Australia v India

[Sproj]

As much as I hope Handscomb eventually takes over the gloves and becomes our own version of Sangakarra, he isn't ready for it yet, especially not in India.

I don't necessarily disagree. I just don't think he is a downgrade on Wade, since Wade's glovework as we know is not great anyway.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think we can do better than Handscomb as keeper. In fact I think we need to do better. He's not even half the keeper Sangakarra was.

 

[Sproj]

As mentioned earlier, I would have gone with Hartley but that was never going to happen obviously. That said, the Aussies don't have a Healy standard keeper and don't have a Gilchrist standard batsman, so they have to make do with what has been chosen. In these circumstances, I just don't think Handscomb is that a big a downgrade on Wade.

 

[Battler]

I'd go with: Warner, Renshaw, Marsh (even though he's not the saviour against spin/ slow bowling that people make him out to be, but at least he'll go better against it than Usman 'I have no clue what I'm doing on dry tracks' Khawaja), Smith, Handscomb, Maxwell, Wade (yuck), SOK, Starc, Hazle, Lyon (they'll pick him even though I think they should go with Swepson or someone else).

My prediction is that we're going to get hammered and blokes like Wade, Lyon, and both Marshes won't be around for next year's Ashes. SOK and Starc will impress, and Hazle will struggle big time unless he's truly the next McGrath. We made a big mistake not picking Faulkner.

 

[mitch222]

Handscomb is good enough to bat higher up the order as a middle order batsmen. No need to throw the gloves to him unless he is fully committed to wicketkeeping. Surely there has to be atleast one player somewhere who can keep well and bat decently enough

 

[Bucking Beads]

As mentioned earlier, I would have gone with Hartley but that was never going to happen obviously. That said, the Aussies don't have a Healy standard keeper and don't have a Gilchrist standard batsman, so they have to make do with what has been chosen. In these circumstances, I just don't think Handscomb is that a big a downgrade on Wade.

He probably isn't but do we really want to possibly ruin Handscomb by giving him the gloves? We've got a test match number 5 who looks superb. Why risk giving him the gloves and shuffling him down the order?

 

[Sproj]

He probably isn't but do we really want to possibly ruin Handscomb by giving him the gloves? We've got a test match number 5 who looks superb. Why risk giving him the gloves and shuffling him down the order?

Obviously I agree but I am just talking about this tour. I just don't have faith in Wade. I hope he proves me wrong as he is starting to come into form it seems in odi but that means jack all in tests.

 

[Bull Shark]

Tour named tomorrow.

My squad.

Smith
Warner
Renshaw
Handscomb
Maxwell
Nevill
Starc
O'Keefe
Lyon
Hazlewood
Khawaja
Marsh
Marsh
Bird
Agar
Head

S.Marsh- averages 78 in Asia and is a good player of spin.
Head- Can bowl off spin if he has to. Thing that worries me is he is another leftie for Ashwin.
Maxwell- Has some experience in Asia- not a great record but he is hard to plan against. Sweeps well. Great fielder and can bowl off-spin.
Agar- bit of variety and good in the field.
Nevill- better keeper- poor keeping cost England big time.

When Australia won in 2004 it was Gillespie, Kaspa and McGrath who bowled tight and dried up the runs. Six of the top 10 wicket takers in Tests are quick bowlers. That's our strength.

trouble is, they (India) know this and routinely prepare wickets nowadays that give opposition countries absolutely no chance.. the wickets over there turn square a week before the match even starts.. You've only got to see the footmarks and follow-throughs that, half an hour into a test, look like a fifth day wicket anywhere else in the world.

going to be a long long time before India loses a home test series

 

[Browny]

And the ICC say anything lol

 

[1910]

trouble is, they (India) know this and routinely prepare wickets nowadays that give opposition countries absolutely no chance.. the wickets over there turn square a week before the match even starts.. You've only got to see the footmarks and follow-throughs that, half an hour into a test, look like a fifth day wicket anywhere else in the world.

going to be a long long time before India loses a home test series

I have absolutely no issue with that, different states and countries should have different conditions. When India come here and we inflict Perth and the 'Gabba on them we don't feel sorry for them.

England don't produce green pitches for Anderson and Broad by accident.

It's up to you to learn to face the seaming ball, turning ball or bouncing ball at Perth. Or alternatively bowl on it.

Ashwin 6 games and 21 wickets at 54 in Australia probably isn't too big of a fan of touring here- it all evens out.

 

[1910]

For all the trouble our spinners have in India- we don't provide much fun for them.

Ashwin: 6 games, 21 wickets at 54
Murali: 5 games, 12 wickets at 75.4
Harbajan: 4 matches, 9 wickets at 73.2
Kumble: 10 matches, 49 wickets at 37.7
Vettori: 12 matches, 37 wickets at 40.2
Swann: 8 matches, 22 wickets at 52.6
Giles: 3 matches, 9 wickets at 50.3
Tufnell: 8 matches, 19 wickets at 41.4
Mushtaq: 4 matches, 22 wickets at 33.6
Saqlain: 4 matches, 14 wickets at 34.1
Qadir: 5 matches, 12 wickets at 61
Symcox: 5 matches, 12 wickets at 41.4

 

[Bull Shark]

I have absolutely no issue with that, different states and countries should have different conditions. When India come here and we inflict Perth and the 'Gabba on them we don't feel sorry for them.

England don't produce green pitches for Anderson and Broad by accident.

It's up to you to learn to face the seaming ball, turning ball or bouncing ball at Perth. Or alternatively bowl on it.

Ashwin 6 games and 21 wickets at 54 in Australia probably isn't too big of a fan of touring here- it all evens out.

thing is, we don't inflict Perth on them (surprise surprise - not)

 

[Socnorb]

thing is, we don't inflict Perth on them (surprise surprise - not)

Perth's has always been renown as a low slow Bunsen right.

 

[1910]

thing is, we don't inflict Perth on them (surprise surprise - not)

Not last tour in 2014 but the two before that we did and they beat us in 2008 and in 2011 we beat them. Perth missed out again in 2003 and 1999.

2/5 is good sharing. Ashes is the only five Test series.

 

[broncoboy]

Pete nevill has once again put his hand up for a possible replacement for an injured wade by scoring another FC 100

 

[Sproj]

Kohli about to make ANOTHER double ton against Bangladesh. Aussies are no chance but to be even remotely close to a chance, they need to go with three quicks.

Even the very best spinners in world cricket struggle there and we have no Warne. Don't try and beat them at their game, it won't work.

 

[Broncoman]

Pete nevill has once again put his hand up for a possible replacement for an injured wade by scoring another FC 100

He struggled at test level

 

[1910]

He struggled at test level

No he didn't he kept well and batted the best he could with what he had. He had to bat six times with the score less than 100 in his 17 Tests. Even with low scores he still takes up balls he faced 456 balls in his last five Tests.