Test #5 - Changes

[King Elvis]

Hughes in for Khawaja.

Can't believe people giving it to Bird; ****ing hell, it's the first Test he played, and it wasn't our bowlers that were shit, it was the dickeating batsmen.

 

[Pav20]

What's everyone's thoughts about Cosgrove to bat at 3 for the home ashes series. Still averaging just under 44 in shield.

Has only just turned 29 and with his ability to bowl some handy medium pacers, meaning we can finally drop Watson. He seems the forgotten man of Australian cricket.

Not sure who you would play at 6 though. Maybe a Voges for some experience or maybe a Maddinson if he starts the shield season well.

Would be a far stronger top six then having Kwalaga at 3 and Watson 6

 

[Spitta09]

Out: Bird and Smith
In: Starc and Hughes

Khawaja with what will be one last opportunity maybe further down the order.
Clarke should take the initiative to step up to 3... besides a part from one innings he hasn't done much himself all series so may as well trial it.

Umpires:
Out Tony Hill
In BLOODY ANYONE

 

[King Elvis]

Put Hughes at #3, back him in for the long haul.

He's mentally tough, just stick with him.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Agree with the bit in bold. I have toyed with the idea of Rogers at #3 and reviving the Warner/Cowan partnerhip as that sort of worked and something "sort of working" in this lineup is a valuable thing. But Warner/Rogers just worked too, and has to remain for a few games.
That means, no Cowan. He's an open or nothing proposition for mine.

#3 is a dog's breakfast. Part of the problem is the position has an almost mystical feel in Australia, and (like opening) only those that really want to play there tend to be successful there. We don't seem to have anybody who plays there regularly at state level and does well, nor anyone who desparately wants number three to be theirs (as Ponting did).
Given the lack of options keep Khawaja at three for The Oval and bring in Hughes; perhaps Wade; for Watson at six - presuming Watson is not 100% before the match.
If Doolan or Burns have a huge start to the Shield season they could possibly slot into #3 for Brisbane, but it has to be a very big start. Even Quiney if he really piles on the runs. Really, if anyone piles on the runs they could take any of 1,3,5 or 6.

I can understand people wanting to rest Harris for a dead rubber, but is still a Test match so we still want the best side out there that we can get. If he does pick up an injury that would be unfortunate, but there is time before the Brisbane Test.
Bird's second innings was not good, but it was no worse tha Starc regularly produces, so Bird remains in the side for mine. He could have had a couple despite not bowling well.

problem with harris is that when he gets injured he is out for months.

 

[Stan_Darsh72]

Out: Harris to give him a rest and i just don't want to risk him, Watson again for a rest also being conservative with him.
In : Starc for Harris and Faulkner for Watson.

I also am deliberating adding Hughes for Khawaja but not sure about it. Bat off in the tour match to decide it maybe?

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Of course, the selectors will make changes. Every single test has had at least one change, usually two per match. I guess the one positive is that it was worse in India, by Australia they might have given up and will just stick with one team bar injuries for 2 tests in a row.

We have to pick and stick at some point.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

What's everyone's thoughts about Cosgrove to bat at 3 for the home ashes series. Still averaging just under 44 in shield.

Please tell me you are joking. Want me to state the plain obvious that his technique is horrid and the fact I am not convinced he is fully committed to WANTING to play cricket at the highest level.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

We have to pick and stick at some point.

Yes but with our batting do they deserve to 'pick and stick'. Not so sure. We need a number 3 NOW, Khawaja has had enough chances.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Yes but with our batting do they deserve to 'pick and stick'. Not so sure. We need a number 3 NOW, Khawaja has had enough chances.

He's had 3 matches in a row. If they can give Cowan a bloody shitpile of matches in a row for his banal average at age 31, they can give Khawaja one more before sending him back to drinks waiter.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Please tell me you are joking. Want me to state the plain obvious that his technique is horrid and the fact I am not convinced he is fully committed to WANTING to play cricket at the highest level.

Cosgrove is a great batsman to watch, not sure what you mean by this.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Cosgrove is a great batsman to watch, not sure what you mean by this.

Yes with a high portion of terrible running between wickets and the fact that early on he is a big nicker. No thanks.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

He's had 3 matches in a row. If they can give Cowan a bloody shitpile of matches in a row for his banal average at age 31, they can give Khawaja one more before sending him back to drinks waiter.

They will, I would rather try Maddinson/Doolan/Burns in this position. Will be a potential-type selection, I agree. However they cannot be any worse than Khawaja!

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Yes with a high portion of terrible running between wickets and the fact that early on he is a big nicker. No thanks.

Early on, most top order batsmen are prone to nicking. It comes with the job. And what does his running between the wickets have to with his technique? He was adjudged good enough to get a (albeit short) look in when we were bloody strong, it's a shame he can't now that we are an absolute shambles. A fitter and more focused Cosgrove would have been a big asset.

 

[The Speaker]

Early on, most top order batsmen are prone to nicking. It comes with the job. And what does his running between the wickets have to with his technique? He was adjudged good enough to get a (albeit short) look in when we were bloody strong, it's a shame he can't now that we are an absolute shambles. A fitter and more focused Cosgrove would have been a big asset.

Should get Ross Lyon onto him.

 

[Doodlesweaver]

They will, I would rather try Maddinson/Doolan/Burns in this position. Will be a potential-type selection, I agree. However they cannot be any worse than Khawaja!

But you can't just throw in young players, demand that they perform brilliantly from day one - especially if their first class averages are very, very ordinary - then chuck them out after 2 or 3 games for being rubbish.

It makes no sense at all. None. They need to give players plenty of time to settle in. And by plenty of time, I mean a min of 10 matches needs to be given to players unless they are picked to cover for injury, especially considering that they don't have the cushion around them of decently performing senior players.

Look at Agar. You'd think they'd learn from that sort of speculative pick. What did they expect from a 19 year-old offie?

Thinking on, I'm surprised the Aussies have competed at all. Look at the changes in the batting line-up and the bowling line-up.

If Lyon doesn't perform to some ludicrous standard at the Oval, you can bet he'll be dumped for someone like Zampa or even bloody Maxwell again come the first test at the Gabba.

Or they might just go back to Agar if he has a good opening to the Shield season.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Yes with a high portion of terrible running between wickets and the fact that early on he is a big nicker. No thanks.

Cosgrove wouldn't be any worse than most of the guys in our top order. CA blew it though. They should have had Cosgrove playing test matches years ago but they we're too obsessed with fitness standards and marketability. I dunno about you but I would take a fatty who can make runs over the more athletic soft ***** we currently have.

 

[Run n Spread]

Out Harris (rest/injury prone can't risk breaking down) Watson (inj) Haddin (give Wade experience and a chance)

In Faulkner Agar Wade

Still keeps the core of the side while extending opportunities for the fringe players in a dead rubber.

 

[HBF]

Cowan to 3?

I would do that.
Khawaja just doesn't seem up to it IMO.
Not sure what to do with the bowlers.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

If Lyon doesn't perform to some ludicrous standard at the Oval, you can bet he'll be dumped for someone like Zampa or even bloody Maxwell again come the first test at the Gabba.

Or they might just go back to Agar if he has a good opening to the Shield season.

One thing is for sure. The spin merry-go-rund will continue and they won't go the best performed spinner over a number of years, O'Keefe.

 

[lionbear]

I would rather a keeper that doesn't drop the ball, Wade is useless. He is the WORST gloveman in the country and you want him keeping on a raging turner at the Oval...well I can see this ending well.

If you rather a keeper that doesn't drop the ball, then I would still drop Haddin.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

If you rather a keeper that doesn't drop the ball, then I would still drop Haddin.

Not if the replacement is Wade.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

One thing is for sure. The spin merry-go-rund will continue and they won't go the best performed spinner over a number of years, O'Keefe.

First Class bowling average of 26.49, batting average of 30.91.

What are we missing here?

 

[Ducky Tie]

First Class bowling average of 26.49, batting average of 30.91.

What are we missing here?

No way should Wade replace Haddin. Probably shouldn't play as a batsman either.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

No way should Wade replace Haddin. Probably shouldn't play as a batsman either.

...what part of my post had anything to do with Wade?