The Australian cricket non-official thread!
- Thread starter Matty76
- Start date
Wookiedragon
OzCardTrader
bigrob2307
OzCardTrader
Yeah I know, but he got a second hundred today
Doesnt get them quick enough though and gets out just at the wrong time when needed to kick on
Scotty_WCE
West Coast card collector!
It's that time again - the squad for the South Africa tour is being announced on Monday, so who would make the cut if you were a selector?
I think I read they will take a 15-man squad so here is who I would take:
1. Bancroft
2. Warner
3. Khawaja
4. Smith
5. S Marsh
6. M Marsh
7. Paine
8. Cummins
9. Starc
10. Hazlewood
11. Lyon
12. Renshaw
13. Maxwell
14. Agar
15. Bird
Notes:
- Bancroft to get a couple more chances. Would have given Burns a chance, but now that he's injured Bancroft and Renshaw are the only two viable options in my opinion. If he looks completely out of sorts in the first two matches Renshaw gets another chance; if Bancroft makes a couple of fifties or a ton the he gets the whole series. Easily the toughest spot to pick in the squad though.
- The rest of the XI really picks itself at this stage.
- Maxwell gets the second backup batsman's spot based on good Shield form and a lack of other convincing options. I think Handscomb will get this spot however given the rumours about Maxy's lack of popularity within the team. However not convinced Handscomb would flourish in South African conditions.
- Agar gets the backup spinner's spot who could also bolster the batting if required. O'Keefe is injured and seemingly out of favour anyway, Holland unlikely and would be better for Swepson to play Shield than come on another tour where he's unlikely to get a game.
- Bird to be the backup paceman as I think he would do well in the conditions we are likely to encounter.
Thoughts? I think the batting depth is lacking a bit but couldn't come up with a stronger squad overall. Who would you guys pick?
I think I read they will take a 15-man squad so here is who I would take:
1. Bancroft
2. Warner
3. Khawaja
4. Smith
5. S Marsh
6. M Marsh
7. Paine
8. Cummins
9. Starc
10. Hazlewood
11. Lyon
12. Renshaw
13. Maxwell
14. Agar
15. Bird
Notes:
- Bancroft to get a couple more chances. Would have given Burns a chance, but now that he's injured Bancroft and Renshaw are the only two viable options in my opinion. If he looks completely out of sorts in the first two matches Renshaw gets another chance; if Bancroft makes a couple of fifties or a ton the he gets the whole series. Easily the toughest spot to pick in the squad though.
- The rest of the XI really picks itself at this stage.
- Maxwell gets the second backup batsman's spot based on good Shield form and a lack of other convincing options. I think Handscomb will get this spot however given the rumours about Maxy's lack of popularity within the team. However not convinced Handscomb would flourish in South African conditions.
- Agar gets the backup spinner's spot who could also bolster the batting if required. O'Keefe is injured and seemingly out of favour anyway, Holland unlikely and would be better for Swepson to play Shield than come on another tour where he's unlikely to get a game.
- Bird to be the backup paceman as I think he would do well in the conditions we are likely to encounter.
Thoughts? I think the batting depth is lacking a bit but couldn't come up with a stronger squad overall. Who would you guys pick?
@Scotty_WCE I think you are 100% with your selections mate. It's damn hard to remember who has Sheffield Shield form isn't it? The most recent round of Shield matches ended on the 6th of December! To that end, I think it's sensible that the XI from Sydney as well as the remaining "squad members" make the final cut.
I'm not sure that the Test series against South Africa will be one-sided at all. Dale Steyn faces a race against time to recover from injury and South Africa's batting has been quite fragile recently. It will be interesting to see what sort of pitches are prepared for the series. I would never make any suggestions about pitch-doctoring, although for some reason I find myself humming the Tom Jones classic "Green Green Grass of Home" whilst typing
Now, what about these bloody One Day Internationals against England? In 18 month's time I actually expect England to lift the World Cup, so the results so far aren't really surprising. Their "no fear" cricket is intimidating - and they have the explosive batsmen to use that licence effectively. Coupled with an intelligent bowling line-up, they look a terrific outfit.
I read this morning that Australia's pace trio of Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins will be reunited tomorrow at the SCG for what is now a must-win match. What MUST happen is that the spinner's position has to be given to someone permanently. Adam Zampa should feel mightily ticked off after being left out of yesterday's game. Spinning "options" Head and Finch conceded 72 runs off ten overs between them last night. I think Travis Head should be encouraged to concentrate on his batting, which has previously been very effective. His ODI bowling return - 12 wickets at 60.66, economy rate of 5.8 - probably tells a story. He almost approaches the crease sheepishly at times when bowling, the poor bugger.
I'm not sure that the Test series against South Africa will be one-sided at all. Dale Steyn faces a race against time to recover from injury and South Africa's batting has been quite fragile recently. It will be interesting to see what sort of pitches are prepared for the series. I would never make any suggestions about pitch-doctoring, although for some reason I find myself humming the Tom Jones classic "Green Green Grass of Home" whilst typing
Now, what about these bloody One Day Internationals against England? In 18 month's time I actually expect England to lift the World Cup, so the results so far aren't really surprising. Their "no fear" cricket is intimidating - and they have the explosive batsmen to use that licence effectively. Coupled with an intelligent bowling line-up, they look a terrific outfit.
I read this morning that Australia's pace trio of Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins will be reunited tomorrow at the SCG for what is now a must-win match. What MUST happen is that the spinner's position has to be given to someone permanently. Adam Zampa should feel mightily ticked off after being left out of yesterday's game. Spinning "options" Head and Finch conceded 72 runs off ten overs between them last night. I think Travis Head should be encouraged to concentrate on his batting, which has previously been very effective. His ODI bowling return - 12 wickets at 60.66, economy rate of 5.8 - probably tells a story. He almost approaches the crease sheepishly at times when bowling, the poor bugger.
Scotty_WCE
West Coast card collector!
I'm really looking forward to the SA series - should be a ripper and like you said it could well be a close series.@Scotty_WCE I think you are 100% with your selections mate. It's damn hard to remember who has Sheffield Shield form isn't it? The most recent round of Shield matches ended on the 6th of December! To that end, I think it's sensible that the XI from Sydney as well as the remaining "squad members" make the final cut.
I'm not sure that the Test series against South Africa will be one-sided at all. Dale Steyn faces a race against time to recover from injury and South Africa's batting has been quite fragile recently. It will be interesting to see what sort of pitches are prepared for the series. I would never make any suggestions about pitch-doctoring, although for some reason I find myself humming the Tom Jones classic "Green Green Grass of Home" whilst typing
Now, what about these bloody One Day Internationals against England? In 18 month's time I actually expect England to lift the World Cup, so the results so far aren't really surprising. Their "no fear" cricket is intimidating - and they have the explosive batsmen to use that licence effectively. Coupled with an intelligent bowling line-up, they look a terrific outfit.
I read this morning that Australia's pace trio of Starc, Hazelwood and Cummins will be reunited tomorrow at the SCG for what is now a must-win match. What MUST happen is that the spinner's position has to be given to someone permanently. Adam Zampa should feel mightily ticked off after being left out of yesterday's game. Spinning "options" Head and Finch conceded 72 runs off ten overs between them last night. I think Travis Head should be encouraged to concentrate on his batting, which has previously been very effective. His ODI bowling return - 12 wickets at 60.66, economy rate of 5.8 - probably tells a story. He almost approaches the crease sheepishly at times when bowling, the poor bugger.
Completely agree with you regarding Head - as a bowler he is neither a wicket-taker, nor someone who is particularly good at tying up an end. He should definitely be left to focus on his batting which has been good at times without being consistently spectacular in ODIs so far. But England have been so impressive so far - hopefully we can bounce back in the next two games to make it 2-2 going into the first game at the new stadium here in Perth!
Don’t know about any of you guys but listening to Kevin Pieterson commentating makes me want to cut my own ears off. He is so horrible to listen to. A whole Summer of listening to him is just too much to take. I really hope he’s not back next year.
Scotty_WCE
West Coast card collector!
Yep, I'm with you! KP and James Brayshaw are the only two cricket commentators I can say I've ever actively disliked.
Scotty_WCE
West Coast card collector!
Well I guess I was kinda close?
Squad: Bancroft, Warner, Khawaja, Smith, S Marsh, M Marsh, Paine, Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon, Handscomb, Bird, Richardson, Holland
Holland instead of Agar is fair enough given the selectors said they won't be playing two spinners so he's in the squad purely as a back-up in case of injury. Better for Agar to get some more game time in the Shield than be stuck in SA running drinks, especially given he missed the first four Shield games this season.
Handscomb instead of Maxwell I thought would happen. Richardson in for the experience but obviously very unlikely to get a game - should be fantastic for his development to go on a tour in those conditions. Only worry now I have is only the one back-up batsman, though I suppose if things got really dire we could fly someone else over there.
Overall I think it's a pretty reasonable squad, I can't wait to see how they go!
Thank you Renagades but not sure Hurricanes deserve a finals spot after that disgusting effort today. Fancy losing to the Stars after scoring over 180. Mills seriously better not be playing in our final, the guy is far too expensive. He’s played one good game all season.
