Comments on: Simon Katich is Australia’s best spin bowler

By: Carolyn Martin

Carolyn Martin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:18:38 +0000

I think Simon Katich is one of the best in the Australian team – he is a top batsman, a great fielder and yes, he even bowls. I just cannot understand why Ponting doesn’t acknowledge this by bowling him a bit more regularly. It’s a case of can’t see the forest for the trees I guess. Also, Kat is not a prima donna. Australia’s best spin bowler was Shane W – since then they seem to be searching – when you have somebody who can do the job why not use him.

By: merv

merv — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:21:18 +0000

NO!

By: Norman

Norman — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:20:13 +0000

Simon Katich is pretty good but not the best.
I reckon Michael Clarke is.
Simon Katich is a good batter!

By: merv

merv — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:17:17 +0000

i disagree simon katich is good but hes not australias best spin bowler! you have got that wrong, hes a great batter but not the best spin bowler!

By: drewster

drewster — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:39:00 +0000

Let’s not forget Shane Warne’s test debut where he collected figures of 1/150 (Ravi Shastri caught by Dean Jones for 206) off 45 overs, and recorded figures of 1/228 in his first Test series. Hopefully one of the spinners will come good soon, But 3 part timers with some sort of form, I would think is a better gamble than 1 of the specialists with no form.

By: Marty

Marty — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 01:59:36 +0000

Justin. Don’t even get me started on White!!! I think they picked him in 1 of the games in India instead of S.Clarke wtf
I’m still trying to erase the vision of 1 of his balls going down legside on a long hop for 4 leg byes by about 2meters

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:52:41 +0000

He may be pretty handy as is clarke and north but the problem is Kat & Clarke both have issues with the bodies which bowling inflames. So risking two of you best and key bats is something I would tread very wearily with.

Funny how if a batsman gets a duck we dont say he is gone forever but McGain (who has been the best spin domestic bowler for the past few years) is gone after a horror show in only his second 1st class match back from major surgery.

Anyone remember how Warne went after his surgery (not that McGain is in that class)……he was dropped!

The problem is there is little 1st class cricket for any of our spinners to play before the Ashes unless a county in ENG picks them up.

Heard Greg Matthews say that he would take McGain and Crazy the other day. I tend to agree.

Marty – the selections have been baffling since well before India – how the fark was White ever, ever picked to play Test cricket???

By: Mr Sports

Mr Sports — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:32:41 +0000

I agree that Simon Katich is a great optiona dn that Australia should give up on trying to force a spinner into the team Australia has always been at its strongest when we picked the best four bowlers in the country, the best six batsman and the best wicket-keeper. if they offer some other skill great but all 11 players should be excleent in their chosen disciplien first.

specifically on Katich i had gained the impression that him not bowling was at least partly due to a reluctnace on his part due to concerns about suffering an injury to his shoulder. the same reason why michale clarke doesn’t bowl more overs (though his is back not shoulder).

By: Jameswm

Jameswm — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 03:51:18 +0000

I agree with the general sentiments.

1. Take Krejza to England as the only specialist spinner. None has gone that well but at least crazy takes wickets.

2. unless it’s a barren pitch, pick 4 quicks – Johnson, Siddle, SClark and Lee or Hilfy or Bolly

3. North is the most bowled of the part time spinners. Clarke picks up wickets and has got them in bundles before. Those two and Kato can cover the spin option. All three are very good part-time spinners but Punter needs to actually use them.

4. I can’t see any room for Watson in there at the moment even if he’s fit. Ronnie as everyone said is a handy batsman and a handy bowler, but you’ve got to excel at at least one of them to play test cricket. He wouldn’t be close to making the side as either.

On another note – batting Johnson at 7 is probably placing too much pressure on him and would mean dropping a batsman (Hussey at the moment). It would allow you to play 4 quicks plus a spinner. Krejza is a handy bat though.

By: Marty

Marty — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:15:22 +0000

Absolutely. You are spot on. Spinners = Katich and Clarke. Use North too as an option.
Allrounders are Johnson and Katich. Dump Ronald. And surely there is room in the side to take Hodge everywhere as a back up batter. If they are desperate for a “full time spinner” what was wrong with Krazy?
The selections since the Indian tour have been baffling. They are picking people who haven’t done anything at state level….

By: Marvin

Marvin — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:02:23 +0000

Chinaman bowling by far the hardest art to master. Put some faith in kaitch and he will take wickets. batsmen do not see a left arm wrongun that often. It is a wicket taking ball to either a leftie or right handed batsmen when it lands. Punter must bowl him more