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Test opener position

Who should open the batting with David Warner?

  • Cameron Bancroft

    Votes: 11 14.9%

  • Matt Renshaw

    Votes: 26 35.1%

  • Joe Burns

    Votes: 30 40.5%

  • Other

    Votes: 7 9.5%
  • Total voters
    74

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Yoda_ said:
Cricket Australia like giving the Marsh boys every opportunity to succeed. Surely they just throw Shaun at the top of the order again for a couple of failures?
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Like his current failures in the Ashes?

Don't think Bancroft has been a complete failure; two partnerships over 100, another over 50. He's blunted the ball but been unable to add to some starts. That said, if he doesn't make runs in the final innings, he's probably out. If he does, then he's still on thin ice but might get a spot on tour and a chance to press his claims. Burns is in form, Khawaja and Marsh could also both open to allow Handscomb or Maxwell to return. I think they'll go Burns as they don't want to mess with Marsh and Khawaja's form.
 
Handscomb cannot play in South Africa, he's a liability against quality bowling. There's reason to be moving around Khawaja and Shaun so they're better off just going back to Renshaw who's at least he's up for it. If we want to take Burns I'd prefer him as a middle order reserve as he's not top order quality at Test level.
 
Scotland said:
Marsh with his second 50 at #5 after one 100 and one 50 batting at #6 in the first two tests.

Moving him up to open would unnecessarily unsettle the middle order.
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I agree, Marsh plays his best at 5 or 6. But the selectors are another matter altogether. Could see them moving him up. If that's the direction they take, Khawaja would be the better choice, but then it means moving Smith up to 3.

I hope Bancroft makes runs in the second dig and they stick with him, because I think he's good enough. He's seeing off the new ball, he's getting starts, he's forming some decent opening partnerships. He's not quite in the hole Renshaw was.
 

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Tough call with nobody beating the door down and I don’t think they will want to mess with Shaun Marsh’s good form at 5 (plus the fact that they desperately need another steady hand in the mid order, in the rare occurrence that Smith doesn’t make 50+).

Chris Rogers isn’t 50 yet is he? Still a couple more years surely?

We’ve missed Bucky.
 
JackOutback said:
I agree, Marsh plays his best at 5 or 6. But the selectors are another matter altogether. Could see them moving him up. If that's the direction they take, Khawaja would be the better choice, but then it means moving Smith up to 3.

I hope Bancroft makes runs in the second dig and they stick with him, because I think he's good enough. He's seeing off the new ball, he's getting starts, he's forming some decent opening partnerships. He's not quite in the hole Renshaw was.
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I don't think there will be a second dig. It's tea on day 3 and we're only 3 down.

Considering he hasn't been a complete failure I don't think 5 tests is enough. If it was me I'd probably keep him in for South Africa and add Burns to the squad as a back up.
 
Googled how many partners Dave Warner has had as a Test Opener...up to 10 now with Bancroft.

Rogers, Cowan, Burns and Renshaw are the only ones with more than 15 digs as his opening partner. Rogers easily the most, followed by Cowan.

Shaun Marsh has paired up with him 9 times, the late Phil Hughes 4 times and then it’s 1 innings wonders from Watson, Khawaja and Maxwell (!).

Any chance that the fact that most of these guys are cast in a role to accommodate Warner’s attacking style has hindered their own chances on making big runs and solidifying their position?
 
Renshaw hasn't done enough to demand a recall, Burns isn't a long term opener, Cowan is no longer preferred at NSW and I don't think it's sensible to debut a third opener (would Harris be next inline?) so soon after Renshaw/Bancroft.

That means the selectors either stick with Bancroft or reshuffle the batting order. If it's the latter I'd rather move Khawaja up instead of Marsh who looks settled in the middle order.
 
The_Reaper said:
While I don't like Shaun Marsh opening it would open up a middle order spot for someone like Burns or Maxwell.
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Seems more logical to open with Burns and leave Marsh where he is.
 

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If we can't find anyone maybe play Renshaw. He can face 70 balls for 10-15 and at least take the shine off the ball. If Warner stays with him you still get a good opening partnership. Think that's happened a couple of times. One Test we were lost out first wicket at 122 before Bancroft went out for 25. You'd want to hope Warner is in form though.
 
Gough said:
Marsh is finally "working", no injuries, good form, we shouldn't be shifting him about the place.
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Really don't want to move Marsh now if possible. That is working so well.

Actually, batting has been good most of the summer overall. More stable than he has been for a few years. Just Bancroft and Handscomb are the only two that have struggled. Khawaja was at least ok until Sydney with a couple of 50s. Paine and the tail have done a good job.
 

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Jimthegreat said:
If we can't find anyone maybe play Renshaw. He can face 70 balls for 10-15 and at least take the shine off the ball. If Warner stays with him you still get a good opening partnership. Think that's happened a couple of times. One Test we were lost out first wicket at 122 before Bancroft went out for 25. You'd want to hope Warner is in form though.
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If you're happy with that, why switch from Bancroft? He's facing 90 balls for 20-25, which is an upgrade on 70 balls for 10-15.
 
Big Bryza said:
C'mon mate, time to let it go.

There was no way known Renshaw could be selected for an ashes series with the horrendous form he was in during the opening shield matches.

Banners deserved his chance, looked promising early but clearly has a fundamental flaw in his technique. If he's getting exposed on our roads by Anderson and Broad, then Steyn, Morkel n co would eat him alive.

Renshaw might bounce back but like Bancroft needs to go away and hone his craft for a while. There's no way he's getting selected to play in SA.
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How long does form last?
 
Give Bancroft another series. Already ruined Renshaw for a bit, don't want to make the same mistake with another promising young opener.
 
Black JuJu said:
Googled how many partners Dave Warner has had as a Test Opener...up to 10 now with Bancroft.
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Ohitsthatguy said:
Give Bancroft another series. Already ruined Renshaw for a bit, don't want to make the same mistake with another promising young opener.
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We're just going to keep churning through them. The selectors are supposedly able to spot talent and ability. That's their job. They need to pick and stick with the player they deem the best prospect.

No one is going to walk into test cricket as an opener and magically average 45+ from the word go. And make runs in every warm up match and Shield game too.

The selectors need to ride out some bumps and back their ability to judge.
 

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