Ongoing Test match XI speculation thread.

[Coasters7]

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.

Forgot about Khawaja. Didn’t he open in tests at one point too and did alright?

 

[big_e]

Forgot about Khawaja. Didn’t he open in tests at one point too and did alright?

Khawaja averages 53 in Australia, 97 as an opener, and 127.5 as an opener in Australia.

 

[Ok Boomer]

I'm surprised that Khawaja hasn't opened more often for QLD. It would be his most likely path back into the side now and he should be able to pull rank as captain.

 

[eddiesmith]

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’d send out the annoying player I didn’t want to give a bowl to so I’d open with them so they were getting a go.

 

[eddiesmith]

Khawaja averages 53 in Australia, 97 as an opener, and 127.5 as an opener in Australia.

Another no3 that stepped up to open successfully?

 

[The Falcon Strike]

If Finch can be trusted to open in test cricket - surely Wade is worth a crack

 

[Hamingja]

If Finch can be trusted to open in test cricket - surely Wade is worth a crack

Isn't Wade colour blind and struggles to pick up the pink ball? Opening against Bumrah with the new ball wouldn't be ideal.

I'd take Wade opening over Burns at this point though.

Like Finch it would only take a couple of tests to look back and wonder what the hell we were thinking.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Isn't Wade colour blind and struggles to pick up the pink ball? Opening against Bumrah with the new ball wouldn't be ideal.

I'd take Wade opening over Burns at this point though.

Like Finch it would only take a couple of tests to look back and wonder what the hell we were thinking.

I agree - but we only need a couple of tests until Warner is back.

 

[a mayes ing]

For goodness sake, if Pucovski gets a concussion from that, then how is he going to become a cricketer at international level. He is opening the batting which means he would face the hard ball every innings. Any1 in world cricket knows now to bowl at his head.

 

[magpiemaniac44]

Is Harris next in line behind Pucovski? What’s the bet they opt with Shaun Marsh

 

[_DBF_]

I said Khawaja should’ve opened last summer in place of Burns. Would still happily have him and Warner at the top of the order again.


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[Carbine Chaos]

Is Harris next in line behind Pucovski? What’s the bet they opt with Shaun Marsh

Well, Marsh is a better player, so...

 

[magpiemaniac44]

I said Khawaja should’ve opened last summer in place of Burns. Would still happily have him and Warner at the top of the order again.


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He’s been forgotten about unfortunately. His form in Aus is outstanding.

 

[eth-dog]

He’s been forgotten about unfortunately. His form in Aus is outstanding.

Because he's had one score in his last dozen FC games?

 

[magpiemaniac44]

Because he's had one score in his last dozen FC games?

One more score than Burns

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Burns will open now - no way they drop an encumbent averaging near 40 when the other encumbent and main challenger are both injured.

Especially when the only other options are blokes who have underwhelmed as well.

Reckon it will be Wade/Burns opening and Green at 6.

 

[archibald]

Cometh the hour, cometh the man

 

[Footy Smarts]

Burns will open now - no way they drop an encumbent averaging near 40 when the other encumbent and main challenger are both injured.

Especially when the only other options are blokes who have underwhelmed as well.

Reckon it will be Wade/Burns opening and Green at 6.

Why is he even considered the incumbent? If the other top order batsmen hadn't dominated do much he would've faced huge question marks.

In his 2 matches against the Pakis he got 97 and 4 on a pair of roads against one of the youngest test bowling attacks in history.

In the first innings against the Kiwis he got 27@9. In the second innings against the Kiwis he got 128@43 when the games were effectively over (we were in front by 250, 319 and 198 in first innings).

Sorry but a 97 on a road against an ordinary attack and some cheap runs with the game over doesn't cover 4 failures in the first innings for mine. Let alone averaging under 10 so far this year.

 

[JackOutback]

Cometh the hour, cometh the man

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His Shield form is irrepressible. The ultimate Mr Fix-it.

 

[eth-dog]

One more score than Burns

BZZZZZT. Incorrect.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Why is he even considered the incumbent?

Because he's "currently" in the side

 

[Footy Smarts]

Because he's "currently" in the side

Yes but why does being picked a year ago matter? He should've been on the cusp of being dropped anyway.

 

[Heisenberg_]

Because he's "currently" in the side

That would hold some relevance if the last Test match was nearly a year ago

 

[eth-dog]

Come on down Nic Maddinson.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

That would hold some relevance if the last Test match was nearly a year ago

That still makes him the incumbent. The only time that isn't relevant is if he is retired or dead.

By that measure Warner isn't an incumbent either.

Whether he deserves to retain his position is another matter - doesn't stop him being the incumbent though.