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[langer17]

He must be picked for Australia! It must be a certainty He is in unbelievable form as his last 5 First Class matches scores show:

134*, 145 (Australia A), 65, 141* and 109 against the Indians today. That makes 594 runs at and average of 198 over his last 5 FC innings, which is insane!!!

That is incredible form and if Australia don't pick him after the shocking batting performances of late, then there is something seriously wrong with them, as form like that cannot be ignored!!!

To be honest, he should have been picked ahead of Warner for the tests against NZ, as Cowan got 145 in that game and Warner only got 65, so dunno what happened there.

[langer17]

I have a feeling that they will stick with the older blokes, but that doesn't send the right message - Team is struggling and so are certain players (Ponting and to a lesser degree, Hussey), but they don't drop them. There are players performing in FC cricket and who have earnt the right to come into the team, but don't get picked as CA hasn't got the balls to drop the underperforming players.

If Australia is to get back up there, then these calls HAVE to be made!

[kaustav]

Yep, I have been following his stats for sometime and he does deserve a shot; I think the selectors are too scared to gamble with to much young blood at the same time. But I do believe that Australia needs to field the strongest 11 and age should not be a criterion. But it is a difficult decision no doubt. If he is picked, who is the one guy you think that should be axed?

[langer17]

Yep, I have been following his stats for sometime and he does deserve a shot; I think the selectors are too scared to gamble with to much young blood at the same time. But I do believe that Australia needs to field the strongest 11 and age should not be a criterion. But it is a difficult decision no doubt. If he is picked, who is the one guy you think that should be axed?

I would drop Ponting, 2 years on the wane and he hasn't been dropped, what a joke. Yes you need experience, but surely Clarke, Haddin and Hussey have plenty of experience, plus there are also coaches in Aruther, Mcdermott and Langer. Then there is also Dan Christian who could come in.

I think they will give Ponting boxing day, and if he doesn't perform, then he will be dropped. He has been one of the greats for Australia, but sadly he has struggled for a while now, which has led to him losing the right to call time on his career.

Australia need to make these calls, because the longer we have our heads internched in the past and what has been, we lose touch with what is happening now, which will lead to us falling further from the top.

[kaustav]

I think the Indians are always hypnotized during the first test; if Australia has to experiment/take a chance first test is the way to go I feel but I don't think the selectors will have ****s to do that.

[mad_abt_cricket]

Saw this photo this morning, looks really nice with the footwork. 

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2011/content/image/546249.html?page=1

I predict if this guy gets selected will prove to be a thorn in the flesh to the Indian team.

[Manormanic]

He must be picked for Australia! It must be a certainty He is in unbelievable form as his last 5 First Class matches scores show:

134*, 145 (Australia A), 65, 141* and 109 against the Indians today. That makes 594 runs at and average of 198 over his last 5 FC innings, which is insane!!!

Technically the 109 should not count toward your stats as it is not a first class game...

[Alvaro]

This is perhaps my favourite part of Australia's small trough. It reminds me of being an England fan in the late nineties - the established establishment players are waning but, really, still better than the rest, but as a fan you can't help hoping A.N. Journeyman's purple patch means they're the saviour but in fact all they really are is another Mark Lathwell, Gavin Hamilon or Aftab Habib ...

[Buzz]

or Ed Smith Alvero...

[Alvaro]

Steve James?

[Number4]

Technically the 109 should not count toward your stats as it is not a first class game...

Either way he should be in the mix... and leaving the last innings out makes his average 242... Pretty reasonable stats

[Vic Nicholas]

This is perhaps my favourite part of Australia's small trough. It reminds me of being an England fan in the late nineties - the established establishment players are waning but, really, still better than the rest, but as a fan you can't help hoping A.N. Journeyman's purple patch means they're the saviour but in fact all they really are is another Mark Lathwell, Gavin Hamilon or Aftab Habib ...

Oh yeah...

Like you had a Cummins or Pattinson coming through at that time.

[The_Bird]

Oh yeah...

Like you had a Cummins or Pattinson coming through at that time.

I think he was referring to your waning batsman not your promising bowlers. 

[Kulli]

Played against Cowans in Scotland and he was very impressive, averaged 80+ in the premier league, which plenty very good players have failed to do.

[Johnny]

Oh yeah...

Like you had a Cummins or Pattinson coming through at that time.

...we had plenty of Phil Hughes'

Even in the bleak days of English cricket, there was the odd diamond in the rough - Darren Gough for example