Sport The Hangar Cricket Thread IV

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eth-dog

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hope Handscombe gets a crack - as a bat or a keeper/bat

I know Nevill has the spot to lose but i see a couple of flaws that opponents could zero in on pretty quickly
I sincerely hope Handscomb never plays as the first choice keeper.

He's your Mike Hussey type. If Nevill goes down mid test match and he's in the side you give him the gloves but he's not your first choice keeper.
 

eth-dog

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At least the Australia A boys are doing well. Beat India A 1-0 in the FC series, won their first List A game against South Africa A by 9 wickets and have India A 166/6 chasing 334 in the second, Gurinder Sandhu 3/27 off his 8 overs so far, should see him part of the ODI squad against England hopefully.
 

Alfred E Neuman

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The coach is not the issue, the issue is that our batsmen are not being taught well from a young age in regards to basic technique.
I think it's as much a lack of mental toughness as technique. Granted, some of the defensive technique appears to be non-existent, but the entire batting line up seems to be suffering from ADHD. Complete inability to graft.

First sessions seem to revolve around scoring 120 runs rather than the preservation of wickets which is the exact opposite of what should be the case. Shouldn't matter if there are only 60 runs on teh board as long as all or nine wickets are intact at lunch.
 
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I think it's as much a lack of mental toughness as technique. Granted, some of the defensive technique appears to be non-existent, but the entire batting line up seems to be suffering from ADHD. Complete inability to graft.

First sessions seem to revolve around scoring 120 runs rather than the preservation of wickets which is the exact opposite of what should be the case. Shouldn't matter if there are only 60 runs on teh board as long as all or nine wickets are intact at lunch.
I am counting leaving the ball as a matter of technique.
 

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Doss

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This team has no concept whatsoever of stemming the bleeding. They keep up with extravagant drives and unnecessary prods outside off and ridiculous pull shots when the situation calls for a more circumspect approach.

They'll never be a serious force in swinging or spinning environments until they learn to deal with it.

New Zealand are a very real show of beating us later this year based on this.
 

Tassieboy

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6 Tests ago Clarke was considered to be one of the world's premier batsmen. He hasn't really had a massive dry spell like some would have you believe. He needs to stick on to build the side as there's no one to replace him. However....
  • Shaun Marsh is a hack who is a very mediocre First Class player. Please never let him near the team again.
  • Voges is 35 and has failed this series. Hopefully his career ends after seven Tests.
  • Mitchell Marsh needs to score some more FC runs before he plays Tests again. His technique is awful. A FC average of 31 (8 higher the MJ) is not good enough to bat at 6 for Australia. I'd give him a season of FC cricket and send him on A tours which would allow him to be hopefully ready for the 2016/17 home season.
 
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  • Mitchell Marsh needs to score some more FC runs before he plays Tests again. His technique is awful. A FC average of 31 (8 higher the MJ) is not good enough to bat at 6 for Australia. I'd give him a season of FC cricket and send him on A tours which would allow him to be hopefully ready for the 2016/17 home season.
His average is ruined a bit by playing for WA before he was ready. I think he was averaging something like 48 from that Australia A v India A series in QLD last year until this Ashes series.
 

Tassieboy

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His average is ruined a bit by playing for WA before he was ready. I think he was averaging something like 48 from that Australia A v India A series in QLD last year until this Ashes series.
Correct. Nonetheless, he has limited experience in different conditions and his 'good' batting period has been quite short. His bowling has improved immensely and is more promising at this stage.
 

eth-dog

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Definitely need to revitalise the squad for Bangladesh. Drop S Marsh, Voges and (possible controversy) Clarke. Play M Marsh (he's realising his talent, just keep him in the side) or bring in Henriques (he's a decent stop gap). Play Burns at 3 as that's where the selectors see him in the future, slide Smith down to 4 and bring in Handscomb and Bancroft into the squad. Nevill stays in because we should give him an extended run to see if he's at the standard and if he's not bring in Whiteman. So for batsmen we should have:

Warner, Rogers, Bancroft, Burns, Smith, Handscomb, Henriques, Marsh, Nevill.

Bowling wise we should only bring 3 fast bowlers, maybe 4, because it's the subcontinent and playing 2 spinners would be smarter. Johnson gets in just, been the least effective bowler this series but gets a pass due to his experience and speed. Starc's in because he's got the most wickets for Australia this series. Hazlewood and Starc most wickets this year. Cummins the 4th because he's young and seen as next in line obviously. I'd take 3 spinners, or 2 if they go with the 4th quick. Lyon is an automatic selection because he's the clear #1 spinner. I'd have Agar as the next spinner because I don't think Ahmed or O'Keefe are up to it and throw Cam Boyce a chance too. So that leaves:

Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Agar, Cummins, Boyce.

My preferred XI would be:

Rogers
Warner
Burns
Smith (c)
Handscomb
Marsh
Nevill (+)
Agar
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

Bancroft
Henriques
Johnson
Cummins
Boyce
 
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Rogers has announced he's retiring at the end of this Ashes. I'm happy for Bancroft to replace him.

Also Agar shouldn't be near playing test cricket for Australia.
 
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