The Optimistic 'Looking Forward' Thread

[Carbine Chaos]

I feel like we need a thread of optimism to combat the overwhelming sense of negativity we are feeling about the side and their performance in the Ashes. Let's hear the straws that we should all be clutching on to!

I'll start by suggesting that Starc has taken some strides forward throughout the series. Yes, he still lacks consistency, but so did Johnson some years ago. We know he can take wickets in chunks and if we can combine him with an accurate pacer or two, like a Pattinson/Bird combination, he could be a very dangerous strike weapon for years to come.

 

[The_Reaper]

Watson to return at number 3 and be vice captain

Lot to like from Australia A especially Bancroft and Handscomb

 

[Kyptastic]

Watson to return at number 3 and be vice captain

Lot to like from Australia A especially Bancroft and Handscomb

Based on the A results it looks like we may be a chance at winning an Indian Series within the next decade.

 

[Bucking Beads]

My optimism will be guided by how much of a clean out the test team has and who the selectors pick. I am pretty comfortable with the bowling but I know that even if the batsmen I want selected do make the team they could easily fail and the hole will only get deeper. TBH I am not even sold on Peter Nevill.

 

[Ashton Agar]

Only one test to go!

 

[happy punter]

Big wraps on Bancroft. I also think Khawaja could have a second coming similar to Hayden, Langer and Steve Waugh and be a mainstay in the middle order for the next several years.

 

[The_Reaper]

Still not convinced by Khawaja at all.

Don't see the improvement at first class level that other people have.

 

[frankrizzo]

postives hmm even if we can't win a test in bangladesh we can say world number 1 SA didn't do any better and after that it's a long home summer of CA stamp of approval batting tracks ahead.

 

[Torz]

Maxwell has hit another ton in county cricket today. So don't be surprised if he's in the Bangladesh squad.

 

[The_Reaper]

Well at least he's hitting tons.

Getting dropped must have helped him

 

[The_Reaper]

postives hmm even if we can't win a test in bangladesh we can say world number 1 SA didn't do any better and after that it's a long home summer of CA stamp of approval batting tracks ahead.

Don't forget the Day nighter and the tour of New Zealand

And then I think we're due to tour India again

 

[frankrizzo]

it's the positives thread so i didn't talk about the day night test, one it's a s**t idea and two if we bat at night a certain record from 1955 might be in danger.

 

[Damon_3388]

Futures XIs (born on or after July 1, 1990, 'Under 25s')

First XI
1. Ryan Carters
2. Cameron Bancroft
3. Jordan Silk
4. Kurtis Patterson
5. Travis Head
6. Nic Maddinson
7. Sam Whiteman (+)
8. Mitch Marsh
9. Ashton Agar
10. Josh Hazlewood
11. Patrick Cummins

Second XI
1. Marcus Harris
2. Beau Webster
3. Jaron Morgan
4. Nick Stevens
5. Kelvin Smith
6. Alex Gregory
7. Peter Handscomb (+)
8. Adam Zampa
9. Gurinder Sandhu
10. Sean Abbott
11. Kane Richardson

Thoughts?

 

[The_Reaper]

Mitch Marsh shouldn't be at 8. Get rid of Kurtis Patterson and bring in another quick.

Get rid of Patterson.

Handscomb shouldn't be keeping.

I'd have

1. Bancroft
2. Silk
3. Head
4. Maddinson
5. Handscomb
6. Marsh
7. Whiteman+
8. Agar
9. Cummins
10. Richardson
11. Hazlewood

and

1. Carters
2. Harris
3. Patterson
4. K Smith
5. Turner
6. Stevens
7. Triffitt+
8. Abbott
9. Sandhu
10. McDermott
11.Muirhead

I didn't want to pick anyone who hasn't played shield cricket

 

[Carbine Chaos]

He hasn't even played FC cricket yet and I'd already prefer Doran to Maddinson.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Mitch Marsh shouldn't be at 8. Get rid of Kurtis Patterson and bring in another quick.

Get rid of Patterson.

Handscomb shouldn't be keeping.

I'd have

1. Bancroft
2. Silk
3. Head
4. Maddinson
5. Handscomb
6. Marsh
7. Whiteman+
8. Agar
9. Cummins
10. Richardson
11. Hazlewood

and

1. Carters
2. Harris
3. Patterson
4. K Smith
5. Turner
6. Stevens
7. Triffitt+
8. Abbott
9. Sandhu
10. McDermott
11.Muirhead

I didn't want to pick anyone who hasn't played shield cricket

Don't rate Zampa?

 

[The_Reaper]

Don't rate Zampa?

I can't really explain why but I just don't for some reason.

That said he's a lot closer than Muirhead

 

[Doodlesweaver]

He hasn't even played FC cricket yet and I'd already prefer Doran to Maddinson.

I prefer almost everyone to Nic Maddinson. Hate the way he goes the slog whenever he can. He's so much better than that.

 

[the_interloper]

Jake Doran

 

[Demosthenes]

He hasn't even played FC cricket yet and I'd already prefer Doran to Maddinson.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Haha!

It's more a reflection of how little I rate Maddinson, to be honest.

 

[Zach Package]

I can't really explain why but I just don't for some reason.

That said he's a lot closer than Muirhead

I'm about as close as Muirhead is at the moment