2nd Test Australia v West Indies Jan 25-29 1430hrs @ the Gabba

[evolved2]

Are the Windies better than we thought, the Aussies worse than we thought, or is this just an anomaly that we can ignore?

We've looked weak all Summer against two sides that really shouldn't trouble the reigning WTC holder.

Green doesn't look ready to me. I wonder whether we should persist with him or go for a specialist batsmen instead. The batting allrounder spot is filled with a better alternative in Marsh. Labuschagne's form is concerning though his place isn't in danger. Our batsmen are doing just enough to keep their spots. Smith going big as opener is one of the few wins I'll take out of this Summer.

I'm not filled with a lot of confidence going into the NZ test series.

 

[PhatBoy]

Are the Windies better than we thought, the Aussies worse than we thought, or is this just an anomaly that we can ignore?

We've looked weak all Summer against two sides that really shouldn't trouble the reigning WTC holder.

Green doesn't look ready to me. I wonder whether we should persist with him or go for a specialist batsmen instead. The batting allrounder spot is filled with a better alternative in Marsh. Labuschagne's form is concerning though his place isn't in danger. Our batsmen are doing just enough to keep their spots. Smith going big as opener is one of the few wins I'll take out of this Summer.

I'm not filled with a lot of confidence going into the NZ test series.

Windies bowling is decent. It’s never been THAT far off being good, when we get our selection right. Roach is world class, you don’t put together his record unless you are good. He’s had to learn to do it with his pace dropping by 15km/h. It hasn’t always shown in Australia but he’s a very fine bowler. The combinations of Joseph, Holder, Gabriel and now Shamar Joseph and at times Seales and even Mayers at home on some sticky pitches have always caused opponents issues. Bowling has not ever been a continual problem for the West Indies: spin bowling, perhaps, but not seam bowling generally.

Yes batting is an issue for the West Indies and I think we are still probably no better or not much better than what most people thought we were BUT we have more fight than what most people probably think, and we have more natural talent than what people think. Harnessing those two things is what makes any team good.

At the moment you can see at the top we have two fighters who are badly out of form.

Then we have two guys with real talent in McKenzie and Athanaze but they need to learn a bit about tactics and knowing when to pull back.

Hodge almost has the balance right but is a little low on shots. Hopefully he can develop that a bit.

Greaves isn’t a test quality #6. I would like Jason Holder to come back into that spot and concentrate on his batting a bit more than he was over the 18 months before his last match.

Da Silva showed how good a batsman he can be in Brisbane. It will be forgotten in the wash up behind Joseph’s heroics but that was a masterful knock given the game situation.

I don’t think the Windies as an entire TEAM are better than people thought they were YET - but the bowling is, and the rest of the side is easily capable of being better than what people probably thought it was ever capable of being

 

[Freezin]

Are the Windies better than we thought, the Aussies worse than we thought, or is this just an anomaly that we can ignore?

We've looked weak all Summer against two sides that really shouldn't trouble the reigning WTC holder.

Green doesn't look ready to me. I wonder whether we should persist with him or go for a specialist batsmen instead. The batting allrounder spot is filled with a better alternative in Marsh. Labuschagne's form is concerning though his place isn't in danger. Our batsmen are doing just enough to keep their spots. Smith going big as opener is one of the few wins I'll take out of this Summer.

I'm not filled with a lot of confidence going into the NZ test series.

Specialist batsman like who?

Obviously NZ are due to end their drought v Aust, though first NZ have to overcome that mental barrier v Aust.

 

[JimmyBC]

 

[Gough]

Dickhead. If Shemar Joseph moved in next door to him he'd completely freak out.

 

[BGman]

Green has only just been brought back in. He gets more than two tests, plus he bowls. Two tests isn’t an experiment or a trial, it’s two games.

Green was never going to be on the sidelines for long. Many dont rate this bloke as special or even potentially special, except Westend, I and CA. He is still a work in progress at this level for one prime reason, he has two major disciplines, batting and bowling, to hone then polish to a special level. THAT TAKES TIME.

Seems he has already polished his fielding, as the 'albatross' is exceptional in the gully, arguably the best in world cricket. But he is human and like all of us, will spill the odd one.

 

[evolved2]

Specialist batsman like who?

Obviously NZ are due to end their drought v Aust, though first NZ have to overcome that mental barrier v Aust.

I'm happy to give Renshaw another shot.

There's no mental barrier with the current NZ team. They'll eat us alive if we play like we did against Pakistan and the Windies.

 

[PhatBoy]

Green was never going to be on the sidelines for long. Many dont rate this bloke as special, except Westend, I and CA. He is still a work in progress at this level for one reason, he has two major disciplines, batting and bowling, to hone then polish. THAT TAKES TIME.

I’m still undecided. I think he has the raw tools, anyone can see that. Something is missing though.

There is always the danger with these guys that it will become evident later down the track that they were just always so far ahead of the curve for a long time because of their size. Think of a guy like Jacob Oram who probably would have absolutely dominated cricket at every level and then it amounted to very little in the long run.

I’m not saying Green is Jacob Oram - he looks about 10 times better with bat and ball and for all I know he could be more Kyle Jamieson with ball and Kallis with bat, who knows.

But physicality gets you a LONG way coming through the ranks in any sport and then suddenly you’re among the elite, and it counts for a lot less. Opponents don’t care as much if you’re tall or you can hit the ball a long way.

 

[evolved2]

Green was never going to be on the sidelines for long. Many dont rate this bloke as special or even potentially special, except Westend, I and CA. He is still a work in progress at this level for one prime reason, he has two major disciplines, batting and bowling, to hone then polish to a special level. THAT TAKES TIME. Seems he has already polished his fielding, as the 'albatross' is exceptional in the gully, arguably the best in world cricket. But he is human and like all of us, will spill the odd one.

The question is whether he should hone his skills in the Australian test side. He's an awesome fielder, sure, but he looks out of place as a #4 batsmen. The bison can fill the bulk of 5th bowling duties so I don't see a place for Green in our best XI yet.

 

[PhatBoy]

He bowls about 130 dont he, Green already consistently 137-140. Mix that pace with his massively elevated release point and he is a more tricky customer than Jamieson.

Jamieson regularly bowls in the mid to high 130s and I think, while his status as a specialist bowler gives him more opportunity to show this - and his greater continuity at test level also - he has proven to date at least, that for now he’s a more accomplished bowler. Again that’s not to say that Green doesn’t have the potential to do the same or better and develop into a world class bowler: hell Jason Holder took a long time.

 

[Voice of the G]

The question is whether he should hone his skills in the Australian test side. He's an awesome fielder, sure, but he looks out of place as a #4 batsmen. The bison can fill the bulk of 5th bowling duties so I don't see a place for Green in our best XI yet.

At this stage the No.6 is either Marsh or Green.Personally I favor Marsh short term and let Green play out the season in the shield and look for him to be the future.No good taking him to NZ and ending up being the 13th man.But a tough decision for the selectors in selecting this squad for NZ.

 

[DaRick]

I’m still undecided. I think he has the raw tools, anyone can see that. Something is missing though.

There is always the danger with these guys that it will become evident later down the track that they were just always so far ahead of the curve for a long time because of their size. Think of a guy like Jacob Oram who probably would have absolutely dominated cricket at every level and then it amounted to very little in the long run.

I’m not saying Green is Jacob Oram - he looks about 10 times better with bat and ball and for all I know he could be more Kyle Jamieson with ball and Kallis with bat, who knows.

But physicality gets you a LONG way coming through the ranks in any sport and then suddenly you’re among the elite, and it counts for a lot less. Opponents don’t care as much if you’re tall or you can hit the ball a long way.

I think it's his self-confidence.

Oram's career was largely limited by injury, TBF.

 

[PhatBoy]

I think it's his self-confidence.

Oram's career was largely limited by injury, TBF.

Green looks very bereft of it at times doesn’t he

Yes definitely Oram didn’t get much of a run at it that’s true

 

[Voice of the G]

Green looks very bereft of it at times doesn’t he

Yes definitely Oram didn’t get much of a run at it that’s true

Well McDonald has just come out and said the current 6 will remain the same for NZ.It seems to be harder to get out of the side then get in these days.

 

[Topkent]

Cummins and his mates at it again. More important to smile and be nice

 

[western royboy]

Well McDonald has just come out and said the current 6 will remain the same for NZ.It seems to be harder to get out of the side then get in these days.

Always was going to be once they made the changes - I’ll be interested to see how they go in NZ in early Autumn when the ball darts around

 

[Neese]

Just reading a story on News.com.au
Shamar Joseph spoke to Jason Gillespie during the Adelaide test.
Shamar was impressed by Jason and loved the Adelaide Oval.He wants to play BBL for the Adelaide Strikers next season.
Depending on WestIndies commitments and being the hottest property, in World Cricket.An unknown a fortnight ago.
We will see what happens

Not even Shamar could get me to a BBL match

 

[PhatBoy]

Cummins and his mates at it again. More important to smile and be nice

What does that even mean

 

[The 747]

Green was never going to be on the sidelines for long. Many dont rate this bloke as special or even potentially special, except Westend, I and CA. He is still a work in progress at this level for one prime reason, he has two major disciplines, batting and bowling, to hone then polish to a special level. THAT TAKES TIME.

Seems he has already polished his fielding, as the 'albatross' is exceptional in the gully, arguably the best in world cricket. But he is human and like all of us, will spill the odd one.

Total dross. Posters on here regularly recognise his potential, only the odd few nuffs think he isn't talented enough.

It takes time sure, the query is whether the Test side is place to develop your game. 24 Tests and counting and he has been influential in how many Tests? 2 or 3?

The other query is whether someone who does not deserve to bat at 4 in the Test team should be occupying that spot and the associated pressure.

 

[Voice of the G]

Total dross. Posters on here regularly recognise his potential, only the odd few nuffs think he isn't talented enough.

It takes time sure, the query is whether the Test side is place to develop your game. 24 Tests and counting and he has been influential in how many Tests? 2 or 3?

The other query is whether someone who does not deserve to bat at 4 in the Test team should be occupying that spot and the associated pressure.

Well at this stage the current 11 look like they will be the 1st test team.Next question will be who else will be in the squad and should they leave Boland or Morris back here playing shield cricket.If a squad of 13 would be either one of these 2 and Renshaw you would think.BUT failures in the 1st test will they finally make the call to drop one or 2 of these players remembering all other players will be playing shield cricket then.

 

[Westend]

The question is whether he should hone his skills in the Australian test side. He's an awesome fielder, sure, but he looks out of place as a #4 batsmen. The bison can fill the bulk of 5th bowling duties so I don't see a place for Green in our best XI yet.

No he can't and it was pretty evident with greenie back in the side .Marsh bowled a lot less

and I have see a lot of them both play...and mitch looked very tired to me this test ....

 

[Around the Wicket]

Green averages 50 in FC cricket, no batsmen is anywhere near that on the fringe.

 

[evolved2]

Green averages 50 in FC cricket, no batsmen is anywhere near that on the fringe.

He may be a flat track bully. Many gods of FC cricket don't make it on the international stage. I'm not writing him off yet.

 

[the_interloper]

Green averages 50 in FC cricket, no batsmen is anywhere near that on the fringe.

Yeah I mean out of Renshaw/Harris/Bancroft I don't think anyone averaged over 30 at Test level, though Bancroft was going alright at FC level I think

 

[frankrizzo]

No he can't and it was pretty evident with greenie back in the side .Marsh bowled a lot less

and I have see a lot of them both play...and mitch looked very tired to me this test ....

Its not even close with their bowling, we only really use marsh as a last resort but green gets used a legit 5th bowler when he is fit to bowl.