Changes for the 3rd Test

[Docker82]

For me only Handscomb has done enough to convince me.

So I'd go with (as a prediction not my preference):

Warner: Enough said

Burns: Should be dropped but no other realistic option. Give him this test. He fails, in comes S.Marsh again, if he doesn't S.Marsh probably comes in anyway if fit.

Khawaja: Enough said (in Australian conditions)

Smith: Enough said

Ferguson: Lack of other options sees him get another go. Patterson breathing down his neck.

Handscomb: Can't be ignored this time. Does it consistently now.

Nevill: Isn't test standard but his recent first class record with the bat is similar to Wade's - the only other realistic alternative. And is last few FC games were tests. And he's a much better keeper. Man I miss Gilly, even Haddin!!

Starc: Enough said

Hazlewood: Enough said

Mennie: Wasn't overly impressed in Hobart tbh but not being played in this shield round suggests he's getting another go.

Lyon: In poor form but I just can't see who else we're going to pick

For the others that have been mentioned I'll give my opinion:

Dean: Very inconsistent since an amazing start to his career. Wouldn't be in discussions if it wasn't for his first 50+ score of the season

Renshaw: Looks a good talent but at 20 it may be a little too early for him

Harris: This guy surely can't be a serious option. Poor first class record and left WA because he's simply not that great. Form is temporary, class is permanent. Based off his career so far it's the former ATM.

Bancroft: Talented but just not scoring enough runs.

Patterson: A hundred in the second innings and he's very close to getting a game

Maddinson: Probably a little behind other options ATM but selectors have said they like him in the past

Lehmann: Good record so far off a reasonably small sample size. Probably need to see it for longer. Having said that he scores the double ton instead of Handscomb and the selectors may think differently

Head: I don't really rate the guy from watching him tbh. His technique is behind a few others and his first class record is poor. His bowling could be best described as darts.

Voges: Love the guy but he's done unfortunately

Maxwell: Only just recalled to the Vic side and inconsistencies remain. Unlikely but expect the unexpected with the Australian selectors

Wade: Batting form isn't much better than Nevill's at a lower level and is an inferior keeper. Nevill isn't great but Wade isn't the answer.

Whiteman: Has been a little disappointing tbh but a hundred today and his career batting average is into the mid 30s. Haddin only averaged 32 at test level. A decent run of form with the bat and Whiteman is a serious option. Better gloveman than Wade.

Bird: Should never have been dropped (unless in sub continent) IMO but at the same time hasn't really put in enough wickets at shield level to earn his place back.

Sayers: Probably worth a go but our selectors don't like bowlers of his pace

O'Keefe: Good first class record and the only spinner that you can really say that about in the country. Unfortunately is the only real alternative to Lyon and didn't bowl much better.

Zampa: Only hyped because of limited overs form. Shouldn't be near the test side


I'll end what I'm sure is a very long post with this. I would like to make more changes but it's just the unfortunate situation that we are in that we don't have much test-ready talent. I don't see a better option than Burns, Nevill or Lyon for the next test, I really don't.


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[KennyHuntersBlues]

Yeah, they're not dropping Khawaja because he "seems lazy" off back-to-back 2nd innings 50s (one of which was three runs from being a ton), and a Shield hundred to follow up.

The key is there 2nd innings 50s when the games are as good as over needs to do it in the first innings . I grant he deserves to hold his spot for this test I am more looking to the future

 

[Damon_3388]

Yes I am old enough to have lived through our previous low spot in the 80s the sooner we get the young talent in and give them time to adjust the better. we are going nowhere until we identify young exciting enthusiastic talent and groom it. Also gives us more zip and enthusiasm in the field

Just on that "low spot in the '80s", I've seen it mentioned that there was a ton of talent that was "lost" due to the Rebel tours of South Africa. From the list of players that went, most were either past it or around the same level as a lot of other guys who played Tests in that era. Sure, Kim Hughes and Kepler Wessels would have continued in the Australian team, and Terry Alderman and Carl Rackeman too, but the latter they both played Tests for the official Australian team afterwards, so they weren't "gone" at all.

Was it really that damaging on-field (I guess you could say that testing already-shallow depth made it hard), or was it more damaging from an off-field and administrative standpoint?

 

[Damon_3388]

The key is there 2nd innings 50s when the games are as good as over needs to do it in the first innings . I grant he deserves to hold his spot for this test I am more looking to the future

Well, you can also see it as him being the only one holding it all together while the others folded.

 

[JackOutback]

A shield final at Glenelg oval is not remotely close to a test match in from if 50k at the Adelaide oval. South Africa's attack is fair but stronger than south Australia's also

Added to that, A games are probably closer to Test cricket and Dean failed that test.

 

[Carlos Danger]

Gee I hope not after the little he showed in Sri Lanka. What did he average - 8?

More cos of the glove work is so critical over there. Last tour they gave pujara about 2 lives per innings no wonder he couldn't stop scoring.

But that said you cant carry him all summer he needs a couple of 50s. But I reckon he will get the Pakistan series regardless

 

[The_Reaper]

Added to that, A games are probably closer to Test cricket and Dean failed that test.

And Renshaw scored a 90 against Philander

 

[Carlos Danger]

Added to that, A games are probably closer to Test cricket and Dean failed that test.

Not sure about that. Nothing to play for in an A game other than your reputation. Shield finals are pressure cricket, a years worth of hard work down to 1 match.

Also this final was actually played on a competitive pitch unlike the roads of past years finals where it was hard not to score 100

 

[JackOutback]

Not sure about that. Nothing to play for in an A game other than your reputation. Shield finals are pressure cricket, a years worth of hard work down to 1 match.

Also this final was actually played on a competitive pitch unlike the roads of past years finals where it was hard not to score 100

A games put you in contention for Australian selection, which is worth more than 10 Shields.

 

[Carlos Danger]

A games put you in contention for Australian selection, which is worth more than 10 Shields.

Doesnt replicate test pressure just 11 blokes out for themselves. Unless they get a bit tired then they will stop bowling and have a rest

Shield is 11 blokes desperate to win at all costs.

 

[KennyHuntersBlues]

Off on a tangent I am watching my DVDs of our series win against South Africa over there 2014. How's this for a bowling attack :
Mitch Johnson
Ryan Harris
James Pattinson
OMG

 

[damochandler]

Marsh and smiths rearguard match winning partnership at centurion setup the series. Harris bowled on one leg all series

 

[Belnakor]

The key is there 2nd innings 50s when the games are as good as over needs to do it in the first innings . I grant he deserves to hold his spot for this test I am more looking to the future

mate if you are looking to the future you better get used to seeing Usman because he has basically been marked down as no3 until further notice.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

One of the great myths of Australian cricket.

He's the best spinner in the country.

Nope. Seen very little to change my mind in the last 3 days. Take him to the subcontinent but elsewhere. Would rather play 4 seamers.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Can't see more than 2 of the top 7 getting dropped. Voges gone prob burns & ferguson survives by the skin of his teeth.

Cant see anyone from NSW adding any more runs on that deck. Timely hundred from Lehman or head in a big run chase could see them considered.

Handscomb & toss up between dean / Renshaw. Cant see them changing the bowlers.

Timely hundred from whiteman today & Alex Carey was last out with 70 odd might be competing for next crack at keeper spot but still reckon they will stick with Neville as they want to take him to india but he needs another couple of scores this summer or they will be forced to move him on

Why would they want to take him to India. He'll be a walking wicket.

 

[The_Reaper]

Why would they want to take him to India. He'll be a walking wicket.

I thought that was the selection criteria for touring India?

 

[Kram]

Why would they want to take him to India. He'll be a walking wicket.

You are right. Hopefully they take Whiteman instead.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

I thought that was the selection criteria for touring India?

Who are you talking about?
Nevill got butt****ed by Herath and Co. Jadeja and Ashwin will grind him into mince meat.

You are right. Hopefully they take Whiteman instead.

You have no idea how much Schadenfruede I'd get from watching you melt seeing Wade in the Baggy Green again

 

[eddiesmith]

I know Bigfooty hates the idea of Victorians in the Aussie side, but maybe they should pick more, hell even our 2nd XI can beat South Africa!

#vicsdoitbtter

 

[damochandler]

I know Bigfooty hates the idea of Victorians in the Aussie side, but maybe they should pick more, hell even our 2nd XI can beat South Africa!

#vicsdoitbtter

Pretty sure everyone is in agreement that handscombe should play

 

[royboy2]

The current shield scores are pretty damning.

Warner    -  11  &   20
Burns     -   4  &    2
Kawaja    - 106  &   17
Smith     -   8  &   16
Ferguson  -   4  &    4
Voges     -  16 ret hurt
Neville   -  26  &    4
Mennie    - DNP
Starc     - DNP
Hazlewood - DNP
Lyon      -   5  &    8

1st Inn - 7/180    2nd Inn - 7/71

 

[Ok Boomer]

http://www.cricket.com.au/video/sam...stralia-sheffield-shield-day-three/2016-11-19

Whiteman 100, good time for it.

 

[VirgilHilts]

Just my 2p as an Englishman. I think the selectors have to figure out whether they want to give themselves the best possible chance of a morale-boosting victory; to make a final judgement on some under-performing players; or to have a look at some new lads. If it's the first or second then I'd say the changes will be kept to a minimum: Voges and Burns out, Handscomb (I've not seen any of your domestic cricket but he seems a unanimous choice) plus Shaun Marsh (if fit) or the next cab off the rank. If they go the third option then Ferguson, Nevill, Mennie and Lyon could go too. But I'd be amazed if under any circumstance they made more than 4 changes. That almost never works and just spreads panic. If you read about those England sides of the 90s, the selection process was so erratic they all ended up playing to keep their own place rather than giving it all for the team. One other thing is that you need to decide if you want a keeper-batsman or a batsman-keeper; you definitely have the first at the moment but most international sides go for the latter. Seems to me your top order is so fragile that it needs support, which points to Wade; however, if your new batsmen fire then there's a case for retaining Nevill. With only a small number of first-class sides in Shield cricket, it means you only have a handful keepers you have to pick from. In theory, we have at least 18.

Nice to be reminded of Doherty and Beer. I can't think of two more ineffectual players and that's coming from someone who endured Derek Pringle and David Capel.

 

[KennyHuntersBlues]

I know Bigfooty hates the idea of Victorians in the Aussie side, but maybe they should pick more, hell even our 2nd XI can beat South Africa!

#vicsdoitbtter

It's time to pick a vic

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Off on a tangent I am watching my DVDs of our series win against South Africa over there 2014. How's this for a bowling attack :
Mitch Johnson
Ryan Harris
James Pattinson
OMG

Johnson was unreal at Centurion. I was watching at work and kept getting goose-bumps when he bowled in the first innings. The Saffers aren't afraid of our current bowlers like they were afraid of him.