Is this the best Australian Test XI for South Africa?

I think you're one batsman short, otherwise the team is OK. I dont think you can rely on Haddin to assume a full test batsman's role. He has played brilliantly in recent times and all kudos to him for saving Australia's bacon. But Haddin averages a little over 35 in tests and less than forty at FC level and in all probability his scoring will balance out to that level. No disrespect to Haddin intended, but he is going through a purple patch and statistically its likely this wont last. Remember it was only less than a year ago most of us were calling for his head because of poor wicketkeeping and batting. Well he's proved he still has what it takes, but it is very risky for him to occupy a batting position, when you consider that despite Australia's recent form, batting collapses were still frequent. For me what that means is one bowler less and logically it comes down to the reliable work horse Siddle or the merging Faulkner.. And I would suggest that choice only exists until Pattinson is fully match fit again. In Faulkners favour, he seems a better wicket taker than Siddle and bats to a bowling all rounder level (but not batting all rounder position). But Siddle is the work horse and can we do without his 20+ per innings perseverance keeping up the pressure if not getting the wickets. Actually I suspect this Australian side especially in batting, will be a lot different in a year

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Hmm Doherty is not the next in line. He was tried and he just does not go well in longer formats, and he has already been tried in Test Match cricket during the after Warne before Lyon phase. There are pleanty of other younger spinners out there, who suit more the Test arena. Can we not forget we gave a test cap to Ashton Agar??? I know it was an experiment, and it didnt go as planned, but the bloke has a test cap and is young, surely if you were to take a replacement take him!! Even give SOK a bench spot, atleast if he has to play we know he can bat aswell. What about a spinner who has spent pleanty of time carrying the drinks for Australia, give Beer another shout as a backup, I heard he was a H20 specialist. What im trying to point out here is that Doherty is not the test backup answer!!!

Is this the best Australian test XI for South Africa? Unequivocally no. We swap Lynn for Bailey at 6 and the rest of the side that earnt the right to start in Centurion is our best. Selectors are set on Doolan so he must play 6 and the order remains the same. Marsh doesn't deserve to be in the discussion. Doherty is one right out of left field - the bloke has no FC form at all. If we must take a second spinner (and we really mustn't) then it should be somebody who takes wickets. And, whilst I like Bird, why would you say he adds more bite? He's the sort of guy who does the job currently performed to perfection by Siddle. He gets in only if Siddle falls over.

Wow, Doherty and Marsh? And then some good old old fashioned Watson bashing, despite him bowling well and scoring the second most runs over the combined ten tests? I do see some merit in Bird though. He is a serious bowler, underrated regularly. Siddle won't be dropped, but if there is an injury it will be interesting to see who gets the chance. Patto, Faulkner and Bird all have claims.

Me too

Mine too.

SA would greatly appreciate playing Eng,Aus and India in more tests to stamp our authority as 1 of the best sides to ever play the game in an era,Ponting,Warne and McGrath and co played plenty of test matches whilst they were at their best.

In SA conditions and with our good tail I would really want our best batsman at 5 batting in the best conditions against an older ball. I would also want 2 of my top 3 using up some deliveries. Warner Rogers Doolan Watson Clarke Smith Haddin Johnson Harris Siddle Lyon If Cowan or Khawaja had enough Shield runs I would have liked them at 3. Pattinson must be a chance to replace Siddle if he is near his best and Watson is fit enough to get through enough overs. The options of Bird or Faulkner must be there in case SA make 500 one day and Rhino can't back up. England were never good enough to bat for 2 days

This article is a gee up surely, I would go for option A.

Do we need 6 bowlers?

The top 7 will be one of these 3. Marsh won't play, at least not in the first test. We know who 8-11 will be. I'd probably for Option B but arguments can be made for and against all of them. In relation to Option C, do we really need a 6th bowler, at the expense of a specialist batsman? OPTION A 1. Warner 2. Rogers 3. Watson 4. Clarke 5. Smith 6. Doolan 7. Haddin OPTION B 1. Warner 2. Rogers 3. Doolan 4. Clarke 5. Smith 6. Watson 7. Haddin OPTION C 1. Warner 2. Rogers 3. Watson 4. Clarke 5. Smith 6. Haddin 7. Faulkner

Stop the chit chat,take the plane and get here already,seriouse note: good read :-)

Hughes and Lynn or Maddinson should have gone instead of Doolan and Marsh. Siddle needs to stay in what is a well functioning bowling outfit, but I like Bird and Pattinson as back ups.. O'Keefe should have been the second spinner. Doherty has a dreadful bowling average and not much of a bat to boot

I'm hoping Faulkner bats at 7 with Haddin at 6. I don't have much confidence in Doolan or Marsh doing the job.

Exactly. No no no no no. It was only a matter of time 'till the Watto bashing started. I'm not going to pretend he is my favourite player, but he did score one ton and would have scored another in Melbourne most likely , had the Aussies not won when they did. Why on earth has Shaun Marsh shown he would be better than Watson?

Rogers Warner Watson Clarke Smith Hughes Haddin Johnson Siddle Harris Lyon But with Hughes not taken, I would go with Doolan...

After the way the bowlers destroyed England they aren't going to leave Siddle out and bring Bird in. Bird and Pattinson are there as back up, in case of injury. The fact that both are coming back from injuries and have played multi day cricket for almost 6 months should raise a '?' over their selection, IMHO. How does Shaun Marsh get selected in the squad, let alone the team? Given the squad Doolan a direct swap for Bailey would be my choice of best line up for the first Test, but given the Marsh love within CA your, Marsh at 3, selection appears highly likely.

Yep. I would be happy with that! It may still happen.

Just his opinion NORD. No need to take it personally. Instead you should offer your respectable opinion? :)