Ongoing Test match XI speculation thread.

[Kram]

How does a player as average as Wade get talked about so much.

Mind you I'm not saying he's crap either, better batsman then say Burns or Bancroft.

 

[eddiesmith]

How does a player as average as Wade get talked about so much.

Mind you I'm not saying he's crap either, better batsman then say Burns or Bancroft.

Well he played for Victoria which instantly made him non test standard and he’ll never overcome that in some people’s minds. Much like how Maddinson is automatically discounted as test material.

Yet Wade keeps making runs, he is ugly at it so when it doesn’t come off it looks bad but he makes them often enough to keep his spot.

It’s funny when you’ve got some struggles in the Australian team that a bloke averaging 50 is discounted because his runs weren’t valuable

 

[TheMcManusNose]

How does a player as average as Wade get talked about so much.

Mind you I'm not saying he's crap either, better batsman then say Burns or Bancroft.

Kind of the crux of the matter though isn't it.

 

[Kapow!!!]

Well he played for Victoria which instantly made him non test standard and he’ll never overcome that in some people’s minds. Much like how Maddinson is automatically discounted as test material.

Yet Wade keeps making runs, he is ugly at it so when it doesn’t come off it looks bad but he makes them often enough to keep his spot.

It’s funny when you’ve got some struggles in the Australian team that a bloke averaging 50 is discounted because his runs weren’t valuable

Took longer than normal but we finally get to the point of why you're defending him so grimly.

How does a player as average as Wade get talked about so much.

Mind you I'm not saying he's crap either, better batsman then say Burns or Bancroft.

He was always a stop-gap until something better came along really. The reason why he's being discussed here is because something better came along and it happened to be in the position he currently occupies

 

[Kram]

Well he played for Victoria which instantly made him non test standard and he’ll never overcome that in some people’s minds. Much like how Maddinson is automatically discounted as test material.

Yet Wade keeps making runs, he is ugly at it so when it doesn’t come off it looks bad but he makes them often enough to keep his spot.

It’s funny when you’ve got some struggles in the Australian team that a bloke averaging 50 is discounted because his runs weren’t valuable

Does he set the world on fire when he actually plays at the highest level?

A quick glance at his Test and ODI batting records I'd suggest no.

 

[eth-dog]

The question is, you can only have three of Burns, Puck, Wade, Harris and Green. I'm pretty much leaving Head in due to his Shield performances. Green's played his way in for me.

 

[Kram]

Head is a funny one, he looks like he would be a complete dud but he just somehow manages to make runs.

 

[Footy Smarts]

If the options are Wade, Green and Burns then im happy for Wade to open. Can’t be any worse than Burns surely and it allows us to play Green.

The way I see it 3-5 are locked in with zero movement up or down. Surely a Wade opening/Cam Green combo is better than a shaky Burns and Wade at 6?

Wade and Head like to feel bat on ball early which is really not ideal in an opener. No way you'd ask Green to open when he's on debut and never batted there. Labuschagne is clearly the best opener but that means moving both him and Smith up when Lab 3 and Smith 4 is our world class combo. I still think as a one off I'd go for Paine opening since his technique is more suited to it and he's less valuable in the middle order.

 

[eddiesmith]

Does he set the world on fire when he actually plays at the highest level?

A quick glance at his Test and ODI batting records I'd suggest no.

But the suggestion is dropping a bloke who has done nothing wrong because we can’t make a former opening batsman, open the batting.

The real question is Australia better off with Wade and Green or Burns and Green?

Even to play Green at 6, you’re already moving Head out of his preferred position

 

[eth-dog]

Head is a funny one, he looks like he would be a complete dud but he just somehow manages to make runs.

He's tough and has a great eye

 

[Kapow!!!]

The question is, you can only have three of Burns, Puck, Wade, Harris and Green. I'm pretty much leaving Head in due to his Shield performances. Green's played his way in for me.

Puck and Harris probably have my vote there. Then reassess for the second test or whenever Warner is back

 

[eth-dog]

Puck and Harris probably have my vote there. Then reassess for the second test or whenever Warner is back

I think Wade has my vote over Harris. Whether that's Wade or Lab or Head opening I'm not sure though

 

[Kapow!!!]

But the suggestion is dropping a bloke who has done nothing wrong because we can’t make a former opening batsman, open the batting.

Again: former. He shouldn't be expected to play out of his preferred position (where he has scored bulk runs) in order to make room for someone else. Find a specific opener. Outside of Langer (who wasn't thriving at 3 anyway and required reinvention) you don't see non-preferred Openers do well opening at Test level outside the odd lucky knock.

 

[Kram]

lol really stupid question here, just who are we considering to open out of position?

 

[eddiesmith]

Again: former. He shouldn't be expected to play out of his preferred position (where he has scored bulk runs) in order to make room for someone else. Find a specific opener. Outside of Langer (who wasn't thriving at 3 anyway and required reinvention) you don't see non-preferred Openers do well opening at Test level outside the odd lucky knock.

Yet you want Pucovski to open who was never an opener until a month ago?

 

[magpiemaniac44]

lol really stupid question here, just who are we considering to open out of position?

Everyone’s name has been thrown up but Smith

 

[eddiesmith]

lol really stupid question here, just who are we considering to open out of position?

Labuschagne who put his hand up to open and started his career as an opener

 

[Kram]

Everyone’s name has been thrown up but Smith

In my u16 cricket team many many years ago the captain had to MAKE someone open with him haha.

No way was I moving from the comfy number 4!

 

[Kapow!!!]

Yet you want Pucovski to open who was never an opener until a month ago?

The bloke who has scored well in Shield at that level, proven and recent form...seems logical.

Over Labuschagne who started his career there, getting dropped on merit there and reinvented himself and his technique in the middle order with no recent form whatsoever in red ball cricket opening.

 

[Kapow!!!]

In my u16 cricket team many many years ago the captain had to MAKE someone open with him haha.

No way was I moving from the comfy number 4!

Usually we'd just chuck the tail enders who knew how to block there. Quite often they'd frustrate the opening bowlers and last about 5-10 overs which was always a win

 

[eddiesmith]

In my u16 cricket team many many years ago the captain had to MAKE someone open with him haha.

No way was I moving from the comfy number 4!

I hate 3,4,5. Although my best innings at 3 I came in and faced the 2nd ball. Was supposed to be no4 but the no3 wasn’t ready

I either open (but not face first ball) or bat 6.

 

[Kram]

Usually we'd just chuck the tail enders who knew how to block there. Quite often they'd frustrate the opening bowlers and last about 5-10 overs which was always a win

Yep, that was the tactic, see off the best bowlers. Skipper was the the number 1 bat but we just put in some fodder that could hold up an end defensively well enough for a bit with him. One kid almost started crying when we gave him the job haha.

 

[Kapow!!!]

Yep, that was the tactic, see off the best bowlers. Skipper was the the number 1 bat but we just put in some fodder that could hold up an end defensively well enough for a bit with him. One kid almost started crying when we gave him the job haha.

I still remember scoring 2 off 70 balls and carrying the bat when I was first made to open in U16s. Was rather chuffed with that demonstration of stoicism

 

[Footy Smarts]

Does he set the world on fire when he actually plays at the highest level?

A quick glance at his Test and ODI batting records I'd suggest no.

I just had a look through his matches and Wade's performances are better than his average of a bit over 31 in 55 innings suggests. He's batted a lot in tough conditions away from home. Then in home series he's either watched on while the top order batsmen pile on the runs and had to go out and be aggressive or faced some pretty tough bowling lineups. When he's had the chance to perform he's often been left batting with the tail and tended to throw his wicket away looking for extra runs. He was also keeping for most of those tests. His performances have included:

106 away against the WI when he came in at 5/157 to get us to 328. Named man of the match in his 3rd test.
68 in Perth against SA after coming in at 6/45 and getting us to 163.
102* against SL in Sydney after coming in with us only slightly in front in the game.
62 after coming in at 4/63 in Hyderabad.
2 centuries in the ashes.

Not saying he's a gun but heis performances under pressure are a lot better than his stats suggest.

 

[Lynchy04]

I know he hasn't had a great run of late but Khawaja's record as an opener in AUS conditions has been really good hasn't it?

No way Burns can play.