Test Changes for... India 23 Edition + Post-match chat...

[Sonny Hayes]

I'd love to know what they are picking Swepson off? Murphy I get as backup to Lyon but I hope we aren't going with him and Lyon. We have Head as well as an offie.

India punish trash spinners as hard as we do, people need to lose the idea that pitches will do all the work. If Head or Agar are bowling bulk overs we are probably not winning this series.

 

[Rabish Binney]

Agree on the batting, but given how weak the spin options are there is a very real possibility that a full quota of quicks and one spinner will bowl India out more cheaply than two spinners, two quicks and Green.
This is where Agar could get a look in, he could play in Green's place - three quicks and a backup quick seems unlikely - or come into the middle order if one of those players proves significantly weaker than the others. Head in India is almost a big a worry as Warner in India.

Head was terrible in SL and Pakistan and even Lab wasn’t great. Smith aside and Green isn’t fit yet…not so confident

This continued 'Head was crap in SL last time' scenario is wearing thin.

Has anyone thought to go back to how bad Khawaja was in Sri Lanka in 2016?? . 55 runs in 4 innings and was dropped. Looked hopeless against the spinners but has worked on his game no doubt and is now a world class batsman.

Head has improved his game overall (albeit in Australia) and one would think he is a much better batsman than 2 years ago - so who is to say he won't make runs in India now?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

India punish trash spinners as hard as we do, people need to lose the idea that pitches will do all the work. If Head or Agar are bowling bulk overs we are probably not winning this series.

I'd rather Head bowl than Agar in fact he's been under bowled at test level.

 

[TommyD13]

If Carey was to get injured, and Handscomb play a test as keeper, I will spew up. Surely you just take a proper backup keeper?

 

[Sonny Hayes]

I'd rather Head bowl than Agar in fact he's been under bowled at test level.

I have never rated his bowling at shield level, his test numbers were trash until recently.

Any competent players of spin will love having either bowl at them.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

This continued 'Head was crap in SL last time' scenario is wearing thin.

Has anyone thought to go back to how bad Khawaja was in Sri Lanka in 2016?? . 55 runs in 4 innings and was dropped. Looked hopeless against the spinners but has worked on his game no doubt and is now a world class batsman.

Head has improved his game overall (albeit in Australia) and one would think he is a much better batsman than 2 years ago - so who is to say he won't make runs in India now?

No one is saying it can't happen, but until it does how are we supposed to have confidence it will.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

This continued 'Head was crap in SL last time' scenario is wearing thin.

Has anyone thought to go back to how bad Khawaja was in Sri Lanka in 2016?? . 55 runs in 4 innings and was dropped. Looked hopeless against the spinners but has worked on his game no doubt and is now a world class batsman.

Head has improved his game overall (albeit in Australia) and one would think he is a much better batsman than 2 years ago - so who is to say he won't make runs in India now?

That SL wasn't 2 years ago, it was straight after the Pakistan series this year (we drew that series 1-1). Look I have severe doubts on him on these wickets but he won't be the first or last to be that way. That said I hope he smashes it because an in form Head will be so important as scores on dustbowls are tough, what I don't like is the way he plays spin (rarely uses his feet) and this stay in the crease is just asking for it against Ashwin and co.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I have never rated his bowling at shield level, his test numbers were trash until recently.

Any competent players of spin will love having either bowl at them.

This is why Pant being out is a great thing!

 

[LukeParkerno1]

They will claim Handscomb can be the back up keeper as if it wouldn't be a disaster

Yikes get the wheelie bin out while we are at it

 

[LukeParkerno1]

If Carey was to get injured, and Handscomb play a test as keeper, I will spew up. Surely you just take a proper backup keeper?

Especially in an 18 man squad. Why are we taking Morris again? He won't play and he's missing FC games for WA. Dumb

 

[TommyD13]

If we are to play 3 spinners, we need Green fit. Actually wouldn't mind a 3 pronged spin attack of Lyon, Agar and Swepson if conditions warrant. All unique to each other.

 

[TommyD13]

Especially in an 18 man squad. Why are we taking Morris again? He won't play and he's missing FC games for WA. Dumb

Unless Morris plays first test whilst Starc is out (would be a massive shock) then he isn't going to play at any point when Starc is fit. As you say better off keeping him home, and taking along Inglis as a proper back up keeper. Or if you must take another quick, poor old Neser has been a bit stiff, though you would assume he goes to England.

 

[Rabish Binney]

That SL wasn't 2 years ago, it was straight after the Pakistan series this year (we drew that series 1-1). Look I have severe doubts on him on these wickets but he won't be the first or last to be that way. That said I hope he smashes it because an in form Head will be so important as scores on dustbowls are tough, what I don't like is the way he plays spin (rarely uses his feet) and this stay in the crease is just asking for it against Ashwin and co.

So did you write off Khawaja as a complete dud after the 2016 SL series?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Unless Morris plays first test whilst Starc is out (would be a massive shock) then he isn't going to play at any point when Starc is fit. As you say better off keeping him home, and taking along Inglis as a proper back up keeper. Or if you must take another quick, poor old Neser has been a bit stiff, though you would assume he goes to England.

Wouldn’t we just play Boland if Starc is out anyway? If that’s the plan Morris should have played in Sydney

 

[11kgm]

Australia Test squad for tour of India: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

 

[LukeParkerno1]

So did you write off Khawaja as a complete dud after the 2016 SL series?

He changed the way he batted against spin. Has Head done that in 2 months? Let’s wait and see, not completely writing him off but I’m not expecting too much. Our key wickets are Khawaja, Smith and Lab

 

[magpiemaniac44]

Perfect squad IMO

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Perfect squad IMO

Except not having a reserve keeper and somehow Swepson gets a gig

 

[magpiemaniac44]

Except not having a reserve keeper and somehow Swepson gets a gig

Swepson still is in our top 4 spinners

Inglis will be flown over if something happens to Carey

 

[Rabish Binney]

He changed the way he batted against spin. Has Head done that in 2 months? Let’s wait and see, not completely writing him off but I’m not expecting too much. Our key wickets are Khawaja, Smith and Lab

Of course we won't know until the tour....all I'm saying is that he is a better batsman now than he was 2 years ago. As is Khawaja.

 

[Sphynx]

I would strongly doubt we see another pitch like the SoK minefield at Pune. That pitch got an ICC poor rating from memory.

Which works in Australia's favour.

The BCCI aren't going to dish up roads either, as there isn't a better attack in the world at getting results out of roads than the Australian one.

That Indian batting lineup doesn't dwarf the Australian batting lineup like it did 5 years ago.

They won't just out bat Australia through a period of time.

Fascaniting on a number of levels what the BCCI serve up.

 

[Sphynx]

18 man squad named

Cummins
Agar
Boland
Carey
Green
Handscomb
Hazelwood
Head
Khawaja
Lab
Lyon
Morris
Murphy
Renshaw
Smith
Starc
Swepson
Warner

Dead set why isn't Kuhermann there and why are we taking Morris on an Indian tour when he can play Shield. 18 man squad and no reserve keeper lol

I agree with you.

One of Boland and Morris should have stayed behind to prepare for England.

Boland was on Radio stating that he has had a mountain of offers from County sides, but would be unlikely to take them up as he's going to be away from his kids for months with another few months away approaching in England, he's going to use that County offer period as some time off to spend with the family.

We don't need Cummins, Green, Starc, Hazlewood, Boland and Morris in India.

Boland could have been left home for the Shield re-start to spend time with the family and then had the ability to prepare for the Ashes at a County side.


Tbh Cummins, Green, Starc and Hazlewood is probably enough, you could fly Boland or Morris over in the event of an injury.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

Of course we won't know until the tour....all I'm saying is that he is a better batsman now than he was 2 years ago. As is Khawaja.

He averages 7 in Sri Lanka, 22 in Pakistan, 30 in the UAE.

2 of those tours were recent, is he a different batsman to a few months ago? We don't know that.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Swepson still is in our top 4 spinners

Inglis will be flown over if something happens to Carey

Kuhermann is in way better form and good leg spinners get smashed what do you recon will happen with Swepson and his half trackers?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I agree with you.

One of Boland and Morris should have stayed behind to prepare for England.

Boland was on Radio stating that he has had a mountain of offers from County sides, but would be unlikely to take them up as he's going to be away from his kids for months with another few months away approaching in England, he will need some time off to spend with the family.

We don't need Cummins, Green, Starc, Hazlewood, Boland and Morris in India.

Boland could have been left home for the Shield re-start to spend time with the family and then had the ability to prepare for the Ashes at a County side.

It seems overkill on the quicks though why do I feel Starc’s injury is worse than they are saying?