2nd Test: Australia v New Zealand at Hobart, Dec 9-13

[docjames]

Hussey averaged 7 in the NZ series, Doc. Ponting averaged 33. Hussey also couldn't make a run against Sth Africa, while Ponting made a half century, and maybe two if memory serves me correct.
So Hussey's form is actually about as low as it can get.
Time for them both to go. But if I absolutely had to keep one of them, I would keep Ponting.

A series of two tests isnt particularly great sample size.

When was Hussey's last 100? When was Ponting's?

How many 50s has hussey had in his last 20 innings? How many for Ponting?

Time for them both to go. But if I absolutely had to keep one of them, I would keep Hussey. I think you need a balance of refreshing the side and stability. They should both go but go sequentially, not concurrently. For me, hussey gets the India series to get some runs, if not, then go. You obviously put Ponting in that position.

 

[docjames]

Hussey last 22 innings in tests (back to Dec 2010) from most recent to now


vs NZ vs SAf vs SL vs ENG
8,0,15,dnb, 20,39,1,0, 118,93,142,95,15, 33,12,8,0 61,116,93,52,195

Ponting same time
5,16,78,dnb 0,62,8,0 48,28,44,4 10,20,12,1,0,9,10,51

Good record against SL gets him over the line for me.

Also:
Marsh is still injured so dont expect to see him in the side come boxing day. So that may open up another batting slot. Or CA can take the easy option and keep both Ponting and Hussey and make Hughes the major fall guy and pray the old hands come into some form.
Australia news: Ed Cowan subbed into Chairman's XI for ailing Shaun Marsh | Australia Cricket News | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[QF WP]

Like most batsmen, when they either have confidence or are playing an attack they know and conditions are benign, then they will score well.

When Hussey is hot, it's been for multiple innings: (ie. using docjames' figures 118,93,142,95 and then further back 61,116,93,52,195).

Punter just needs to go to pasture...the sooner the better. He should retire before he is pushed. There are plenty of good batsmen to come through, or are on the injured list.

 

[simongr]

I think Ponting is too arrogant to retire. I would be glad to see him pushed and his inflated ego popped.

 

[QF WP]

Definitely +1 on that score - that's about his current average isn't it!

 

[Justinf]

I think Ponting is too arrogant to retire. I would be glad to see him pushed and his inflated ego popped.

Ponting should never have continued playing after relenquishing the captaincy. How many captains give it away, only to expect to keep playing? It wreaked of selfishness and arrogance, not for the first time in his career. Wonderful, wonderful batsman. Awful onfield persona.

 

[markis10]

Ponting should never have continued playing after relenquishing the captaincy. How many captains give it away, only to expect to keep playing? It wreaked of selfishness and arrogance, not for the first time in his career. Wonderful, wonderful batsman. Awful onfield persona.

And he survives for the next one:

Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja omitted. Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh and Ben Hilfenhaus in!

 

[docjames]

Khawaja unlucky.

 

[TonyHancock]

Ponting should never have continued playing after relenquishing the captaincy. How many captains give it away, only to expect to keep playing? It wreaked of selfishness and arrogance, not for the first time in his career. Wonderful, wonderful batsman. Awful onfield persona.

I'm not sure his off field persona is that good either! Given the relatively new batting line up my inclination would be to play him against India. He should have retired when he "stepped down" as captain, it would have given the opportunity to blood youngsters then, rather than being forced into it now.

 

[Justinf]

Khawaja unlucky.

I'm not sure he's massivley unlucky as such as his performances have been mediocre. His strike rate is also a worry. But, having said that, I would just rather stick with a kid than persist with older players. Brad Hodge made an excellent point on radio the other day. He said that if a player gets enough chances, then eventually he will score a hundred. So Ponting could well score a ton on Boxing Day, but really, does that answer any questions about his tenure in the side? Two years without a century and if he happens to score one now, it will only be a case of 'if you give a guy enough chances, eventually he will do it'. Getting enough chances was certainly a luxury Hodge himself was never afforded. It was interesting that when Khwaja made 38 against NZ, he didn't look like getting out. He was eventually run out...by who? Yep,Ponting, selfishly calling for a nonexistent single first ball after lunch.

I'm not sure his off field persona is that good either! Given the relatively new batting line up my inclination would be to play him against India. He should have retired when he "stepped down" as captain, it would have given the opportunity to blood youngsters then, rather than being forced into it now.

I don't know the guy and I am not prepared to make a callon his off field persona. But I do share your cynicism.

 

[Justinf]

Absolute ddisgrace that the video referral system is not being used.
Don't worry about T20 ruining Test cricket. India is ruining Test cricket.

 

[david870mdg]

Three (simple) words:

"TEST MATCH CRICKET"