The Cricket Thread

Remove this Banner Ad

Strebi3 said:
I think Marnus and Siddle will be the 2 to miss out in the first test.
Click to expand...
I agree they should, but I doubt they will. Well, Siddle will barring injury, but I think Marnus Labius Africanus will play for two reasons:
1. He is a part time leggy that may work in SL
2. Ponting and others seemed quite impressed by him.

I suspect the batman to miss will be either Burns or Renshaw.

If it was up to me, I would drop Head. Burns, Renshaw and Pucovski are capable of scoring centuries. Head is not. And his bowling is very, very ordinary.
 
My guess is Burns will open with Harris . Burns gets a few tests as reward for shield form .
Whoever wins that mini battle keeps their spot when Warner returns.


Renshaw is in as a ‘cuddle’ to let him know he is still the long term opening prospect if he wants it enough .Keeps him around the team and in the environment where they can develop him how they want.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Kind of agree with this. I would make a radical change in the batting order.
Kawaja to 5
Burns at 6
Renshaw and Harris to open
Pucovski at 3 or four

Take your pick for the other spot.

As I said a radical change but I feel as though that combination could provide the basis for a complete rebuild. Young and very inexperienced. We need to start somewhere. See what these players can provide before the return of Smith Warner and maybe Bancroft.
 
Last season I thought Patterson might be someone to keep an eye on. Seems he is getting back into some serious form. Good innings against the tourists and looking good again in the second dig. Pity about Renshaw and Burns burning their chances. Labius needs a big score tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
So Matthew Wade is confused about what is required for selection. I am not surprised because I don't think anyone can work it out.

Take Kurtis Patterson. Last week I posted that I thought he should be considered for the Ashes. The he gets rushed into the Sri Lanka series - and will play. Great for Patterson, happy to see his form rewarded. But who misses out? Pucovski. I would have loved to see both play. One of either Labus or Head should not have played, probably Head. And in what universe is Travis Head deserving of a place in the Test side? Perrenial 30-run scorer.
No wonder Wade is frustrated. I feel for Pucovski getting called up, built up, and then overlooked.

Selecting Patterson is the right decision.
Not selecting Pucovski is the wrong decision.
 
A general question. Is the Duke a two piece or a four piece ball.

It appears that the pink ball is a two piece.

I imagine that the Kookaburra is still a four piece.

It's a long time since I played and even held a cricket ball for that matter.
 
Thank goodness for that. Any good swing bowler can bowl boomerangs with a two piece.
 
Can anyone explain to me the logic in batting two (very ordinary) all-rounders ahead of a dedicated batsman with three centuries, including two undefeated against this same side, in his last three innings?

It is little wonder this Australian Test team is performing below standard.
 
Lord Mud of Glenferrie said:
A general question. Is the Duke a two piece or a four piece ball.

It appears that the pink ball is a two piece.

I imagine that the Kookaburra is still a four piece.

It's a long time since I played and even held a cricket ball for that matter.
Click to expand...
Dukes have a very pronounced seam on them compared to a Kookaburra
People talk about the swing over there but it’s more the constant seam movement that’s the major challenge
 
arupist said:
Can anyone explain to me the logic in batting two (very ordinary) all-rounders ahead of a dedicated batsman with three centuries, including two undefeated against this same side, in his last three innings?

It is little wonder this Australian Test team is performing below standard.
Click to expand...
I don’t think anyone can . We are thin on the ground for talent yet keep picking unbalanced sides
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Sounds to me, from what Langer said, that Pucovski will have to wait and play in the A side before a test call up. Tells me they are happy with Labus and Head who scored 80s against a very ordinay SL attack, marred by injury.

For me, Warner, Harris, Smith, Patterson, Pucovski, Labus should be our top 6 in England. Not sold on Labus but he is worth a try as an all-rounder. He is definitely not a specialist bat.

I know Paine will not get dropped but the other century scorer in Hobart, Doran, is worth a shot.
 
arupist said:
Sounds to me, from what Langer said, that Pucovski will have to wait and play in the A side before a test call up. Tells me they are happy with Labus and Head who scored 80s against a very ordinay SL attack, marred by injury.

For me, Warner, Harris, Smith, Patterson, Pucovski, Labus should be our top 6 in England. Not sold on Labus but he is worth a try as an all-rounder. He is definitely not a specialist bat.

I know Paine will not get dropped but the other century scorer in Hobart, Doran, is worth a shot.
Click to expand...
That’s how I read it too , if Pucovski didn’t play the 1st test I think he will be waiting in line.

Marnus earned big brownie points in the Sydney Test . S.Marsh gets asked to bat 3 , knocks it back and Marnus puts his hand up to do it . He is a lock for the time being .
 
arupist said:
Can anyone explain to me the logic in batting two (very ordinary) all-rounders ahead of a dedicated batsman.
Click to expand...
Yes,

There isn't any.
 
So as soon I wrote off Travis Head he scores 80 and 160. Does he read this board?

I am not yet convinced he is equipped to handle Anderson and Broad in England, but you can only deal with what is put in front of you. All credit to him.

Great to see Patterson get a ton. Is that 4 tons in 5 innings? At least 3 in 4. Good form.
 
arupist said:
Be interesting to find out why Saker walked.

Would not be at all surprised if he has a huge offer to coach SL.
Click to expand...
There was a lot of tension between Langer and him from day 1

It may not have been the sole reason but I heard it was a contributing factor
 
Popped into the Junction to watch a few hours ( when I was meant to be working ) this afternoon

Gee Pucovski has some talent and a half . So much time to play and has all around the wicket covered .
 
thejockey said:
Popped into the Junction to watch a few hours ( when I was meant to be working ) this afternoon

Gee Pucovski has some talent and a half . So much time to play and has all around the wicket covered .
Click to expand...
It will be interesting to see how CA handle Pucovski. Something tells me they will take the view that he is still young and will benefit from a couple more years at State level, persisting with the hacks that are currently playing when the Ashes team is picked.

I would like to see Warner (even though I can't stand him), Smith, Patterson and Pucovski form the core of the batting lineup in England. I an inclined to dump Marsh and Khawaja permanently.
 
arupist said:
It will be interesting to see how CA handle Pucovski. Something tells me they will take the view that he is still young and will benefit from a couple more years at State level, persisting with the hacks that are currently playing when the Ashes team is picked.

I would like to see Warner (even though I can't stand him), Smith, Patterson and Pucovski form the core of the batting lineup in England. I an inclined to dump Marsh and Khawaja permanently.
Click to expand...


Yeah. I'm kinda' going down that road a bit as well.

Watched some of the streaming of Pucovski batting. Just oozes class. Has all the shots.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top