first test of the aussie summer 23/24

[TheMcManusNose]

I don't think Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja or Simon Katich had opened the batting much, if at all, before they opened for Australia in a test match. And they're three of the better ones we've had in recent years.

It can work.

Yeah. Katich in particular spent long years batting 3-4 for WA/NSW IIRC.

Rogers, Langer among those to spend a lot of early career as middle order bats.

Position is less important than actual runs.

 

[Around the Wicket]

Struggling to think of a time with an incumbent averaging 30 over 2 years hasn't been dropped. At least try something!

The situation in the 90s/00s was vastly different - incumbents excelling.

Davey has had a great career, but he's 37 and a long run of outs. It's past time we were looking for his replacement.

Mark Taylor

1996 - 234 runs at 23.40
1997 - 704 runs at 29.33

Ricky Ponting

2009-2011 - 32 Tests only 2x 100's averaging 34.

 

[BGman]

CA made a blunder by retaining Mitch Marsh as it meant there was no room for Cameron Green, so they came up with this radical move of opening with either Marnus Labuchagne or Marsh so they can play Green. There may also be some reticence by selectors over whether Bancroft, Renshaw, Harris will still find it hard going against the world class attacks of India, Sth Africa, England, given all three never cemented their Test places and arent exactly solid technicians. Imho Labs is the obvious choice as at #3 he is often asked to virtually open when an early wicket falls, plus he has the ability to play as the deck determines, with either positivity or patience. On the other hand, CA wants Marsh to play a full on attacking role similar to how they used him in the Ashes, with some success too. Personally I have them going with the Marsh scenario as Marnus does not seem all that keen to be moved..

 

[Westend]

Not near what he needs to as it again undid him in the PM match. Note in his dismissal how in defense he is forced to play round his front pad as his back lift is from first slip. Is Banners a bit soft in the noggin as after a decade plus long first class career he still dumbs up with this westie.

Hi BGman

Yeah it's a flaw and he has acknowledged it which I think takes courage on his part and he has stated that he has been working on it with Voges and the WA coaching setup. And he is improving we have been seen seeing the results IMO the past few years in the shield with him average 50....thats all you can ask IMO to acknowledge your flaw and do back and work on it ..thats what he has been doing. Will it always be there probably? but if you can minimise it keep your head stiller and keep working it at..thats all you can do it. After watching the shield I have seen a noticeably change in his batting

My position is if they go down the replacement route of Warner for a specialist opener...and if its out of Harris Bancroft and Renshaw I believe that Bancroft deserves first crack out of those three due to his shield record for the past few seasons. But

Ditto. But not to open?

Have you read my previous posts ??

I would go Head already played two tests as an opener suits opener in subcontinent conditions ...greenie gets to go one up in the order to 5 as we all know he is not suited to 6..etc IMO I think thats most beneficial for the team when Warner goes.

I would prefer Head to open over green

 

[Westend]

It now appears the prime motive for CA contemplating shoe horning in a stop gap opener such as Marnus or March, is to create a spot for Cameron Green.

Thats where I differ and disagree and I understand a lot of people are saying that and I can see there argument

My view is that we are not creating a spot of Greene when Warner goes.... we are picking the best 11 cricketers and then go from there. Green IMO is in the best 11 cricketers he is certainly better than Renshaw Bancroft or Harris

 

[Around the Wicket]

If you went Head at opener which I'm not against.. who takes the last middle order slot?, not much about.

 

[The 747]

Hi BGman

Yeah it's a flaw and he has acknowledged it which I think takes courage on his part and he has stated that he has been working on it with Voges and the WA coaching setup. And he is improving we have been seen seeing the results IMO the past few years in the shield with him average 50....thats all you can ask IMO to acknowledge your flaw and do back and work on it ..thats what he has been doing. Will it always be there probably? but if you can minimise it keep your head stiller and keep working it at..thats all you can do it. After watching the shield I have seen a noticeably change in his batting

My position is if they go down the replacement route of Warner for a specialist opener...and if its out of Harris Bancroft and Renshaw I believe that Bancroft deserves first crack out of those three due to his shield record for the past few seasons. But



Have you read my previous posts ??

I would go Head already played two tests as an opener suits opener in subcontinent conditions ...greenie gets to go one up in the order to 5 as we all know he is not suited to 6..etc IMO I think thats most beneficial for the team when Warner goes.

I would prefer Head to open over green

No, I think that is most beneficial for Green, not the team mate.

 

[BGman]

I believe that Bancroft deserves first crack out of those three due

Have to agree. Has the runs on the board. Probably should have taken Harris spot in the Ashes squad too.

My view is that we are not creating a spot of Greene

But CA is mate for the reason I explained, that they blundered by retaining Marsh and not keeping Green. They want him there and for the reason I mentioned they also want Mitch. Only way they can have both is for Mitch to open.

No doubt in my mind either that Greeny (the Albatross) is in the top X1. The guy has so much improving to do it is almost scary what he can and will achieve.

I would go Head

No, does not have the technique to open outside of flat sub continental decks imho. Not seen any mention CA wants him to open.

 

[JackOutback]

If it was good enough for Swampy and good enough for Son of Swampy, then it’s good enough for Bison. Three Marshes to open.

 

[CakeEater]

If you went Head at opener which I'm not against.. who takes the last middle order slot?, not much about.

Green.

Hes good enough plus all the chat is how he needs 30+ balls to get his eye in which makes him more of a 4/5 than a 6.

 

[cricketnut14]

well ronnie has announced the XI.

as expected and marsh holds his spot ahead of green.

 

[BGman]

CA made a blunder by retaining Mitch Marsh as it meant there was no room for Cameron Green,

''Coach Andrew McDonald says David Warner’s eventual replacement could be a player with strong Sheffield Shield or white-ball form''.

This is saying that no one is currently a lock for the little sluggers spot.

"Or white ball form''. Has Ronnie been mezmerised by Englands Bazball?

Dont see the final X1. Green will be one omission, expect Boland, Morris will be the too.

Australia squad: (first Test only) Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

BGman said:

(first Test only)

Is this a subtle way of saying no place is safe unless your perform.

 

[cricketnut14]

(first Test only)

Is this a subtle way of saying no place is safe unless your perform.

nahhh that 14 man squad is pretty much it for the 5 test summer.

they'll possibly add murphy and possibly inglis (maybe playing BBL) so they have cover for concussion subs.

warner's replacement will be added and no doubt be given the final 2 tests and probably the 2 in new zealand.

a surprise selection may come in one of the main stays are injured (maybe jhye and neser if our bowlers go down).

it will be interesting to see if marsh can string a few tests in a row together.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Have to agree. Has the runs on the board. Probably should have taken Harris spot in the Ashes squad too.

But CA is mate for the reason I explained, that they blundered by retaining Marsh and not keeping Green. They want him there and for the reason I mentioned they also want Mitch. Only way they can have both is for Mitch to open.

No doubt in my mind either that Greeny (the Albatross) is in the top X1. The guy has so much improving to do it is almost scary what he can and will achieve.

No, does not have the technique to open outside of flat sub continental decks imho. Not seen any mention CA wants him to open.

I’d say Bancrofts middling county form hurt him badly for the Ashes squad. I thinks he’s been unlucky at times, however, there are a lot of people with rose tinted glasses when it comes to discussing Bancroft.

 

[Big Bryza]

Is the suggest CA are supportive of DWs ongoing selection as a form of compensation for him taking one for the team over Sandpapergate?

Had this confirmed as being spot on.

 

[burge13]

Had this confirmed as being spot on.

By who? Long suspected it but surely we need a source for the claim?

 

[Coops93]

Mark Taylor

1996 - 234 runs at 23.40
1997 - 704 runs at 29.33

Ricky Ponting

2009-2011 - 32 Tests only 2x 100's averaging 34.

I'm not sure what Taylor was doing in first class cricket at the time, but Ponting was going ballistic every time he played down the level.

I still remember everyone including Ponting himself saying he was not out of form and was hitting the ball just about as well as ever if not better everywhere except on the test pitch. He later said it was more the mental pressure he put on himself to score, given the youth in the team he felt the added responsibility. That was his downfall and caused him to stop scoring runs, not any drop in ability.

His form in Shield cricket supported that notion, especially post test retirement where he won Shield player of the season and won the comp with Tas, then scoring a double ton in his last ever FC match which was in England. So you can understand the continued selection there as everyone in the background could see he hadn't actually lost "it".


Warner doesn't have any long form form whatsoever to support him

 

[Underarm]

Warner doesn't have any long form form whatsoever to support him

Too busy winning us a world cup to play shield.

 

[Coops93]

Is the suggest CA are supportive of DWs ongoing selection as a form of compensation for him taking one for the team over Sandpapergate?

I do wonder this. He has been given a lot of good grace for someone who deserves none. Of all the people involved the guy most likely to go nuclear is obvious. Whether it's outwardly acknowledged or not who knows but the undercurrent is clear.

I think everyone is waiting for his book and seeing who he blows up. I don't think anyone actually believes it was just the 3 involved. Well, 2 involved and 1 aware of it and doing nothing about it.

Not just that but the background pressures leading to it and causing it I think is was CA are more concerned about. Geoff Lemons book on it was excellent at framing the environment leading up to the event, but coming directly from a player that sort of critique on CA would be huge.

 

[Coops93]

Too busy winning us a world cup to play shield.

Absolutely. His ODI & T20i form has been elite for years.

Hasn't helped him once the ball turns red.

 

[BACCS]

Absolutely. His ODI & T20i form has been elite for years.

Hasn't helped him once the ball turns red.

Well his average and 20+ 100s would suggest otherwise for the majority of his career. I also agree he is past it now, but your last statement isn't accurate at all.

 

[Tandy]

Marsh over Green every day of the week for me.

 

[JackOutback]

Mark Waugh another one saying Green can open. Mind you, he also said no one’s banging down the door. If averaging 50 plus for two seasons isn’t banging, it’s at least knocking pretty loudly.

 

[The 747]

Mark Waugh another one saying Green can open. Mind you, he also said no one’s banging down the door. If averaging 50 plus for two seasons isn’t banging, it’s at least knocking pretty loudly.

From the chatter going around it does not seem to have made much of an impression on anyone, including Bailey and MacDonald.

 

[JackOutback]

From the chatter going around it does not seem to have made much of an impression on anyone, including Bailey and MacDonald.

Which suggests there are other issues at play other than just scoring runs.