Number 6

[dogs105]

Should whoever is picked at number 6 for the first test have a first class average greater than 40?

 

[Power Raid]

Absolutely unless they are one heck of a bowling all rounder

 

[Bob Neil]

Yes. I think it's a spot that you can introduce a promising young top-order (opener or #3) batsman whose able to face the 2nd new ball and bat with the tail to get accustomed to Test cricket before moving up the order. Ponting did it and I wouldn't be against Bancroft doing so as well - with the caveat that they need to be able to work the ball around as a purely defensive type can be carried as an opener but not in the middle order.

 

[SPOFFORTH]

i see m marsh made runs yesterday, hope they dont go back there

 

[The Falcon Strike]

i see m marsh made runs yesterday, hope they dont go back there

On the contrary - if Mitch actually starts making consistent runs - then he's the perfect number 6 option as his bowling is exceptional (when fit)

Mitch's issue is he had never genuinely made runs for WA in shield cricket (maybe 1 century prior to Aussie selection) - and as such when he went up to test cricket... surprise surprise - he didn't make runs there either.

With his back injury he is currently picked solely as a batsman and therefore the onus is to score runs. If he can put together a quality season of batting this summer and then get his back right - he would be the obvious selection. However if he continues to plod along and average mid 30's with the occasional score - then yep, the role isn't for him

 

[Carbine Chaos]

On the contrary - if Mitch actually starts making consistent runs - then he's the perfect number 6 option as his bowling is exceptional (when fit)

Mitch's issue is he had never genuinely made runs for WA in shield cricket (maybe 1 century prior to Aussie selection) - and as such when he went up to test cricket... surprise surprise - he didn't make runs there either.

With his back injury he is currently picked solely as a batsman and therefore the onus is to score runs. If he can put together a quality season of batting this summer and then get his back right - he would be the obvious selection. However if he continues to plod along and average mid 30's with the occasional score - then yep, the role isn't for him

I don't understand why people see Mitch (or anyone, for that matter) making runs as a bad thing.

Long term he's still the best prospect we have as a genuine all-rounder.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I don't understand why people see Mitch (or anyone, for that matter) making runs as a bad thing.

Long term he's still the best prospect we have as a genuine all-rounder.

Can't we have a small break from the Marsh disaster though!

Surely Mitch needs to have a full Shield season where he makes runs upon runs. Then maybe.

 

[roscreasl98]

Can't we have a small break from the Marsh disaster though!

Surely Mitch needs to have a full Shield season where he makes runs upon runs. Then maybe.

Everyone wants Bancroft, his 1st Class average is 37.
If he isn't keeping, then that's not enough.

 

[roscreasl98]

I don't understand why people see Mitch (or anyone, for that matter) making runs as a bad thing.

Long term he's still the best prospect we have as a genuine all-rounder.

Just no......

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Everyone wants Bancroft, his 1st Class average is 37.
If he isn't keeping, then that's not enough.

It shows you how weak our batsmen are. We literally have 2 batsmen in Smith and Warner, 1 potential good bat in Handscomb, and the rest are flat track bullies.

Hate to be blunt but it will take a few years before we have the batting depth.

I would have no issue Bancroft keeping.

 

[Ok Boomer]

Preferably, unless they can contribute significantly as a bowler or in the field.

 

[The_Reaper]

Best available - career average not necessarily relevant. When Michael Clarke first got picked to play test cricket his first class average was under 40.

 

[The_Reaper]

Everyone wants Bancroft, his 1st Class average is 37.
If he isn't keeping, then that's not enough.

He was carried for a whole season averaging 22 when he was a youngster because the team was playing well and Langer likes to back the kids. Done him a world of good development wise but has messed up his career average.

His recent first class form is

206* (carried his bat)
72
18
17
76* (carried his bat against the Australian test attack)
86 (against the the Australian test attack)
228*

 

[roscreasl98]

He was carried for a whole season averaging 22 when he was a youngster because the team was playing well and Langer likes to back the kids. Done him a world of good development wise but has messed up his career average.

His recent first class form is

206* (carried his bat)
72
18
17
76* (carried his bat against the Australian test attack)
86 (against the the Australian test attack)
228*

Good run there, no doubt.
However mostly opening, correct?

There's no way he opens and keeps.
So is he an opener, number 6 or keeper batsman?

 

[The_Reaper]

Good run there, no doubt.
However mostly opening, correct?

There's no way he opens and keeps.
So is he an opener, number 6 or keeper batsman?

In the short term he could probably keep if needed but I'd rather we look for someone else be it Carey, Whiteman, Pierson in the future. Unfortunately Wade's position is pretty untenable and its almost impossible to have any confidence in Nevill at the moment.
I'd go Khawaja to open, Smith at 3, Handscomb at 4, Cartwright and Maxwell at 5 and 6 and Bancroft keeping at 7.

Renshaw is the future of our team but the Ashes isn't a development squad.

 

[roscreasl98]

In the short term he could probably keep if needed but I'd rather we look for someone else be it Carey, Whiteman, Pierson in the future. Unfortunately Wade's position is pretty untenable and its almost impossible to have any confidence in Nevill at the moment.
I'd go Khawaja to open, Smith at 3, Handscomb at 4, Cartwright and Maxwell at 5 and 6 and Bancroft keeping at 7.

Renshaw is the future of our team but the Ashes isn't a development squad.

Has he made runs at 6/7 before?
He is a great player, but not exactly a run a ball type, could run out of partners at 6/7.

 

[The_Reaper]

Has he made runs at 6/7 before?
He is a great player, but not exactly a run a ball type, could run out of partners at 6/7.

Alternatively could be the right guy to stick around when Smith and Handscomb start running out of partners which is what usually happens for us.

 

[roscreasl98]

Alternatively could be the right guy to stick around when Smith and Handscomb start running out of partners which is what usually happens for us.

Good point......

 

[Woody15]

Yes. I think it's a spot that you can introduce a promising young top-order (opener or #3) batsman whose able to face the 2nd new ball and bat with the tail to get accustomed to Test cricket before moving up the order. Ponting did it and I wouldn't be against Bancroft doing so as well - with the caveat that they need to be able to work the ball around as a purely defensive type can be carried as an opener but not in the middle order.

Agree 100%

Ponting, Clarke, Martyn, Hussey all went in at 6 before moving up the order. Probably should have done it more with S Marsh instead they put him in at 3. Let them get a taste for test cricket at 6 where they can come in with some runs on the board.

If Bancroft plays thats where he should also bat IMO.

 

[Hamingja]

The Reaper has a lot of shield stats. How many batsman have a career shield average over 40? Could we even field a top 6 if this was a criteria?

 

[Hellgood]

Alternatively could be the right guy to stick around when Smith and Handscomb start running out of partners which is what usually happens for us.

Agreed and then there's the train of thought that Starc is pretty competent with the bat and tends to score extremely quickly.

 

[TassieEagle]

The Reaper has a lot of shield stats. How many batsman have a career shield average over 40? Could we even field a top 6 if this was a criteria?

Didn't go into SS only but the following guys are the only ones playing in the current shield game that came in with an FC average above 40.

SMarsh
Cartwright
Lehmann
Khawaja
Warner
Smith
Patterson
Nevill
Handscomb

As of right now I believe Bailey replaces Nevill on the list.

 

[The Casey Cat]

Has he made runs at 6/7 before?
He is a great player, but not exactly a run a ball type, could run out of partners at 6/7.

Don't care for a run a ball type. He is in form and fairly young too and has always appeared to have a test cricket temperament.

Sent from my Lenovo TB-8703F using Tapatalk

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Has he made runs at 6/7 before?
He is a great player, but not exactly a run a ball type, could run out of partners at 6/7.

Wouldn't you rather someone that stays in though? Run a ball isn't a worry for me, I want someone who bats time and gets runs.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Bancroft is developing into one of the more adaptable players in the country. Still has the ability to bat time but shows an increasing talent for putting the foot down if required.

Another thing he’s got over Nevill.