Is North now surplus to requirements?

So - does Cam White get taken a tad more seriously (outside of Vic) now after 105 and 55 in successive ODI's IN Australia. TO match his efforts v Eng over there batting a #3, scores of 53, 42 and 105. Then DNB in match 4 with Ponting back, then 24*, 35 and 1 down the order at 6 and 7. followed in India coming in at #4 with 51, 23, 0, 62, 57, and 25 Now followed up back home with 105 and 55, On that basis - not a bad little run of form in the line up as a batsman, and a wide enough variety of innings in different circumstances, conditions and versus a variety of opposition. Why not give him a crack at number 6 in the batting line up.

I'd be tempted to bat Usman Khawaja at no. 6 in place of North. Khawaja is a young guy with a lot of class, and he's in good batting form.

North looks shaky but no-one breaking the door down, The top 3 is doing too well to shift Watson so he should stay opener. Long-term he would be an ideal No 6 allowing Hughes or someone else too open but for the moment he has saved North. Haddin is No 7 at best and currently behind both Dhoni & Boucher + Johnson's a good No 8

I'd like to see some a little bit patience shown with the team in general, including North. I've felt sorry for players the likes of Hughes and Krejza who were abruptly dropped after 1 or 2 ordinary performances against very good teams like SA or England. Yet other players have been lathered in praise "pretty good" performances against the less formidable teams. I give credit to what Watson has done this summer, but there are alot early dropped catches in that string of 90's he made this summer, Hussey was dropped 4 odd times in that recent 100 he made. Personally i'd like to see an extra batsman & bowler being brought into the squad and rotate the players a little more frequently. This would help minimalise injuries, take a little more pressure off players for constant immediate results without retribution from the selectors and would be a great way for young prospects to gain some experience without the pressure of being thown in the deep end as Australia's saviour in a series, or next prodigy .

Macca did reasonably well, mainly with the ball. But we need batsmen not more seamers and Macca did not impress with the willow.

As a die hard VIc, I can't believe I forgot about McDonald. If Haddin were in at 6, than McDonald could slot in at 7, he was wasted batting at 8 in South Africa.

To be fair to Haddin, we havent had a great keeper since Heals. Gilly and Hads are batting keepers. People who think Tim paine wouldnt throw his wicket away like Haddin obviously need to watch more state cricket. paine is a good batsman, but I think he needs a seaon or two to show he can score runs "in the clutch". Im assuming haddin will play for another 2-3 years, and in that time I think Paine will be ready to wear the baggy green. Interesting points about Steve Smith, and there has been alot of speculation about him. I think he (like Paine) need some more seasoning, but given the fact he is developing his spin, and he is scoring heaps of runs for NSW and in grade cricket, what would we have to lose by putting him in at 6 or 7? North is hardly setting the world on fire, and Im sure Smith could do just as good a job. SOmetimes you need to let blokes learn while on the job.

AJ Hughes, Warner, S.Smith.....all have a bit of allure about them....especially in Sydney I'd imagine. Steve Smith - interestingly, and I think J.Krejza suggested this - was getting picked seemingly more on his batting than his spin bowling. (not that I'm a great fan of J.Krejza who leaks runs - and I actually supported the limited Hauritz last year when he and or A.McDonald illustrated how a bowling attack worked far, far better with a guy able to hold it tight at least at the other end). Haddin - has one gear only. And, too often - when really needed (in a 'save a match' situation) - he's imploded. Most his best knocks have been those quick bonus runs. Good for a speedy declaration!!! btw - just glad that Siddle has returned a tad to form in this game. Johnson is certainly not a new ball bowler (and still, how does he keep getting wickets with his bad balls when he bowls so many of them??), Bollinger is okay, but, Siddle is the only one with a real bit of mongrel about him. For a balanced attack, I still see Hilfy with his swing being interchangeable with Bollinger perhaps depending on conditions. formeropenside he had one major innings (a beauty admittedly). But, he's had better years I guess. We do though have a history of leaving guys to keep proving themselves so long, that, they're not in their peak form when selected but on tailing away on the downward side of the form curve.

AJ - Hughes hasnt been smashing them but he has 1 hundred and 2 or 3 50s at an average of 40 this year. As I say not great but if thats a bad year then I'd take it. Smith is a long way from it. Mitch Marsh may or may not be the answer but what do you want to do for 2 years?

Michael - D. Hussey has 400+ plus runs at 52 in Shield cricket - thats a little better than mediocre, but admittedly is not top of the averages.

MC - I think the whole problem is that no one is really piling on the runs. While Hughes may not be in the best of form he has proved he can make piles of runs in all conditions. If he had been given the chances of some others in the team (Hauritz, North, Watson) then he would be our established opener by now IMO. Bailey is playing well this year, averaging plus 50 but his career record of under 40 does not suggest to me he should be next in line. Many players are capable of a season like this. Look no further than Klinger who people were crying out for last year when he had a great time of it. At 27 or 28 if you are still averaging in the 30s then you are not up to it in my book. If he has 3 season of 55 plus then look at him by all means. Agree about Hussey, his time has passed. Jaques is forgotten but again he isnt banging down the door. I think he and Hughes are the "real" contenders, the others for one year flashes.

can someone please explain the need to play hughes or s smith in the test side? Hughes has done nothing since being dropped during the ashes and smith, well i dont know. i just get that feeling that he is being rushed into the test team with a lot of pressure from the NSW based media. frankly i hadnt heard too much of him at all until he was in the test squad ( and i read all the papers and wheck cricinfo reguarly) I agree that sean marsh isn't suited too the test side, but what about adam voges. to me he has been more reliable in first class matches. my preference is to have the number 6 spot set aside for m marsh, depending on his continued form, in 2 or so years. give the lad some more time playing shield cricket first (the same applies to smith andhughes) lets see them deliver consistently in the toughest domestic first class comp. mc- agree with the comment on tim paine, haddin to me is a worry- he just doesnt seem to be the player that can build a partnership with any tail enders. as you said is over the top or nothing. really needs to develop the ability to grind out an innings from nothing.

Justin - for what it's worth - I'm no great fan of Phil Hughes (too great a technical deficiency for the 'top level'), and presently, he hasn't 'demanded' his place back. And I doubt that Hughes would be appropriate for 6 in the Test line up?? Could be wrong though. Heck, last year I was urging for Hayden to be let go for the home series vs SthAF and bring Hughes in as early as possible to ready him for the Ashes. I guess I've gone cold on him - but, this year, he's looked really ordinary at times - being an 'eye' player, when his confidence goes, his technique crumbles. David Hussey sadly has had an mediocre year. My main thoughts would be around G.Bailey, and Ed Cowan down at Tassie has been going alright - but, back to NSW and is Phil Jacques the forgotten man?? formeropenside I loved Andrew McDonald in the side last summer vs Sth Africa. I'm a big wrap for him, alas though, S.Watson has slowed down and is actually bowling alright (getting shape both ways) and holding his body together. That probably squeezes McDonald out, but, might allow a more regular wrist spin option in (given that the part time options of Clarke and Katich are physical wrecks!!).

Hell, if you are talking Cameron White or Steve Smith, why not Andrew McDonald? All are test-quality specialist no8 batsmen and part time bowlers. If North gets chopped, then its probably Jaques or Hughes to come in at 3 (or Katich to 3) with Ponting dropping down the order. David Hussey might be another option in the middle order.

The balance of the side is right now. We have 5 bats, WK, spinner, 3 seamers and an all rounder. The question is not the balance but the make up of this setup. The batting lineup is obviously the big question around the team and where we have looked most vulnerable for some time. North should not be picked for NZ, Hussey will be picked but if you had watched most of his knocks this summer he has looked ordinary way too often. So wee need to find two bats IMO but def one for NZ. I will be shouted down by some for the following but I still feel Hughes is the next option and should come in at the top of the order or number 6 if need be. So North goes in this scenario but what happens to the lineup? There are a few options: * Slot Hughes straight into 6 and leave the rest as is. * Hughes to open and Watson to 6. * Hughes to open, Clarke to four , Watson 5 and Hussey 6. To me Clarke needs to take on more responsibility and has been a better bat than Huss for two years now. Its madness he he has not shifted up the order. I appreciate that Watson has been fantastic at the top. I do wonder though how long such a large workload can continue without his body or form with bat or ball suffering. It may be tinkering with something that is working but long term it may be best. Unfortunately Ferguson is injured and there are not too many knocking down the door right now.

Points raised about North, Johnson and Haddin are justified. I've seen Marcus play since he was at school and whilst he is solid, my gut feel was that he'd slot into his first class averages and performances over an extended period. He's pretty much done that with a few high scores littered with what we've seen this summer. As far as a replacement goes....I'm really not sure. I suggest there is probably an opportunity to go for someone who is young and untapped (like S.Waugh in the 80s) and give them a decent run at it at number 6. Sean Marsh has been playing for nearly a decade and has 5 first class centuries and averages mid 30s - the hype isn't justified. Johnson is incredibly frustrating (as Fisher has alluded to) and his bowling is as inconsistent as his batting - not a number 7 in any decent team. Haddin has improved this summer but keeping in Australia on grounds he has played at every week over the past decade is a little different to playing overseas. Whilst I'm not his biggest fan, things like the missed 'catch' yesterday happened to Healy, Gilchrist and others as well and his batting at least provides something a little different and something to look forward to - whichever way it goes. But, I'm with Michael, number 7 is as far as it goes.

Brad Haddin is far from a perfect fit for any batting position above 7 in test cricket, he's still ill equipped to do anything other than attempting to hit lofted shots. North - personally I had the spot-light on him from immediately after the Ashes where he too often capitulated for stuff all when the pressure was on, but, was the classic 'flat track bully' scoring heavily when coming in with 250-350 already on the board. (sadly a Brad Hodge would look on and just wonder how some batsmen seem to book themselves long term 'support' and others don't) Katich has had a bad back and shoulder, his spin isn't a viable long term option. Whilst I'd love to see Tim Paine take over sooner rather than later (he's a class bat - unlike Haddin who is also has had some real shockers as keeper - i.e. not even moving, i.e. not a dropped catch - but a completely missed opportunity). Main question on the batting line up - - - with Katich, Ponting and Hussey all 34+ yo, who are the next 3 in line? And how long until Ponting drops down to 4 or 5 in the order? btw - with Watson bowling so well - now is not the time to drop a batsman for a bowler. Not with such big batting questions to be answered. Is now the time to look seriously at a guy like Steve Smith - with the 'odd' scenario of he playing at 6 or Watson being the 3rd seamer instead of 4th? Is Cam White worth a crack at 6? (I'd still love to see him switch to Greg Chappell style bowling) Or bring in a S or M Marsh at 6, with a view to being a future opener or No.3 respectively?

So Hilfenhaus for North? I think that against stronger sides than the West Indies and Pakistan, and away from home especially, that a number six batsman is required. After all, with Watson being used as an allrounder and Katich and North as well, it's not a case of having seven players who don't bowl.. And does Australia need really FIVE seamers plus Hauritz? Not sure Johnson is a seven either. He benefits from the freedom of being an 8; not that his allround form has been anything to write home about this summer. Batting at seven would mean he has more responsibility and would need to place more focus on his batting. Surely he should be concentrating on improving his inconsistent and expensive offerings as a first-change bowler? As it stands the better sides will feel they can score heavily against Johnson.