Summer of 16/17

[Highlander35]

Pattinson got through Victoria's Shield Game.

Scored 39 (of 184!) and 29 batting, took 2/59 and 3/37, supposedly got got the pace around the 140-145 mark rather than the 135ish that he had between injuries.

Just need Cummins to actually play some Shield Cricket and there will be Speed demons a plenty for the Selectors.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Love seeing Patto back and playing well. You're right H35, it's fantastic prospect having him, Cummins and a few other blokes like Sayers available and knocking on the door of the test team.

 

[Braveheart81]

Moises Henriques should definitely be in the frame for that 6 spot as well. He's had an excellent season.

I still think Shaun Marsh should be picked there for the first test in India. I wouldn't bring him back if we were playing in Australia but he has done well in the sub Continent in the past and apparently batted well in the intra-squad practice match.

 

[Braveheart81]

With another century in this Shield round, Peter Nevill has more centuries in the Shield this Summer than any other player. Sadly for the state of Australian cricket, that number is only three.

 

[light]

With another century in this Shield round, Peter Nevill has more centuries in the Shield this Summer than any other player. Sadly for the state of Australian cricket, that number is only three.

I read this morning that since returning to FC cricket Nevill has averaged 94. Leaving him at home was a huge mistake (even larger considering Wade's injury concerns) and hopefully the selectors are held accountable at the end of the series.

Certainly agree that S Marsh is in our best sub-continent XI but it's probably going to take a few losses before he gets a go. If I had to put a wager on it, I'd say he will take Khawaja's spot at 3 before the end of the series. There's no evidence to suggest that Usman will succeed against the Indian spinners.

As for the decision to leave Henriques at home, I think it was probably the right one despite his recent form. His FC and test stats actually have a striking resemblance to Alex Doolan (who averages more and has more FC centuries) and the Tasmanian is not even in the conversation for higher honours.

Henriques is 30 now and only has 6 FC tons to his name. By way of comparison Joe Burns has 13 (27yrs old), Geroge Bailey has 18 (34 yrs old), Ed Cowan has 23 (34yrs old) and Cameron White has 20 (33 years old). By no means am I suggesting that these guys should be selected, but their records suggest Henriques is quite a few off the mark.

 

[Braveheart81]

Certainly agree that S Marsh is in our best sub-continent XI but it's probably going to take a few losses before he gets a go. If I had to put a wager on it, I'd say he will take Khawaja's spot at 3 before the end of the series. There's no evidence to suggest that Usman will succeed against the Indian spinners.

The six spot is open currently which is where I'd select Shaun Marsh.

Our options there are basically either of the Marsh brothers or Glenn Maxwell.

Hard to see us going into the first test with 5 specialist bowlers and Wade batting 6. Agar and O'Keefe can both bat pretty well but it would be crazy to have one of them or Starc at 7.

 

[light]

Well for the sake of my sanity (and many others) I'm praying it wont be Mitch Marsh.

 

[Braveheart81]

It must be the first time ever that Australian cricket fans have wanted Shaun Marsh to be recalled to the side (certainly is for me).

It's only become possible because there's another Marsh that people want in the team even less.

 

[Strewthcobber]

The Bangas test just concluded was the 9th out of the last 10 tests where India's opposition have had to bowl >180 overs in the match, and the 10th needed 158 overs.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/en...4;spanval1=span;template=results;type=bowling

Think the selectors have seen that and want a genuine 5th bowler in the side to carry the load - 4 tests in 5 weeks.
Which probably means Maxwell or MMarsh at 6.

I'd have SMarsh in at 3 for Khawaja.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Australia’s XI for tour game against India A: David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Mitch Marsh, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O’Keefe, Jackson Bird, Nathan Lyon.

If Ussie was a chance for the first test surely he'd play here.

And straight up play off for the all-rounder spot for MMarsh and Maxwell (though Glen won't be happy if that's the batting order!)

 

[light]

Yeah quite a few reports circling now that Khawaja won't play the 1st test. If thats the case it suggests he didn't impress despite being sent over early.

Not sure what to read into it but hopefully that doesn't mean Smith is moving up to 3. Surely S Marsh would be a straight swap and as others have suggested Maxwell or Mitch Marsh will play at 6.

 

[No4918]

Feel for Khwaja if that's the case. A poor series in SL where everyone struggled and he has been good before and since. Would have thought after the Adelaide test century he'd at least be given a few tests. The whole line-up is now looking solid where the SL tour there were big problems on several fronts.

Horses for courses selections will bite us in the ass. Pick the best XI and on just about every facet that includes Khawaja. An internal trial match with a chair at silly mid-on shouldn't mean a damn thing for selections.

 

[Highlander35]

I think it's an unfortunate but correct decision.

With an all rounder needed (what with the ludicrous amounts of overs bowled against India this season), that left 2 spots for Khawaja, SMarsh and Renshaw, and with Marsh having the best exposed form against spin, the choice is exposed lead feet or unknown but conservative.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Looks like Hazlewood might be in for MMarsh but it's a bit of a mystery.

Renshaw and Warner out early (against the quicks too)

 

[Braveheart81]

You'd have to think Billy Stanlake should be given a bit of a spell before his next game.

Australia didn't make enough runs after a good start last night. The openers needed to get going faster and they lacked more strike power in the middle order.

Not really sure what Ashton Turner is doing at five in our T20 side.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Good runs for the Marsh boys, Smith and Handscome and Wade as well

Tough to take too much from it though - it's a green deck and not a hell of a lot of spin bowled. BCCI playing the home ground advantage to perfection

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

When coverage started on Fox the rain had stopped and the pitch was being drained, 5 hours later the ground was still too wet and the match was abandoned. How they didn't get on the field should certainly be investigated by the ICC.

On the bright side it means that NZ now can't lose the series.

Soooooo, NZC did a review & decided to strip Napier of today's ODI v SA, which they transferred to Hamilton. Currently it's pissing down in Hamilton & there's a big grass fire near Hastings ~40km from Napier

Stoopid prevailing westerlies sending all that hot air from Straya's red centre across the Tasman to pick up all that moisture & dump most of it West of NZ's dividing ranges.........

 

[No4918]

Well that was unexpected! 38 runs in the last 2 overs and Aus loses another series. Nice job SL.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Massive choke at the end. Good lord.

Just goes to show that when you stuff around with selections you get dusted. FU Cricket Australia.

 

[light]

Warm up match unsurprisingly ends in a draw after both Aus & India A score 400+ first innings. Slight concern that we were 4-110 in the second dig however there was a significant re-shuffle of our batting order with Maxwell at 3 and SO'K at 4.

Think Maxwell may have played himself out of contention for the first test after scores of 9* and 1. Didn't really contribute much with the ball and missed his chance when moved up the order from 8. By contrast Mitch Marsh scored 75 and took a wicket so wouldn't be shocked (disappointed maybe) if he got a run in the first test.

Renshaw was another who failed to impress with scores of 10 and 11 respectively. Given S Marsh is likely to bat at 3, Renshaw should survive the axe but pressure will be on him to deliver in the first test.

In the bowling department SO'K and Lyon were a pretty good duo with both snaring a few wickets. Lyon's economy was around 6 which should be a concern.

Shaping up as if the Marsh Bro's are going to get another chance. I dare say our XI will look like this:
Renshaw, Warner, S Marsh, Smith (c), Handscomb, M Marsh, Wade, SO'K, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon.