Test The Ashes Fourth Test December 26-30 1000hrs @ The MCG

[Linda Lovelace]

Really dumb selection.

You can pick a spinner and still play 4 proper seamers if you like by dropping Green for Neser.

I don't know why people seem to forget Neser is an all-rounder, or why our selectors seem to think a (useless) batting all-rounder is always preferable over a bowling all-rounder. Particularly since the rest of the tail can bat.

 

[troybe]

Do you supply floaties or do they need to bring their own?

Nah, no floaties

 

[Pistol Night]

Nah, no floaties

This kind of reckless behaviour is Bazball all over

 

[Kapow!!!]

I’m up near Caboolture so a touch North

I grew up in Woodford, played footy at Cabo when I was younger in the days it was still Caboolture. It doesn't surprise me it's hosing down up there. It's folk festival time: Can't have the hippies camping on anything other than a mudslide historically.

 

[eddiesmith]

Whats the deck looking like? Are the predicting a green, seaming monster?

The ground staff said they’re happy with the last few years and last year was a road for 3 days, so interesting choice to go without a spinner.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Should we let them have “one hand, one bounce” and “can’t get out first ball” for the rest of the series?

Maybe give them 3 innings lol

 

[Bucking Beads]

Heading down now myself, expecting one hell of a temperature shock.

It's shorts and hoodie weather. Beautiful QLD Winters day

 

[Cold Sober]

All the best to everyone and your families, have a safe one.
Why not Webster as a replacement spinner, bats, fields, hasn't put a foot wrong.

 

[swanssince2002]

16 degrees in what is supposed to be the hottest time in Australia :l

Oh well, at least there is no rain forecast. Well, only one way to find out once I drive down for a holiday tommorow.

 

[MarcMaverick]

All the best to everyone and your families, have a safe one.
Why not Webster as a replacement spinner, bats, fields, hasn't put a foot wrong.

Because his name isn't Cam Green.

 

[Kapow!!!]

All the best to everyone and your families, have a safe one.
Why not Webster as a replacement spinner, bats, fields, hasn't put a foot wrong.

Seems like a pretty logical choice if you want both spinner coverage and to shore up the batting order whilst also having the flexibility of that fifth pace bowler if needed

 

[Kapow!!!]

Because his name isn't Cam Green.

I honestly thought they'd go down the route of keeping the young incumbent but Webster does feel like the better fit at the moment.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Really dumb selection.

You can pick a spinner and still play 4 proper seamers if you like by dropping Green for Neser.

I don't know why people seem to forget Neser is an all-rounder, or why our selectors seem to think a (useless) batting all-rounder is always preferable over a bowling all-rounder. Particularly since the rest of the tail can bat.

Neser is a bowler that can bat calling him an all rounder is very generous. Handy with the stick but that’s about it

 

[Gough]

Hippys

Hi.

 

[Mick F]

In the post-sledging era where nothing mean, intimidating or insulting is acceptable to the Australian cricketing public, Marnus’ relentless ADHD-fuelled ‘mundanity trolling’ is elite-tier mind games from Australia

The Aussies can easily tune out the nonsensical, monotonous diatribe because it’s not directed at them and is done on their behalf - however, the opposition know that it’s designed to put them off so they have to exert some degree of mental energy/attention towards not letting it bother them

No player wants to be the first to acknowledge it’s annoying because that publicly acknowledges the tactic is working and encourages even more of it

I think it’s both hilarious and smart…can’t wait to see what inanities he brings to the contest in the centre of G!

‘hilarious and smart’ for schoolboys, much the same as fart jokes and The Footy Show.

 

[Mick F]

What part of Brisbane? It's hot as balls here in Wynnum!

Wynnum: Broadmeadows by the sea.

 

[Linda Lovelace]

Neser is a bowler that can bat calling him an all rounder is very generous. Handy with the stick but that’s about it

With a FC average of 28, 5 tons and 18 50s, Neser is a bowling all-rounder by any sensible definition.

The point is when you bring Neser, Richardson and Murphy into the team with Starc there and even Boland looking decent with the stick, you've got a strong tail that can compensate for one out-of form batting all-rounder.

 

[madjoe]

podcast mentioned the other day the MCG has had the most seam movement of any wicket in the world for the past 3 seasons so the aussies have brought that data i'm not so sure

 

[Hamingja]

I think they have made the decision they have because

• They don't trust Murphy (or any other spinner) and know England would target whoever was picked
• They don't want to pick a 4 man pace attack containing Boland, Neser and Doggett with a red ball as too samey
• Richardson breaks up the sameness but they don't trust he can get through a test so can't pick him AND a spinner who might get got

Becomes 4 quicks by default with the only decision on whether they pick Neser or Doggett

 

[ptrg]

podcast mentioned the other day the MCG has had the most seam movement of any wicket in the world for the past 3 seasons so the aussies have brought that data i'm not so sure

But surely CA/MCG are HEAVILY incentivized to not have a sporting and seaming wicket now that it's a dead rubber, and the entire series may be running at a loss due to the Poms I ability to consistently play out a full test match.

I'm guessing it will be much shorter trimmed come first ball tomorrow - especially with the cooler weather for first 2 days.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

With a FC average of 28, 5 tons and 18 50s, Neser is a bowling all-rounder by any sensible definition.

The point is when you bring Neser, Richardson and Murphy into the team with Starc there and even Boland looking decent with the stick, you've got a strong tail that can compensate for one out-of form batting all-rounder.

Green averages near 50 with the bat way more likely to score runs and calling Murphy a decent bat is jeez pushing it. He’s no Rocc

 

[Pistol Night]

I went to the carols last night, holy crap that was cold!!!

With seats in the open tomorrow I was fully expecting a 40 degree day

How many Carols were there ya stud?

 

[cricketnut14]

I think they have made the decision they have because

• They don't trust Murphy (or any other spinner) and know England would target whoever was picked
• They don't want to pick a 4 man pace attack containing Boland, Neser and Doggett with a red ball as too samey
• Richardson breaks up the sameness but they don't trust he can get through a test so can't pick him AND a spinner who might get got

Becomes 4 quicks by default with the only decision on whether they pick Neser or Doggett

hope they are on top of the over rates from the get go.

 

[cats_09]

 

[Westend]

All the best to everyone and your families, have a safe one.
Why not Webster as a replacement spinner, bats, fields, hasn't put a foot wrong.

Honestly just because he bowls a bit of spin doesn’t make him good at it head is superior bowling spin than webbie

Webbie is a medium quick