Changes for the 3rd Test

[BEaston]

Your dropping Ferguson after 1 Test. He got run out in one of the innings from a direct hit. Every other batsmen in the side has had numerous chances surely he gets at least one more test. Also he doesn't have the luxary of playing the West Indies or New Zealand on debut. He copped the best bowling attack in the world on a seaming wicket.

Yeah it's idiotic.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Warner - hate his attack always mentality but he's not in danger of getting axed.
Marsh - Not his greatest fan as is well documented, alas we need an opener and we can't defer to youth here, Bancroft is in poor form. Just hope he can be a solid foil for Warner and see off the new ball.
Khawaja - Hasn't cemented his place for mine but has been decent so far this summer.
Smith - Shit captain but our best batsmen, in his best position.
Handscomb - Youth over the ageing and flat track bully that is Voges. Get him some tests before India where he's good against spin.
Ferguson - I'd give him more of an opportunity. 1 test and out is harsh. Burns is more suited to middle order so an option also.
Nevill - Last chance. Fails in Adelaide and it's Wade.
Starc - Picks himself.
Hazlewood - Picks himself
Sayers - Should do well under lights in the D/N test. Bird the other option.
Lyon - Not in great form but comfortably still our best spinner, in fact our only test standard spinner at present.

 

[cricketnut14]

Seems a taboo topic but I just don't see Steve Smith taking them forward as captain. When your team is getting routinely humiliated like this, something is seriously amiss more than just the talent level in the side. Not much about Smith says leadership material to me.

It won't happen but I'd almost be inclined to bring in Bailey as a stop gap senior leader to try and settle the ship. Averaging 65 over his last four knocks.

Might be deemed reactionary but a major shake up is required. These gutless performances can't continue.

Not quite sure that we'd be saying this 5 tests ago.

Smith's record at the time was 7-0 with 4 draws. Sure it was predominantly against WI/NZ.

While he may not be tactically the best captain in the world or one of the best we've had, to be fair he has not had the cattle.

Cast our mind back 5 tests ago, and the side was almost the same barring debutants Ferguson and Mennie (M.Marsh & O'Keefe).
Five losses in a row and only changes thru injury.

Let's face it, we only have 4 world class players (Smith/Warner/Starc/Hazlewood) and need to unearth a few more.

Sure, Bailey is tactically sound and could fill a middle order batting spot as he could perform no worse that the likes of Voges/MMarsh etc, but that is a stop gap solution with no real view on who could lead the team long term moving forward.

 

[BEaston]

Here's the realistic side:

Warner
Burns (I assume S. Marsh won't be fit otherwise he'd replace him)
Khawaja
Smith
Ferguson
Handscomb
Nevill
Starc
Mennie/Siddle
Hazlewood
Lyon

This is bang on. Except I'd persist with Burns opening and if Marsh were fit, slot him back into the middle order.

 

[JackOutback]

Warner - hate his attack always mentality but he's not in danger of getting axed.
Marsh - Not his greatest fan as is well documented, alas we need an opener and we can't defer to youth here, Bancroft is in poor form. Just hope he can be a solid foil for Warner and see off the new ball.
Khawaja - Hasn't cemented his place for mine but has been decent so far this summer.
Smith - Shit captain but our best batsmen, in his best position.
Handscomb - Youth over the ageing and flat track bully that is Voges. Get him some tests before India where he's good against spin.
Ferguson - I'd give him more of an opportunity. 1 test and out is harsh. Burns is more suited to middle order so an option also.
Nevill - Last chance. Fails in Adelaide and it's Wade.
Starc - Picks himself.
Hazlewood - Picks himself
Sayers - Should do well under lights in the D/N test. Bird the other option.
Lyon - Not in great form but comfortably still our best spinner, in fact our only test standard spinner at present.

That must have hurt

 

[Art Vandelay_]

That must have hurt

Not at all. If we go through this summer without a win (quite possible) we could be 13 games without a win.
Whatever improves the side, Bancroft is making this easier than it should be, still don't rate his consistency but boy who can you pick at the minute.

We barely have 3 test standards bats.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Surely you can't be serious about Bancroft. It's probably a good idea if they select someone who has made some runs before they gift tests off the back of potential.

And Wade doesn't have the technique for test cricket.

Nevill doesn't have the runs for test cricket (3 50's in 24 innings @22). Nor a solitary century. If not Wade then whom?
it's essentially Wade v Nevill, which is interesting as Vic play NSW this shield round. Selection trial.

Agree on Bancroft.

 

[Seagrave_Holmes]

OUT: campaigners that "always play their natural game" regardless of the situation
OUT: Lehman - for coaching batsmen to "always play their natural game"

This.

 

[Bradesmaen]

So what would you do? Keep gifting players matches because they're older?

Give it to players who produce the runs. Not players who are under 25 and might produce but no one knows because they've barely played enough matches in a season.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Give it to players who produce the runs.

There's not many of those, it's why we are in this predicament.

 

[Bradesmaen]

There's not many of those, it's why we are in this predicament.

Well there are a few but CA continue to look past them like picking the completely overrated Starc instead of one who has proven to be good in the conditions like Sayers

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Well there are a few but CA continue to look past them like picking the completely overrated Starc instead of one who has proven to be good in the conditions like Sayers

Instead of critiquing everyone else's team then, put up your own XI

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Nevill doesn't have the runs for test cricket (3 50's in 24 innings @22). Nor a solitary century. If not Wade then whom?
it's essentially Wade v Nevill, which is interesting as Vic play NSW this shield round. Selection trial.

Agree on Bancroft.

Anyone. A keeper has to keep first in long form cricket, runs are a bonus. The problem is not that Nevill isn't scoring runs. The problem is that the six above him aren't scoring runs.
Whiteman, Hartley despite age, Ludeman, should all be ahead of Wade. The guy, even with all his improvement, is a liability behind the stumps.

Burns gone, and not to be seen as an opener again. He has ability, but he ain't an opener. His time should be now as a #5 or 6, but on exposed form he loses out for S Marsh. Really needs to fix those off stump issues, fishes when he should leave, opens the face, and plays well away from the pad (though that is common with modern players, even highly successful ones).

But, really, I don't see that selection will change anything. The talent isn't there, nothing can be done about that.
And the few talented enough (mostly only Maxwell) appear to be sharing a slug's brain with Peter Dutton, Dave Warner and Michael Slater.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Anyone. A keeper has to keep first in long form cricket, runs are a bonus. The problem is not that Nevill isn't scoring runs. The problem is that the six above him aren't scoring runs.

Couldn't disagree more. Anyone in the top 7 has to score runs. It is that simple.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Instead of critiquing everyone else's team then, put up your own XI

It's not my job.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

It's not my job.

"Well there are a few but CA continue to look past them"

So you've got nothing then I take it.

 

[Noobz0r]

Warner
Marsh (if fit, Burns if not)
Khawaja
Smith
Ferguson
Handscombe
Nevill
O'Keefe
Starc
Siddle / Bird
Hazlewood

 

[Jimthegreat]

Warner
S.Marsh (If fit. Did show alot of grit in the First Test under fire from Steyn)
Khawaja
Smith
Handscombe
Ferguson (needs more than one Test)
Wade (not as a good a keeper but we simply need runs and grit through the middle)
O'Keefe (would be going as well as Lyon and is a much better bat)
Starc
Hazelwood
Bird (can't wait for the likes of Cummins etc.. to be fit. Make such a huge difference)

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Well there are a few but CA continue to look past them like picking the completely overrated Starc instead of one who has proven to be good in the conditions like Sayers

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

Wade isn't a test cricketers ring gear.

 

[Ok Boomer]

I wouldn't be against O'Keefe in for Lyon.

I also feel that Usman Khawaja should be stuck with and be told that.

 

[Van_Dyke]

Knowing CA, they'll probably pick the squad before the shield games start

 

[Maddhew]

What is the selectors issue with Steve O'Keefe?

Bowling average of 23 and Batting average of 29

I know he is our second spinner but surely he is better than Lyon

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

What is the selectors issue with Steve O'Keefe?

Bowling average of 23 and Batting average of 29

I know he is our second spinner but surely he is better than Lyon

They don't pick players in form.

 

[Bradesmaen]

"Well there are a few but CA continue to look past them"

So you've got nothing then I take it.

No. I have some, but they are thoughts and musings, but I'm not a selector so I'm not going to pick the team.