Changes for 2nd Test

[PUNTROADHAMMER]

I am not sure how having our one decent batsman fail more regularly by batting at three serves the interests of 'leadership'.

Our top 6 is comprised of 4 openers and 2 lower middle order batsmen. You want to put one of the lower middle order bats at 3, and one of the openers in the lower middle order.

Not real logical.

He's the best equipped to handle #3 because he's clearly the best player - why is that illogical?

 

[Primetime Pricey]

All i want to see is Finn out and bring in Onions or Bresnan. Finn almost cost us it.

 

[Tulip]

Matt Wade as a specialist bat?

 

[carnthemlions]

Would be very surprised if he doesn't, Finn was the weak link in their bowling line up and let the pressure off bowling expensive trash. Bresnan should be more economical at least and he strengthens their lower order batting.

Would love to see Bresnan in, he really isn't that great. Finn is dangerous when in form(which he clearly isn't).
Anyone know what Chris Tremlett's up to these days?

 

[carnthemlions]

He's the best equipped to handle #3 because he's clearly the best player - why is that illogical?

You do realise that good batsmen can't automatically bat wherever they want. Cuz, y'know, batting at 5 and opening are pretty similar right? Clarke should open!1!!!1 And... umm... leadership!!
Why is this illogical?

I'm sorry, but this pretty much sums up how little sense the arguments for Clarke to bat at 3 make.

 

[Big Bryza]

I was all about Clarke batting at 4 but have changed my mind the more I think of it. The opening combo of Rogers n Watson can be a success. Cowans performance was very ordinary. The constant merry go round is frustrating but that's where things are at. Give Khawaja crack at 3. I'd then have Smith at 4, Clarke 5 with Hughes at 6. Haddins effort was outstanding and really justified his selection. Agar stays at 8. This kid has the potential to become a genuine all rounder. I'd heard he could bat but that first innings dig was something else. Siddle and Pattinson at 9/10. Starc bowled one good spell but rubbish other than that. Bring in Jacko Bird. This bloke was made for English conditions. He's economical, he's a wicket taker and he should be Australia's test match opening bowler for the next 5-10 years.

Watson
Rogers
Khawaja
Smith
Clarke
Hughes
Haddin
Agar
Siddle
Pattinson
Bird

 

[lenny2013]

By the sound of Boof, Cowan will maintain his spot for the second test

Cowan's gotta go!
I'd play Wade as batsman.

 

[The_Reaper]

Clarke's has bad technique early on which is why he is so bad at number 3.

Doesn't bend his front leg.

 

[bungwahl]

I'm glad England have picked Bairstow over Compton. Root offered little as an opener on a very docile track, and I suspect he'd be better down the order. I've watched a bit of Bairstow who does have his good days, but I don't think he's the type of player to trouble the Aussies.

 

[bungwahl]

Cowan's gotta go!
I'd play Wade as batsman.

lol.. we're not that desperate!

yet..

 

[HBF]

I still prefer Hughes at 6, one of the reasons being that he will probably have Smith and Haddin batting with him, which takes the pressure a bit off him to score off Swann. I can imagine a Cowan and Hughes partnership being tied down, especially against Swann.

I actually don't want Cowan in, Khawaja plays at 4 in my team.
IMO, Cowan got himself out both times by playing a shot he didn't need to.
My biggest issue with playing Hughes at 6 would be it's so far away from where he usually bats.
Play him at 3, at least if there is an early wicket he is going to be used to the new ball moving around.
Don't think he's the best player of spin we've ever produced.

 

[Hoffy95]

Ponting at 3. Boof at 5.

Problems sorted.

 

[JasRulz63]

My biggest issue with playing Hughes at 6 would be it's so far away from where he usually bats.
Play him at 3, at least if there is an early wicket he is going to be used to the new ball moving around.
Don't think he's the best player of spin we've ever produced.

Fair call. I was thinking that if Swann is in the attack with Hughes and someone else defensive at the crease, that they could get tied down and Swann will wear either of them down.

Batting at 6, he has players around him that are naturally more aggressive against Swann, and that's probably one of the reasons he was effective in the first innings (Agar and Smith attacked Swann). He just had to worry about keeping him out (which he tended to do in India as well), instead of scoring off him. Was far from suggesting he's anywhere near a good player of spin.

That being said, I do see your point as well, especially because right now, we don't have a no. 3.

 

[frankrizzo]

Watson
Rogers
Khawaja
Smith
Clarke
Hughes
Haddin
Agar
Siddle
Pattinson
Bird

That seems like the logical team, i have been a cowan supporter but last test he looked like a condemned man when batting.

Bird should have been taking the new ball last test and he certainly should be in for starc at lords.

Still not sold on watto opening, the way he approached that short session on day 1 was ridiculous all this talk about him getting a free pass because it's his natural game is crap, a test opener needs to be able to adapt to conditions and the teams needs and watson wildly swinging at Anderson in those conditions was not what the team needed.

 

[Caesar]

He's the best equipped to handle #3 because he's clearly the best player - why is that illogical?

Because even if the fact he's our best batsman means he'll perform better than the others at three (it doesn't) you have to play players where they maximise their own value.

Clarke scores the most runs in the middle order. That's where he's most valuable to the side.

 

[Slax]

Cowan's gotta go!
I'd play Wade as batsman.

He'd also solve our other problem in finding a second slips fieldsman, Watson is hopeless, had a chance off Broad (I think) that he didn't even move too. If you can keep you can definitely field at slip.
Given that would move Hughes to 3 and bat Wade at 5 moving Smith to 6.

Interesting one on Bird or Starc, if the pitch looks a bit greener than Trent Bridge (which wouldn't be hard) then there is a an arguement to bring him into the side. Unfortunately the weather is not going to help swing bowling with sunny days forecast for first few days.

 

[Selective Retention]

Interesting one on Bird or Starc, if the pitch looks a bit greener than Trent Bridge (which wouldn't be hard) then there is a an arguement to bring him into the side. Unfortunately the weather is not going to help swing bowling with sunny days forecast for first few days.

Huh?

Bird is a seam bowler. Starc is in for his swing/reverse swing.

If Cowan plays they are only keeping the seat warm for Warner in the third test.

 

[Xsess]

Khawaja is useless and so is Cowan. Time to SOS Ponting and put the wind up these feeble pommie gits.

 

[sherb]

Coward should not play. Its time

What makes him a coward?

 

[frankrizzo]

yep the 36 year old bloke who averaged 16 in the last ashes and 6 in his last test series is going to save us.

 

[sherb]

yep the 36 year old bloke who averaged 16 in the last ashes and 6 in his last test series is going to save us.

He wishes.

 

[Xsess]

yep the 36 year old bloke who averaged 16 in the last ashes and 6 in his last test series is going to save us.

Superstar with one last shot in the locker. Happens to be in top form in shield and county cricket, is acclimatised to English conditions and lets face it we lose absolutely nothing because Cowan and Khawaja are useless. Ponting would bring presence, experience and steel, I'd back him in no problems whatsoever.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Who follows domestic cricket here? God, are Khuwaja and Cowan all we have? Are there any young batsmen that look likely to come good for us?

 

[Carbine Chaos]

What makes him a coward?

I'm assuming William is referring to Cowan doing a decent 'deer in headlights' impersonation during the first test. That's my take anyway.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Who follows domestic cricket here? God, are Khuwaja and Cowan all we have? Are there any young batsmen that look likely to come good for us?

Not really. Joe Burns maybe in the near future, but the cupboard is very bare. Silk has shown some good signs early but needs to follow up it next season. Maddinson has smashed some tons of late but would prefer him to grind out some hard runs as well. Still think Mitch Marsh will put his hand up once he finds consistency in the Shield, but that may take a while.