Ashes 25/26

[Scotland]

That is the worry, seriously over this average bloke being gifted tests.

Which batsman is genuinely unlucky to currently not be in the test team?

 

[Golumless]

Seems pretty vague from Bailey - "wasn't in our plans, could be interesting, might look at it later in the series". There might be more to it than that but that statement was more a not shut the door type.

Yeah, that just seemed like a very polite "no" at this point.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Which batsman is genuinely unlucky to currently not be in the test team?

Renshaw on form. Much better bat than Mr half all rounder Marsh

 

[Scotland]

Renshaw on form. Much better bat than Mr half all rounder Marsh

Renshaw averages 29 in tests with one 100 from 24 innings. He averaged 29 in the Shield last year from 18 innings.

He has had a great start to this year's Shield but it's a small sample size. I like him and I think he has a bit to offer, but he would just be another guy with an average at best FC record that is picked off a short run of form.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Renshaw averages 29 in tests with one 100 from 24 innings. He averaged 29 in the Shield last year from 18 innings.

He has had a great start to this year's Shield but it's a small sample size. I like him and I think he has a bit to offer, but he would just be another guy with an average at best FC record that is picked off a short run of form.

So he still averages more than Marsh despite not being gifted 43 tests. The bloke is a gift to the opposition our worst test no6 ever

 

[the_interloper]

Renshaw averages 29 in tests with one 100 from 24 innings. He averaged 29 in the Shield last year from 18 innings.

He has had a great start to this year's Shield but it's a small sample size. I like him and I think he has a bit to offer, but he would just be another guy with an average at best FC record that is picked off a short run of form.

It's always good to pick someone in form though, and he is a proper opener too.

 

[Scotland]

So he still averages more than Marsh despite not being gifted 43 tests. The bloke is a gift to the opposition our worst test no6 ever

I'm not calling for Marsh to be picked, just pointing out that "he averages 28 in tests" isn't the smackdown people think it is.

If Marsh didn't bowl he wouldn't be in any conversations. The selectors have prioritised all rounders since Flintoff had his career series in 2005. Outside a run of good form in 2009/10 Shane Watson had one of the most average test careers you can imagine - because he bowled. Marsh has played 46 tests, Green has played 33, Webster 7. Because they bowl.

 

[Scotland]

It's always good to pick someone in form though, and he is a proper opener too.

That's what we did with Weatherald, though pulled the trigger a bit early.

Sometimes a Konstas or Connolly comes off, most often not. As a general rule if you are an established FC batsman and you average in the 30s it's for a reason.

 

[Pistol Night]

It's always good to pick someone in form though, and he is a proper opener too.

Couldn’t agree more. Go back to a settled line up with an in form bloke in a position of need

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Perth Pitch gets highest ICC rating lol

Why the LOL?

 

[the_interloper]

That's what we did with Weatherald, though pulled the trigger a bit early.

Sometimes a Konstas or Connolly comes off, most often not. As a general rule if you are an established FC batsman and you average in the 30s it's for a reason.

He looked rattled in his first innings but I didn't blame him, they did him no favours with the whole Uzzie not being able to bat thing. Thought he did pretty well in the second dig (Head reasonable too haha) and definitely needs more of a go.

I mean we've been picking blokes recently with an average in the 30s at FC level I'd imagine, unfortuntely we need to pick 11 players and if no one is form, well someone gets a game. I'm sure Cox, Siddons etc were averaging 50-60 for seasons on end and couldn't get a look in, things have changed I guess.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Surely Head has made the decision as easy as it can possibly be?

Head opens
Khawaja out
Webster in

We can soften it for Usman by saying we're a bit worried about his durability with back-to-back tests coming up

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

Renshaw on form. Much better bat than Mr half all rounder Marsh

...which half?

 

[magpie_marty]

Golf washed out in Brisbane on day one.
If this current weather keep's happening when test 2 occurs not sure how much cricket will be played.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Golf washed out in Brisbane on day one.
If this current weather keep's happening when test 2 occurs not sure how much cricket will be played.

Bring back rest days for tests in cities with high rainfall

Gives a bit of wriggle room

 

[to1994]

So he still averages more than Marsh despite not being gifted 43 tests. The bloke is a gift to the opposition our worst test no6 ever

Marsh has had some abysmal stints in the side, but from 2023 onwards he was actually pretty good.

He was rightly on a short leash and dropped after a few bad games, but his hundred in England was excellent. He's got a good Ashes record in general and I don't think he'd be much worse than current Khawaja or even Inglis.

 

[Blackhawk42]

I'm not calling for Marsh to be picked, just pointing out that "he averages 28 in tests" isn't the smackdown people think it is.

If Marsh didn't bowl he wouldn't be in any conversations. The selectors have prioritised all rounders since Flintoff had his career series in 2005. Outside a run of good form in 2009/10 Shane Watson had one of the most average test careers you can imagine - because he bowled. Marsh has played 46 tests, Green has played 33, Webster 7. Because they bowl.

Webster and Green should be absolute certainties before Marsh's name is even brought up.

I'd be more comfortable blooding Barlett or O'Neil before Marsh too, despite being bowlers before bats. At least it would show we have a bit of an eye on the future.

 

[Scotland]

Webster and Green should be absolute certainties before Marsh's name is even brought up.

They are, they're in the squad. I would be very surprised if say Khawaja went out and the selectors opted to parachute in another middle order batsman like Marsh over Webster or Inglis.

I'd be more comfortable blooding Barlett or O'Neil before Marsh too, despite being bowlers before bats. At least it would show we have a bit of an eye on the future.

Bartlett averages 23 at FC level. Like Faulkner and Andrew McDonald before him he's not going to get a gig. If the selectors think you can average 40 in the top 6 you are in. Unless you are averaging in the 20s with the ball and bowling at 140 you aren't getting a gig 8-11 and even then you have to wait in line.

Being a batting all rounder is like being 200cm tall in the AFL. Even if you suck you will get chances.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

They are, they're in the squad. I would be very surprised if say Khawaja went out and the selectors opted to parachute in another middle order batsman like Marsh over Webster or Inglis.



Bartlett averages 23 at FC level. Like Faulkner and Andrew McDonald before him he's not going to get a gig. If the selectors think you can average 40 in the top 6 you are in. Unless you are averaging in the 20s with the ball and bowling at 140 you aren't getting a gig 8-11 and even then you have to wait in line.

Being a batting all rounder is like being 200cm tall in the AFL. Even if you suck you will get chances.

I have a feeling you’ll be wrong on Bartlett, and probably O’Neil

 

[Aussie_boy]

They are, they're in the squad. I would be very surprised if say Khawaja went out and the selectors opted to parachute in another middle order batsman like Marsh over Webster or Inglis.



Bartlett averages 23 at FC level. Like Faulkner and Andrew McDonald before him he's not going to get a gig. If the selectors think you can average 40 in the top 6 you are in. Unless you are averaging in the 20s with the ball and bowling at 140 you aren't getting a gig 8-11 and even then you have to wait in line.

Being a batting all rounder is like being 200cm tall in the AFL. Even if you suck you will get chances.

Would be very surprised if Bartlett doesn't play test cricket within 12 months post Starc and Hazlewood. He's going to be a very good 8, doubt he bats any higher.

 

[Cleavy]

welp, looks like we're naming the squad tomorrow

 

[Scotland]

Would be very surprised if Bartlett doesn't play test cricket within 12 months post Starc and Hazlewood. He's going to be a very good 8, doubt he bats any higher.

Soon enough we will have spots 8-11 all open which has not been the case for a long time.

 

[eth-dog]

Would be very surprised if Bartlett doesn't play test cricket within 12 months post Starc and Hazlewood. He's going to be a very good 8, doubt he bats any higher.

Agreed. Can easily see him playing 50+ tests as a bowling allrounder

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Soon enough we will have spots 8-11 all open which has not been the case for a long time.

Well, yes, probably, but we’ve had a pretty handy 8-11 in that time

 

[Jascave]

If England loses the 2nd Test in Brisbane-and by a big margin-how much longer can Brendan McCullum and Ben Stokes last as England coach and captain respectively, seeing the powerbrokers at Lord's are about to call in the firing squad.