Fourth Test team

[bird_man]

Apparently Ashwin was ruled out a couple of hours ago....

And then named in the 13 man squad just a few minutes ago...

3 spinners named in the squad, Handscomb more likely to be named if they go with two spinners

No Ishant Sharma

 

[Scotland]

I agree, most are an improvement on Finch. But Bancroft has done nothing to earn his spot back. Warner has the runs on the board throughout his career to come straight back in, Bancroft has not. At this stage I'd have him well behind Burns and Renshaw.

No way Bancroft comes in for the Sri Lanka tests IMO. He'll be back for WA in the Shield when that kicks off again and will be in the mix for a spot in the Ashes squad. Given it will only be most of a BBL season and half a Shield season he's no guarantee to come straight back in.

Warner is an attacking batsman (strikes at 74 in tests) and if he's making runs in T20 (as he was in the CPL) that's good enough for me. He's a bat on ball player and isn't the sort of guy who will play a couple of Shield games and occupy 5,000 balls Pujara style.

 

[hoopla]

That's where Wade's non-selection comes in. Everyone knows he's a bit of a tossbag so while his runs may stand up, the players and Langer must not want him anywhere near the side.

Could Wade be worse than Warner? I doubt it.

 

[bird_man]

No way Bancroft comes in for the Sri Lanka tests IMO. He'll be back for WA in the Shield when that kicks off again and will be in the mix for a spot in the Ashes squad. Given it will only be most of a BBL season and half a Shield season he's no guarantee to come straight back in.

Warner is an attacking batsman (strikes at 74 in tests) and if he's making runs in T20 (as he was in the CPL) that's good enough for me. He's a bat on ball player and isn't the sort of guy who will play a couple of Shield games and occupy 5,000 balls Pujara style.

Another thing to think about is if Waner and Bancroft would be able to play together again, let alone form an opening partnership.

 

[The Swans Blog]

Apparently Ashwin was ruled out a couple of hours ago....

And then named in the 13 man squad just a few minutes ago...

3 spinners named in the squad, Handscomb more likely to be named if they go with two spinners

No Ishant Sharma

Most likely it will be Umesh Yadav for Ishant Sharma.

 

[eth-dog]

I wouldn't be adverse to giving him one last go but let's face face it Wade completely wasted the last chance he was gifted in the Test team, batted like absolute shit. As with Maxwell we aren't leaving out ****in Dean Jones here.

Last time he got recalled he was averaging about 40% of what he is in Shield cricket

 

[Blue1980]

Problem is if we are looking to implement a no dickheads policy, what happens if the guy implementing is a dickhead?

 

[Scotland]

Another thing to think about is if Waner and Bancroft would be able to play together again, let alone form an opening partnership.

True. Warner is a dickhead but has been hung out to dry in the whole saga. Rare that you'd hear a player say 'yeah Dave told me to do it'. Normally they play a straight bat. From day 1 it's pretty much been Bancroft did it, it was Warner's idea, Smith didn't stop it. Smith is probably filthy with Warner for costing him a year of his career when he was absolutely flying.

If CA decide to move on from Warner he'll just spend the next 5 years as a T20 gun for hire and make millions. He'll be OK. But still a dickhead.

 

[eth-dog]

That's where Wade's non-selection comes in. Everyone knows he's a bit of a tossbag so while his runs may stand up, the players and Langer must not want him anywhere near the side.

One of the most popular players in Australia but okay.

 

[Blue1980]

I agree, most are an improvement on Finch. But Bancroft has done nothing to earn his spot back. Warner has the runs on the board throughout his career to come straight back in, Bancroft has not. At this stage I'd have him well behind Burns and Renshaw.

Agree re Bancroft but if he hits a couple of centuries in the shield he’s right back in the frame.

Doesn’t take much to be in the conversation at the moment.

 

[toml]

Finch and Mitch Marsh dropped, Handscomb and Marnus in apparently.

 

[Stax on the mill]

I would argue his little grade cricket stunt of walking off mid innings suggests that silence you speak of hasn’t been entirely dignified.

With a 4 month overseas tour looming, and obvious fractured relationships between players in the side with Warner, as well as public opinion (which was the overwhelming factor in enforcing the ban to begin with). I just can’t see Warner walking back into the test squad.

We’ve managed to deal with players not liking each other and maintaining a professional relationship for the good of the team in the past, but this is a whole different kettle of fish. Too much water under the bridge to move forward with Warner and continue with this cultural revamp under Langer IMO.

I suppose you can read what you want into Warner’s walk off. However 12 months ago he would have reacted entirely differently, and it would not have been pretty. It would have been on for young and old. The fact that he chose not to respond in a like manner to Hughes’s brother shows that he is trying to control himself, and is succeeding. It may not have been precisely how others would have reacted, but the fact that it was Hughes’s brother having a crack at him probably complicated the issue. Anyone else and he quite possibly would have just ignored the taunts and stayed on the field. In the overall scheme of things I think this is a very minor issue.

I agree the circumstances are pretty unique, and it will require very close monitoring by coach and captain, and a large degree of goodwill from both Warner and his team mates to ensure team harmony is maintained. As I have said previously, everyone deserves a 2nd chance, particularly when they are obviously attempting to mend their ways. I for one hope Warner is welcomed back. We certainly sorely need a player of his class.

My opinion would be exactly the same, regardless of the team’s performance since his banishment. He will have more than done his time, and has paid a very heavy price.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Finch and Mitch Marsh dropped, Handscomb and Marnus in apparently.

Praise the lord!

Spud out!

 

[The Swans Blog]

Finch and Mitch Marsh dropped, Handscomb and Marnus in apparently.

Not going to complain about that, Finch had to be dropped. You could forgive his atrocious form with the bat if he was contributing in the field, but he just wasn't. I think that's just about it for Aaron Finch and his test career. The guy has more holes than a slice of Swiss Cheese.

 

[bird_man]

Finch out. Was not expecting that, thought they'd just move him down the order.

Happy with the decision though

 

[Sproj]

Who bats 3?

 

[The Swans Blog]

Who bats 3?

Harris
SMarsh*
Khawaja
Butters
Head
Paine
Marnus Cantbat
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

* last chance saloon

 

[KissKiss]

Feel a little sorry for Finch. Was never going to work as an opener and probably loses his test career over it

 

[bird_man]

Who bats 3?

Harris
SMarsh*
Khawaja
Butters
Head
Paine
Marnus Cantbat
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

* last chance saloon

Doubt Marsh opens, Khawaja has a terrific record opening.

Marsh will likely have to bat 3

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Feel a little sorry for Finch. Was never going to work as an opener and probably loses his test career over it

At 32 it’s a waste of everyone’s time reshuffling the whole side for him

 

[Sproj]

So Labushouldn’tbeevenindiscussions is genuinely picked as a spinner, wow!

 

[LukeParkerno1]

So Labushouldn’tbeevenindiscussions is genuinely picked as a spinner, wow!

Will still make more runs than Mitch Marsh

 

[Kram]

Praise the lord!

Spud out!

Spud wearing lead boots in but.

 

[Kram]

Could have done worse than to give Stoinis a game, at least his guns would boost rating with the female audience.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Spud wearing lead boots in but.

Well he can play spin well I guess