Changes for the 3rd Test

[The Passenger]

Was pretty close to the mark.

Said burns, voges and mennie would be dropped. All gone. Ferguson, Nevill and Lyon were always under the pump. Two gone and lyon might have got dumped for O'Keefe had he not been injured. He could end up 12th man anyway. Ferguson probably the only one who was a little unlucky to get one test but he didn't help himself and Chappell coming back into the fold spelled danger for anyone the wrong side of 30. Mennie not so much unlucky but would have a right to be pissed off not playing the last round of shield matches only to be dropped anyway.

The only surprise with the in's was Maddinson but it always Handcomb first in line with Maddinson and Patterson next. I like most had Patterson next in line. But Maddinson is super talented - easily the most talented batsmen in the country in my opinion. His performances have not always matched the talent. After it looked like he turned the corner in 14/15, but had disappointing returns last season. His inclusion has been worth it for the melts. Seriously the last 10 pages have been delicious. Salty salty tears. To be honest the only batsmen who had put up a compelling unbreakable case for inclusion was Handscomb.

I originally thought Bancroft's poor form was going to be overlooked, but as the week came on it was pretty obvious Renshaw was going to be a bolter. Massive LOL's to people pumping for White, Bailey, Klinger, Doolan etc. Never a chance. Even less when Chappell came on board.

 

[Topkent]

Klinger lol
The guy played over a decade of first class cricket before he could nudge his average over 40
He would be no different to Voges who has had a better fc career

 

[Doodlesweaver]

I'd view them at both being on the same level yes. And that level is not test standard (or temperament).

I hope Lehmann holds Maddinson's head under a cold water tap the first time he has a flat footed swish at a ball and nicks off early. He has got proper footwork, just prefers not to use it.

 

[Cleavy]

I hope Lehmann holds Maddinson's head under a cold water tap the first time he has a flat footed swish at a ball and nicks off early. He has got proper footwork, just prefers not to use it.

won't happen. "that's his natural game".

 

[gandaal]

The more I think about it and laugh about it, it seems like that realistically Renshaw is the only batsman who got picked based on their performances this round, it seems like they had their team and nothing changed, other than maybe poor form of those they dropped allowing them to justify it.

Handscomb scored 215 sure, but he was already favoured by most to take the next middle order spot, Maddinson was ******* shit but scored a hundred last match so obviously already decided they wanted him. Sayers did nothing in the first innings (haven't seen 2nd innings figures) and Wade failed in his only hit. Plus Mennie wasn't even given a chance to play.

Also interesting that Holland out bowled both Lyon and O'Keefe but Lyon survives because O'Keefe is injured, Holland couldn't do any worse than Lyon atm...

So for all the talk of this big round of Shield cricket, it made no difference other than maybe making it easier to drop 4 players who went back and continued to fail.

Not sure that's true. Soon after the last test I read an article that discussed possible test options for the third test. Handscomb wasn't mentioned once.

 

[STFU Donnie]

• Nic Maddinson. 24. Left-hander, averages 38 from 58 first-class games for NSW. Played two Twenty20 games for Australia in 2013. Has made two tons and an 86 in the Shield this season.

Cricket Australia really trying hard. He's only made 1 ton this season... The only time he scored 2 tons in a season is 2010-11.

The 86 and one of the tons were made in the one day comp. They're really gilding a dodgy lily here.

 

[FRUMPY]

Not sure that's true. Soon after the last test I read an article that discussed possible test options for the third test. Handscomb wasn't mentioned once.

I think I read the same article, pretty sure it was from a Sydney paper. They don't ever mention vic players

 

[Seagrave_Holmes]

If Maddison fails at test level, hopefully Mark Waugh will resign.

 

[Sando22]

That is the silliest thing about this whole schemozzle.

Yep

 

[The Passenger]

Not sure that's true. Soon after the last test I read an article that discussed possible test options for the third test. Handscomb wasn't mentioned once.

Handscomb was captain of Australia A and tonned up in one of those games. Of course he was on the radar. He wasn't a bolt out of the blue based on that double century. It was likely a toss up between him and Ferguson for the spot in Hobart.

 

[bird_man]

It will be interesting to see what happens if Renshaw makes a few runs this week. I don't recall the selectors talking about Shaun Marsh in yesterday's press conference? They did say to be patient and back this group but you'd think Marsh would be likely to come back in for either Renshaw or Maddinson?

 

[The Passenger]

It will be interesting to see what happens if Renshaw makes a few runs this week. I don't recall the selectors talking about Shaun Marsh in yesterday's press conference? They did say to be patient and back this group but you'd think Marsh would be likely to come back in for either Renshaw or Maddinson?

In the unlikely event all three newcomers perform straight away in test cricket it would likely just to be seriously bad timing for Marsh and he'll go back to next in line. He's fortunate that he can bat anywhere from 1 to 6 so any injury or poor performance will see him come back in. It'll be very unlikely we've seen the last of Shaun Marsh. He's had a few shots over the years and it finally looks like he is in a position to justify those chances.

Assuming one of the newcomers doesn't perform in their first test (which is pretty likely) they might be better to give Marsh an extra 10 days anyway and get right back to full fitness for the boxing day test. It'll give the selectors a second chance to see which of the new guys have stepped up and shown they are ready, and which (if any of the three) need to improve their game. Marsh himself won't like that because he'll see it as an additional chance for them to secure their spot.

 

[wolmeister]

Fawad Ahmed
Shield bowling record - 29.36 average, 52.90 strike rate, 3.33 economy rate
2016/17 Shield record - Yet to play

Cameron Boyce
Shield bowling record - 49.85 average, 80.10 strike rate, 3.73 economy rate
2016/17 Shield record - 80.00 average, 91.00 strike rate, 5.27 economy rate

Kyle Gardiner
Shield bowling record - Yet to play
2016/17 Shield record - Yet to play

James Muirhead
Shield bowling record - 83.50 average, 114.00 strike rate, 4.39 economy rate
2016/17 Shield record - Yet to play

Liam O'Connor
Shield bowling record - Yet to play
2016/17 Shield record - Yet to play

Mitchell Swepson
Shield bowling record - 44.10 average, 63.35 strike rate, 4.17 economy rate
2016/17 Shield record - 79.00 average, 92.61 strike rate, 5.11 economy rate

Adam Zampa
Shield bowling record - 49.71 average, 71.82 strike rate, 4.15 economy rate
2016/17 Shield record - 41.71 average, 59.14 strike rate, 4.23 economy rate

So given each of those bowl plenty of hitable trash, and either have rubbish records and/or a total lack of form rule to them out, who else do you have in mind?

Would Warne have ever played test cricket if we picked him by his stats?

 

[corbies]

The first thing you do when it goes **** up is try to make yourselves hard to beat. We were still shite under Nasser Hussain but the least you can say is that he did that and by doing so paved the way for further improvement down the line. From what I've read, some of these selections have that aim in mind. Handscomb appears to like to bat all day and, going just by reputation admittedly, Renshaw can drop anchor if needs be. Wade's recall I can understand - he's the inferior keeper but has proved himself able to play significant knocks in Tests and, let's face it, the batting needs strengthening. On top of that Smith clearly favours him in terms of character, and having the confidence of the skipper counts for a lot. The one selection that doesn't fit with this is Maddinson who, again going only from what I've read, seems to be something of a flake. Having said that, sometimes a hunch comes off: Marcus Trescothick had a decent but unspectacular first-class record, and a reputation for giving his wicket away, but Fletcher backed him and he did extremely well for us.

You have to feel for Ferguson and Mennie, who may never play Test cricket again. As someone posted earlier though, in Mennie's case particularly the selectors have basically put their hands up and said 'yep, we nawsed it up in the last Test and we're not going to compound that by picking a bloke again out of sympathy.'

Gee you were chirpy during the 2013 Ashes. Why didn't you come back to post during the 2013/14 Ashes?

 

[wolmeister]

My only real problem with that is that in March we are touring India. Last tour of India was not kind to Wade. Was easily taken care of by their spinners.

On the other hand in the recent tour of Sri Lanka Peter Nevill averaged 8.50 as he was left in a trance by Rangana Herath and the other spinners (5 of 6 dismissals to spin).

To me that means in the immediate short term we cannot play both. Both aren't great against spin and both are the only wicket keeper candidates right now. We can't take two walking wickets to India and for the next 4 tests you'd be hoping to be selecting players who may be in line to feature on that tour.

So, if you are going to take a walking wicket as keeper, wouldn't you take the one that can actually keep? Especially in India. Wade was atrocious on the last tour over there.

 

[Valleyboy9]

I think we need to stop this talk suggesting Wade is a keeper. It is giving the great glovemen of the cricketing world a bad name.
Call it as it is. He is nothing more than a clumsy "backstop"

 

[Art Vandelay_]

So, if you are going to take a walking wicket as keeper, wouldn't you take the one that can actually keep? Especially in India. Wade was atrocious on the last tour over there.

Except that Nevill is hardly faultless with his keeping, particularly to spin.
I think Wade will score more runs. Nevill was truly atrocious in SL.

 

[DT_fanatic]

It sounds like they picked wade 'cos he's a real c#nt behind the stumps, yap yap yapping and so forth

Going to miss Nevill's "c'mon here Nath" after every single delivery.

 

[Damon_3388]

Would Warne have ever played test cricket if we picked him by his stats?

Yes.

It's a bit of a myth that he had poor figures before his Test debut, and he was always far more economical than any of today's leg spinners. He also destroyed the West Indies in a tour match early on as well, which clearly established that he had something.

Surely there must be some sort of basis for selection, and at least some exposed Shield form for guys with less obvious talent than Warne. Simply picking a leggie just because he's a leggie doesn't guarantee magic or success.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Skull is optimistic:

 

[Quadzilla]

Going to miss Nevill's "c'mon here Nath" after every single delivery.

Isnt it 'cmon Gaz'

 

[Quadzilla]

Skull is optimistic:

Drinking early skull?

Hope he's right. i have good feeling on Renshaw and Handscomb ... new blood ... not recyclimg oldies

 

[Kickin Goals]

Skull is optimistic:

Some fair tyre pumping there, lol, hope he is on the money we will be right for the next decade.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

It will be interesting to see what happens if Renshaw makes a few runs this week. I don't recall the selectors talking about Shaun Marsh in yesterday's press conference? They did say to be patient and back this group but you'd think Marsh would be likely to come back in for either Renshaw or Maddinson?

Marsh can revert back to number 5 where he is at his best anyway.

 

[Wolfs]

The world cricketing media are wondering why we dropped Nevill for Wade.