Ashes 25/26

[Borisdog]

Lillee and Harris could bat, didn't see the best of Harris but he had a decent FC record made quite a few 50s, Lillee could also bat but threw his wicket away alot. We can't have 2 bunnies in the same lineup there needs to be some starch to the lower order at least.

I think there's a fair bit of rose coloured glasses there with the "Lillee could bat" statement. He wasn't a bunny by any stretch, but he wasn't that flash. Pre-helmets he did the job that most fast bowlers were tasked to do down the order - Get on with it.

The advent of better protective equipment has certainly lead to a vast improvement in the ability of tailender's batting. There are obvious exceptions but generally 9 10 Jack are WAY better batsmen than in days past. Or are way better at sticking around anyway. And the tree trunks being wielded these days certainly help big strong fellas who are inclined to have a dash much more than the toothpicks of days past.

 

[Pistol Night]

Batters do the batting and bowlers take the wickets. Pick the best! If that is Starc, Hazlewood, Boland and Lyon so be it.

Picking bowlers who can bat in preference to a pure bowler sounds like an English way of going about it. Find better batters.

The bowling quartet are called the 'attack' for a reason ...

Some of our best Test bowlers were not exactly demons with the bat ... Lillee, Thomson, Hogg, McGrath, Harris, McGill, Alderman et.al If they were not selected it wasn't because of perceived failings with the bat.

Bruce Reid was a genuine number 12

 

[the_interloper]

Nah he's significantly slower than Boland, and shorter so doesn't derive as much bounce.

He'll be one of those blokes who probably ends up holding bowling records for his state but never play for Australia, basically based on the two points you make.

Bruce Reid was a genuine number 12

I remember him hanging in there with Mo Matthews in a one dayer, gripping viewing tbh.

 

[sabso]

He'll be one of those blokes who probably ends up holding bowling records for his state but never play for Australia, basically based on the two points you make.

Magic The Gathering Elliott’s son has the second best list a bowling figures in Australian history, he ain’t pulling on a baggy green or canary yellow jersey any time soon.

 

[4Seasons]

Bryce Street should open.

 

[Pistol Night]

Magic The Gathering Elliott’s son has the second best list a bowling figures in Australian history, he ain’t pulling on a baggy green or canary yellow jersey any time soon.

Somewhere Bill Lawrys head just exploded

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I am ok with him at #4. Nothing wrong with #5 as our best ever all rounder Keith Miller mostly batted there.

Nah definitely not with Poms planning on opening with their two quickest Archer and Wood, then we have the likelihood of Green coming in very early and he going cheaply too. Green is far more valuable to us coming in later.

How is Ussie gonna handle Archer and Wood is the question as he has looked spent last 9 months. Since his double in Galle in Jan he has scores of 36,27, 0,6, 47,15, 16,2, 23, 14. Not even one half century. He has also called for Renshaw to partner him in the First Test. Jeez two stonewallers against serious pace. No thanks.

Problem is Head is set at 5, boy Travis needs a consistent summer though, he's been ordinary lately. I love how people bag some players and Travis gets a free pass. Green is best in the top 4, he's not a number 6, we tried this, he needs time, your more attacking bat should be at 6 which weirdly is Travis.

Look I don't disagree with you with Khawaja but I'm hestitant changing both openers right before a big series, however this should be Ussie's last series no two ways, I'd back him to at worst bat time. I'm fine with Renshaw opening.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

His poorest results ground is surprising, the SCG. Chance there for both Green and Webster. But doubt Lyon will ever be dropped.

Doesn't surprise me, if you think what Lyon is as an off spinner. It's not the turn that he relies on, it's the bounce. Now he's improved this in his latter 1/4 of his career, but in general he's a tall offie that has subtle changes that uses bounce, lots of bat pads, etc. The SCG would be our lowest bouncing wicket, maybe aside from Tassie but we don't play tests there really.

It's why if you remember a few years back he was getting dropped in Asia, and we were preferring other spinners.

 

[Borisdog]

His poorest results ground is surprising, the SCG. Chance there for both Green and Webster. But doubt Lyon will ever be dropped.

The SCG hasn't really been that spin friendly for a fair while. It turns, but slowly and with not a great deal of bounce. That sort of wicket is pretty suited to quicker guys who bowl straight and can cut it a bit.

Lyon is much more a bounce bowler than a side spin bowler.

 

[BGman]

The issue is he hasn't played this summer

Neser? Coming off 11w in first two shield games at a good strike rate. As I said he is quicker and offers more mongrel than Barrell. But the Vicco seems to have more pull with selectors than Nees. Play them both as doubtful Haze and Starc will play all five games either.

I like what Smithy had to say about how the Poms with their bazball mentality will cope on our expected spicey decks this summer. They are "in for a shock if they wanna bat same way they do on their pitches".

Hazelwood/Boland - One misses as they both cant bat. Neser in.

But they sure can bowl. Haze specially, coming off a strong Windies tour. 14w @14 miserly. He is fit so must play.
I want Neser over Barrell not only because he adds valuable runs and strengthens our tail, but given he is quicker and has more fire in the belly as well. You need that playing the Poms.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Neser? Coming off 11w in first two shield games at a good strike rate. As I said he is quicker and offers more mongrel than Barrell.

I missed that game, good he's playing. If he's playing I'd almost agree with playing him, I just don't think we can have Starc at 8- hardly that good with the stick these days, and 3 number 11's from 9 to 11. I would be waiting for Haze's usual injury to play Boland.

If we go with Boland we have to get the top 6 right, and that could mean going a Renshaw to at worst bat time.

 

[BGman]

I would be waiting for Haze's usual injury

We can do without any jinxing thanks.

 

[crows dude]

Neser? Coming off 11w in first two shield games at a good strike rate. As I said he is quicker and offers more mongrel than Barrell. But the Vicco seems to have more pull with selectors than Nees. Play them both as doubtful Haze and Starc will play all five games either.

I like what Smithy had to say about how the Poms with their bazball mentality will cope on our expected spicey decks this summer. They are "in for a shock".


But they sure can bowl. Haze specially, coming off a strong Windies tour. 14 w @14 miserly. He is fit so must play.
I want Neser over Barrell not only because he adds valuable runs and strengthens our tail, but given he is quicker and has more fire in the belly as well.

Thats the way im going as well. Boland 12th man. Neser Starc Lyon and Hazelwood the tail.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I want Neser over Barrell not only because he adds valuable runs and strengthens our tail, but given he is quicker and has more fire in the belly as well. You need that against the Poms.

We can do without any jinxing thanks.

Just realistic, the bloke has been made of glass every summer lately. It's why he backup has to be one we can be sure can play right now

 

[cricketnut14]

Bruce Reid was a genuine number 12

i remember having reid, whitney, alderman and rackemann all around in the same era - although i don't think 3 or even all 4 played in the same side.

i do recall miller, macgill & mcgrath (number 11's) all playing in the same side on the famous '99 tour to the west indies when warne was dropped.

 

[Pistol Night]

i remember having reid, whitney, alderman and rackemann all around in the same era - although i don't think 3 or even all 4 played in the same side.

i do recall miller, macgill & mcgrath (number 11's) all playing in the same side on the famous '99 tour to the west indies when warne was dropped.

Phil Tuffnell was another that obviously thought a cricket bat was an optional bit of kit

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Phil Tuffnell was another that obviously thought a cricket bat was an optional bit of kit

Chris Martin close to wins this lol

 

[Pistol Night]

Chris Martin close to wins this lol

Yeah they might as well have declared 9 down than send him in. Made Pigeon look like Punter

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Yeah they might as well have declared 9 down than send him in. Made Pigeon look like Punter

There's that really good Youtube video "How to bat like Chris Martin"

 

[Pistol Night]

There's that really good Youtube video "How to bat like Chris Martin"

I give it a real good crack most Xmas days after 19 cans. Event then I can’t master his level of shit and time a couple into the shed

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I give it a real good crack most Xmas days after 19 cans. Event then I can’t master his level of shit and time a couple into the shed

I remember a few blokes stranded when Martin walked in and lasted one ball

 

[the_interloper]

Phil Tuffnell was another that obviously thought a cricket bat was an optional bit of kit

While I'm mentioning Jim Laker in another thread, he apparently never practiced batting at all, figured it wasn't up to him to make runs.

 

[Pistol Night]

While I'm mentioning Jim Laker in another thread, he apparently never practiced batting at all, figured it wasn't up to him to make runs.

Took 19 wickets in a Test I guess. Probably thought I can’t make all the runs too you useless campaigners

 

[Pistol Night]

I remember a few blokes stranded when Martin walked in and lasted one ball

Id walk back to the pavilion

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Id walk back to the pavilion

The worse thing would be the bowler that could not get Martin out haha