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[smokem]

Well the squad was only announced yesterday and we have an injury already. It seems Ryan Harris flew home injured from the IPL the night before the squad was announced!!! Harris missed all but the last 3 games of the domestic season due to injury, played 3 IPL games and he's injured yet again... How on earth did Harris or Cricket Australia think it was appropriate for him to play in the IPL??? Flummoxed...

[Manormanic]

Well the squad was only announced yesterday and we have an injury already. It seems Ryan Harris flew home injured from the IPL the night before the squad was announced!!! Harris missed all but the last 3 games of the domestic season due to injury, played 3 IPL games and he's injured yet again... How on earth did Harris or Cricket Australia think it was appropriate for him to play in the IPL??? Flummoxed...

oh dear - the most sensible thing that CA have done in ages followed immediately by evidence of clinical insanity...

[vividgreen]

Harris is a great bowler, potential match winner who will excel in English conditions..........but is a massive risk being such a fragile cricketer (given his history) in a 5 day game.

He may win them a test or could severely hamper them, potentially losing them a test if he breaks down on the first day of a test match.

Does CA roll the dice and play him in the starting line up of the 1st Test or use him as a pinch hitter latter on in the series should he be required. Will they be aggressive and go for the all out win first up or play conservatively and run with a more durable lineup.

[Manormanic]

I suspect he might be the kind of guy who could take wickets in England - he does a bit with the ball at decent pace from a good length - so can see why they want him along.  I guess if Watson is bowling again or Faulkner plays as an all rounder there is less risk associated with a break down, otherwise he could surely only play as one of four seamer...

[charlie15]

I suspect he might be the kind of guy who could take wickets in England - he does a bit with the ball at decent pace from a good length - so can see why they want him along.  I guess if Watson is bowling again or Faulkner plays as an all rounder there is less risk associated with a break down, otherwise he could surely only play as one of four seamer...

I thought if Watson bowled again, he would break?

[Manormanic]

I thought if Watson bowled again, he would break?

he'll probably risk it if his test place is ont he line!

[vividgreen]

he'll probably risk it if his test place is ont he line!

you hit the nail on the head. He wants to bowl again because he is not succeeding with the bat and is starting to feel insecure with his position within the team.

Sometimes i think with Watson, its all about "me" as a player rather the "team". Firstly he wants the opening position without giving thought to what Cowan or Warner may think, then when he breaks down and can't bowl, he talks about giving up bowling and becoming a specialist batsmen to further his career. Now thats not working, he wants to recommence the all rounders role and bowl again.

Don't get me wrong, i think his best value in the team is as an allrounder and he should bat No 6 after Clarke and be a geniune allrounder. These players provide enormous depth and flexibility with selection to a team, as freddie did when the english were at their best. Lets face it, Watto's bowling record is half decent and he has the happy knack of picking up an early wicket every time he comes onto bowl...... partnership breaker....

[charlie15]

he'll probably risk it if his test place is ont he line!

So it's pretty much a case of Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't then!

[vividgreen]

An insight into Faulkner if you boys don't know much about him

http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/content/current/story/632375.html

don't forget to read the comments at the bottom from the article viewers

[Manormanic]

you hit the nail on the head. He wants to bowl again because he is not succeeding with the bat and is starting to feel insecure with his position within the team.

Sometimes i think with Watson, its all about "me" as a player rather the "team". Firstly he wants the opening position without giving thought to what Cowan or Warner may think, then when he breaks down and can't bowl, he talks about giving up bowling and becoming a specialist batsmen to further his career. Now thats not working, he wants to recommence the all rounders role and bowl again.

Don't get me wrong, i think his best value in the team is as an allrounder and he should bat No 6 after Clarke and be a geniune allrounder. These players provide enormous depth and flexibility with selection to a team, as freddie did when the english were at their best. Lets face it, Watto's bowling record is half decent and he has the happy knack of picking up an early wicket every time he comes onto bowl...... partnership breaker....

Couldn't agree more - as a fifth bowler, he'll do no worse than get through some overs economically (and, with Lyon occasionally a liability, having five bowlers relieves the pressure all round) whilst, if he is contributing elsewhere, his habit of making nice little 30s and 40s is far less offensive than if he was one of five frontline batsmen. 

[vividgreen]

i know you guys don't rate Lyon and i agree he is no front line spinner who is going to win you a test match, however his record isn't that bad considering he has only been playing cricket at a top level for a relatively short period of time. Don't forget, he only played a hand full of first class matches before he was picked from no where (first class debut was 6 mths before his test debut)

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272279.html

Lyon - average 33 / SR 63
Swann - average 29 / SR 59

In essence, he is still learning his trade but is more than capable of filling a role in resting the quicks and keeping some pressure on. Lets face it our strength is our pace attack.

[Beaup123]

Good point, but I think he will improve over time. Correct me if I am wrong but he is the fastest off spinner to take 50 wickets. Another thing is there is not much competition in the spinning ranks so if the selectors can keep giving him a go I think he can become a very important asset to the Australian team when he gains some more experience.

[vividgreen]

Good point, but I think he will improve over time. Correct me if I am wrong but he is the fastest off spinner to take 50 wickets. Another thing is there is not much competition in the spinning ranks so if the selectors can keep giving him a go I think he can become a very important asset to the Australian team when he gains some more experience.

well said, about time someone said something kind about Lyon on this forum. He will never be a Warney and we should never expect him to live up to those lofty standards. He is not far off Swanns figures and everyone talks Swann up as being the best offspinner going around.

[Beaup123]

Thanks mate,
Are you a fellow aussie

[DiscoStu]

Rogers looks like he is staking a claim to a spot in the top order.