Ongoing Test match XI speculation thread.

[cricketnut14]

That is true. The one thing I'll say he was under bowled. Think I said it about 4 years ago or something, but I'd have less an issue of Marsh playing as a bowling A/R batting at 7 or 8, because that was his ability with the bat. Was never ever going to be a top 6 bat!

problem was mitch couldnt hold down a spot as a specialist bat (top 6) or in the best 4 bowlers so he was really in no man's land.

i don't want him @ #7 especially when we have only had one keeper in our history to ave 35+ and would have to move them to #6.

i want specialists in the test team not short form bits and pieces allrounders.

 

[cricketnut14]

Why can't Green bat 5? I'd bat him at 5 myself. I agree with you on Head and I'm far from sold on him.

i'd at least start the kid at #6 especially if asked to bowl as well. . In time i'm sure he'd prove his worth.

 

[cricketnut14]

does anyone here actually think BOTH warner and pucovski will be opening in the 2nd test?

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Sitting here waiting for the "Baggy Green" headline to come out with a photo of a smiling Green.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

does anyone here actually think BOTH warner and pucovski will be opening in the 2nd test?

Depends what the openers do in Adelaide

At this stage yes

 

[LukeParkerno1]

i'd at least start the kid at #6 especially if asked to bowl as well. . In time i'm sure he'd prove his worth.

He is bowling 8 overs max that’s it

 

[Footy Smarts]

So Langer says they're going to pick the 6 best bats, Green certain to play if fit, going to have a look at Burns and Harris and doesn't want to shift the batting line-up around much. He's said before Green wouldn't play ahead of Head or Wade.

I'd say Lab, Smith, Green, Wade and Head are certainties to be picked (if Green's cleared) and one of Harris or Burns will be picked. The only other question is who opens. If it's one of the bats (Wade, Head, Green) I think that's incredibly harsh expecting them to open with no experience before. I still think Paine opening is a real chance and just ask him to tough it out as long as possible and do a job.

 

[big_e]

Wade
Harris
Labuschagne
Smith
Green/Henriques
Head
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

Weakest opening partnership in a long time, but solid after that.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

So Langer says they're going to pick the 6 best bats, Green certain to play if fit, going to have a look at Burns and Harris and doesn't want to shift the batting line-up around much. He's said before Green wouldn't play ahead of Head or Wade.

I'd say Lab, Smith, Green, Wade and Head are certainties to be picked (if Green's cleared) and one of Harris or Burns will be picked. The only other question is who opens. If it's one of the bats (Wade, Head, Green) I think that's incredibly harsh expecting them to open with no experience before. I still think Paine opening is a real chance and just ask him to tough it out as long as possible and do a job.

Zero chance of Paine opening. To ask the bloke to keep, captain and open is beyond unreasonable. Take it to the bank he won’t be opening.

 

[cricketnut14]

Depends what the openers do in Adelaide

At this stage yes

surely warner is back immediately regardless , it just might mean pucovski sitting out the series.

 

[Belnakor]

Wade will open, thats why they had him open in the t20. It doesn't make much sense but thats their thought process.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

surely warner is back immediately regardless , it just might mean pucovski sitting out the series.

If Pucovski was going to open in the first test he opens in the second one UNLESS the openers do something amazing in Adelaide and I hope they do but I ain’t expecting it

 

[Belnakor]

Zero chance of Paine opening. To ask the bloke to keep, captain and open is beyond unreasonable. Take it to the bank he won’t be opening.

Gilly batted at 3 for an innings while Captain in India - not impossible

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Gilly batted at 3 for an innings while Captain in India - not impossible

He wasn’t opening though. 3 is slightly different lol

Plus Gilchrist was averaging 50+ and closer to 60 at that time!

 

[Belnakor]

If Pucovski was going to open in the first test he opens in the second one UNLESS the openers do something amazing in Adelaide and I hope they do but I ain’t expecting it

If the openers fail but Green plays well it will make an interesting selection dilemma as Wade would no longer have a spot lower in the order but has failed as an opener.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

If the openers fail but Green plays well it will make an interesting selection dilemma as Wade would no longer have a spot lower in the order but has failed as an opener.

Well Wade does only average 32 it’s not as if we are leaving out a bloke averaging 50.

 

[Coasters7]

Just what we need ANOTHER Marsh chance? What's he trying to break Jonny Farnham's record or never going away? Khawaja hasn't got enough Shield runs, he's got 1 or 2 scores in oner 12 months! Wade opening is fine for a test or two, bats 3 for Tassie and lets be honest when you have scrubs like Silk and Doolan on a green top in Tassie you might as well be opening!

Neither of Marsh or Khawaja are long term options, and sure they aren’t the best batsmen ever, but both have played test cricket and both have been solid shield cricketers for over a decade while also having opened in all forms of the game at some point. I’d take either of them over Burns right now without a second thought. If we’re looking for a genuine 1 or 2 then they are the next best we’ve got unfortunately, but I’m also more than happy for Wade to have a go there. (Don’t really think he’s all that much better than Marsh or Khawaja personally but he’s already in the side so it’d probably be better moving him than dropping him at this point)

 

[Belnakor]

Well Wade does only average 32 it’s not as if we are leaving out a bloke averaging 50.

yeah to be honest i'd have been happy with a flat drop of Wade for Green. It's tough on Wade but this could be an Ian Healy / Adam Gilchrist situation where you are holding back a generational talent due to incumbency.

 

[corbies]

Typical during that period of trying to find the next Flintoff! Makes you appreciate Shane Watson really who on here was maligned like no one before. Marsh was beyond horrible at least the other one performed on occasions.

Some interesting results pop up when you search Watson on this forum and filter it by posts made by LukeParkerno1 .

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Neither of Marsh or Khawaja are long term options, and sure they aren’t the best batsmen ever, but both have played test cricket and both have been solid shield cricketers for over a decade while also having opened in all forms of the game at some point. I’d take either of them over Burns right now without a second thought. If we’re looking for a genuine 1 or 2 then they are the next best we’ve got unfortunately, but I’m also more than happy for Wade to have a go there. (Don’t really think he’s all that much better than Marsh or Khawaja personally but he’s already in the side so it’d probably be better moving him than dropping him at this point)

Can’t we go ONE summer without Marsh playing...he’s ordinary at absolute best. Wade is at least in the setup and unlike Marsh won’t injure himself getting out of bed leaving us a man down!

 

[cricketnut14]

Gilly batted at 3 for an innings while Captain in India - not impossible

first of all gilly was a freak and could actually bat.

fair go it was for 1 innings and in the 2nd innings of the test going for quick runs.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Some interesting results pop up when you search Watson on this forum and filter it by posts made by LukeParkerno1 .

Wasn’t a fan of moving him around and hated his DRS but as an AR he was statistically one of our better ones. Wish he bowled more though. Was underbowled massively

 

[LukeParkerno1]

yeah to be honest i'd have been happy with a flat drop of Wade for Green. It's tough on Wade but this could be an Ian Healy / Adam Gilchrist situation where you are holding back a generational talent due to incumbency.

Green will play and frankly unless these openers get 70+ so will Pucovski in Melbourne.

A lineup of

Pucovski
Warner
Lab
Smith
Green
Head
Paine

That’s a great top 7.

 

[Belnakor]

You reckon Green bats at 5 not 6?

 

[cricketnut14]

i wouldnt have a problem if it was usman and shaun marsh (can't believe i'm saying this) if the selectors said to them we need your experience for 1 game.

with no guarantees moving forward.

who knows one of them may grab an opportunity until they think pucovski is good to go. either way usman and shaun marsh have limited time in the test arena if given another chance.