Four time winners Aus enter the WC’11 against a background of injuries. Hussey and Hauritz were just ruled out. Ponting’s just coming back. You can never count on Lee and Shaun Tait to be injury free. That being said, they are still Champs.
From the last WC, Haddin has replaced Gilchrist in the 11….but definitely doesn’t instill the same fear as Gilly did in the opponents’ minds. Hayden is also gone – his replacement Watson can biff it up – but does he have it in him to score big 100s and play long innings??
I am not sure why Steven Smith is selected – he has done very little in his batting and bowling. Also, the logic of having a second keeper in Tim Paine baffles me. To me, the Aus selectors have screwed up (a couple of places) just like the Ashes.
Brett Lee and Shaun Tait are back. Tait (2nd highest wicket taker in 2007) together with McGrath formed a potent combination in leading Aus to WC win. If he can keep his fitness, he will be more than handful with his pace, bounce and variations even in sub-continental conditions.
Watson is in form of his life and he gives Aus a perfect all-round option. D Hussey, M Clarke and C White (if needed) will share part time spinning options. M Johnson’s job as pinch hitter against Eng in the 6th ODI was a successful punt. But what is appreciable is that Aus does try to surprise by doing the unthinkable…..that kind of strategy will be needed if Aus (Ponting) is to win the WC for the 4th time on the run….
Strategy
• With the 11 I have mentioned below they have 4 regular bowlers (1 spinner in Krejza and 3 Faster Men in Johnson, Lee & Tait)
• 5th bowler can be a combo of Watson, D Hussey and M Clarke
• Be flexible to send Johnson up the order to take risks
Missing Out
• David Warner (his electric starts and great fielding) instead of Steven Smith + he would have been a better choice than Haddin (as an opener)
• Dan Christian (hard hitting all-rounder) instead of Tim Paine (why do you need 2 wicket keepers) ??
Strengths
• Fielding, Team Strength, Fearlessness, Ruthlessness
• Fast bowling fire power
• No matter what Aus will fight right till the end (remember last year T-20 against Pak ??)
• White’s hitting in the death overs can be mind boggling
Weaknesses
• Ponting had missed the ODIs (v England) due to injury and he is not in form
• M Hussey the finisher was declared out of the WC due to injury
• Shaun Tait can blow hot or cold
• Haddin at the top of the order doesn’t make sense
Dark Horse / X-Factor
• S Watson
• D Hussey
My Take
• Finals / Winner
My Playing 11
• S Watson, B Haddin(wk), R Ponting, M Clarke, C White, C Ferguson, D Hussey, J Krejza, M Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait
Drinks
• D Bollinger, T Paine, Hastings, Steven Smith
From the last WC, Haddin has replaced Gilchrist in the 11….but definitely doesn’t instill the same fear as Gilly did in the opponents’ minds. Hayden is also gone – his replacement Watson can biff it up – but does he have it in him to score big 100s and play long innings??
I am not sure why Steven Smith is selected – he has done very little in his batting and bowling. Also, the logic of having a second keeper in Tim Paine baffles me. To me, the Aus selectors have screwed up (a couple of places) just like the Ashes.
Brett Lee and Shaun Tait are back. Tait (2nd highest wicket taker in 2007) together with McGrath formed a potent combination in leading Aus to WC win. If he can keep his fitness, he will be more than handful with his pace, bounce and variations even in sub-continental conditions.
Watson is in form of his life and he gives Aus a perfect all-round option. D Hussey, M Clarke and C White (if needed) will share part time spinning options. M Johnson’s job as pinch hitter against Eng in the 6th ODI was a successful punt. But what is appreciable is that Aus does try to surprise by doing the unthinkable…..that kind of strategy will be needed if Aus (Ponting) is to win the WC for the 4th time on the run….
Strategy
• With the 11 I have mentioned below they have 4 regular bowlers (1 spinner in Krejza and 3 Faster Men in Johnson, Lee & Tait)
• 5th bowler can be a combo of Watson, D Hussey and M Clarke
• Be flexible to send Johnson up the order to take risks
Missing Out
• David Warner (his electric starts and great fielding) instead of Steven Smith + he would have been a better choice than Haddin (as an opener)
• Dan Christian (hard hitting all-rounder) instead of Tim Paine (why do you need 2 wicket keepers) ??
Strengths
• Fielding, Team Strength, Fearlessness, Ruthlessness
• Fast bowling fire power
• No matter what Aus will fight right till the end (remember last year T-20 against Pak ??)
• White’s hitting in the death overs can be mind boggling
Weaknesses
• Ponting had missed the ODIs (v England) due to injury and he is not in form
• M Hussey the finisher was declared out of the WC due to injury
• Shaun Tait can blow hot or cold
• Haddin at the top of the order doesn’t make sense
Dark Horse / X-Factor
• S Watson
• D Hussey
My Take
• Finals / Winner
My Playing 11
• S Watson, B Haddin(wk), R Ponting, M Clarke, C White, C Ferguson, D Hussey, J Krejza, M Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait
Drinks
• D Bollinger, T Paine, Hastings, Steven Smith
Posts
1 comment:
I would play Bollinger instead of Lee in my playing 11. Lee may have shown some decent performances in his comeback tour. But still I doubt his consistency at world cup level.
Anyways, I would be happy to see him in the playing 11 as an Indian supporter.
Though Australia deserve the world cup in terms of their cricketing skills and form is concerned, they don’t have the right attitude and respect for the game to win it anymore!!!
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