Changes for the 3rd Test

[Bradesmaen]

Warner tonned up against South Africa C really. Would like to see him play a real team to get a good guide on his form, especially with a moving ball. He's nothing but a flat track bully.

Also most of the Saffas have barely played a game since April and that was T20...

 

[eddiesmith]

Tour match XI
Cowan (c), Hughes, Khawaja, Smith, Wade, Faulkner, Agar, Turner, Starc, Lyon, Bird

Who the hell is Turner?

Resting Siddle, Harris, Clarke and Haddin doesn't surprise, already knew Watson wasn't playing but surprised no Rogers

 

[Smeg Head]

Tour match XI
Cowan (c), Hughes, Khawaja, Smith, Wade, Faulkner, Agar, Turner, Starc, Lyon, Bird

Who the hell is Turner?

Resting Siddle, Harris, Clarke and Haddin doesn't surprise, already knew Watson wasn't playing but surprised no Rogers

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/500268.html
Youngster called up to fill a spot just for that match and get a taste?

 

[TassieEagle]

Or Steve Waughs.

Go and look up Ponting's record after 26 test matchs.

Punter was averaging 45.59 and Waugh 43.89.

They both went up about 6-7 runs. So judging by that Hughes could maybe get to 40?
Was

 

[themidlandmaster]

Go and look up Ponting's record after 26 test matchs.

ponting averaged 39.10 after 26 tests

 

[The Passenger]

ponting averaged 39.10 after 26 tests

and about 6 tests later his average was up around 46-47 (before dipping again down to 40 admittedly)

i would stick with hughes for a bit longer as there just aren't any better.

for the rest of this ashes i would just stick with a middle of khawaja, clarke, smith, hughes

openers, i think they'll bring warner in for rogers. warner will probably get the series. watson has probably got one more test in which case rogers could come back in.

EDIT: if they are going to give rogers the flick (i'm not sure whether i would or not. i like him) there is also the option of moving hughes back into his preferred openers role and warner at number 6... personally would rather a rogers and warner/hughes opening combo than watson with warner/hughes....

 

[qman]

openers, i think they'll bring warner in for rogers. warner will probably get the series. watson has probably got one more test in which case rogers could come back in.
Dropping Roger's seem's like a dumb idea to me. He look,s like the only dude who could actually make a score!

 

[DardySingh360]

Looks like BigShow will get 100, he's currently 91*

 

[Some Idiot]

Didn't realise Aus A was playing, fair to say Dave Warner is a chance now.

 

[The Passenger]

qman not necessarily what i would do (dropping rogers) but i think with warner 150+ in south africa and their infatuation with watson, rogers will be the one squeezed out.

almost certain warner would come in when i think about it. they'll pick at least one of smith or watson for their bowling ability. i think khawaja and hughes will survive barely....

fwiw i don't think there is anything the selectors can do with the batting. they are on a hiding to nothing. the other 5 spots outside of clarke are going to be occupied by guys who have some strengths and showed what they can do from time to time, but have considerable weaknesses and haven't capitalized.

it's up the top 6 that get selected to show some balls and some resoluteness and eek out some runs.

 

[The Passenger]

as an aside it wouldn't shock me if at some point this series our 8-11 was siddle, harris, bird and lyon, which will be a significant deduction in batting "security blanket" from the agar, pattinson, starc, siddle from the first test.

 

[qman]

qman not necessarily what i would do (dropping rogers) but i think with warner 150+ in south africa and their infatuation with watson, rogers will be the one squeezed out.

almost certain warner would come in when i think about it. they'll pick at least one of smith or watson for their bowling ability. i think khawaja and hughes will survive barely....

fwiw i don't think there is anything the selectors can do with the batting. they are on a hiding to nothing. the other 5 spots outside of clarke are going to be occupied by guys who have some strengths and showed what they can do from time to time, but have considerable weaknesses and haven't capitalized.

it's up the top 6 that get selected to show some balls and some resoluteness and eek out some runs.

You are probably right but I'd prefer to see Warner come back into the side as a middle order player. Roger's look's solid enough but he hasn't got a score yet plus he's no spring chicken. Pity if he doesn't get at least one more chance.
I still think Matty Wade's overall test record as a batsman should be enough for him to have been given a shot this series. Wade's record is good (not great) but good should be enough to get a game in this team!

 

[Zach Package]

If they parachute Maxwell in I'll jump off the Westgate, and not the part that overlooks the water

 

[jonesy03]

IN: Boof

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I have been watching cricket for over 40 years and this idea that you pick bowlers for their batting is absurd. Fact is, cricket matchs are not often won by runs from your lower order. Granted, they can be handy but rarely are they the significant deciding factor in a match.

I'd argue that Lyon and Siddle probably show the most application out of the 'tail-enders' and, at times, probably even the top order. So to me, the batting is not being weakened that much at all.

Harris is no mug with the bat either.

Lyon is a very good leaver of the ball. I'm sure he watches it better than Haddin.

 

[Zach Package]

IN: Boof

that's what happened the last time he had a crack at filling in a vacancy in our top order

 

[Underdog]

I have been watching cricket for over 40 years and this idea that you pick bowlers for their batting is absurd. Fact is, cricket matchs are not often won by runs from your lower order. Granted, they can be handy but rarely are they the significant deciding factor in a match.

I'd argue that Lyon and Siddle probably show the most application out of the 'tail-enders' and, at times, probably even the top order. So to me, the batting is not being weakened that much at all.

Harris is no mug with the bat either.

The batting is largely only relevant when there is little else between the bowlers.

A team should be selected based on total contribution not just one facet. For example, let's say Steve Smith averages 5 less runs than Player X but the selectors think Smith is such a better fielder that he saves well over that 5 run discrepancy. Why would you choose Player X when Smith offers more overall?

 

[PIE-BOI]

Maxwell scored 155 not out off 186 deliveries against South Africa A, also made 61 and 25 in the match against Zimbabwe.

Bring him in for someone

 

[kenneje]

Maxwell scored 155 not out off 186 deliveries against South Africa A, also made 61 and 25 in the match against Zimbabwe.

Bring him in for someone

Oh ****.

 

[The Passenger]

IN: Boof

i hope the other lads weren't watching this forward defence

 

[jonesy03]

i hope the other lads weren't watching this forward defence

Puma pads, Gray Nicolls bat, Puma Gloves?. Must have just randomly picked up some of the boys gear and walked in haha

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

i hope the other lads weren't watching this forward defence

I like to think he is showing Phil Hughes one of the things they keep doing wrong. The next one he had the same footwork but played it with an open blade.
(Actually Hughes' feet aren't that bad. Maybe its a Watson "plant the foot in the same place all the time" move.)

 

[The Passenger]

not really sure what thread this belongs to but hyperbole of the day belongs to my old man. speaking to him at work and he says "I think when he retires jimmy anderson might go down as the best bowler of all time"

he is one of the better judges of a cricketer i know, but maybe old age is catching up. fantastic bowler over the second half of his career but even discounting the ordinary start he had, there is a long queue of bowlers to jump over.

 

[Underdog]

not really sure what thread this belongs to but hyperbole of the day belongs to my old man. speaking to him at work and he says "I think when he retires jimmy anderson might go down as the best bowler of all time"

he is one of the better judges of a cricketer i know, but maybe old age is catching up. fantastic bowler over the second half of his career but even discounting the ordinary start he had, there is a long queue of bowlers to jump over.

With all due respect to your old man, that's one of the most ridiculous calls I've heard.

 

[The Passenger]

With all due respect to your old man, that's one of the most ridiculous calls I've heard.

don't worry, i've already sent a few tongue in cheek texts. rolling through this australian team is hardly the sign of greatness.