Fourth Test team

[saint_]

Even James Pattinson is a better all-rounder than Mitch Marsh. Better Bowler, and averages about the same with the bat too.

 

[JackOutback]

It all depends on Khawaja. I think it's either:

Renshaw
Burns
Marsh
Finch
Head
Marsh

or:

Renshaw
Finch
Khawaja
Marsh
Head
Marsh

I'd swap Burns and Finch, but otherwise, yeah. I feel like Burns got exposed at the top of the order, he might be another one who does better at 4 or 5.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Even James Pattinson is a better all-rounder than Mitch Marsh. Better Bowler, and averages about the same with the bat too.

Just no. He’s a bowler who bats a bit, same with Cummins. Also Pattinson has to show he can play back to back to back games first

 

[JimDocker]

Pretty sure S Marsh has just confirmed his spot.

 

[MC Bad Genius]

The major problem we have in our top 6 (apart from the obvious lack of batting stocks in the Shield) is the lack of Test battle-hardened players that can stand up and lead the younger players if there is a crisis. I'm in no way a fan of either of the Marshes and am under no illusions that they aren't much help in a crisis either, but you need at least some players that can be a calming influence out in the middle.

The most likely is:

Renshaw (11 tests)
Finch (2 tests)
Khawaja (35 tests)
S Marsh (34 tests)
Head (2 tests)
M Marsh (30 tests)

If you replace either of the Marsh brothers, you're looking at a top 6 with less than 100 tests experience combined. Followed up by a #7 with only 15 Tests.

But geez I feel incredibly underwhelmed to be so reliant on either of the Marsh brothers, let alone both of them.

 

[big_e]

While Doolan’s scored a lot of runs this season, its been against useless bowling attacks on flat wickets so I don’t rate him highly. He’s had his chance and he’s well and truly past it at 32 years old.

Similarly with Burns he has had his chance, blew it in South Africa and now doesn’t deserve a go ahead of the other talented young openers at the moment.

Incredibly harsh on Burns.

Plays on a Tuesday in Brisbane, spends almost an entire day on a plane, then by Friday he's on the park in Joburg. Oh, and top scores in our second innings.

 

[Seedsfan]

Marsh just has to play now

 

[frankrizzo]

He was always going to play, we were never going to make wholesale changes because we lost in asia, i think the only spot that was up for grabs for the first test was labuschagne's spot.

It's a flimsy top 6 and while most if not all from the uae will start the series it's anybody guess who will still be there by the end, we go down early at home to india it may be like SA a few years back and most of the top 6 is gone by the time we face SL.

Usman is probably the only one who could have a poor series and still be there for the SL tests.

 

[PoopingHindi]

I've seen enough, get Wade in at 6 to give our batting order some much needed backbone. He can even bowl a few overs of junk if we're desperate or someone needs a rest.
And at least if he's not keeping we wont have to listen to the campaigner mouth off all day.

So I've got
Finch
???
Khawaja
Sean
Mitch
Wade

I was hellbent on Renshaw getting the other opening spot but he's done nothing to deserve it. So who gets it? I've got no idea.
All I know is that Labuschagne and Head aren't test cricketers so I'd rather take a punt on someone else.

 

[Belnakor]

The major problem we have in our top 6 (apart from the obvious lack of batting stocks in the Shield) is the lack of Test battle-hardened players that can stand up and lead the younger players if there is a crisis. I'm in no way a fan of either of the Marshes and am under no illusions that they aren't much help in a crisis either, but you need at least some players that can be a calming influence out in the middle.

the issue with the Marsh brothers is that simply playing tests doesn't mean they are a calming influence.

Mitch in particular has a history of getting out to shit shots when we really need him.

 

[nobbyiscool]

I wonder how much Wade has to score today to get a look in. Tassie are clearly trying to add another string to his bow with his very average bowling too.

 

[PoopingHindi]

I wonder how much Wade has to score today to get a look in. Tassie are clearly trying to add another string to his bow with his very average bowling too.

This is enough.
Would probably have made at least one 100 this season if the rest of the Tassie batting line up were even remotely interested in hanging around.
And he's had to grind for all his runs.

Hopefully he tons up here.

Spoiler

I doubt they'll pick him, even if he makes 200

 

[swingdog]

Everyone seems to be picking Mitch because there are no better options. That's true but given none of us think Mitch is the long term answer, why not try someone untested? Filling that spot with Mitch is a waste of space.

 

[nobbyiscool]

Irrelevant to the next test.

But remember when Bird's batting wasn't good enough for him to picked at number 11 for Australia?

Everyone seems to be picking Mitch because there are no better options. That's true but given none of us think Mitch is the long term answer, why not try someone untested? Filling that spot with Mitch is a waste of space.

He just scored 100 last week. Unfortunately, much as he's failed for Australia, you can't just hand test caps out when the incumbents (ie. both Marsh brothers) are almost the only ones making runs.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Go on Wadey you good thing. Bang that door down again.



Well said Mr Fleming. T20 is a disgrace of a format at the best of times, pulling guys from Shield cricket for that shite is madness.

 

[eddiesmith]

Go on Wadey you good thing. Bang that door down again.



Well said Mr Fleming. T20 is a disgrace of a format at the best of times, pulling guys from Shield cricket for that shite is madness.

Absolutely ridiculous they leave Marsh out so he can score runs in flat pitches v shit opposition but do everything in their power to stop other players ever playing FC cricket to put any pressure on

It’s clear the Marsh brothers are safe even if they make a pair in every test of the summer

 

[Seedsfan]

I've seen enough, get Wade in at 6 to give our batting order some much needed backbone. He can even bowl a few overs of junk if we're desperate or someone needs a rest.
And at least if he's not keeping we wont have to listen to the campaigner mouth off all day.

So I've got
Finch
???
Khawaja
Sean
Mitch
Wade

I was hellbent on Renshaw getting the other opening spot but he's done nothing to deserve it. So who gets it? I've got no idea.
All I know is that Labuschagne and Head aren't test cricketers so I'd rather take a punt on somheone else.

Renshaw sits second or third on the leading run scorers in first class cricket this calendar year

 

[big_e]

Alright, starting to take shape now.

1. Finch - Better than expected as opener, no-one thought Shane Watson would be a good opener either and he turned out fine.
2. Doolan - Highest scorer in shield this summer, placeholder until Warner returns. Would have preferred others but he's doing OK
3. Khawaja
4. Head - Has been OK,
5. S Marsh
6. Wade - Third highest scorer in shield this summer
7. Paine
8. Starc
9. Cummins
10. Lyon
11. Hazlewood

God that's a terrible top six...

 

[JackOutback]

Everyone seems to be picking Mitch because there are no better options. That's true but given none of us think Mitch is the long term answer, why not try someone untested? Filling that spot with Mitch is a waste of space.

I don't think that's true. Mitch is certainly talented, he did well in the Ashes last year, scored 150 last week, he just hasn't put it together in Tests. I think he very well could recover from this inconsistent start. Steve Waugh was a slow starter too (maybe not this slow).

 

[eth-dog]

Renshaw sits second or third on the leading run scorers in first class cricket this calendar year

Also averaging 23 in the Shield this year

 

[Seedsfan]

Also averaging 23 in the Shield this year

So he has had a few bad hits in a very good year. He shouldn’t of lost his spot going into the UAE

 

[eth-dog]

So he has had a few bad hits in a very good year. He shouldn’t of lost his spot going into the UAE

He was unfit for the first test. There's an argument to be made for him not to play first test.

 

[eddiesmith]

So he has had a few bad hits in a very good year. He shouldn’t of lost his spot going into the UAE

So you want to ignore current form and pick on what happened 9 months ago?

 

[Kyptastic]

They can't ignore Wade's form as a batsman - he's the best middle order player in the Shield at the moment and he performed very well last year.

Reckon the only spot up for grabs is Finch's opening partner. Harris has a big chance here to guide Victoria to victory and earn a baggy green.

 

[Greenstar5]

I reckon Wade in the Top 6 as a Batter is a good idea. Sitting 2nd on the SS runs ladder. Has about 20 tests under his belt, knows what it is all about. No keeping pressure, 30 years old. Digs in and fights with the Bat.

Renshaw or Doolan
Finch
Khawaja
S Marsh
M Marsh or Head
Wade
Paine
Bowlers