First test of the aussie summer

[Plugger35]

It has to be a worry for the West Indies that only their openers have made significant scores, there's not much to write home about after that.

 

[11kgm]

The figures don’t look good by any means, that’s pretty unavoidable, but most of our top 8 have played a big role in winning a test or impacting a result in recent times. Bonner has made some really vital runs, Brathwaite was massive in the win over England, Mayers played what was in the argument as the greatest debut innings of all time in terms of context, Da Silva made a really gutsy hundred against England, Holder made that double against them, Blackwood was important in that win at Southampton, Shamarh Brooks made a century in India during the win over Afghanistan etc. getting those contributions in between the decisive innings would make their figures look a little less alarming

It's there in parts not in full yet I hope they at least make this series competitive

 

[11kgm]

Is it embarrassing that Agar (60 FC games + International experience) is being outbowled by Murphy (5 FC games)?

Nope because Agar like Starc are overrated due to being left handed

 

[PhatBoy]

Really interested to see how Chase goes here.

He’s a test standard batsman who’s record has played plummeted to grade cricketer
levels

It has to be a worry for the West Indies that only their openers have made significant scores, there's not much to write home about after that.

You could say the same about Australia aside from Handscomb -

Holder will come into the test side and probably Blackwood as well so at least one of the ‘batsmen’ will miss out

Da Silva played exactly as he does in tests I don’t see him having a problem at least holding his own

 

[PhatBoy]

Nope because Agar like Starc are overrated due to being left handed

Starc’s test record is absolutely fine

 

[CrazyJoeFevola]

that pill from Murphy . Second best spinner in the country. He has all the tricks and great control

 

[SSwans2011]

Starc’s test record is absolutely fine

Honestly, better than fine.

His average is comparable to the likes of Broad, Morkel, Shami, Johnson, Gillespie, etc.

Better than some other very good pace bowlers.

Hard to remember a bowler more underrated by his home fans on record alone, actually.

 

[PhatBoy]

Almost more than anything else that needs addressing in the West Indies test side, someone HAS to mentor Joseph as a batsman.

He has as much natural talent as any specialist bowler that I’ve ever seen highlighted by the 86 he hit against New Zealand and the straight drive last over

 

[11kgm]

Starc’s test record is absolutely fine

His record against India and RSA is terrible

Very good against Sri Lanka and West Indies is helping both sub 20

Averages over 30 against all nations away except those

Compared to Cummins who averages sub 30 in all nations bar India 30.25 and Sri Lanka

 

[PhatBoy]

His record against India and RSA is terrible

Very good against Sri Lanka and West Indies is helping both sub 20

Averages over 30 against all nations away except those

Compared to Cummins who averages sub 30 in all nations bar India 30.25 and Sri Lanka

Averaging over 30 in Asia and having a worse record than Cummins who is in the top bracket of bowlers this century doesn’t make him bad

 

[11kgm]

Averaging over 30 in Asia and having a worse record than Cummins who is in the top bracket of bowlers this century doesn’t make him bad

There are just times he needs to be dropped but they won't because of needing a lefty

 

[PhatBoy]

There are just times he needs to be dropped but they won't because of needing a lefty

The problem they have is that the record he DOES have comes from a very mediocre start to his career where he took 40-odd wickets at high 30s before a six year patch where he took 207 at 25.6. Regardless of various caveats, that makes someone virtually undroppable

His last 18-24 months he has been below par especially by those standards but he had a lot of credits in the bank

 

[CrazyJoeFevola]

Almost more than anything else that needs addressing in the West Indies test side, someone HAS to mentor Joseph as a batsman.

He has as much natural talent as any specialist bowler that I’ve ever seen highlighted by the 86 he hit against New Zealand and the straight drive last over

Reminds me of Jerome Taylor’s ton in NZ. But clearly wasn’t mentored after that

 

[PhatBoy]

Reminds me of Jerome Taylor’s ton in NZ. But clearly wasn’t mentored after that

That was the most ridiculous exhibition of tail-end hitting I’ve ever seen.

Like Yasir Shah on steroids.

He could have been anything as a cricketer in the right environment

 

[ioppolo]

Reifer injured?

 

[PhatBoy]

Reifer injured?

Not sure, it’s doubtful in that side he’d bat any higher than 7 anyway and possibly even 8 so there’s a chance that they sent Joseph out to try and give Reifer a chance to bat tomorrow

It’s really important that the Windies take the first session seriously and try and use the whole 2 hours. Joseph can obviously bat, Reifer has a handful of first class hundreds and Roach is very solid. They don’t want to just waste the chance to bat for another session

 

[CrazyJoeFevola]

That was the most ridiculous exhibition of tail-end hitting I’ve ever seen.

Like Yasir Shah on steroids.

He could have been anything as a cricketer in the right environment

Will also never forget his bowling against England. Could’ve been one of the greats with his bowling. Or at least alongside Roach as the best since the fast bowling dynasty.

 

[PhatBoy]

Will also never forget his bowling against England. Could’ve been one of the greats with his bowling. Or at least alongside Roach as the best since the fast bowling dynasty.

Yep destroyed them in that test where they rolled England for 50-odd. Had it on a string

 

[crows dude]

Nope because Agar like Starc are overrated due to being left handed

Agar is overrated as a bowler for sure. Only gets into the side as he's a fantastic fieldsman. Probably the best in the country with Maxwell.

 

[Westend]

Agar is overrated as a bowler for sure. Only gets into the side as he's a fantastic fieldsman. Probably the best in the country with Maxwell.

Cartwright IMO is better than both and is the best fielder in the country

Agar and MAxi still good though

 

[BGman]

Agar

Got no assistance from the deck with not much turn for either spinner. I expect if he tours India the conditions will be much more in his favor. He still has it with the willow. Great to see him again stroking the red ball to all parts. Shame he played on from that Joseph lifter.

Paris was the pick of our quicks but where was the evening swing while Murphy showed why he is being talked about as our next specialist Test tweaker. And a big congrats to Shiv's boy as their only batsman to defie our attack. He has the same mannerisms, application, ability and odd stance and guard as his old man.

 

[CrazyJoeFevola]

Got no assistance from the deck with not much turn for either spinner. I expect if he tours India the conditions will be much more in his favor. He still has it with the willow. Great to see him again stroking the red ball to all parts. Shame he played on from that Joseph lifter.

Paris was the pick of our quicks but where was the evening swing while Murphy showed why he is being talked about as our next specialist Test tweaker. And a big congrats to Shiv's boy as their only batsman to defie our attack. He has the same mannerisms, application, ability and odd stance and guard as his old man.

Murphy's performance exposed Agar badly. He's on another level and showed why he should be next in line. Agar had plenty of potential, but I feel the focus on his batting for a long time meant he may have neglected his bowling a bit and it's too late now, a bit like Cameron White, except White actually became a quality bat, whereas Agar is just handy.

 

[frankrizzo]

agar should still go to india but its hard to see him ever being our main guy on aussie pitches.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Very settled side at the moment the Australians, probably be about 2-3 years time when it'll be a transition period and rebuild time.

 

[eth-dog]

Agar is the epitome of a good second or third spinner in Asia and that's it. Good white ball player too.