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

[Black Diamond]

Another thing, we need to be honest about Head.

We need to have realistic expectations of him as an opener, if he is seen as the long term fix.

I remain unconvinced.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I’m happy to put a line through Weatherald. He is approaching Bancroft/Harris territory and there is no value in him playing at the SCG.

Khawaja should be dropped too. There is no point him going on. If we’re ruthless enough to do it before Sydney I’ll be surprised. He should be told to retire no matter what.

Green needs a spell. I have been willing to defend him but no more.

I would retain Neser, Boland and Starc. Richardson or Murphy, will depend on the pitch.

I would not let Cummins play. Too bad, keep at the rehab.

Weatherald yes hes worse than Harris (anyone who has watched shield should know this).
I think usman deserves a farewell test but with our next tests not being for months this has to be it.
Green running himself out and his dumb shot selection today tells me hes not coping with the pressure. Mentally is not right. Id give him a spell and bring Webster in.
Labuschagne is cooked. I do understand mcsweeney is injured but still you need to bring renshaw or kellaway in.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

It's funny because I've been on BigFooty long enough that I remember people melting because Ed Cowan would find a way to get himself out with a score of 28 off 75 balls or whatever, yet that's an innings that would have been immensely valueable for the Aussies in either innings here.

 

[icyflakes]

I’m happy to put a li d through Weatherald. He is approaching Bancroft/Harris territory and there is no value in him playing at the SCG.

Khawaja should be dropped too. There is no point him going on. If we’re ruthless enough to do it before Sydney I’ll be surprised. He should be told to retire no matter what.

Green needs a spell. I have been willing to defend him but no more.

I would retain Neser, Boland and Starc. Richardson or Murphy, will depend on the pitch.

I would not let Cummins play. Too bad, keep at the rehab.

If (big if, would obviously change if forecast improves) the weather for the SCG doesn't improve, that's the kind of test where you select based on what discussions you need to have with players and what intent you want to show - you aren't going to get a full test anyway, even if it was MCG levels of ridiculous.

In that sense, I'd drop Green, let Us have his farewell, keep Weatherald (no point trying a new opener for one test that won't have a result) from the batters.

Webster in for Green - yes his form isn't great, just pick him to save us from the Green diploma in shit decision making.

I'd prefer to pick Murphy (actual spinner, not a debut) but given the weather he likely wouldn't get much of a bowl.

Neser's more than earned his spot after the first innings but we are still missing the impact bowler that Cummins fills. Starc and Boland do their thing in other ways, but Cumdawg just breaks partnerships in a way I can't really describe. Maybe not needed for a wash-out anyway.

 

[sr36]

Some of the talk about the pitch is getting very silly.

Yes it was a bowler's deck, no question. But the idea that this was some minefield that nobody could bat on is ridiculous. It's not like the ball was bouncing head-high off a full length, or grubbing along the ground on Day 1. There was movement and a bit of inconsistency, but a serious Test batsman who applies themselves should be able to at least compete on it. And we don't want dead flat roads every game.

Plus how many dismissals were due to over-aggressive shots or poor decision making? There was some absolute dumb-arse-ery out there with the willow from both sides. Can't blame the deck when you're getting run out, slashing at wide ones, or being strangled down leg side....

In the era that everyone is romanticising about, the ball didnt seam in Australian tests, until the pitch was really wearing - in which case you got batting collapses.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Another thing, we need to be honest about Head.

We need to have realistic expectations of him as an opener, if he is seen as the long term fix.

I remain unconvinced.

Head will work as an opener when the pitches are flat. When the ball moves around it wont. I still prefer him at 5 because he is a good player of spin and he can change gears well when batting with the tail. But that would mean we will need an all new top 3 with head weatherald and marnus gone from there.

 

[Young Redleg]

This was the Perth 2010 of this series, a minor blblemish.

Or maybe the Perth of last year's BGT series

 

[greening22]

Very few serious old school Test Batsman about…anywhere

Totally agree. I think that the standard of Test batting techniques around the world - and not only in Australia & England - is at an all-time low. OK. It appears as if the concept of "DEFENCE" has been totally consigned to the dust bin of batting coaching manuals or textbooks. Now if this trend of contemporary batting total freaking out when a pitch is somewhat challenging or demanding, continues then I think that the future & sustainability of Test cricket may well be put in doubt. OK. In turn, I wonder what type of pitch is served up in Sydney on Friday? Finally, I wonder if Shane Warne had been in this Australian team squad for this specific Test, whether he would have A. Kept his spot in the team? & B. Even if he did, would he have got a bowl in either innings?

Finally, I think that Cameron Green now holds the record of producing the 2 worst pair of shot selections leading to dismissals that I have ever seen over 4 Test matches (Brisbane & Melbourne, specifically). Anyway enough said before I really put the boots in tonight! Time for a couple of panadol,d if not something stronger. Bye.

 

[Bedi]

If (big if, would obviously change if forecast improves) the weather for the SCG doesn't improve, that's the kind of test where you select based on what discussions you need to have with players and what intent you want to show - you aren't going to get a full test anyway, even if it was MCG levels of ridiculous.

In that sense, I'd drop Green, let Us have his farewell, keep Weatherald (no point trying a new opener for one test that won't have a result) from the batters.

Webster in for Green - yes his form isn't great, just pick him to save us from the Green diploma in shit decision making.

I'd prefer to pick Murphy (actual spinner, not a debut) but given the weather he likely wouldn't get much of a bowl.

Neser's more than earned his spot after the first innings but we are still missing the impact bowler that Cummins fills. Starc and Boland do their thing in other ways, but Cumdawg just breaks partnerships in a way I can't really describe. Maybe not needed for a wash-out anyway.

In terms of impact bowlers the selectors would be well aware of Fegus O'Neill's ability to turn a game. Young, tall and averaging 20 with the ball, bring him in Sydney for Neser as he is the future

 

[icyflakes]

Head will work as an opener when the pitches are flat. When the ball moves around it wont. I still prefer him at 5 because he is a good player of spin and he can change gears well when batting with the tail. But that would mean we will need an all new top 3 with head weatherald and marnus gone from there.

I think Head showed that he can bat on spicy pitches this test - what he needs to work on is decision making in the early overs.

It's good from him to be aggressive to keep bowlers on their toes, but shot selection was poor multiple times during both innings. He needs to work on how he changes his decision making slightly in the first 15 overs. He's got plenty of time to do that this year.

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

MCC CEO Stuart Fox and Matt Page will front a press conference tomorrow to speak about pitch related issues from this Test.

With or without a firing squad in attendance?

 

[brutus76]

Hopefully Channel 7 show a western or two tomorrow as fillet. Wouldn't mind some John Wayne or Clint Eastwood

 

[Peter Bixley]

Hopefully Channel 7 show a western or two tomorrow as fillet. Wouldn't mind some John Wayne or Clint Eastwood

With a team of Mexican bandits turning up to bat on a spicy wicket.

 

[Westend]

In terms of impact bowlers the selectors would be well aware of Fegus O'Neill's ability to turn a game. Young, tall and averaging 20 with the ball, bring him in Sydney for Neser as he is the future

O"neill ??? no way the Bazballers will smash him all around the park...barely gets it over 130 they will murder him

his time will come

 

[kickazz]

MCC CEO Stuart Fox and Matt Page will front a press conference tomorrow to speak about pitch related issues from this Test.

Hope they don't completely shit on the pitch as some sort of scapegoat. They need to at least allude to the shitness of the batting, or, throw the question out there and ask the cricket world if they want to start seeing batters with defences or not.

Draw a line in the sand.

 

[Ohitsthatguy]

What also pisses me off is you've given them (unfound) confidence for the next game

And it also shows they don't need good bowlers to win because we'll just give our wickets away

This loss pisses me off so much

 

[Portmagpies36]

Along with Root, Stokes, Brook and Archer, Bethell was one player pre series i thought had the ability/ X factor to sway the series. Turns out that wasn't the case, but we did see him emerge today on the big stage to help England get a famous win.

Selectors were right to stick with with Pope, but now Bethell is back in the side he will be hard to dislodge

People dismiss him for a lack of technique but reckon his defence seems pretty solid, and among more wreckless T20 shots we saw some majestic strokeplay.

Hate England but some reason love Bethell and the way he goes about it.

Probably because he is West Indian

 

[Bedi]

Probably because he is West Indian

Def helps why i like him

 

[Seeds]

What also pisses me off is you've given them (unfound) confidence for the next game

And it also shows they don't need good bowlers to win because we'll just give our wickets away

This loss pisses me off so much

Why? The series is over. Australia has won. This is all pointless now. If your team won the grand final and then they played another game a week later would you even bother to watch it? Who cares.

 

[Ohitsthatguy]

Why? The series is over. Australia has won. This is all pointless now. If your team won the grand final and then they played another game a week later would you even bother to watch it? Who cares.

It's not the same.

If they win the next one people will only look at the scorecard "oh 3-2, close series" when it hasn't been close

 

[Bedi]

O"neill ??? no way the Bazballers will smash him all around the park...barely gets it over 130 they will murder him

his time will come

Took 4 for in the Aust A game so that will further help his case, even if it was against a weak side

 

[Bedi]

It's not the same.

If they win the next one people will only look at the scorecard "oh 3-2, close series" when it hasn't been close

I agree 3-1 is reflective where the series is at, but...they did almost sneak home last test. In which case could in fact be 2-2. Could you imagine that leading into.Syd .

 

[aCunningPlan]

Hope they don't completely shit on the pitch as some sort of scapegoat. They need to at least allude to the shitness of the batting, or, throw the question out there and ask the cricket world if they want to start seeing batters with defences or not.

Draw a line in the sand.

I can cop chalking the Perth test up to poor batting buy this time around the absolute duds that are the MCC and everyone associated with them must hang their heads in shame and cop the criticism. The biggest game in the cricket calendar should go to the best cricket ground in the country and that is certainly not the MCG.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Why? The series is over. Australia has won. This is all pointless now. If your team won the grand final and then they played another game a week later would you even bother to watch it? Who cares.

This completely devalues a Test Match as a thing of importance in and of itself, which is exactly the same mindset which saw our batters not put any value on their wicket on the first place.

 

[Australian Randall]

Two 40 over slogs
Clearly neither side could be arsed to put any effort in
If they had bat a little bit worse they could have shoe horned in 4 t20 games on day 1 and all ****ed off to the pub
Last 2 days are like a laurel and Hardy episode
They may as well burn all 6 stumps, the bats, the helmets and the umpires because test cricket is dead