Victoria v India

[commonwombat]

Sorry but they obviously chose to disregard Mr Hookes verbal flatulence. He's not in the team.

Changes from last Test: Gillespie and McGill are in; Hogg and Lee are out.

[JLC]

Its simple all Hodge has to do is move to NSW and he will be right for a game.

jlc

[labrooy]

Maybe he should perform to a high level over a period of time. History is full of flash in the pan performers who put a series of good scores together, get selected in the Aussie side and fail miserably. For what its worth I think Hodge has what it takes but his best bet is to keep his form going and be named as Steve Waugh's successor in the team.

[Donny]

Hodge went on to 264. Harvey was out for 71 and White made 39.

The Vics declared on 8/518.

At close of play, India had dawdled to 2/116 with Chopra on 55 n.o.

[Donny]

[Donny]

[Donny]

Sounds like he's a bit closer ("serious credentials") than you think, wombat.

"Hohns would not speculate about Waugh's successor but lavished praised upon one-day skipper and captain-in-waiting Ricky Ponting's recent leadership.

He nominated current Test player Simon Katich, last-Test centurion Martin Love, in-form Victorian Brad Hodge and exciting youngster Michael Clarke as four players with serious credentials to take Waugh's place in the long term"

[commonwombat]

Yes, Donny, have read that article too where Hohns also said that Lehmann was not out of the selcetors minds either.

Of the 4 mentioned, the pride of chavenistic Victorians would at best rate no.3 in the pecking order and more likely no.4. Katich and Love have credible Test performances on the board; Katich and Clarke are legitimate bowling options and probably all three would rate higher than Bradley dear in the field, not that I class him as inadequate in that regard.

[Donny]

Yes, fair enough. I'm just pointing out he's NOT out of the frame.

Boony was there for a reason and it would've been more to look at Hodge than Inness. Braddles is hot on the heels of Martin Love and possibly a touch ahead of Clarke.

But it does highlight the healthy batting reserves Australia has at the moment. To have Katich, Love, Hodge, Clarke and Hussey all vying for Waugh's spot in the Test team bodes well for the years ahead.

Although 4 of the above named are 28 and 29, that doesn't put them out of the picture when you consider they're 9 and 10 years younger than the retiring skipper.

Even with a massive injury toll, there are still players like Blewett, Elliott and Di Venuto in fine form.

Footnote: Boony just might have also been having a squiz at Cameron White with an eye to the Sydney Test and the sub continent tours coming up.