Damien Flemming

Was just thinking of Flemo the other day. A much under-rated bowler. He'd be very handy right now.

Have to concur with you there powwow. Although it tends to be different when you are asked to carry the attack as Williams and Bichel were yesterday.
Not often Flemmo had to do that.

Part of Dizzy's problem this series is that he has been asked to carry the attack with very little assistance. Bichel and Williams have both bowled well in spells, but niether has managed to sustain any pressure on the batsmen consistently by drying the scoring rate. MacGill never has and never will - but this is the sort of bowler he is and should not be criticised for it. As a result the Inidans have just sat on Dizzy and looked to score off the others. Dizzy has no responded that well. He has not forced the batsmen to play him - bowling too many outside off and short. I suppose it will take time for him to adjust his modus operandi in McGrath and Warne's absence.

Do people believe we should make wholesale changes to the bowling line-up for the next two tests?
I think that if the selectors insist on choosing a spinner (which I think they will), there is no other choice but MacGill.

Personally I think the time has come to go into the next test with five bowlers, unless they are prepared to use Katich a bit more. Again, IMHO, he is *not* a fifth bowling option. He was useful in the last innings yesterday, but not good enough.
We need some firepower to back up Dizzy, and I think Lee must come back into the equation. I think Bichel will be retained, as the only bowler who looked like supporting Dizzy in the Indian first Innings. Then it comes back to the second-stringers available. Williams and Bracken are still probably the best options. The problem so far has been the Indian's ability to play them well when the situation has demanded. Australia, in contrast, have struggled against the Indian bowlers when the pressure has been on. If the pitch gives bowlers some assistance in the next few tests and Australia bowls as tightly as they did (with perhaps more of an attack at the stumps) then I think this series will be back on level terms.

I agree parially agree with Posie.There is no need for whole scale change.

Some of the calls being made at the ABC forum have just left me thankful that those people are not selectors.

I would stick with MacGill if a spinner is required.

Both Bichel and Williams have bowled well in patches, but not consitently. I do think that whoever was claiming over at the ABC that they are fundamentally the same bowler is right. Williams might have a few extra kph on Bichel but it is marginal. I don't think Williams' "agressive attitude" should see him advantaged at the selection table. Threatening to throw down the stumps will not intimidate good batsmen. I would probably stick with Bichel.

Dizzy if fit of course.
I am not sure about rushing Lee back in though. The main problem has been the inability to keep it tight. Lee would not help this.

My line up would be Dizzy, Bichel, Bracken and MacGill. I would replace MacGill with Lee if both Katich and Lehmann were in the side to provide the variety of spin.

You may be interested to know that Flemming will be Australia A's manager when they are playing the Zimbocks.

Flemo was a great bowler, a real wicket-taker, maybe not so economical but he was capable of producing the unplayable ball more often than most.

I think you replace Magoo with Bevo (or a dead dog) ... and not lose much in terms of wicket-taking ability v the Indians.

(woof)

Now come on, Magoo, prove me wrong ...

We're not even playing at Lords, much less Lourdes, pie - miracles ain't gonna happen.