Steven Smith will seem certain to make his debut for Australia in the final ODI of the series vs the Windies at the MCG.
Sylvester, you pleased about this mate?
Steven Smith has a great opportunity here for himself and he has been a bit out of touch in the Ford Ranger Cup as opposed to his efforts for NSW in T20 cricket and Sheffield Shield games. He is an effective spin bowling option with plenty room to develop it as an attacking element to his game, while his middle order batting can be explosive yet still shows glimpses of maturity and fast learning.
Nathan Hauritz has been given a rest along with Michael Hussey after their massive workload this summer, with positive results.
The two of them will also not participate in the T20's alongside Ricky Ponting meaning this will be their last appearances until the upcoming T20's and ODI's against The Blacks Caps.
Brad Haddin returns to hold the fort behind the stumps meaning Tim Paine has returned to the Tassie Tigers. In fact he has actually just hit a half-century for them tonight against WA. I like the way we have been giving Tim really good exposure at International level like the selectors did with Hads in the Gilchrist days. Hads' 'Keeping has been sensational this summer!
As for the T20's at The Bellerive Oval and the SCG, the selectors are starting to smarten up. Instead of throwing in our Test and ODI specialists which they have done for too long now, they are focusing on specialist players.
Steven Smith was amongst the players of this change in plans and performed excellently on debut.
Travis Birt lucked out but has another chance to shine, while Daniel Christian has his moment after showing his value to the Redbacks.
Here's the T20 Squad for the two T20's:Michael Clarke (Captain), Shane Watson, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Cameron White, David Hussey, Travis Birt, Brad Haddin (Wicketkeeper), Steven Smith, Daniel Christian, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait.
10 comments:
Yep - Great idea to give Smith ago. The young bloke has done well so far, so getting him on the main stage can only be a positive for us. It's a dead rubber, but we wouldn't want to give one away at this stage so a couple of young keen blokes will be great.
20-20s ..... still wrapping my head around all the new names - not a hell of a lot of coverage of Aussie domestic stuff in Thailand :( - Even on Super Sports
And about time My Lord got a rest. I have to say I'm quite looking forward to the T20s. Despite not really giving a toss about them, at least there will be some competition. Windies are slick at the smallest format.
Extremely happy Ian :p
Its good to see the selectors finally giving Smith a go in the dead rubber. Looks like we will be seeing more of Smith bowling than batting but wouldn't mind getting him up the order if we are 2/200 and giving him a run. But if Voges is in the side I guess they will give him the go.
Congrats to Christian, well deserved selection. If he does well he will start applying the pressure on Hopes ODI spot especially if he does well in the bowling.
It's actually getting tough to decide on a Squad. I'm looking forward to the overall Squad call-up for the Black Caps series.
They are putting together a more fixed side at the moment, so I will be eyeing our Test side closely...even though the Black Caps are better fifty over cricketers.
Pretty sure Smith is going to play. The Cricinfo probable Squad seems to be the one I reckon will take to the field.
I am actually over this series. I was upset when the Windies knew they weren't going to be playing a full strength side...but I'll take another win to have a clean sweep summer since the days of the Tugga Waugh.
I'm looking forward to NZ tour. It's a shorter series and on unfamilar turf. Been a while.
Why isn't Hussey playing 20/20? He could even make a good captain and is am brilliant fielder.
Smith deserves a spot.
Yea the cricinfo side looks about right, always handy having that spare bowler in case one of the frontline struggle.
Hi Matthew
Welcome to the Baggy Green blog.
The reason behind Huss being omitted from the T20 side is that firstly, the selectors want Michael Clarke to hold onto the leadership role and ensure his Captaincy probably involves co-ordinating a younger, more dynamic group of T20 cricketers. Secondly, Huss is probably fried! The man has played a hell of alot of cricket and has a family too so I'm all for him having some timeout. We got the stocks.
I do agree with you about his skills to be a Skipper and he is certainly a good T20 candidate, but I think those are the reasons he is on the sidelines for now.
As I type this, Voges and Catfish are getting through the powerplay.
Steven Smith time approaching soon Sylvester! I reckon this is the first tme you are wanting a wicket to fall for us
Yeah, Sometime you forget that Cricketers have lives outside of cricket. Good to see Hughes back among the runs.
Yeah mate.
Great to see Phillip back in good form. Just can't believe he missed out on another double ton. Reality is it will be tough for him to make a comeback any time soon unless injury permits, but with him, Mike Klinger and a few other options I'm really not worried about things. Phillip will return when it's right and he knows it. He recently mentioned that NSW cricket is his focus. He has a great ability to control his mindset, probably his greatest strength as a young man. Still believe he has a big future ahead of him.
Yes,
we've got enough good batsman in Shield cricket to make a team if all the teat team is injured. Same with the bowlers.
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