Ongoing Test match XI speculation thread.

[JackOutback]

Some players such as Steve Smith (averaged 37 after similar tests as Head) were given an extended go to find their feet at this level, I can't see why someone like Head at his age couldn't be afforded the same level of go. Though this will be controversial. but I would do the same with the next wicketkeeper and make Smith the captain again.

I’ve said it before but players like Smith, Ponting and Steve Waugh were much younger when at the same number of Tests. They clearly had time and potential to fix mistakes and work on their technique. Head is 28, not saying he can’t fix his issues, but it’s a lot less likely than the guys you are comparing him to.

 

[Heisenberg_]

Anybody who earlier in this thread were wanting Burns before Pucovski when both were available before the first test please refrain from giving us your opinions again.
So much better it’s embarrassing

 

[eddiesmith]

Anybody who earlier in this thread were wanting Burns before Pucovski when both were available before the first test please refrain from giving us your opinions again.
So much better it’s embarrassing

That would be Justin Langer, Tim Paine and David Warner!

 

[ozaddy]

I’ve said it before but players like Smith, Ponting and Steve Waugh were much younger when at the same number of Tests. They clearly had time and potential to fix mistakes and work on their technique. Head is 28, not saying he can’t fix his issues, but it’s a lot less likely than the guys you are comparing him to.

He's 9 days into 27, I thought he was 26.

 

[Belnakor]

That would be Justin Langer, Tim Paine and David Warner!

yeah just wondering who in Australia aside from those clowns "backing him in" wanted Burns in the 1st test lol

 

[Redline]

Head can feel a bit unlucky being dropped for an unfit Davey who played exactly the same loose shot Head was condemned for

Head on just about every stat should of played ahead of Wade. If he was Victorian or from NSW there would of been outrage. Wade's second innings in Adelaide where Head didn't bat has probably saved him. Having said that Head had a few chances to cement his spot and didn't so only has himself to blame. Neither deserve to be in the team really.

I get the love for Warner and I recognise his record but I think if he is meant to be the saviour of this team's batting woes we are in trouble. Certainly an upgrade on Burns though.

Pucovski had some luck but looked good, I am not sure he is the second coming of Bradman just yet but the future looks good.

 

[Docker82]

Anybody who earlier in this thread were wanting Burns before Pucovski when both were available before the first test please refrain from giving us your opinions again.
So much better it’s embarrassing

Did anyone after the Australia A games?

I still had Burns ahead of Harris and still do. Both should’ve been excluded from the squad after Melbourne.

Pucovski got dropped two times by a substandard keeper today (that’s exactly what Pant - rate Saha far higher tbh). Good start, especially given he hasn’t played in a few weeks but if Burns had made 62 and had three chances we’d have three pages worth of how lucky Burns is to be in the side.

Not trying to defend picking Burns for the first two tests but let’s not pretend Pucovski has shown us he’s significantly better than Burns at his best. An in form Burns obviously isn’t reality atm though so the decision to pick Pucovski would’ve been an easy one if he was fit.

 

[JackOutback]

He's 9 days into 27, I thought he was 26.

I thought he was 28 soon but regardless, Smith, Waugh and Ponting were all closer to 23 when they had played the same number of Tests as Head has at 27. Age is not on his side on this stat that keeps getting thrown up.

 

[t_94]

I’ve said it before but players like Smith, Ponting and Steve Waugh were much younger when at the same number of Tests. They clearly had time and potential to fix mistakes and work on their technique. Head is 28, not saying he can’t fix his issues, but it’s a lot less likely than the guys you are comparing him to.

He turned 27 in December. He has enough time to return to test cricket if he gets it right. To me his mental strength sets him apart from the other candidates.

 

[JackOutback]

He turned 27 in December. He has enough time to return to test cricket if he gets it right. To me his mental strength sets him apart from the other candidates.

I’m not saying he won’t make it back to the Test team but it’s less likely he will fix his rather glaring technical issues at his age. More likely to be a player that’s in and out of the team than one who solidified his spot.

 

[The Passenger]

He turned 27 in December. He has enough time to return to test cricket if he gets it right. To me his mental strength sets him apart from the other candidates.

Head certainly can make it as a test cricketer. But it's the right time for him to be dropped and go back to the shield (whenever that restarts) and work on his deficiencies.

Same as many others before him have done at similar points in their careers.

 

[Greenery]

Pucovski is in another class really isn't he, there are some that can grind out international cricket like say Wade or head or ed cowan for example but some are on another level and like pucovski and hopefully green.
Michael clarke and Ricky pointing cometo mind as naturals.
Not saying pucovski and green are or will be that good but they seem to be natural cricketers.

 

[Docker82]

Pucovski is in another class really isn't he, there are some that can grind out international cricket like say Wade or head or ed cowan for example but some are on another level and like pucovski and hopefully green.
Michael clarke and Ricky pointing cometo mind as naturals.
Not saying pucovski and green are or will be that good but they seem to be natural cricketers.

The phrase ‘best since Ponting’ seems to have been thrown around about Green a few times. Haven’t heard that phrase used about Pucovski but it might just be all rounder hype?

Pucovski looks pretty natural as well but let’s remember he was dropped twice by a guy that’d be up there with the worst glovemen in recent test history. Still would’ve bloody looked good for 30 odd but won’t often get that lucky.

 

[Greenery]

The phrase ‘best since Ponting’ seems to have been thrown around about Green a few times. Haven’t heard that phrase used about Pucovski but it might just be all rounder hype?

Pucovski looks pretty natural as well but let’s remember he was dropped twice by a guy that’d be up there with the worst glovemen in recent test history. Still would’ve bloody looked good for 30 odd but won’t often get that lucky.

True about pucovski's innings.
And I think 'best since ponting' is an exaggeration, its just the natural technique and ability Green and Puc has is ponting esque and I thinkGreen would be picked as a batsman alone, whether it materialises we will see.
Smith and Warner were 'ugly' players particularly at the start so theres that.

 

[The hands of stone]

I’m not saying he won’t make it back to the Test team but it’s less likely he will fix his rather glaring technical issues at his age. More likely to be a player that’s in and out of the team than one who solidified his spot.

And those issues have been there since debut , so even less likely that he can fix them now . If he does all power to him

 

[ozaddy]

And those issues have been there since debut , so even less likely that he can fix them now . If he does all power to him

Yet, still has a better average than the person who has replaced him. Name a player and name a shot that they've given away because it was getting them out. Steve Smith at the moment is almost impulsive off the hip on the leg side, yet, are we calling for him to be dropped?

 

[eth-dog]

Travis Head deserved to get dropped because he's failed twice and made one start, whilst also having a very obvious flaw that he's been unable to fix so far. If he goes back, works on that deficiency, and fixes it, he'll probably be back.

Wade, in an unfamiliar and more difficult role has made 3 starts and a fail. Let's compare their records since Wade returned in the Ashes:

Head: 11 tests, 17 innings, 490 runs at 30.6, 1 century, 2 fifties
Wade: 13 tests, 22 innings, 667 runs at 35.1, 2 centuries, 1 fifty

But yeah, their form is so similar.

 

[The hands of stone]

Yet, still has a better average than the person who has replaced him. Name a player and name a shot that they've given away because it was getting them out. Steve Smith at the moment is almost impulsive off the hop on the leg side, yet, are we calling for him to be dropped?

Heads had several opportunties to cement a place but keeps getting out easy after making starts.
Not sure Smith is a great comparison.

Not thats it relevant to Head but Steve Waugh stopped hooking/pulling to elimate risk from his game . So it does happen.
Head has more issues than eliminating one shot , he does have talent but so do others.
Patience has run out at this stage.

 

[ozaddy]

Travis Head deserved to get dropped because he's failed twice and made one start, whilst also having a very obvious flaw that he's been unable to fix so far. If he goes back, works on that deficiency, and fixes it, he'll probably be back.

Wade, in an unfamiliar and more difficult role has made 3 starts and a fail. Let's compare their records since Wade returned in the Ashes:

Head: 11 tests, 17 innings, 490 runs at 30.6, 1 century, 2 fifties
Wade: 13 tests, 22 innings, 667 runs at 35.1, 2 centuries, 1 fifty

But yeah, their form is so similar.

5 extra innings average 4.5 more, and then claiming that form isn't similar... Lets bookmark this argument and see how Head ends up at 33 if he gets another chance.

 

[eth-dog]

5 extra innings average 4.5 more, and then claiming that form isn't similar... Lets bookmark this argument and see how Head ends up at 33 if he gets another chance.

I'm not saying Head won't get another chance. I'm saying that Wade has outperformed Head since returning to the side.

 

[ozaddy]

Carey for Paine. Didn't think Paine deserved man of match in Adelaide when we bowled them out for 36 and the best bowling performance in my life time. I reckon best mate Ricky made that call.

 

[saj_21]

I don’t care how rediculos it would appear But wade needs to be held accountable for that shot. Twice now in 3 innings he has held out like a batsmen closing out the last 3 overs of a T20.

 

[Heisenberg_]

Did anyone after the Australia A games?

I still had Burns ahead of Harris and still do. Both should’ve been excluded from the squad after Melbourne.

Pucovski got dropped two times by a substandard keeper today (that’s exactly what Pant - rate Saha far higher tbh). Good start, especially given he hasn’t played in a few weeks but if Burns had made 62 and had three chances we’d have three pages worth of how lucky Burns is to be in the side.

Not trying to defend picking Burns for the first two tests but let’s not pretend Pucovski has shown us he’s significantly better than Burns at his best. An in form Burns obviously isn’t reality atm though so the decision to pick Pucovski would’ve been an easy one if he was fit.

He wa definitely lucky to survive those chances, even if they were taken I’d have said the same thing simply because it was like chalk and cheese watching the 2 of them.
He had so much time and looked so comfortable where as Burns was constantly rushed and looked like he could get out at any time.
Doubt Pucovski will be out of the side any time soon again save for another concussion problem touch wood.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Yeah Wade got a go based on shield form and deservedly so, but he has had enough chances now to know that he'll never average more than 35 at test level which isn't good enough for a specialist bat.

Paine probably should be gone soon also, be nice to have someone at 7 who is capable of making centuries on any given day.

 

[t_94]

Yeah Wade got a go based on shield form and deservedly so, but he has had enough chances now to know that he'll never average more than 35 at test level which isn't good enough for a specialist bat.

Paine probably should be gone soon also, be nice to have someone at 7 who is capable of making centuries on any given day.

It would be nice, but there have only been a few wicket keepers like that in history.