Ongoing Test match XI speculation thread.

[Docker82]

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.

Was almost like they couldn’t decide between Hazlewood and Cummins so they just gave it to someone else tbh.

 

[Docker82]

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.

Agree and disagree.

Pucovski looks a good player but so does Shaun Marsh when he’s in good touch. Ultimately it’s about consistency which Pucovski hasn’t had the chance to show yet.

Burns was never a natural looking batsman but averages around 40 in test cricket - far better than several guys who look far more natural.

I remember thinking Labuschagne looked a natural looking player in early 2019 but wasn’t really convinced until the Ashes later that year. He’s one that gets the results it looks like he should get. Smith looks awful technique wise yet the career stats are amazing. There’s different ways to skin a cat.

Not trying to put down Pucovski or talk up Burns - just pointing out Pucovski gave India a chance or two. Given the way Burns has been playing, Pucovski could’ve got out at 30 odd (when the first chance was given) and been impressive enough. Burns at his best though has scored test hundreds including a 180 in New Zealand. You don’t do that if you’re as average as people are calling Burns - the gap between his best and worst (ie now) is just far too much. I genuinely think the selectors picked him hoping for a miracle (return to form) because the only other option, being Harris, is not test standard in form or not.

On another note Pant may be a talented batsman but he’s one of the worst glovemen I’ve seen at test level.

 

[The Passenger]

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

After 13 years it's time to realise the Gilchrist dream is the exception, not the rule for keepers. And if wicketkeeper selection mindset's from earlier generations persisted, he probably wouldn't have got picked in front of better keepers like Darren Berry and Tim Nielsen.

EDIT: FTR not saying Gilchrist wouldn't have played test cricket. He still would have got selected as a #6 batsmen.

EDIT 2: Also FTR not saying Gilchrist wasn't a good keeper. He was a good 8/10 keeper. But there have been better pure glovemen - Gilly's batting more than made up for it.

 

[The Passenger]

I remember thinking Labuschagne looked a natural looking player in early 2019 but wasn’t really convinced until the Ashes later that year. He’s one that gets the results it looks like he should get. Smith looks awful technique wise yet the career stats are amazing. There’s different ways to skin a cat.

Absolutely and it's why you shouldn't **** with batsmen too much once they hit a certain point in their career. Usually that is around late teens or early 20's - a bit different for each batsmen, but it's always around that age.

Batting is a natural instinct. It's not like bowling where you can consider things as you walk back to your mark and the entire delivery is in your hands. The bowler can think "just remember keep your arm up, back straight, keep it in the channel where this guy struggles". But a batsmen gets a split second to react to what the bowler does - he doesn't have any chance at all to analyse things.

If a batsmen has made it to test level - and many times even to state level - with a deficiency (i.e. Burns outside the off stump) than it is going to very hard for him to overcome that and it I think most of the time it's best for them to try and work through that mentally (i.e. S Waugh with the hook shot) than try and fix it technically. Look at what happened to Phil Hughes (RIP) - they tried to change his technique and it completely ****ed his batting.

 

[The hands of stone]

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

Gilchrist has basically ruined wicket keeping for everyone .....all teams want a very good gloveman who would also be one of the best bats in the world , oh and also most destructive .

 

[The hands of stone]

Absolutely and it's why you shouldn't fu** with batsmen too much once they hit a certain point in their career. Usually that is around late teens or early 20's - a bit different for each batsmen, but it's always around that age.

Batting is a natural instinct. It's not like bowling where you can consider things as you walk back to your mark and the entire delivery is in your hands. The bowler can think "just remember keep your arm up, back straight, keep it in the channel where this guy struggles". But a batsmen gets a split second to react to what the bowler does - he doesn't have any chance at all to analyse things.

If a batsmen has made it to test level - and many times even to state level - with a deficiency (i.e. Burns outside the off stump) than it is going to very hard for him to overcome that and it I think most of the time it's best for them to try and work through that mentally (i.e. S Waugh with the hook shot) than try and fix it technically. Look at what happened to Phil Hughes (RIP) - they tried to change his technique and it completely f’ed his batting.

Well said , its why Trav Head at his age with his technical issues really wont be able to rectify them now . He has most likely maxed out , doesnt mean he doesnt hit form and make it back but weve really seen his best .

Pucovski has a solid technique and game which gives him a better chance of consistent success at test level , no gaurantee though.

Always thought Burns must have an incredible eye to open the batting with his flaws at the top level.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Is the test series in South Africa locked in as going ahead ?

 

[qman]

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.

Yep, I wanted him in but like you say he's had a lot of chances. Maybe one more Test and if he fails that's it.

 

[barrackers]

Yep, I wanted him in but like you say he's had a lot of chances. Maybe one more Test and if he fails that's it.

With no shield there’s no one putting pressure on the number 5 spot. Wade may not be the answer, but we shouldn’t go back to Head after one test out. Pucovski to the middle order and Harris opening I wouldn’t mind, but I can’t see the selectors doing that for Brisbane.

 

[Pippen94]

With no shield there’s no one putting pressure on the number 5 spot. Wade may not be the answer, but we shouldn’t go back to Head after one test out. Pucovski to the middle order and Harris opening I wouldn’t mind, but I can’t see the selectors doing that for Brisbane.

Bit unfair to move debutant around - Moses comes in for final test

 

[Pippen94]

Well said , its why Trav Head at his age with his technical issues really wont be able to rectify them now . He has most likely maxed out , doesnt mean he doesnt hit form and make it back but weve really seen his best .

Pucovski has a solid technique and game which gives him a better chance of consistent success at test level , no gaurantee though.

Always thought Burns must have an incredible eye to open the batting with his flaws at the top level.

Head can return but needs to go away & work at his technique first

 

[hawkman]

Will be interesting to see what happens after this. Do they bring Harris in for Pucovski if he can't play or put Wade back up to open. Does Wade get dropped for Head? Does Starc play or does Neser debut as I'm assuming Pattinson still isn't fit?

 

[HODGEYROAD]

Will be interesting to see what happens after this. Do they bring Harris in for Pucovski if he can't play or put Wade back up to open. Does Wade get dropped for Head? Does Starc play or does Neser debut as I'm assuming Pattinson still isn't fit?

Whatever they do they need Lyon back in the wickets ( 6 so far in the series is pathetic ) and must hold catches eg Paine.

 

[Santana]

Warner
Pucovski
Labuschagne
Smith
Wade
Green
Paine
Neser
Cummins
Lyon
Hazlewood

For the 4th test. Hopefully both openers are fit.


Moving forward hopefully both Wade & Paine have both been moved on by next summer. Warner maybe the next summer after. Swepson hopefully keeps putting pressure on Lyon too. Puc and Green both cement their spots in the team. Captain goes to either Smith or Cummins.

 

[Manbearpig77]

That draw was an absolutely terrible result for Australia.

I sincerely hope we get our heads straight for the Gabba and bring our A game. Because not being able to beat India's B team on our home soil with the vast majority of our first choice line up available would be calamitous.

That being said, what an awful day 5 pitch. Did absolutely nothing.

 

[eddiesmith]

Will be interesting to see what happens after this. Do they bring Harris in for Pucovski if he can't play or put Wade back up to open. Does Wade get dropped for Head? Does Starc play or does Neser debut as I'm assuming Pattinson still isn't fit?

Patto was only bruising from a fall, surely that doesn’t keep you out for 2 weeks?

 

[Cleavy]

Patto was only bruising from a fall, surely that doesn’t keep you out for 2 weeks?

it would if it's bruised ribs.

 

[Gough]

Patto was only bruising from a fall, surely that doesn’t keep you out for 2 weeks?

Apparently it was some sort of lawn mowing related accident which is straying into Spinal Tap territory.

 

[two blue tiger]

Hard to believe that Wade can survive. B-grader at best. Too many brain explosions. Test average of 30. Doesn't cut it.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Hard to believe that Wade can survive. B-grader at best. Too many brain explosion. Test average of 30. Doesn't cut it.

B graders make the side at the moment due to a lack of batting talent around the country. Pucovski and Green being persevered with is of paramount importance due to this fact.

 

[eth-dog]

B graders make the side at the moment due to a lack of batting talent around the country. Pucovski and Green being persevered with is of paramount importance due to this fact.

After them there's who? Street? Renshaw?

 

[JackOutback]

After them there's who? Street? Renshaw?

Josh Phillippe is a talent, shame he's gone from IPL to BBL so we have no form guide at all.

 

[swingdog]

Renshaw in for Wade. Swepson for the SA series.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

After them there's who? Street? Renshaw?

Not a lot. Ben McDermott was having a good Shield summer, from memory? Bit of a stretch back now haha.

 

[eth-dog]

Josh Phillippe is a talent, shame he's gone from IPL to BBL so we have no form guide at all.

Overrated on here for what he's shown. A couple of good knocks but not much else.

Not a lot. Ben McDermott was having a good Shield summer, from memory? Bit of a stretch back now haha.

I like Ben but he doesn't convert.