Ongoing Test match XI speculation thread.

[DaRick]

So either way we play with 10 players? Bumrah against those 3...well I guess at least Lab will be in early lol

Yeah, I know. Whomever you pick, you likely still lose.

Sadistic choice, like I said.

Pucovski has made 1500 runs at 51 in the shield and passes 5 in every third innings. No point letting the grass grow

Green has been averaging in the 70s with the bat since he stopped bowling. He justifies his spot as a specialist bat but now can also offer 10-15 quality overs with the ball

Watching Pucovski, I have a few concerns.

1) Yeah, I know he scored a billion runs vs SA opening, but so did Harris, and that doesn't mean that we should select him.

2) I have real doubts about his ability to handle the psychological challenges thrown up by Test cricket. He's had difficulties with Shield cricket, and we all know that Test cricket is a whole 'nother ballgame, especially facing up against Bumrah first up.

3) I don't have any particular concern with his technique, but his offside play seems somewhat limited. Yeah, he looks great off the back foot and his legside play appears to be very good, and he appears to be able to pick off balls that aren't even that short, but I notice that he doesn't seem to score much off fuller balls pitched outside off. That can be spun two ways: 1) he is patient or 2) his offside play is limited enough that you can block his scoring opportunities.

RE Green, I did have him tentatively pencilled in, but really as a batsman. Saying that he can offer 10-15 quality overs with the ball right now is a stretch since he didn't bowl many over 10 for WA in the last Shield match, and has only recently returned to bowling. Wade has scored enough in the Shield that I wouldn't be bothered if the selectors opted for caution, especially against India.

 

[big_e]

Think you will find that is a cover up to some degree. There may be some truth to him being dropped anyway, but I stand by the fact that he missed the team bus.

Slater hits out in autobiography

Michael Slater has expressed his anger at being dropped from the Test team in his autobiography

www.espncricinfo.com

Was also interviewed around the same time as this article by Andrew Denton on Enough Rope, where he said himself what I just said. It was also mentioned in his autobiography.

"Michael Slater, the former Australian opener, has used his autobiography to express his anger at being dropped from the Test team, and said Steve Waugh, the captain at the time, was responsible for the end of his career.

In his autobiography Slats - The Michael Slater Story, Slater writes that he knew he was in danger of being dropped when he was asked to Waugh's room before the last Ashes Test in 2001. He quotes Waugh as saying that he [Slater] was disorganised and a threat to team harmony. According to The Age, Slater mentions that Waugh also accused him of showing more interest in commentary. Only later did Waugh reveal the real reason behind Slater's sacking - the problems in his marriage that eventually ended in a divorce.

Slater was furious that Waugh offered no reason when he informed the rest of the team of Slater's omission. He felt that the team ought to know the real reason behind his sacking. At this juncture, Adam Gilchrist asked Slater to keep quiet, saying his behaviour was not in the best interests of the team as they were preparing for a Test .

Gilchrist's reaction shocked Slater into silence and he left as he was too upset to complete the training session that was underway. Slater mentions that Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne offered him consolation. Admitting that while Waugh's mental toughness was incomparable, Slater said that he, and others, often felt uncomfortable in Waugh's presence."

Slater hits out in autobiography

Michael Slater has expressed his anger at being dropped from the Test team in his autobiography

www.espncricinfo.com

His performances had also dropped off markedly, a 77 in the first innings of the series, then nothing above 25. No centuries for almost two years.

He deserved to be dropped.

 

[Seedsfan]

Yeah, I know. Whomever you pick, you likely still lose.

Sadistic choice, like I said.



Watching Pucovski, I have a few concerns.

1) Yeah, I know he scored a billion runs vs SA opening, but so did Harris, and that doesn't mean that we should select him.

2) I have real doubts about his ability to handle the psychological challenges thrown up by Test cricket. He's had difficulties with Shield cricket, and we all know that Test cricket is a whole 'nother ballgame, especially facing up against Bumrah first up.

3) I don't have any particular concern with his technique, but his offside play seems somewhat limited. Yeah, he looks great off the back foot and his legside play appears to be very good, and he appears to be able to pick off balls that aren't even that short, but I notice that he doesn't seem to score much off fuller balls pitched outside off. That can be spun two ways: 1) he is patient or 2) his offside play is limited enough that you can block his scoring opportunities.

RE Green, I did have him tentatively pencilled in, but really as a batsman. Saying that he can offer 10-15 quality overs with the ball right now is a stretch since he didn't bowl many over 10 for WA in the last Shield match, and has only recently returned to bowling. Wade has scored enough in the Shield that I wouldn't be bothered if the selectors opted for caution, especially against India.

Second fewest innings to score 3 scores of 180 plus in the shield. His issues with his mental health from what I have heard were related to the concussion issues that he had.

Green just offers more than Wade who is only just okay at test level and is well into his 30s

 

[BronCrow]

"Michael Slater, the former Australian opener, has used his autobiography to express his anger at being dropped from the Test team, and said Steve Waugh, the captain at the time, was responsible for the end of his career.

In his autobiography Slats - The Michael Slater Story, Slater writes that he knew he was in danger of being dropped when he was asked to Waugh's room before the last Ashes Test in 2001. He quotes Waugh as saying that he [Slater] was disorganised and a threat to team harmony. According to The Age, Slater mentions that Waugh also accused him of showing more interest in commentary. Only later did Waugh reveal the real reason behind Slater's sacking - the problems in his marriage that eventually ended in a divorce.

Slater was furious that Waugh offered no reason when he informed the rest of the team of Slater's omission. He felt that the team ought to know the real reason behind his sacking. At this juncture, Adam Gilchrist asked Slater to keep quiet, saying his behaviour was not in the best interests of the team as they were preparing for a Test .

Gilchrist's reaction shocked Slater into silence and he left as he was too upset to complete the training session that was underway. Slater mentions that Matthew Hayden and Shane Warne offered him consolation. Admitting that while Waugh's mental toughness was incomparable, Slater said that he, and others, often felt uncomfortable in Waugh's presence."

Slater hits out in autobiography

Michael Slater has expressed his anger at being dropped from the Test team in his autobiography

www.espncricinfo.com

His performances had also dropped off markedly, a 77 in the first innings of the series, then nothing above 25. No centuries for almost two years.

He deserved to be dropped.

Never argued that Slater didn't deserve to be dropped.

Believe me though, he definitely missed the team bus to the oval, and had to find his own way to the ground.

Would have posted the footage of him admitting to it to Andrew Denton on Enough Rope if I could find it.

 

[MALTSY]

would love to see this team...

1.Warner
2.Green
3.Labuschagne
4.Smith
5. Pucovski
6. Wade
7.Paine
8.Cummins
9.Starc
10.Lyon
11.Hazlewood

 

[magpiemaniac44]

So the only spots up for grabs are an opening spot and the number 6 spot. Wade probably leads the race for number 6 but the opening spot could be anybody.

 

[JackOutback]

would love to see this team...

1.Warner
2.Green
3.Labuschagne
4.Smith
5. Pucovski
6. Wade
7.Paine
8.Cummins
9.Starc
10.Lyon
11.Hazlewood

Why on Earth would Green be opening? A position he’s never played.

 

[Seedsfan]

would love to see this team...

1.Warner
2.Green
3.Labuschagne
4.Smith
5. Pucovski
6. Wade
7.Paine
8.Cummins
9.Starc
10.Lyon
11.Hazlewood

Head has forced draws in his last two games making 150 plus in the final innings of the game

Green has never opened and it’s too much of a workload to open an all rounder

Pucovski just made a double ton opening and you want him at 5, why?

 

[MALTSY]

Head has forced draws in his last two games making 150 plus in the final innings of the game

Green has never opened and it’s too much of a workload to open an all rounder

Pucovski just made a double ton opening and you want him at 5, why?

sheesh...mixed Green and Pucovski in order.
Head will play but Id love to see Green brought in and see what he's got.

 

[Seedsfan]

sheesh...mixed Green and Pucovski in order.
Head will play but Id love to see Green brought in and see what he's got.

Then Wade goes out instead of Head. Head is the VC. Fair call on getting Pucovski and Green around the wrong way

 

[MALTSY]

Why on Earth would Green be opening? A position he’s never played.

Then Wade goes out instead of Head. Head is the VC. Fair call on getting Pucovski and Green around the wrong way

Good call.
Its pleasing to see some competition and batting depth emerge.

 

[Red Dog Styles]

I just went through my parents cupboard and found inside a box what they were hiding to give me as a Christmas present- Kohli only playing 1st test then missing remaining three due to birth of child / quarantine rules

On SM-G930F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Seedsfan]

I just went through my parents cupboard and found inside a box what they were hiding to give me as a Christmas present- Kohli only playing 1st test then missing remaining three due to birth of child / quarantine rules

On SM-G930F using BigFooty.com mobile app

Kohli being there or not won’t make a difference. They have no chance of winning in Aus

 

[JackOutback]

I like Kholi, perhaps my favourite international. Can’t wait to see him play.

 

[Red Dog Styles]

I like Kholi, perhaps my favourite international. Can’t wait to see him play.

Yeah will be a big loss to the series. Though he will still play the 1st test

On SM-G930F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Think Burns is absolutely cooked it now. Spot is Pucovski’s to lose I reckon.

Whiteman/Harris providing good competition but I think they’ll lean towards the talent of Pucovski. As memey as it is for Street to blunt 10 off 100, he needs to get that strike rate up to 30ish at least for those first 100 balls since he puts to much pressure on the other batters

 

[DaRick]

Kohli being there or not won’t make a difference. They have no chance of winning in Aus

He's been in average form since his blockbuster 2018/19 tour, but I'm actually more concerned about Pujara.

Kohli is undeniably superior overall and more likely to conjure up a brilliant innings in challenging conditions, but the Australian bowlers have been fairly good at preying upon his impetuosity in recent series.

Pujara on the other hand, has been the difference in both series. He can struggle in challenging conditions, but he's definitely more likely to make you work for his wicket than Kohli is.

 

[magpiemaniac44]

Whether it is too early to blood Pucovski or not he is in serious form this season and the incumbent so far has been stinking it up. It would be a shame not to see Pucovski picked at this stage.

 

[BronCrow]

Whether it is too early to blood Pucovski or not he is in serious form this season and the incumbent so far has been stinking it up. It would be a shame not to see Pucovski picked at this stage.

If Pucovski's form continues the way it is at the moment, and Burns' maintains his current form, it will be hard to make an argument against Pucovski being picked. If he is picked, he needs to be persisted with. Renshaw was picked young and dumped on the back of poor shield form going into the last Ashes series here, and has been the same since. I would hate the same thing to happen to Pucovski.

Sam Whiteman is the only other contender for mine outside of Burns and Pucovski.

 

[Cainozz]

100 up for Puc. To me this bloke belongs at International level. Personally, I'd like to see him start in the test team at no.6 and let him work his way up the order before starting him as opener.

 

[Cainozz]

My starting XI and squad for the first test.

1. Warner
2. Burns
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Head
6. Pucovski
7. Paine
8. Cummins
9. Starc
10. Lyon
11. Hazlewood

Swepson
Abbott
Wade
Neser


- Burns needs a score though. Have him there as the incumbent opener as he bats well with Warner.
- I think Green needs the full summer to really establish himself as he's only just started bowling again.
- Wade unlucky not to make final XI but is most likely going to be pushed out unless he starts making big hundreds.
- Abbott and Neser bowling well at the moment and have been for a while now.

 

[Seedsfan]

382 runs opening the batting for the Vics this year, yet to be dismissed

 

[BronCrow]

382 runs opening the batting for the Vics this year, yet to be dismissed

He will be a star at international level.

To think, he is only batting today after the Vics were sent in this morning as well.

 

[1990crow]

Warner
Pucovski
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon

 

[eddiesmith]

382 runs opening the batting for the Vics this year, yet to be dismissed

Just passed 400!!!