Friday, January 9, 2009

Australia Excites Me...

Not the test team.

Atleast not till they find someone with even quarter of the magic that Warne had and an opening pair to match the Hayden & Langer of old.

Its their ODI team that excites me.

Shaun Marsh is one of the reasons but there are more.

They have a series coming up against South Africa and recently announced their squad.

And unlike their test cricketers, their ODI cricketers seem to have a buzz around them.

In Shaun Marsh at the top of the order they have one of the most exciting batsmen in world cricket today.

With Hayden's ODI career coming to a halt and Shane Watson out with yet another injury, I'm not sure who will partner Marsh.

Marsh and Watson, in my view, formed a great combination at the top and they could be the openers to look out for in the future if Watson can get some more cow blood into his body.

Looking at Australia's squad, James Hopes seems like the most likely option.

Marsh & Hopes did the job in the 1st ODI against Bangladesh in August last year.

And they did so during the IPL as well for the Kings XI.

We know what another IPL opening pair has done last year - that too in all forms of the game.

Brad Haddin has done the job as well in the past, not so successfully though.

However, with the form he is in these days, it might be the perfect opportunity to send him at the top of the innings with Marsh.

Nevertheless, whether its Marsh & Hopes or Marsh & Haddin, fireworks will be the order of the day.

Good attacking cricket will be on view.

And for some reason, I feel it will be better than watching the Australian test team of late.

These guys are not the only ones that get me excited.

Cameron White is another.

I have a thing for leggies. But more than that its White's power hitting that makes him what he is.

I'm glad the Aussie selectors have ignored their blunder of playing him as a leg spinner in the tests against India and have stuck with him for the ODIs.

The usual suspects - Ponting, Clarke, and Hussey - are there, but they're hardly exciting.

Actually Hussey is in ODIs. Ignore his test style. In ODIs he can be brutal and has been.

And then there's another Hussey.

David Hussey.

Now thats a player you don't want to miss.

He can hit and he can hit hard and far.

We saw glimpses of what he can do in the IPL and then in the West Indies.

But I'm sure there's more to come from him.

He's been in smashing form in the ongoing 20-20 Big Bash.

How can anyone not be excited about him.

So while Australia's test batsmen seem lost in time and don't seem all that threatening anymore, the ODI batting line up seems to be a fine one.

Marsh, Hopes, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Hussey, White, Haddin

Read that again.

Marsh, Hopes, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Hussey, White, Haddin

Thats why the Australian ODI team excites me.

Steyn & Co. - watch out!

Make your pitch on this post...



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6 Pitched:

  1. Unknown said...
     

    Hopefully we'll be opening with 22 year old David Warner from NSW, here's why!

  2. Q said...
     

    In the T20 game yes most definitely.. but Warner's not in the ODI squad - thats what I was talking abt :-)

    I read ur take yesterday.. and Jrod's as well. Check his stats out too - quite and exciting prospect!

  3. Unknown said...
     

    Hopefully he'll dominate on Sunday and then be added to the ODI squad..

    Just upped some video of the young lad, enjoy.

  4. Anonymous said...
     

    Q

    what will be their bowling line up, Watson is out and I think Lee will also not find a place.
    Is Nathan Bracken fit?
    What about spinners.

  5. Q said...
     

    U think the selectors will do that?

    Thats some awesome hitting Moses!

  6. Q said...
     

    Wasim, they've got Bracken, Siddle, and Shaun Tait.

    A pretty neat pace attack with Hilfenhaus and Hopes to support..

    Spin duties would be with Hauritz and White..

    Quite a strong ODI side i think..

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