The Australian cricket non-official thread!

Interesting days cricket. Despite the two paced wicket I felt Englsnd were intentionally careful and really tried to bat us out of the game. A couple of quick wickets tomorrow with the new nut and we are well on top
 
Australia lost a test by 20 runs.

Wade conceded 30 byes and scored 4 and 5.

His batting and his keeping let him down.
His keeping let him down, but the batting cost him his position. Had he put on a ton or 2 in the first few rounds of the Sheffield Shield he would have been picked.
 
I'm still in shock that Peter Nevill wasn't

Got dropped went back to shield cricket, scored runs at 60 last year.

Didn't start the season awfully strongly but is best pure glove man in the country

Selectors must think that 7 NSWmen in the team wouldn't fit right
 
While working at the Gabba today I overheard some Aussie support staff talking up young SA keeper Carey as a huge chance moving forward
 
The cost of dropped catches negates any runs scored.

Australia should be picking a pure keeper.

I coach u10s and I'm the only team in the comp without a backstop. I make my keeper own his byes and practice to get better.

Gilchrist was a freak. Ever since we've supposed to have explosive wk bats. Give me a solid keeper. Give me six bats, two who can bowl a bit reliably. Give me 4 bowlers on skill and not necessarily on pace but can do something with the ball.
 
In my time watching cricket (1990-current), Ian Healy is by far the best Australian wicket keeper I have seen. This is not to detract from Adam Gilchrist or Brad Haddin of course!

A Test batting average of 27.39 wouldn’t cut it in today’s post-Gilchrist era....and that’s exactly why Australian cricket has a problem with the wicket keeper position. Just as there has never been “the next Bradman” or “the next Warne”, there will never be “the next Gilchrist”.

There are so few green tops these days and there are so many pancake-flat pitches that chances can’t be wasted in the field. If Tim Paine has been selected because he IS the best wicket keeper we have, then that’s good enough for me.
 
Paine is 33 in a few weeks time so certainly not a long term solution for a keeper.
Nevill was dropped due to form with the bat, Wade similar although clearly he wasn't the best keeper available, Paine's one and only 1st class ton was more than 11 years ago and he has dropped his only chance behind the stumps so far.

At the same time we have two other keepers who have made the team as specialist batsman both are in their mid 20s and could be a long term solutions.
 
How well has Lyon bowled in this innings? Only now getting the rewards he deserves, but so impressive on a pitch that traditionally favours the pacemen more.

England 7/250, good chance to roll them for 300 or so now.
 
Great partnership so far between Smith and Marsh, they've really dug in well. Still not completely out of trouble yet, would be great if they could stay together for a while longer tomorrow too.

Mitch Marsh with a ton at the WACA too, getting the state captaincy this season has been a really positive thing for him. Hopefully he can make some more big scores this season and get himself back in the Test frame!
 
What's the story with Michael Klinger? Is he injured? Hasn't made the shield side even though two spots opened up with S Marsh and Bancroft playing in the test. Wasn't selected for the futures league game either? Joel Paris in same boat. He was bowling at Hurstville when he was 12th man.....
 
Klinger is in Bangladesh playing in the BPL. When he wasn't picked for the first few games due to WA having a full strength team available he and the WACA came to a mutual agreement for him to play in the BPL until the start of the Big Bash. At that stage WA probably didn't expect both Bancroft and S Marsh to make the Test team, plus Stoinis being unavailable for the last couple of games due to family reasons.

Paris I'm not so sure about. Probably workload management or something of the sort?
 
213no at stumps, certainly putting his had up.

Love seeing a few batsmen in the mix scoring big at domestic level. Great to see competition for spots, builds a healthy culture. I hope Renshaw can refocus and get some runs.

I am shocked at some of the postings about the pitch. Firstly congrats to Kevin Mitchell Junioron a great career and his retirement. He has been a wonderful curator and always prepares a great wicket. Yes this Gabba wicket has been a bit tacky and two paced and not like a 'standard' Gabba wicket. Two days down though and we have had 450 runs, 14 wickets, quite entertaining if you ask me despite a slower first day. The weather in Brisbane has also been very different for this time if the year, no doubt that has had an impact.

Lastly, I hate that when a player is selected for his country we can't just get behind him. Shaun Marsh was great yesterday in tough conditions, great composure. Even if he doesn't kick on he has done his job IMO. I hope Paine comes out and kills it!!

Let's go boys, day 3, Smith ton and on our way to one upon the series!!!