Opinion Cricket thread

[naturally north]

Congrats to double century scorer Ellyse Perry. Now hoping the rest of the team takes advantage.

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Anywho , so after the bye which came at a fortuitous time due to my turf toe injury, oh a big thanks to google for the video on how to tape your big toe when suffering from said injury. We played undefeated Springvale away, a big game as we are closing in on a finals position, we lost the toss and were sent in, yep first opener 0 , number 3 hung around for a few overs and then nn to the crease.

On the way to the ground I was and have been listing to Johnny Cash and some of the covers he has performed over the years and ONE that resonated with me is U2's ONE, played it a couple of times in the car. Lets just say next week I'll be listening to songs associated with bigger numbers ffs...... Nena 99luft balons sounds like a real toe-tapper.




We play on synthetic wickets and this one is clearly modelled on a fifth day wicket at Hyderabad, seriously ball was rearing of a good length, then keeping low, skidding through or stopping, I won't bother mentioning how much it was seaming- why can't Australian bowlers move it that much? I actually hit one with the bottom of the bat and the ball flew high, i am assuming as about three seconds later it hit me on the head I don't wear a helmet as I find I focus more without one. So yeah........ " thanks ****ers for the warning"!

Luckily the tail wagged, although in fairness am not sure our number 11 is any worse than me- all out 134. A very small ground, so defeat likely.

Well **** me- one and a half hours later undefeated Springvale teetering 6/47..... 8/91 and their Captain lookin good, time for Neo. Old nn moves into gully and whack!!!! Oh shit here I go again.........I find myself diving to my left I don't even no why it would have been much safer diving to my right and thump I hit the ground and my left hand feels weird heavy almost I look down and **** me!!! there's a ball stuck in it!!

Two wins on the trot!

Again no footage but this is close enough although looks like two hands were needed.........

As they say catches win matches peeps- nn is in for a big year am aiming for a tenth of a century next game- big call I know.

 

[Firestarter]

Welp. Draw.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Mods, can you lounge this thing?

 

[Twinkletoes]

Mods, can you lounge this thing?

Nup, it fires up once the actual Ashes gets underway.

 

[naturally north]

Nup, it fires up once the actual Ashes gets underway.

Some may suggest it has been on fire for weeks

 

[Firestarter]

Some may suggest it has been on fire for weeks

In a dumpster.

 

[naturally north]

In a dumpster.

Tad bloody harsh old chum.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Sorry K4E, but you have to go on ignore so that this eyesore thread can no longer offend my old school sensibilities.

See you next footy season.

 

[Firestarter]

Tad bloody harsh old chum.

I like the phrase itself but yeah pretty premature as heck.

 

[kangaspurs]

Thoughts on the team for the first test? I'll go:

Warner
Renshaw
Khawaja
Smith
Handscomb
Bancroft (wk)
M. Marsh
Starc
Cummins
Lyon
Hazelwood

The 6/7/all rounder position is easily the toughest selection problem for the first test. I don't really like Mitch Marsh but he's been in decent form recently and with the injury problems that have faced all 3 fast bowlers in the last few months I think it would be prudent to include a fast bowling all rounder. Bancroft's form actually gives a bit of protection to whoever it is that's selected in that position, pushing them down to 7 and taking some of the pressure off.

 

[Rockstar6]

My XI for the 1st test:
1. Matt Renshaw
2. David Warner (vc)
3. Usman Khawaja
4. Steve Smith (c)
5. Peter Handscomb
6. Glenn Maxwell
7. Cameron Bancroft (wk)
8. Mitchell Starc
9. Pat Cummins
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Joshua Hazelwood
12th man: Hilton Cartwright

Do or die for Renshaw and the pressure is on big time. Maxwell gets the nod over Cartwright because of Maxwell's freakish fielding ability. Bancroft in because because you shouldn't be denied after notching a wonderful double hundred 10 or so days before the first test

 

[SpiderBurton22]

The Aussies batting lineup is so brittle, but we're back in our conditions so the flat track bullies will be back on show. Let's hope our quicks can stay injury free.

 

[kangaspurs]

The Aussies batting lineup is so brittle, but we're back in our conditions so the flat track bullies will be back on show. Let's hope our quicks can stay injury free.

And it's remarkable that it's still significantly better than England's batting stocks.

For us though, it's a brittleness brought about by the much needed regeneration of the side so I don't mind seeing it if it's bringing through generation next.

With the quality, or lack thereof, in both sides top 6 or 7 and the talent in both bowling lineups I wouldn't be surprised to see some seriously low scores this series with many 4, or even 3, day matches.

 

[SpiderBurton22]

And it's remarkable that it's still significantly better than England's batting stocks.

For us though, it's a brittleness brought about by the much needed regeneration of the side so I don't mind seeing it if it's bringing through generation next.

With the quality, or lack thereof, in both sides top 6 or 7 and the talent in both bowling lineups I wouldn't be surprised to see some seriously low scores this series with many 4, or even 3, day matches.

You're right. A lot rests on the bowling attacks. If the Aussies bowlers stay fit we should come out on top. Losing the big red headed Kiwi thug is a massive blow for the Poms. Hopefully we're well ahead in the series before they decide to send him over.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

If Bancroft isn't given the gloves you know that selectors have lost the ****ing plot. Same goes for if they give S.Marsh another gig.

 

[SpiderBurton22]

If Bancroft isn't given the gloves you know that selectors have lost the ******* plot. Same goes for if they give S.Marsh another gig.

Close. Bancroft to replace Renshaw. Paine for Wade. Maybe Marsh or an all rounder.

Paine is a major surprise.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Paine ****ed his finger at the worst time.

Would have been a mainstay for the last five years.

 

[Firestarter]

Renshaw the only shock to me.

 

[SpiderBurton22]

Renshaw the only shock to me.

Sort of, his form in Sheffield Shield this season has been horrific. He'll be back.

 

[Groucho]

As the incumbent what exactly did Maxwell do wrong?

 

[gokangas]

As the incumbent what exactly did Maxwell do wrong?

Being Maxwell I suspect.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Renshaw just needs to be left to develop pulling him out when he is playing in aus soil is silly at least give him the first test to see if he can show that composure he showed in his first few tests.

Bancroft should be keeping, gun gloveman.

 

[kangaspurs]

Close. Bancroft to replace Renshaw. Paine for Wade. Maybe Marsh or an all rounder.

Paine is a major surprise.

How the **** does Paine get given the gloves?

Apparently he's played two Shield games so far this season and Wade has kept in both of them.

I also read, I'm not sure if it's true but it would be sensational if it was, that Darren Lehmann has made a first class ton more recently than Paine.

 

[SpiderBurton22]

How the **** does Paine get given the gloves?

Apparently he's played two Shield games so far this season and Wade has kept in both of them.

I also read, I'm not sure if it's true but it would be sensational if it was, that Darren Lehmann has made a first class ton more recently than Paine.

Paine kept in the T20s for Australia. Wasn't selected for the 1st Sheffield Shield game but was then picked to play against England in a warm up game and made 50odd. Then played as a batsman in the next 2 Shield games. Made 71* against the Vics. Wade, Nevill and Carey have stunk it up with the bat so far this season. Bancroft will open, so to much for him to keep as well.

 

[kangaspurs]

Paine kept in the T20s for Australia. Wasn't selected for the 1st Sheffield Shield game but was then picked to play against England in a warm up game and made 50odd. Then played as a batsman in the next 2 Shield games. Made 71* against the Vics. Wade, Nevill and Carey have stunk it up with the bat so far this season. Bancroft will open, so to much for him to keep as well.

Eh, I think if Bancroft bats at 6 then he would be able to keep. I'm not so sure I buy the idea that a keeper has to be a specialist who exclusively keeps all the time. Sure, that should be the case on the subcontinent, but I don't think it's as big an issue in a home series. As long as the player has kept on a reasonably frequent basis in the past then that's enough for me. I'd prefer weighting given to runs.

I know Renshaw has been poor since the Bangladesh series but personally I would have seen him retained at the top.