Summer of Cricket’s exclusive profiles of the Australian Cricket Team for the 2007/2008 season. (Number before name is their Test Cap number).
366 – RICKY PONTING (c)
Age: 32. Test Matches: 110 (incl. 10 v Sri Lanka).
Batting Record: 9,368 runs @ 59.29.
Milestones approaching: Needs 632 runs for 10,000 for his career.
Last 4 Innings v Sri Lanka: 45, 22, 20, 92. Record: 179 runs @ 44.75.
What we say: “He’s the best batsman in the world and he has the chance to surpass both Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest run scorer of all time if he stays healthy. Nobody pulls the ball better and his straight driving has always been superb. Still developing as a tactical skipper and faces a tough summer without Warne and McGrath to call on. Would love to see him roll the arm over a bit more though if only to see him push his career bowling average up past 50 and into the respectable zone for all non-bowling batsmen.”
381 – ADAM GILCHRIST (vc)
Age: 36. Test Matches: 90 (incl. 5 v Sri Lanka).
Batting Record: 5,353 runs @ 48.66.
Milestones approaching: Needs 3 Centuries for 20 for his career, 6 catches for 350 for his career.
Last 4 Innings v Sri Lanka: 0, 35, 80, 0. Record: 115 runs @ 28.75.
What we say: “Although there has been little written about it – there is a chance that this could be Gilchrist’s last Australian summer… for the One Day team at least but he may look to play on in Test cricket until he reaches 100 matches. No longer an irresistible force with the bat in the sense that he seems just as likely to fail when coming out to bat as he is likely to blast a quickfire half century. However he is still capable of being a wrecking ball coming in at #7 and he is a fine gloveman who hasn’t really shown any signs of slowing down behind the stumps despite the mileage. Enjoy Gilchrist while you can cricket fans because it is highly unlikely we’ll see such a player of his unique greatness again.”
359 – MATTHEW HAYDEN
Age: 36. Test Matches: 89 (incl. 5 v Sri Lanka).
Batting Record: 7,739 runs @ 53.00.
Milestones approaching: Needs 3 centuries for 30 for his career.
Last 4 Innings v Sri Lanka: 132, 117, 2, 37. Record: 288 runs @ 72.00.
What we say: “He’s back to the levels of greatness that he displayed in the early 2000s but is perhaps a more complete batsman now. No longer needs to try and bash his way to dominance and opening bowlers the world over now wish for a chance rather than expecting Hayden to give them one early. Square cuts beautifully and is dominant down the ground. Doesn’t appear to want to retire anytime soon and like Gilchrist is within spitting distance of a century of Tests so he’ll be around past this summer guaranteed.”
395 – PHIL JAQUES
Age: 28. Test Matches: 2 (incl. 0 v Sri Lanka).
Batting Record: 96 runs @ 32.00.
Milestones approaching: Needs 4 runs for 100 for his career.
Last 4 Innings v Sri Lanka: Yet to play. Record: n/a @ n/a.
What we say: “Jaques gets first crack at Justin Langer’s vacant opening spot and rightfully so. An entertaining batsman with the ability to tear an attack apart with a vast array of shots – Jaques will feel right at home alongside Hayden at the top of the order. He’ll get the first two Tests at least to prove his credentials but after that he must put runs on the board to keep the challengers at bay for the rest of the summer.”
393 – MICHAEL HUSSEY
Age: 32. Test Matches: 16 (incl. 0 v Sri Lanka).
Batting Record: 1,597 runs @ 79.85.
Milestones approaching: Needs 403 runs for 2000 for his career.
Last 4 Innings v Sri Lanka: Yet to play. Record: n/a @ n/a.
What we say: “Has been brilliant in the middle order for Australia since forcing his way into the team on the back of his irresistible One Day form. But after a lean World Cup in which he barely got a decent hit (just 2 innings in 7 matches to end the tournament) Hussey will be looking to unleash some frustration from his favoured position of Number Four. His cover drive is nothing short of perfection and he is second only to Ponting in the pull/hook shot category. A pleasure to watch when he’s set and dictating the game to the bowlers.”
389 – MICHAEL CLARKE
Age: 26. Test Matches: 27 (incl. 0 v Sri Lanka).
Batting Record: 1,512 runs @ 42.00.
Milestones approaching: Needs 488 runs for 2000 for his career,
Last 4 Innings v Sri Lanka: Yet to play. Record: n/a @ n/a.
What we say: “This is a vital season for Clarke who needs to nail down his position in the middle order with a run-filled summer. There has been some talk about his status as the future Australian captain but Clarke simply hasn’t scored regularly enough at Test level to earn that tag yet. Is great off his pads and loves to cut but still looks very susceptible to outswing bowling as his hands follow the ball well away from his body. His position is safe for the moment but he needs to have a great summer soon.”
388 – ANDREW SYMONDS
Age: 32. Test Matches: 13 (incl. 2 v Sri Lanka).
Batting Record: 518 runs @ 27.26.
Milestones approaching: Needs 482 runs for 1000 for his career.
Last 4 Innings v Sri Lanka: 23, 6, 24, 0. Record: 53 runs @ 13.25.
What we say: “The sleeping giant awoke in the Boxing Day Test with his first Test century and boy did he make us wait… Originally brought into the side as an all-rounder but this summer shapes up as one in which he looks capable of mauling the opposition with the bat at Number Six. Can plunder average bowling and is a constant danger in the field. Should really work on his off-spin though as it would give the Australian attack some added variety.”
383 – BRETT LEE
Age: 31. Test Matches: 59 (incl. 0 v Sri Lanka).
Bowling Record: 231 wickets @ 31.60
Milestones approaching: Needs 19 wickets for 250 for his career.
Last 4 spells v Sri Lanka: Yet to play. Record: n/a @ n/a.
What we say: “Everyone seems to expect Lee to lead the attack now that McGrath has retired but he’s never been a bowler who fits that description. He’s a strike weapon who is best used in short bursts that make the most of his speed and bouncer. We’ve seen what using him as a stock bowler can do for his effectiveness (see 2003/2004 Indian tour of Australia when McGrath and Warne were missing) and the sooner Ricky Ponting and the Australian coaching staff realise that Lee’s strength lies in his shock value – the sooner Australia will have a regular wicket taker in Lee.”
n/a – MITCHELL JOHNSON
Age: 26. Test Matches: Yet to play (incl. 0 v Sri Lanka).
Bowling Record: n/a
Milestones approaching: Needs 1 game for his Test Debut.
Last 4 spells v Sri Lanka: Yet to play. Record: n/a @ n/a.
What we say: “Has shown real glimpses of quality in the One Day arena for Australia in the past 12 months but he is yet to be tested in the longer form of the game. He’ll get his opportunity – most likely in the series against Sri Lanka – but he must take wickets to keep the impressive Ben Hilfenhaus at bay (and Shaun Tait if fit). From what we’ve seen he doesn’t swing the ball as much as advertised and relies on bounce and his natural left arm angle to worry batsmen. But considering he was considered a ‘can’t miss prospect’ who had missed just a few seasons ago – his rise back into Test contention must be commended.”
396 – STUART CLARK
Age: 32. Test Matches: 9 (incl. 0 v Sri Lanka).
Bowling Record: 47 wickets @ 17.80.
Milestones approaching: Needs 3 wickets for 50 for his career.
Last 4 Spells v Sri Lanka: Yet to play. Record: n/a @ n/a.
What we say: “Will be given the chance to shoulder the burden of Australia’s stock bowler over the next few years and his performances thus far at Test level should leave little doubt he’s ready for the challenge. His bowling style is made for long spells and his ability to keep the ball just short of a good length is impressive. Might be a one trick pony in that regard but it’d be fair to say one Glenn McGrath made a decent career out of a similar skill set.”
374 – STUART MacGILL
Age: 36. Test Matches: 40 (incl. 2 v Sri Lanka).
Bowling Record: 198 wickets @ 27.20
Milestones approaching: Needs 2 wickets for 200 for his career.
Last 4 Spells v Sri Lanka: 0/69, 0/20, 4/74, 1/69. Record: 5 wickets @ 46.40.
What we say: “MacGill deservedly will get first crack at the spinner’s role in the Australian team following the retirement of Shane Warne. Considering MacGill averages nearly 5 wickets per Test his selection is a no-brainer and although he’s now 36 he still has a season or two of top level cricket in him. Spins the ball a great deal and despite his inconsistency finding a length he always creates chances with his style. Not only replaces Warne in a key role in the Australian Test team – he also replaces Glenn McGrath in the vital Number Eleven position.”
Other players who are possibilities to be added to the Test squad in the coming months include:
Ben Hilfenhaus – Right Arm Swing Bowler from Tasmania.
Brad Hogg – Left Arm Wrist Spinner from Western Australia.
Shaun Tait – Right Arm Fast Bowler from South Australia.
Brad Hodge – Right Handed Top Order Batsman from Victoria.
Chris Rogers – Left Handed Opening Batsman from Western Australia.
Adam Voges – Right Handed Middle Order Batsman from Western Australia.
Shane Watson – Right Handed Middle Order Batsman, Fast Medium Bowler from Queensland.
Brad Haddin – Right Handed Middle Order Batsman, Wicketkeeper from New South Wales.
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Warrick Nicolson
E: wdnicolson@optusnet.com.au
P: 0402851485
