Australia

[Tominator]

This is why Cummins is some way off from a long summer of cricket.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/patrick-cummins-has-scans-after-complaining-of-soreness-20121031-28jdx.html

ANOTHER injury? This guys is more injury-prone than Shane Watson

He's only about 19 or 20 and probably still growing.

Yeah that's true, but look at all the bowlers we have at the moment (most of them young)

Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Ben Cutting, Kane Richardson, Jackson Bird, Ben Hilfenhaus, Patty Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, etc

Looking good for the future there

totally agree, if they can stay fit then there will be some great battles for bowling positions in the future. The spinners are the worry for me. No standouts coming through. Too many part time spinners willing to play T20 instead of tests

Yeah same here, Jon Holland could be our savior though, got 6/29 in a one dayer last year

but I am surprised Steve O'Keefe hasn't been thrown up yet... more than handy with the bat, consistent performer with the ball, if he can take another 1-2 wickets each Shield match then he could really put his name up

[Capper]

Cummings out for the season
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/589383.html

The fast bowler Pat Cummins is expected to miss nearly all of the 2012-13 season due to a stress fracture in his lower back. The diagnosis means Cummins, 19, will not be part of the Test series against South Africa or Sri Lanka, and almost certainly will not be considered for the Test tour of India in February, while his possible involvement in the Ashes tour of England might depend on whether he is able to play any first-class cricket before then.

[Capper]

great day for Australian cricketers

At Allan Border Field in Brisbane, NSW lost Test core David Warner ( 2 ), Michael Clarke ( 8 ) and Shane Watson ( 33 ) by the time the Blues had reached 52 against Queensland.

Former Test skipper Ricky Ponting has been withdrawn from Tasmania's Sheffield Shield match with hamstring soreness in Hobart.

Rising paceman Pat Cummins has been ruled out for the season with a stress fracture to his lower back.

Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/injury-form-issues-cloud-australias-preparation-for-their-first-test-against-south-africa/story-fn2mcu3x-1226509335076#ixzz2B34jjQ1a

[Capper]

The bit of rain we had last night has made the ground a bit slippery. Very sandy outfield

will post photos later.

Hastings bowling well

[Tominator]

THE REDBACKS WON!!! FIRST TIME IN TWO YEARS, AT FLOWERING LAST!!!!!

[Cicjose]

they played well as a group for a change

[Ringo]

Shane Watson is to have scabs on his troublesome ankles and is in doubt for first test.  Only bowled one over in Qld 1st innings.

[BB67th]

It looks quite likely now that Watson may miss the first test. Who do people think should replace him? Doolan may be the best batting option after he took apart the SA attack today, but if the selectors want to keep a bowling option, possibly Maxwell to come in and Lyon for 12th man on a green pitch? Or does someone like Phil Hughes or Rob Quiney get in?

[Capper]

The bit of rain we had last night has made the ground a bit slippery. Very sandy outfield

will post photos later.

Hastings bowling well

sandy outfield

[BB67th]

Well an update on before. Ponting now looks set to play, but Watson will almost certainly miss, but should be right for the second test. Rob Quiney will be the man to replace him and make his test debut, so he will probably slot into number 3. Makes our top order look quite fragile. Personally I think this is where Dave Hussey should have made a debut and I think he should have been included in the A squad over someone like Davis.... Anyway Quiney is in now and I like him as a player in the last couple of seasons. I hope he has a good debut!

[Nige]

Yeah, looks like Bobby Quiney has gotten a call up. Would love to see him debut and do well. Get around him!

[Spinking]

Chappelli had an article on Foxsports today that suggested Clarke should bite the bullet and move to 3. Not sure on that. Traditionally our best batsman is at 3, which he is, but why mess with what's working? Thoughts?

[tbagrocks]

Chappelli had an article on Foxsports today that suggested Clarke should bite the bullet and move to 3. Not sure on that. Traditionally our best batsman is at 3, which he is, but why mess with what's working? Thoughts?

I'd keep Clarke at 5, the Steve Waugh role has become vital to Test Cricket and Clarkey is the best for it, not sure who goes in at three this gets tricky, mauby with Whatto out Clarke should do it until Whatson is fit, maybe we need some bolter to start scoring runs and look like Australias next Test Batsman

Here's a wild Idea, what if Warner batted three :o

[fidou]

Ian Chappel makes a lot of stupid calls, Michael Clarke has never batted at No. 3 so bring him in now at 3. Chapelli get over it your brother was a better batrsman. I haven't seen Quiney bat but have seen his scores in the results etc. A first class ave of 37 is a bit of a worry but like every debutant good luck.

[BB67th]

Quiney was a slow started in the Shield, but for the last two seasons he has averaged around 48. On the order side of things, we don't really appear to have a solid number 3 option right now. I think Marsh would have been good, but that didn't go so well after his first game. What I want to know is what happened to playing a young batsman with a load of potential who can be a player for 10 years? Last young batsman we put in was Hughes. Recently it's all been older with Marsh, Cowan, Quiney etc. all pushing 30.
Khawaja is still young at only 25 and does look quite a good long term prospect, but has a disappointing record so far. Another one not even mentioned this summer is Pete Forrest. I still don't know why he came into the one day side last year, he looks more of a test prospect, and while he doesn't have the best record, he has the temperament to play the 5 day game.
One player who I think could be a star one day though is Nic Maddinson. He only has a modest FC avg of 32, but is only 20 years and old, and watching some of him playing was something quite special. He hit a century on his FC debut and I think he could become a really great player. Anyway that is just my take on where our batting lineup is going.