And just like that, SOK takes the last two to finish with six and India are all out. This is going to be a critical innings not just in the context of the match, but the series. Hopefully we can make 300+ to really bat them out of the match.Wowee... Who saw this coming! Still, we need to make sure we get these last two wickets quickly - can't waste this position of ascendency!
Just forget about M Marsh as a all rounder he has had more than enough opportunity, if you must play an all rounder then elevate Starc to 7, he actually averages more with the bat than Marsh and is undoubtable a far superior bowler yet doesn't get a mention when talk turns to all rounders.
The issue I have with elevating Starc any further than 8. Is that you then place an expectation on him to score runs. He bats do well at the moment because he plays without pressure and just what he sees and knows that if he gets no runs he has a chance to contribute significantly with the ball
I suspect that if India's first innings went like many of us thought it would (i.e. India bat for 100+ overs) then Marsh would have had more than enough chance to roll his arm over. Also, Pattinson isn't playing due to a lack of recent first-class cricket because of injury.True to an extent but the same could be said for Mitch, I doubt he will even bowl an over in this match, warner is more of a chance of rolling his arm over. If you go into a test knowing there is a good chance your all rounder wont bowl one over why select him in the first place, surely a specialist batsmen (Khawaja) or another bowler better suited to the conditions that can bat a bit (Agar) makes more sense,
Starc is not the only front line bowler we have with claims to being an all rounder, we have another 26 year old who has played 17 tests taken 70 wickets @ 26, averages almost 28 with the bat but cant get a start because of the infatuation the selectors have with players named Marsh.