aust openers for India tour

time for Australia to take the plunge with MTFTB out almost permanently...we need young fit openers who can be the future rock solid combination we need in years ahead. We also need openers who are ace in the field

Marsh and Hughes has a nice ring about it...Hughes is the best prospect as an opener we have had in years and marsh has shown his versatility in different conditions...

It would be diaappointing to persist further with Jaques who lacks reliable technique against top notch bowling and who is a complete duffer in the field who gifts runs to the opposition.

thoughts?

Marsh and Horrie ...has a familiar ring to it ...

IT would be the third set of Marsh and Hughes to play for Aust in the last 30 years.

Things would be a lot easier for everyone in Australian cricket if Hayden swallowed his ego and accepted that he's a washed up old hack who's body isn't responding to him anymore.

Why would anyone want to drop Hayden? He scored 3 tons in his last 3 matchs and his record in India is very good.

And I don't really see what Marsh has done to deserve a Test spot. I have no doubt he will be good enough when his time comes. But his FC average is 35 and his ODI career to date has been against pretty terrible attacks.

Hughes should be considered for the squad no doubt. Depends on how his A-tour goes.

But I don't really like the policy of dropping just for the sake of dropping. I think you pick your best XI irrespective of age. I want to win the next Test series, not worry about the future.

But is Hayden fit for India? Or is he targetting the next Aus home season?

Henry wrote:But is Hayden fit for India? Or is he targetting the next Aus home season?

He'll be fit for India. I reckon he probably could have played in the Banger series if he pushed himself.

Are you his physio?

embee wrote:Are you his physio?

He was in the original squad. Which suggests he was pretty close to being able to play. An extra month and I think he will be fit.

Yes, he was in the original squad, but when he pushed his ankle it failed him again. Kontouris the Aus physio said that Hayden's injury was a permanent, genetic problem. For the last 6 months his ankle has prevented him from operating at 100%.

Henry wrote:Yes, he was in the original squad, but when he pushed his ankle it failed him again. Kontouris the Aus physio said that Hayden's injury was a permanent, genetic problem. For the last 6 months his ankle has prevented him from operating at 100%.

Yeah, it's a chronic problem rather than a debilatating one. I don't him envisage going on for too much longer. But I am pretty confident he can play well for another 12-18 months.

doubt it....time for a double change

Australia put on a double-century opening stand in its last Test innings.

Katich and Jaques both made hundreds.

I can see the reason we need to drop them.

fleas failed early in the tour....crabbed it in a selfish way for his first score and dropped several catches that cost runs - he is an appalling infielder and cannot be hidden in the outfield as he is slow and has no arm...he is not an opener.

jaques is slatsesque - hit or miss and doubtful against qual. bowling...also a magoo in the field who drops catches...

marsh and hughes are streets ahead

Hass wrote:Australia put on a double-century opening stand in its last Test innings.

Katich and Jaques both made hundreds.

I can see the reason we need to drop them.

I see you are unfamiliar with the arguments of Horrie ...

Yeah there's an idea. Drop the most successful batsman we'ver ever taken to the sub-continent. Check the batting stats from 2003. Hayden (under incredible pressure not only from the Press but the fact his batting partner was somewhere in a galaxy far,far away) first, daylight second and uhhmmm...Geez I can't remember, who came third?

That's right it was a giant of the willow called Glenn McGrath.

Pfft. How about 2004 (Which is more relevant). Hayden could hardly buy a run, and he was arrogantly charging the bowlers in the first over of the match like it was a T20.

If Hayden is fit he will tour. On form Katich deserves the nod ahead of Jaques.

Bradman wrote:Yeah there's an idea. Drop the most successful batsman we'ver ever taken to the sub-continent. Check the batting stats from 2003. Hayden (under incredible pressure not only from the Press but the fact his batting partner was somewhere in a galaxy far,far away) first, daylight second and uhhmmm...Geez I can't remember, who came third?

That's right it was a giant of the willow called Glenn McGrath.

??? ...am just assuming he wont be fit ...of course if he is fit he gets on the plane and sits in the pointy end

horace wrote:time for Australia to take the plunge with MTFTB out almost permanently...we need young fit openers who can be the future rock solid combination we need in years ahead. We also need openers who are ace in the field

Marsh and Hughes has a nice ring about it...Hughes is the best prospect as an opener we have had in years and marsh has shown his versatility in different conditions...

It would be diaappointing to persist further with Jaques who lacks reliable technique against top notch bowling and who is a complete duffer in the field who gifts runs to the opposition.

thoughts?

Oh yes, please please please bring a pair of inexperienced openers to England next year - you know it makes sense!

Hayden hardly has an exceptional record in England. I think next year's ashes tour will be a step too far for him.

Ok! 2004. Anyone can have a bad couple of months.

That's a mea culpa by the way.

give 'em nothing i say

Hayden won't be around much longer but if he's fit, he'll open until he says "thanks, that'll do."

I feel comfortable that we have several good options at the top of the batting to take us into the future.

so mr S - do you agree about blooding hughes and marsh in the event the Unit is unfit this summer?