously consider another specialist bat? If that happens either Watson or Bailey bats at 5 for mine at the expense of Marsh. But what ever happens, our qtr finals team needs to be guaranteed selection (barring injury) for the remainder of the tournament, you don't want guys under selection pressure in finals.

[brendan07]

So let's say we end up having to play NZ in NZ in the qtr final, do you really think the selectors won't seriously consider another specialist bat? If that happens either Watson or Bailey bats at 5 for mine at the expense of Marsh. But what ever happens, our qtr finals team needs to be guaranteed selection (barring injury) for the remainder of the tournament, you don't want guys under selection pressure in finals.

Honestly no. I see Marsh as a specialist bat anyway, he bats 4 for WA you know. If we had Shaun Marsh in the squad sure but I can't see it. Frankly I heard a week ago that the side that played Sunday plus Cummins for Hazelwood was always going to be our best side.

[brendan07]

I think if a young up and coming batsman enjoys keeping and he's good at it he should continue to do it, but as Brendon said he doesn't enjoy it, so....... How would Gilchrist be remembered if he wasn't a keeper, him being a keeper is what set him apart from most other great batsmen, arguably the most valuable player in the world in his day.

He hates it, doesn't practice it. You practically have to twist his arm to make him keep lol

[MCGGG]

Honestly no. I see Marsh as a specialist bat anyway' date=' he bats 4 for WA you know. If we had Shaun Marsh in the squad sure but I can't see it. Frankly I heard a week ago that the side that played Sunday plus Cummins for Hazelwood was always going to be our best side.[/quote'] I respect your inside knowledge, almost everything you've predicted has come to be, but i don't think Shawn Marsh's batting is any better than Watson's or Baileys in ODIs, if they want an extra specialist bat they'll select one. I'd also like to revisit our Cummins V Pattinson debate, would you honestly rather Cummins now?

[brendan07]

I respect your inside knowledge, almost everything you've predicted has come to be, but i don't think Shawn Marsh's batting is any better than Watson's or Baileys in ODIs, if they want an extra specialist bat they'll select one. I'd also like to revisit our Cummins V Pattinson debate, would you honestly rather Cummins now?

Shaun Marsh is in form at least he is a bloke you select while he is. We actually do lack a genuine 3 or 4. Ideally Clarke wouldn't be there and the selectors have sort of told him that post WC he won't be a starter, they want Smith to take the reigns. As for Cummins/Pattinson, in my view Cummins is the better bowler. He has a few more strings to his bowling and is a yard quicker.

[CG]

It would be fool hardy to think either NZ or Australia will prepare absolute batting beauties when they face up to India in the knockouts. Their strength is their pace attack. Our only relative strength is our batting. What do you think they will do? I would not back the Indian batsmen to chase down even 230 against the aussie attack on a pitch where there’s even a semblance of pace and bounce.

Icc would look in to it,you will get good tracks.Its will not be easy for aussie to chase anything against us on a green pitch they are exposed badly when the ball swings.Forget tri-series india was experimenting.in icc events and in knockouts we play at out best. Indias best chance is on tracks which aid our bowlers.

[MCGGG]

Shaun Marsh is in form at least he is a bloke you select while he is. We actually do lack a genuine 3 or 4. Ideally Clarke wouldn't be there and the selectors have sort of told him that post WC he won't be a starter, they want Smith to take the reigns. As for Cummins/Pattinson, in my view Cummins is the better bowler. He has a few more strings to his bowling and is a yard quicker.

Cummins isn't quicker, mightn't be a lot in it but I'd give the nod to Pattinson, and mate, Cummins doesn't have the tools Patto has, I've told you this before, if Patto stays fit he'll be the most feared bowler in the world come years end, look at his recent efforts, he's averaging under 20 in FC games this year, around 15 if you include the u23 game.

[CG]

Cummins isn't quicker' date=' mightn't be a lot in it but I'd give the nod to Pattinson, and mate, Cummins doesn't have the tools Patto has, I've told you this before, if Patto stays fit he'll be the most feared bowler in the world come years end, look at his recent efforts, he's averaging under 20 in FC games this year, around 15 if you include the u23 game.[/quote'] Pattinson after injury did not bowl quicker than cummins.Allthough his ability to seam the ball makes him better.He is a good bowler.

[brendan07]

Cummins isn't quicker' date=' mightn't be a lot in it but I'd give the nod to Pattinson, and mate, Cummins doesn't have the tools Patto has, I've told you this before, if Patto stays fit he'll be the most feared bowler in the world come years end, look at his recent efforts, he's averaging under 20 in FC games this year, around 15 if you include the u23 game.[/quote'] Cummins is a yard quicker. Pattinson would average around 143/144kmph. Cummins would be closer to 150. He has a quicker ball than Pattonson has. Pattinson is a fantastic bowler but his issue is flat pitches. It is why Cimmins is rated higher internally- they see Pat as a guy who bowls well in all conditions. This is coming from the selectors' mouths and I asked that question 3-4 weeks ago. Bowls cutters very well and at pace. They will both be in the side anyway probably with Joel Paris or Hazelwood in a test match with Boyce as the spinner

[MCGGG]

Icc would look in to it,you will get good tracks.Its will not be easy for aussie to chase anything against us on a green pitch they are exposed badly when the ball swings.Forget tri-series india was experimenting.in icc events and in knockouts we play at out best. Indias best chance is on tracks which aid our bowlers.

Disagree, if there's swing or seam India won't beat Australia in Australia, but, if a spinning deck comes about that's a different story.

[MCGGG]

Cummins is a yard quicker. Pattinson would average around 143/144kmph. Cummins would be closer to 150. He has a quicker ball than Pattonson has. Pattinson is a fantastic bowler but his issue is flat pitches. It is why Cimmins is rated higher internally- they see Pat as a guy who bowls well in all conditions. This is coming from the selectors' mouths and I asked that question 3-4 weeks ago. Bowls cutters very well and at pace. They will both be in the side anyway probably with Joel Paris or Hazelwood in a test match with Boyce as the spinner

Looks like he's broken down again anyway :( http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/841839.html

[CG]

Disagree' date=' if there's swing or seam India won't beat Australia in Australia, but, if a spinning deck comes about that's a different story.[/quote'] If there is swing our bowling becomes more effective which has helped us be it lords or green tracks.If we put off a score we defend it.Anyways we are going to get a good batting track.

[MCGGG]

If there is swing our bowling becomes more effective which has helped us be it lords or green tracks.If we put off a score we defend it.Anyways we are going to get a good batting track.

Works both way thought bro, you saw what we did to the Kiwis on a difficult deck, granted we lost, but batting second on those decks is a major advantage, because batting team 1 thinks they need 250+, and batting team 2 can pay respect to the conditions without fear of run rate. If it's a fast bowlers deck your side will be crucified against Australia IMO, you need a road and even then you'll need to bat first and put on 300+, and then prey.

[MCGGG]

If there is swing our bowling becomes more effective which has helped us be it lords or green tracks.If we put off a score we defend it.Anyways we are going to get a good batting track.

We aren't England bro.