Test The Ashes Fourth Test December 26-30 1000hrs @ The MCG

[madjoe]

Whats the deal with Jhye Richardson shoulders, he still does that silly over arm throw in which means he hasn't recovered

 

[Rabish Binney]

Not long ago you had Hardie and Connolly as the next big things. Here’s the thing, it’s the Australian team, not West Australian

Not to mention Inglis who in the minds of some West Australians was the best cricketer to have ever played the game.....

 

[SSSSSS]

All I want for Xmas is Green out.

 

[eddiesmith]

Nah dont buy that bullshit...its a snub for Rocco whatever way you look at it

"Shield form over 4-5 rounds can also be dependant on match location and conditions" lol Rocco has been the leading spinner in the country for the past 3 seasons in Aussies conditions winning games due to his bowling

dont care what anyone says Rocco is better than Murphy in Aussie conditions and I will die on that hill

Oh well good luck to Murphy lets hope his darts don't go for too much

Except Murphy has a better average this year and only has less wickets as he’s played less games whilst away playing for the A team.

It would be wrong to snub the next in line because he was playing tour matches and not Shield cricket.

 

[icyflakes]

Jimmy Anderson on BBC Sport was saying how Starcy hasn't even been bowling out of his mind - so much as the poms have thrown away their wickets.

I know people get annoyed with the "England lost, Australia didn't win" mentality of the poms, but I think Jimmy's got a fair point and is obviously well credentialed to comment on it. Its worth noting he immediately went on to praise how ridiculously good Cumdawg bowled, and how great he executed his plan for Root.

 

[Borisdog]

I like the idea of Murphy having a crack. Great arm ball. Troubled some very good players of spin in India. The only worry I would've had is if Cummins was in, I thought Cummins underbowled him at times when he could've been useful in Pomland.

Much rather a right handed offie to a side loaded with righties in Australia also.

Between Richardson and Neser I'd probably prefer Neser in Melbourne. Also a question mark over Richo's endurance maybe.

Inglis out for Smith.

 

[cats_09]

why not open with Khawaja?

Who would you move down the order?

Head has made 358 runs in 5 innings since moving to opener - surely he stays there now

 

[Jeremias]

Jimmy Anderson on BBC Sport was saying how Starcy hasn't even been bowling out of his mind - so much as the poms have thrown away their wickets.

I know people get annoyed with the "England lost, Australia didn't win" mentality of the poms, but I think Jimmy's got a fair point and is obviously well credentialed to comment on it. Its worth noting he immediately went on to praise how ridiculously good Cumdawg bowled, and how great he executed his plan for Root.

This is true of the entire squad, not just of Starc.

The Aussies have got it done and largely have been very good, but they’ve been very well assisted by a shambolic England performance.

 

[cricketnut14]

i think we look stronger with carey back at 7.

5. khawaja, 6. green (webster) , 7. carey - for melbourne and sydney.

lookout for an announcement in the next week or so from usman.

 

[Bedi]

His eye is gone, better suited down the order when the ball is older

Most here will agree with you but i'd argue his form in the Shield games suggests he can still make runs as an opener. A while ago now, but that's all we can go upon given he was injured the first two tests.

He's always been a confidence player, so now he's scored some runs under extreme pressure, i am now thinking Weatherald may no longer be required – freeing up space to bring in someone with the versality of Webster.

 

[Bedi]

Who would you move down the order?

Head has made 358 runs in 5 innings since moving to opener - surely he stays there now

Head and Khawaja to open. Fire and ice.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Nah dont buy that bullshit...its a snub for Rocco whatever way you look at it

"Shield form over 4-5 rounds can also be dependant on match location and conditions" lol Rocco has been the leading spinner in the country for the past 3 seasons in Aussies conditions winning games due to his bowling

dont care what anyone says Rocco is better than Murphy in Aussie conditions and I will die on that hill

Oh well good luck to Murphy lets hope his darts don't go for too much

RIP Westend is all I'll say to that then.
Died on a hill 23.12.25.

 

[Ohitsthatguy]

Most here will agree with you but i'd argue his form in the Shield games suggests he can still make runs as an opener.

I feel like Jofra and Carse are a bit quicker than most Shield bowlers knocking about

Probably why Weatherald has been struggling too but we might as well give him the series

 

[Nuggetz]

Have we learned nothing by picking younger players like Green? They don't work, pick a 35yo and watch him demolish the poms. Ffs.

 

[icyflakes]

Have we learned nothing by picking younger players like Green? They don't work, pick a 35yo and watch him demolish the poms. Ffs.

This sounds unhinged but is hilariously true

 

[Permission Capable]

They will pick Murphy but they really should reward Rocc as his form in the shield is great both with bat and ball.

Plus theres a necessity to appease the Vic media.

Ah yes. Instead we should appease people from WA.

 

[Nuggetz]

Wanted a close series but like always pommies have shit the bed. I hope it's 5-0. **** it, make it 10-0 with Aus whitewashing Eng at their home too.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Looks liked no more Vaughan this series - thoughts with him and his family at this time

An article I read said he had already committed to being back for Boxing Day

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Weatherald
Head
Labuschagne
Smith
Khawaja
Carey
Green
Starc
Neser
Boland
Murphy

Khawaja gets in on form but this is it for him - retire with a farewell in Sydney, it doesn’t get any better than that. It’s your last test. Absolute blessing for any cricketer to get an SCG farewell in a winning Ashes.

Green is a watch. Needs runs desperately. Fail here and I’m playing Webster in Sydney. Bowling ten fairly expensive overs an innings doesn’t keep your spot. Needs to make runs.

 

[Bedi]

I feel like Jofra and Carse are a bit quicker than most Shield bowlers knocking about

Probably why Weatherald has been struggling too but we might as well give him the series

i dont think Australia have ever had two explosive batters open the innings – so from from that point of view I'm happy to see that experiment continue, because if it comes off we're really on to something.

 

[Bedi]

Wanted a close series but like always pommies have shit the bed. I hope it's 5-0. **** it, make it 10-0 with Aus whitewashing Eng at their home too.

11-0 including that one off test

 

[cats_09]

An article I read said he had already committed to being back for Boxing Day

I would have thought Sydney was a possibility but had ruled out Melbourne - reading things, his father had cancer so I'm guessing it wasn't a completely out of the blue type thing, but would still understand staying back in England for now to be with family

 

[Nuggetz]

He's back in Sydney. Tough time for him & his family.

I would have thought Sydney was a possibility but had ruled out Melbourne - reading things, his father had cancer so I'm guessing it wasn't a completely out of the blue type thing, but would still understand staying back in England for now to be with family

 

[the_interloper]

Whats the deal with Jhye Richardson shoulders, he still does that silly over arm throw in which means he hasn't recovered

Courtney Walsh did that for years, must be some shoulder injuries you can still bowl with and not throw.

 

[grumbleguts]

+ a 2 headed coin was used at the toss.....

I forgot he blamed the toss. Good call. Added.