Changes for the 5th Test SCG

[bird_man]

Still got to get the runs in the 4th test but I thought I'd get the discussion started. Unless we have an awful batting display we really should go 4-0 up.

I can't see Bailey getting another go unless we are 4 for not a lot and he manages to guide us to a win. Will Watson play? Do we put Harris on ice for South Africa? Do we play another spinner?

Hughes seems the most likely to replace Bailey although I don't see him as a number 6. I'd also like to see him have a bit more time out of the test side before being thrown back in.

The side has pretty much picked itself up until now but with a few niggles and poor form from Bailey selection will be interesting.

 

[eth-dog]

It's an interesting conundrum. I'd put Watson on ice, his batting and bowling was affected and give Doolan a shot. I'd swap Bailey for Faulkner, bat Haddin at 6. I'd also go for the 2 spinners (both sides), putting Harris on ice. Put Bresnan on ice as a pom. So these are the side's I'd have:

Warner Cook (c)
Rogers Carberry
Doolan Root
Clarke (c) Pieterson
Smith Bell
Haddin (+) Stokes
Faulkner Bairstow (+)
Agar Broad
Johnson Tredwell/Borthwick
Siddle Anderson
Lyon Panesar

But it probably won't happen .

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I'd drop Bailey and bring in Chris Lynn to bat at 6. Averaging 57 in the Shield and isn't Phil Hughes. For all the talk, Doolan is averaging 39 in the Shield this season. Wouldn't be too annoyed if he was chosen, though. Seems to have a decent technique.

EDIT: Bailey could come out and smash a 50 in this dig, so this is assuming he either doesn't bat or he fails again.

 

[Andrew Mc]

Australia will make a total of zero changes. Who knows who will be going home from the England side though.

 

[eth-dog]

I'd drop Bailey and bring in Chris Lynn to bat at 6. Averaging 57 in the Shield and isn't Phil Hughes.

And a handy 3rd/4th spinner too. Good player.

 

[The_Reaper]

I'd drop Bailey and bring in Chris Lynn to bat at 6. Averaging 57 in the Shield and isn't Phil Hughes. For all the talk, Doolan is averaging 39 in the Shield this season. Wouldn't be too annoyed if he was chosen, though. Seems to have a decent technique.

Scored a century against England as well.

 

[JP Sauce]

I'd definitely drop Bailey and would like to drop Watson (so hopefully he's rested). Would also rest Harris if he isn't 100%.

 

[TassieEagle]

I would like to say none, but Harris is all but decided, also probably Watto to be rested. If we win this match (and Bailey doesn't bat/fails) Bailey gets one more chance at a test career.

So in would come I guess NCN & Faulkner.

 

[Cursed Cat]

putting Harris on ice needs to be considered imo, he's a real asset but obviously restricted by his knee and he needs to be handled carefully.

I don't think either Watson nor Bailey will be dropped, Bailey is definitely on notice though.

Ultimately Watson's average at this stage of his test career isn't good enough to hold down #3 - if he could adjust to coming in at #6 he'd be worth spot, as his bowling is an asset - but then; who replaces him at #3 ??

 

[pluga_4]

assuming we go 4-0 up, and everyone is fit then why change the XI?
how good would it be to go through a 5 test series with the same XI.

no need to put anyone on ice.
there's a mickey mouse one day series and in 6 weeks time atest series in south africa.

 

[Black Diamond]

If they are in two minds about Harris I think they should leave him out.

Aside from that, Bailey out. I'd go with Voges under the Chris Rogers precedent but if they prefer a younger option then it should be Doolan. If they prefer a really young opting then it should be Chris Lynn.

I don't want to see Faulkner batting at six or seven and I don't want Hughes in the team for at least twelve more months.

Edit: So Voges is out. Doolan or Lynn then. If we're rewarding form then Cameron White should be considered.

 

[eth-dog]

If they are in two minds about Harris I think they should leave him out.

Aside from that, Bailey out. I'd go with Voges under the Chris Rogers precedent but if they prefer a younger option then it should be Doolan. If they prefer a really young opting then it should be Chris Lynn.

I don't want to see Faulkner batting at six or seven and I don't want Hughes in the team for at least twelve more months.

Voges is out for the year

 

[The_Reaper]

assuming we go 4-0 up, and everyone is fit then why change the XI?
how good would it be to go through a 5 test series with the same XI.

no need to put anyone on ice.
there's a mickey mouse one day series and in 6 weeks time atest series in south africa.

Because our bowling and poor English batting is disguising the fact that our batting isn't good enough.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

I do sense that Harris will be rested and Coulter-Nile will probably make his test debut.

 

[ioppolo]

I'd drop Smith personally, has only 1 decent score this series.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

id give Watson and harris a rest

 

[legend166]

I'd drop Smith personally, has only 1 decent score this series.

That's one more than Bailey, though.

 

[big_e]

Bailey hasn't set the world on fire but still hasn't been bad. On balance I'd keep him. No change.

 

[AM]

That's one more than Bailey, though.

Exactly! He either fires in the 2nd dig or he should go. Not Test calibre in my book. Would like to see White get another shot. His form this year warrants it IMO.

All that said, if we take out this game they probably won't change a winning combo.

 

[Sylvia Saint]

If we lose (still a definite possibility) and Bailey gets another failure, I suspect he will be in some trouble.

Harris will probably be rested.

Otherwise, no change. Did someone above really say they'd drop Smith? A 24 y/o who made a century in his last test? With no suitable replacement waiting in the wings anyway? The mind boggles!

 

[The_Reaper]

Bailey hasn't set the world on fire but still hasn't been bad. On balance I'd keep him. No change.

What balance?
Done nothing with the bat coming off a horrid shield season.

Looks like a great bloke and played well in the ODI level but it's time to look elsewhere.

 

[big_e]

What balance?
Done nothing with the bat coming off a horrid shield season.

Looks like a great bloke and played well in the ODI level but it's time to look elsewhere.

On balance meaning that someone who came into the side for one test is on a hiding to nothing. The series is won and there's nothing to gain by making a change now.

 

[The_Reaper]

On balance meaning that someone who came into the side for one test is on a hiding to nothing. The series is won and there's nothing to gain by making a change now.

Why wait until South Africa?
If Bailey isn't in our best XI then why play him?

 

[Yoda_]

assuming we go 4-0 up, and everyone is fit then why change the XI?
how good would it be to go through a 5 test series with the same XI.

no need to put anyone on ice.
there's a mickey mouse one day series and in 6 weeks time atest series in south africa.

Harris will not play in Sydney. I'll call it now.

 

[Ducky Tie]

Head says that Harris' body is starting to wear and having a few weeks off before the South Africa tour would do him good. Heart wants him to play so we can have the best chance of winning in Sydney. I'll side with head on this occasion, we need Harris in SA. NCN wouldn't be my choice but I expect he'd be the one to come in.

Don't really mind if we drop Bailey or not. I'd probably drop him for Lynn as already said in this thread. Bailey isn't in the team in SA for mine so not really much point in keeping him in the side. In saying that, the romantic side of me wants him to finish the series in the team as he's been there for the whole series.

Romance can't come into selections however, so I'd make the two changes.
Harris out for NCN
Bailey out for Lynn