changes for boxing day test.

[STFU Donnie]

I somehow feel I've just wasted 2 minutes of my life reading gibberish.

2 minutes?

I suppose all the time trying to translate it adds up.

 

[big_e]

Take out the first Test and Burns is also struggling for runs.

Yeah was a general comment rather than a defence or support for any one person.

 

[Sketi]

Well Khawaja straight back in after that you would say.

Down to Burns or Marsh. He'll be stiff but I'm tipping they drop Marsh. Messing with the order too much to accommodate him.

 

[Pounce]

At least we don't have to worry about Khawaja's form with the bat, which is a good thing because whoever is dropped for him will be unlucky.

 

[JackOutback]

Well Khawaja straight back in after that you would say.

Down to Burns or Marsh. He'll be stiff but I'm tipping they drop Marsh. Messing with the order too much to accommodate him.

I'd go with Marsh but I agree with your reasoning; changing the order at a time when they are trying to find a settled new line-up may be seen as too risky.

 

[crows dude]

Out Siddle
In Khawaja

Burns
Warner
Khawaja
Smith
S Marsh
A Voges
M Marsh
P Nevill
J Pattinson
N Lyon
J Hazelwood

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Out Siddle
In Khawaja

Burns
Warner
Khawaja
Smith
S Marsh
A Voges
M Marsh
P Nevill
J Pattinson
N Lyon
J Hazelwood

You are not going in with just 3 front liners in a test match. That is beyond silly.

 

[JackOutback]

I know it's the Windies, but that will never happen.

 

[crows dude]

You are not going in with just 3 front liners in a test match. That is beyond silly.

Marsh can do what Siddle does.

 

[Tyberious Funk]

Whether the selectors drop Burns or not, I reckon Khawaja should open in Melbourne.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Marsh can do what Siddle does.

No he can't.

He isn't a front line bowler and you will break him down

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Whether the selectors drop Burns or not, I reckon Khawaja should open in Melbourne.

I have a better idea if you want to replace Burns, bring in an opener.

 

[strewthcobber]

Marsh can do what Siddle does.

Then who does what Marsh does? With the ball of course.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Then who does what Marsh does? With the ball of course.

Bingo. This 3 bowler plus Lyon is rubbish. Why not just play a genuine bowler instead of Marsh if that's the case

 

[Spanghertron]

2 minutes?

I suppose all the time trying to translate it adds up.

Yep, it sure does. In fairness i may have exaggerated . But i shouldn't have to read a 5 line paragraph numerous times to understand it and end up as confused as when i started.

 

[crows dude]

No he can't.

He isn't a front line bowler and you will break him down

His bowling is better than his batting right now

 

[LukeParkerno1]

His bowling is better than his batting right now

Then don't play him. You do not and never will play an AR as a front line quick.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Then don't play him. You do not and never will play an AR as a front line quick.

Marsh is obviously not of their ilk but this isn't true. Hadlee, Imran Khan etc.

 

[eddiesmith]

At least we don't have to worry about Khawaja's form with the bat, which is a good thing because whoever is dropped for him will be unlucky.

Well lets not forget what happened to the last batsman who had to prove their fitness in a T20 game in Melbourne before the Boxing Day test and did so by making a big score in the T20

 

[Van_Dyke]

Well lets not forget what happened to the last batsman who had to prove their fitness in a T20 game in Melbourne before the Boxing Day test and did so by making a big score in the T20

Honestly can't remember who it was.

 

[eddiesmith]

Honestly can't remember who it was.

The bloke who funnily enough took Khawajas place, made 99* in the T20, made 17 runs in 6 innings in the following test series!

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Marsh is obviously not of their ilk but this isn't true. Hadlee, Imran Khan etc.

Add Sobers in there while you are at it.

Just no. If Marsh is in the side he is the 4th/5th bowler. He is very dangerous because he bowls short, sharp spells. He is very expensive doing it though. He has a 'wicket ball' though. Have no issue him being the AR. He is in my side, and will be for 12 months. Give him 20 tests then make a judgement call.

 

[nobbyiscool]

I guess if there was a positive going along to watch the Stars get beaten on Sunday night, it was Khawaja getting me a little more excited to be going to Day 1 on Saturday - let's be honest, whether we bat or bowl first, I'm probably going to get to see him bat again! The only way that doesn't happen is if we bowl them out and Burns and Warner see out the day.

I really hate the idea of Khawaja opening. We've been struggling to find a number 3 since Ponting retired - it boggles my mind that on current evidence we seem to have found one, and people would then suggest moving him up to open. The first test against NZ against a genuine opposition also suggests that Burns is worth sticking with. To drop him now for Marsh would be the height of irony - our selectors ruined Marsh's test career by constantly dropping him, they can't possibly be considering doing that to Burns so Marsh can replace him!

I'm not even that disappointed for Marsh. He took apart sub-international standard bowlers in Hobart; I think people are overrating his innings in Adelaide tremendously. He got to bat at the best time of the day, with the ball also at the ideal time of the innings. And I remember watching that game and thinking when he got out in the second innings that, if we had've lost that test - he's Damien Martyn against South Africa, where he would've been scapegoated for getting in, getting set, then getting out when his team needed him.

On the bowlers - obviously you don't like seeing anyone get injured. But I will say that I'm glad Coulter-Nile won't play on Boxing Day. He did nothing to earn that spot... maybe now someone else is elevated above Coulter-Nile in the pecking order and forces NCN to actually earn his spot. (Doubtful though - while the current selectors are unlikely to ever be 100% sold on Siddle, I don't think they'll drop him this week)

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I'll say that I am far from convinced on Khawaja...but he is still the best number 3 we have in the country. Steve Smith is a gun but he is in a purple patch, he could open against Dale Steyn and co and still smash hundreds while he is in form. What happens when he isn't in form....Lets cut to the chase he is a number 4/5, in other words a middle order bat.

If they want to drop Burns, it has to be for another opener, period. That means Bancroft/Silk, and neither have had enough performances on the board this season. Bancroft has been really disappointing after his Aus A tour.

Nobby, I agree on NCN. I found it ridiculous he was even remotely near the squad, let alone a chance to play. He can barely get through a few T20's without breaking down. He needs to play a full season.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

He can barely get through a few T20's without breaking down.

To a completely unrelated impact injury, to be fair.