Fourth Test - Australia vs India - SCG

[Big Pete]

January 6th-10th, 2015.

Ashton Agar has been added to the Australian squad in their only change.

Meanwhile MS Dhoni has retired effective immediately - Kohli replaces him as captain.

 

[Big Pete]

Re: Forth Test - Australia vs India - SCG

The Agar selection is interesting because his form with the ball has been less than impressive in the Shield with figures of 7 wickets for an average of 45.14 but I don't know who else is available and O'Keefe wasn't all that impressive against Pakistan back in October.

 

[1910]

Re: Forth Test - Australia vs India - SCG

Johnson bowled a lovely bit of off-spin today!

 

[Ari Gold]

Agar is a weird one but he seems to have something about him. However he seems to me more likely to end up a batsman who can bowl than a specialist spinner. Kinda like Greg Matthews. I'm guessing it's a future oriented decision as Fawad Ahmed seems to have more craft as a specialist spinner.

 

[Sproj]

So Dhoni retiring is actually good for that team, his captaincy is appalling.

 

[Broncoman]

Is Agar actually playing or is he just in the squad as backup?

 

[KingWebcke]

I hope Agar doesn't get selected. he isn't good enough to be a proper Sheffield Shield spinner.

 

[Sproj]

The selection of Agar distracts attention from Watto and Burns, not a bad ploy.

 

[CaptainHook]

So Dhoni retiring is actually good for that team, his captaincy is appalling.

His record is actually pretty good, all things considered. It surprised me though as I wouldn't have thought a wicket keeper would make a good test captain. Keeping wicket as well as organising bowlers and field placings surely must have taken its toll at stages.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I'll be extremely disappointed if Burns doesn't play this test. I wouldn't mind if the selectors put Harris and Johnson on the pine.

 

[1910]

Johnson out so the case now is who comes in.

Siddle- Experience and excellent record at the SCG- 21 wickets in 6 Tests at 28- could be a dead track and he will keep coming. Same as Harris though.

Starc- Poor in Brisbane, bit of variety with Harris and Hazlewood- found some form in 20/20.

Agar- Wouldn't mind seeing two spinners but if it goes to hell it could be a long five days. Poor Shield form and won't get bounce at SCG.

 

[Socnorb]

Siddle is the obvious choice. Will have point to prove. Is it guaranteed Harris will play, he looked busted in the last innings at the G.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Neither Siddle or Starc deserve a recall. Such a shame the selectors won't let Cummins play the longer form. I'd love to see him get a go. I think he will play shield after the BBL.

 

[1910]

Prime Minister's XI: Mike Hussey (c, WA), Cameron Bancroft (WA), Jason Behrendorff (WA), Matt Condon (ACT), Pat Cummins (NSW), Jake Doran (wk, NSW), Peter Handscomb (VIC), Simon Mackin (WA), Glenn Maxwell (VIC), David Moody (WA), Lega Siaka (PNG). Mac Wright (12th, ACT).

 

[1910]

Doran is interesting they keep giving him little tastes he's averaging 58 this year for his club with a highest score of 158*.

He's in the Thunder squad at 18 but hasn't been given a run yet.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Couldn't find a Queenslander worth a run? Young Doran has big wraps.

 

[mitch222]

Why hasn't James Pattinson been looked at yet? Better than Starc & Siddle that's for sure.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Why hasn't James Pattinson been looked at yet? Better than Starc & Siddle that's for sure.

Has only played a few grade games and a few T20 matches since returning from injury/remodeling of his action.