Changes for 3rd Test v India

[saint_]

Maybe just extend the batting order to about 10. Bat it out for draw and go to the final test that should favour us.

 

[Pykie]

Look at the HS ffs

 

[Scotland]

Series is live so there will be no drastic changes.

I reckon it will be M Marsh out and Maxwell or Agar in at 6. If either were a wrist spinner they'd be a shoe-in. Why would we play Khawaja at 3 all summer, drop him because he can't face spin then recall him at 6 where he'll have to face almost exclusively spin? Makes no sense. Wade sucks and shouldn't be our wicketkeeper but he's the only one in the squad, so he's going to play all 4 tests.

 

[Kram]

Look at the HS ffs

Conveniently leaves out his score of 87 batting at 7 because of a nightwatchman.

 

[eth-dog]

Out: M Marsh
In: Agar

 

[Gough]

Out: M Marsh
In: Agar

Seeing as the number six isn't isn't expected bowl then we should probably pick out best available batsman, which is Khawaja.

 

[HBF]

My kingdom for a decent #6.

 

[Scotland]

Seeing as the number six isn't isn't expected bowl then we should probably pick out best available batsman, which is Khawaja.

Who 'can't bat against spin'.

 

[eth-dog]

Seeing as the number six isn't isn't expected bowl then we should probably pick out best available batsman, which is Khawaja.

I can't see us not going with an all-rounder. I personally feel that the three options outside the side will contribute similarly with the bat, but Agar will be the most dangerous with the ball. Maxwell is basically a less dangerous version of Lyon, Ussie doesn't bowl, and Agar's a different kind of left arm orthodox to O'Keefe.

 

[BRWB]

It's rare but everyone (possibly selectors excepted) is unanimous that Mitch has to go.

Usman Khawaja must be Ponting like in his spin playing ability to not be picked ahead of Mitch.

From what I've seen, serious doubts as to whether Agar, Khawaja and No Show would do any better than Mitch. Of course these are only doubts - that Mitch will fail is a certainty.

 

[Gough]

Who 'can't bat against spin'.

Is he a better punt than Agar, or Maxwell, who are the other alternatives? The only thing you might say for Maxwell is that he may pull something very Maxwellish out of the bag, and swing a Test for us, but it's a long shot.

I can't see us not going with an all-rounder. I personally feel that the three options outside the side will contribute similarly with the bat, but Agar will be the most dangerous with the ball. Maxwell is basically a less dangerous version of Lyon, Ussie doesn't bowl, and Agar's a different kind of left arm orthodox to O'Keefe.

But if we're only using fifty per cent of the all rounders ability, I think we're better off picking a batsman. Agree re your assessments of the bowlers though.

 

[Kram]

Maxwell provides batting, bowling and elite fielding. A triple threat

 

[eddiesmith]

Given what Starc has been doing, The Big Show at 6 might be exactly what is needed, although I would put him at 7, just for the lols

 

[Torz]

Is he a better punt than Agar, or Maxwell, who are the other alternatives? The only thing you might say for Maxwell is that he may pull something very Maxwellish out of the bag, and swing a Test for us, but it's a long shot.

We're getting nothing out of the number 6 spot at this point, so why not go for the x-factor option. Maxwell's style of off-spin is very different to Lyon's, so his bowling offers some variety as well.

 

[workhorse]

We're getting nothing out of the number 6 spot at this point, so why not go for the x-factor option. Maxwell's style of off-spin is very different to Lyon's, so his bowling offers some variety as well.

I'm inclined to lean towards Maxwell over Khawaja for these reasons as well. Add in his elite fielding, in a series where taking your chances seems to be more important than ever, and I think he deserves the nod

 

[Bradesmaen]

And Shaun Marsh is 34, if he hasn't shown consistenncy throughout his career, why are we bothering with him? Usman is 30, plenty of cricket ahead of him. The way you speak about cricket, it's as though it's bloody easy to be an international cricketer.

Because unlike Usman he can bay on a spinning pitch? Do you even read what you write or think first?

 

[Moist Biscuit]

About half of those games in that average were from back in 2012 when he was woefully out of form

No you're right. Because he failed against them two and a half years ago and earlier, he should be dropped on the back of his pointless 66 in the first innings of a game where no one broke 90 and no team reached 300.

Begging to be dropped on the basis of the time machine the players use before each match.

Be consistent, if you're allowed to use Khawajas form against india from 4 years ago, I can use Marsh's. It's a moot point, Shaun shouldn't be dropped but lets not make out that he's this sub continent god like you're making out. You guys love to use Usmans past form as a reflection of how good he CURRENTLY is at playing spin, So I just used Marsh's career form against India (Which is absolutely putrid).

 

[Moist Biscuit]

Because unlike Usman he can bay on a spinning pitch? Do you even read what you write or think first?

Yes, and can he? 1 half century this series probably says he's not this majestic batsman that you're all making him out to be.

 

[PhatBoy]

Be consistent, if you're allowed to use Khawajas form against india from 4 years ago, I can use Marsh's. It's a moot point, Shaun shouldn't be dropped but lets not make out that he's this sub continent god like you're making out. You guys love to use Usmans past form as a reflection of how good he CURRENTLY is at playing spin, So I just used Marsh's career form against India (Which is absolutely putrid).

What?

I haven't said a word about Khawaja.

 

[gbatman]

Can't keep saying it enough, if there are two spinners in the side there is no point playing an all-rounder. We might have had a chance with an extra batsman in the second test. We need an extra batsman more than someone who can do part time whatever! If you have a batsman who happens to be able to bowl a bit of part time spin then great. Smith needs to bowl a few overs, a couple before the breaks would be good.

Warner
Renshaw
Khawaja
Smith
S Marsh
Handscome
Wade
Starc
O'Keefe
Hazlewood
Lyon

Smith sending a strong message to the selectors, that's two tests now where the all-rounder has hardly bowled. Getting the runs on the board and having depth in chasing a total is the key to winning there, and most places. Plenty of bowling in that side, no rest required when spinners are bowling a lot of overs.

Got to bat Khawaja early. Just need more runs, more batting.

 

[Scotland]

Is he a better punt than Agar, or Maxwell, who are the other alternatives? The only thing you might say for Maxwell is that he may pull something very Maxwellish out of the bag, and swing a Test for us, but it's a long shot.

Khawaja has batted once at 4 and twice at 6 for a total of 60 runs @ 15. I'm not sure he suits batting at 6 in India given we've already dropped him because he can't play spin. He won't be facing Yadav and Sharma coming onto the bat at 140+, he'll be facing Jadeja and Ashwin with the odd over from the first two with the old ball. If anything he should still be at 3 with S Marsh/Smith/Handscomb taking up 4-6.

A lot depends on what kind of pitch we're expecting for the 3rd test, also. We bowled 40 and 34 overs in the first test and 72 and 97 in the second. That's a pretty manageable workload for the bowlers. If I was India I'd be preparing a track that offers absolutely nothing until the last day or two. They have 5 bowling options already.

 

[Moist Biscuit]

What?

I haven't said a word about Khawaja.

Wasn't meant to quote you. Fun fact as well for everybody here, Usman Khawaja has never played a test match against India....

 

[Kram]

Be consistent, if you're allowed to use Khawajas form against india from 4 years ago, I can use Marsh's. It's a moot point, Shaun shouldn't be dropped but lets not make out that he's this sub continent god like you're making out. You guys love to use Usmans past form as a reflection of how good he CURRENTLY is at playing spin, So I just used Marsh's career form against India (Which is absolutely putrid).

Did you actually have any look at Usman's Khawaja's form over in Sri Lanka RECENTLY?

 

[Belnakor]

And an average of 22 from 16 innings against India is consistent is it? I wouldn't have thought so.

he was picked on the back of averaging 80 in Sri Lanka when everyone else averages sub 40. Thats it, the whole story why he was picked. Not sure why there is any debate.

 

[Kram]

Sean Marsh shouldn't be in the dropping discussion, IMO.

About as likely Stephen Smith getting dropped.