Thursday, May 15, 2008

Noffke or Katich?

The main question going into the First Test against the West Indies is who will replace Michael Clarke. This is assuming he doesn't play which is a safe bet considering he arrives in the Caribbean a day or so before the Test. A name being thrown into the ring is Ashley Noffke.

Noffke topped both runs and wickets for Queensland last summer. He's an all rounder in the mould of Shane Watson except he doesn't get injured in a stiff breeze and is actually good . It would be an exciting and aggressive choice by the Australian selectors - an extra bowling option for the flat West Indian pitches and some extra batting starch to bolster the long tail. Plus he's a Queenslander. Nuff said!

However, Australian selectors have rarely been known for aggressive or exciting choices. Far more likely is they opt for Simon Katich, the middle order batsman who dropped his bundle during the 2005 Ashes when we needed a stout middle order to withstand the reverse swinging Duke ball. I figure the reasoning will be there's not enough New South Welshman in the side.

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