Australia vs India - Test Series

[The True King]

I'm not sure where all the calls for Wade to open have come from.

Opening in ODI's and T20's is completely different prospect to opening in Tests... Paine opens in T20's for Hobart, Gilly opened in ODI's. It's not like they're out there seeing off the new ball in limited overs they're out there smacking it around.

I think they should probably just go SMarsh or Usman for one test.

The calls have come from the desperation to fit Cam Green in the middle order and the failure of Burns. It wouldn't even be a conversation right now about moving either Head/Wade if Green wasn't banging the door down.

I never thought it would come to this but I actually might agree that one of those two should be in for a test. I think barring a huge knock from Labu or Smith we're going to be sitting around after losing the first test with Wade, Head and Green all having failed.

At least if we had gone with Marsh/Khawaja and kept our middle order as is we could have seen a showdown between Head and Wade. Would have made bringing Green in for the 2nd test along with Warner an easy decision to wrestle back the series.

 

[Sproj]

So they don't want to move the order around but they're considering Wade up to open?

Haha sounds like they genuinely have no idea.

That isn't true though. If you move Wade, you are only changing one spot - Wade. It actually sounds like they do know what they are doing or at least trying to make the most out of a bad situation. Everything was looking rosy when Warner and Pucovski were going great guns even with Burns stinking it up. Harris looked a good back up option until the A games. I think they are doing their best out of a less than ideal situation.

 

[Clintos]

Opener is a specialist position. You can't just stick anyone there and hope for the best.
The problem is a distinct lack of opening talent available and/or in form at the moment.
FTR - I do not consider Pucovski an opener. Certainly not yet, anyway.

I agree that we should not disrupt the middle order. Particularly the 3-5 positions of Labu, Smith and Head.
If we're intent on elevating Wade I'd actually prefer we give him the series there to see how he goes. Don't just do it for one game.
I'd rather avoid bringing in Ussie/Marsh etc for one test.

There's a case for Sam Whiteman, but ideally you'd want a longer period of good form before elevating him, and similarly to Wade, you want to pick him and stick with him for the series.

I'd also be leaving out Starc in favour of Pattinson or Neser.

 

[Bongo]

Opener is a specialist position. You can't just stick anyone there and hope for the best.
The problem is a distinct lack of opening talent available and/or in form at the moment.
FTR - I do not consider Pucovski an opener. Certainly not yet, anyway.

I agree that we should not disrupt the middle order. Particularly the 3-5 positions of Labu, Smith and Head.
If we're intent on elevating Wade I'd actually prefer we give him the series there to see how he goes. Don't just do it for one game.
I'd rather avoid bringing in Ussie/Marsh etc for one test.

There's a case for Sam Whiteman, but ideally you'd want a longer period of good form before elevating him, and similarly to Wade, you want to pick him and stick with him for the series.

I'd also be leaving out Starc in favour of Pattinson or Neser.

Good call on Starc. I agree. We have some great fast bowling depth at he moment.
I agree opener is a specialist position.My openers would be Khawaja, Marsh or Renshaw. I am not convinced about Harris.
I think it is in Pucovskis best interest to be considered in the middle order.

 

[The True King]

Good call on Starc. I agree. We have some great fast bowling depth at he moment.
I agree opener is a specialist position.My openers would be Khawaja, Marsh or Renshaw. I am not convinced about Harris.
I think it is in Pucovskis best interest to be considered in the middle order.

Renshaw
Warner
Labuschagne
Smith
Pucovski
Green
Inglis

Imagine that for a top 7 next summer.

 

[Sproj]

Renshaw
Warner
Labuschagne
Smith
Pucovski
Green
Inglis

Imagine that for a top 7 next summer.

It is an interesting proposition but I think Pucovski will be the opener and they won't want to give up on Head already.

I reckon gen next is really exciting:

1. Pucovski
2. Whiteman? (Opener is an issue moving forward)
3. Labushagne
4. Fraser-McGurk
5. Green
6. Inglis
7. Sutherland
8. Meredith
9. Bartlett
10. W.Agar
11. Sangha

And there are a few decent kids coming through too.

 

[Unbreakable]

It is an interesting proposition but I think Pucovski will be the opener and they won't want to give up on Head already.

I reckon gen next is really exciting:

1. Pucovski
2. Whiteman? (Opener is an issue moving forward)
3. Labushagne
4. Fraser-McGurk
5. Green
6. Inglis
7. Sutherland
8. Meredith
9. Bartlett
10. W.Agar
11. Sangha

And there are a few decent kids coming through too.

Whiteman is 28..

Renshaw is younger than guys like Inglis & Labuschagne. I haven't given up on him yet, think he'll come good.

 

[Unbreakable]

1. Pucovski (22)
2. Renshaw (24)
3. Labuschagne (26)
4. TBA
5. Head (26)
6. Green (21)
7. Inglis (25) / Philippe (23) / McDermott (26)

I'd say that's the future of the Test batting order, post-Smith and Warner.

Too early to say if Fraser-McGurk will kick on, hasn't really done anything as of yet. People thought Jordan Silk was the next Ricky Ponting at age 18 - Turned out to be a fringe First Class cricketer.

 

[The True King]

It is an interesting proposition but I think Pucovski will be the opener and they won't want to give up on Head already.

I reckon gen next is really exciting:

1. Pucovski
2. Whiteman? (Opener is an issue moving forward)
3. Labushagne
4. Fraser-McGurk
5. Green
6. Inglis
7. Sutherland
8. Meredith
9. Bartlett
10. W.Agar
11. Sangha

And there are a few decent kids coming through too.

WHERE IS WILDERMUTH!!???

All jokes aside, I think Tanveer Sangha could be the real deal based on what little I have seen on him. Remains to be seen if he can push his way in front of Swepson who will come into his prime over the next few years.

I'm not convinced on Wes Agar in FC and Meredith seems to be more suited to the shorter formats.

It would be really nice if Joel Paris could string some FC games together but time is starting to run out on his huge potential. I think Steketee may become the new Bird/Siddle - not quite in our best pace quartet but the guy who's part of the squad and fills in when required.

Edit: Also an opener to keep an eye on is Henry Hunt. Been really impressed with him the last few innings for SA and is only 23yo. Absolutely carved Tasmania apart in shield cricket this time last year.

 

[Fernando]

1. Pucovski (22)
2. Renshaw (24)
3. Labuschagne (26)
4. TBA
5. Head (26)
6. Green (21)
7. Inglis (25) / Philippe (23) / McDermott (26)

I'd say that's the future of the Test batting order, post-Smith and Warner.

Looks good to me.

Jhye Richardson (24) is the only next gen bowler that I think can be an elite player out of all the bowling options at this point. Hopefully Meredith and Tanveer can join him.

 

[Sproj]

Looks good to me.

Jhye Richardson (24) is the only next gen bowler that I think can be an elite player out of all the bowling options at this point. Hopefully Meredith and Tanveer can join him.

Luckily, there is Green too. Just need at least one more gun quick. Cummins is still young enough to be around for another 6/7 years as well.

Cummins, Richardson, Green + 1 is a pretty gun pace attack.

I also really rate Sutherland, so there is your quartet.

 

[Fernando]

Luckily, there is Green too. Just need at least one more gun quick. Cummins is still young enough to be around for another 6/7 years as well.

Cummins, Richardson, Green + 1 is a pretty gun pace attack.

I also really rate Sutherland, so there is your quartet.

Yeah we've got time to find some bowlers. Starc is the oldest and he turns 31 in January. Pattinson 30, Hazlewood 29, Cummins 27.

Hopefully they stay fit and we start seeing those 4 + Jhye in test squads. Rotating between those 5 and with Green taking some workload off them should keep them around for a while to come.

 

[The True King]

Yeah we've got time to find some bowlers. Starc is the oldest and he turns 31 in January. Pattinson 30, Hazlewood 29, Cummins 27.

Hopefully they stay fit and we start seeing those 4 + Jhye in test squads. Rotating between those 5 and with Green taking some workload off them should keep them around for a while to come.

Bartlett could be a gem if he can keep his average around the 23 mark.

 

[Allo]

Where is Street to 'Dravid' international bowling attacks?

 

[Unbreakable]

 

[Unbreakable]

Anyone happen to know when tickets are available for the Gabba test? Was gonna get tickets for Day 1 as a Christmas present for my old man

 

[The True King]

The more I think about it the more I want to load up on India for the first test. It was very shrewd of them to ensure it wouldn't be at the Gabba and I think they'll have done their homework on the pink ball under lights. Adelaide will suit their strong batting line up.

Going 1v1 down the team lists they comfortably have the better XI. Even the world class guys we have like Smith, Labu and Cummins are matched by the combined quality of Kohli, Rahane, Pujara and Bumrah.

I'm usually quite optimistic about any home series but I just feel they will get us this test. The one big thing we do have in our favour is Steve Smith is a genuine freak. If we get anywhere near winning this test it will be on the back of his bat.

 

[The True King]

Burns has been picked over Harris. Wade opening with Green in at 6.

Selectors. Wow.