MadAsHell

Nice pick there Biffen. He's someone that I'd completely forgotten about. In other news, it was very nice to see Younis Khan have a return to form and score his 21st Test century against South Africa last night. While on the bowling side, good to see Morne Morkel take 2 wickets and only go at about 2.3 runs an over!

Round 10, Pick 75 The forgotten man of Australian cricket, Ryan Harris http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/5779.html One could argue that when fit, he's the leader of the Australian attack. Last I heard is he's on track to play in one of Queenslands next Shield matches, possibly their next.

Good pick up at such a late pick Macca, I had a feeling that's who you were going to take. Round 9, Pick 70 Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/49764.html I know his bio says he's an allrounder, but I reckon he's more a batsman who can bowl some handy medium pace. Up there with Shane Watson with a horrible conversion rate of 50's to 100's. 11 fifties and only 1 century. But I think he's got his best cricket ahead of him and he even has a better batting average then Watson.

Haha, just realised that you do have a bit of a tail there 45HG. From 7-11 the line up would be Philander, Southee, Ohja, Hilfenhaus & Best. On the flip side though you'll at least have a line up that should be able to land you 20 wickets.

I agree with your thoughts on Narine, especially in the shorter formats of the game. Needs a bit of work still in the test format. Seems to try and bowl a wicket delivery every ball and just needs a bit of patience. I actually thought that Bishoo was very unlucky to get dropped for Narine in test match cricket actually. Had taken 40 wickets in only 11 tests bowling leg spin in a struggling side which is a decent effort.

Watched the T20 match last night between New Zealand and England and am dissapointed to say how good England are, even in that format. Their bowling probably needs a little work but they were very impressive with the bat making 214. Their top 5 all batting well. I'm not very optimistic heading into the Ashes unless somehow we manage to beat India in India and New Zealand cause a major upset and knock off England in the test series over there.

Haha, sorry Django. Very good pick up. He's good for some handy runs down the order also.

I know they can ask for extra time in the AFL draft, but 10 hours is ridiculous! haha.

I was looking at Bird for a potential pick up at pick 70....

I know Ashwin didn't have a great tour of Australia last sumemr but for a young spinner his stats are very good. He's going at more then 5 wickets a match and with a batting average of 45 he'll be a very good player in time. Must have something to dislodge their previous number 1 off spinner. I wont name names....

Well I'll kick us off with the first of those type of selections Macca. Round 8, Pick 59 Dwayne Bravo (West Indies) http://www.espncricinfo.com/westindies/content/player/51439.html While I note he hasn't played a test for 2 and a half years, that's been due to injury and IPL issues but he's now determined to get back as the below article (written January 4th) suggests. And I think we'd all agree that's he's clearly in their best XI ala the Ross Taylor discussion earlier on. http://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/news/item/201457-dwayne-bravo-determined-to-get-back-into-windies-test-side

Ssshhhh....

In all my years 45HG I don't know if I've ever been insulted as bad as that! hehe. Let's not forget I have Ashwin who apart from being a good spin bowler has a test batting average of 45 and his first class batting average is 38 so it's not as though he's just been lucky for 12 tests. I'd be more concerned 45 about finding a bowler who can deliver it at more then 130kmh if I were you. Edit: Spelling

Round 7, Pick 54 Matthew Wade (Australia) http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/230193.html Not many good keeper batsmen left after Rouge swept on Chandimal who I was hoping might be available a bit later so I felt the need to secure my gloveman now. Gives me the option of batting him at 6 or 7.

Based on his ODI form probably George Bailey may feel a little unlucky, despite not tearing it up in the Shield. Doherty's taken 2 shield wickets @ 88 this year, yet he got selected based on his one day form, so Bailey could have been worth a shot. If Hodge doesn't make a comeback then I'd like to see Watson openning and Bailey batting at 4 by the time the Ashes comes around.

If only she can get that first test match cap, she'd be all yours 45HG!

They're making a habbit out of this South Africa. In the last 15-16 months or so they've knocked over Pakistan, New Zealand and us for under 50. Even when we were at our best with Warne, McGrath and co I don't remember us doing that to anyone.

Round 6, Pick 43 Abdur Rehman (Pakistan) http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/39091.html Yes I know he's not playing in their current test match but he's often in the XI and only doesn't play if conditions don't suit two spinners. I figured if I have two Indians then I need two Pakistanis to balance team harmony out....

It's an interesting read...

Going with the two spinners Macca. Always like to see these types of attacking moves.

Just turned 35 late last year. As Rogue said, he's probably past his best and hasn't had the best 12 months but still a very solid player. Will be interesting to see how he goes in their series against South Africa which is about to start shortly.

Round 5, Pick 38 Younis Khan (Pakistan) http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan/content/player/43652.html Was optimistic but didn't think he'd last this long. Test average over 50 so I'm going to consider him a steal at this late a pick.

Squad for India named. http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/heat-on-lyon-after-test-squad-named-20130131-2dmc2.html Personally I think a 17 man sqaud is a bit overkill. Don;t really see much upside with Smith and Henriques and I think Haddin's very stiff, personaly I would of taken Haddin as the reserve keeper but play him as a specialist batsman with the amount of experience we've lost. I would of just gone with a 15 man squad being: Warner, Watson, Hughes, Haddin, Clarke, Wade, O'Keefe, Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon, Bird Khawaja, Maxwell, Doherty, Starc

Pretty sure from H_T's opening post that it has to be from the 8 main nations, so Bangladesh & Zimbabwe are out. Unless of course you can use them in substitute of a 2nd player from one of the 8 nations??? Again a question for H_T I guess.

I was considering Vettori at Pick 22, came down to a choice between he and Ashwin for mine. Only went for Ashwin because with Vettori injured so much you probably start to forget of just how good he is.