CRICKET General Cricket Discussion

I don't see any changing of the guard happening, I reckon they'll aim to push this current squad through to the 2027 Ashes. I think they can do it too, there's plenty of rest between now and the next test series but then it's full on for almost 12 months. Hard to imagine having a worse injury toll than we currently do. There could be such a huge pool of top tier bowlers fit 12 months from now.
 
Fernando said:
I don't see any changing of the guard happening, I reckon they'll aim to push this current squad through to the 2027 Ashes. I think they can do it too, there's plenty of rest between now and the next test series but then it's full on for almost 12 months. Hard to imagine having a worse injury toll than we currently do. There could be such a huge pool of top tier bowlers fit 12 months from now.
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Yeah I think Smudge and co would be looking at the 2027 Ashes... I think he wants to win one overseas and that will be his last chance.

This year's Ashes squad and their age assuming a June 2027 Ashes in England is below.

1. Head (33)
2. Weatherald (32)
3. Marnus (33)
4. Smudge (38)
5. Inglis (32) - Ussie retired so chucking Inglis in there as next bat
6. Green (28)
7. Carey (36)
8. Cummins (34)
9. Starc (37)
10. Lyon (40)
11. Hazlewood (36)

Neser (37)
Webster (33)
Boland (38)
Doggett (33)
Richardson (30)

Smudge would be 38, which is getting right up there, but if his hand eye stays well enough then I'd say that's what he has lined up and then retire in the Aus summer.

I could see Hazlewood trying to get there as well, but injuries aren't helping. Lyon I'm not sure, he's said he wants to get there, but injuries are piling up and he's not been picked when he's fit... but the selectors don't seem to like any other spinners so maybe he stays preferred until he fully retires.

Starc might be lining it up as well, he seems as fit as ever and bowling as fast as ever, but maybe he'll see how he's doing in the next Aus summer. I don't think he plays any other forms nowadays and might only have IPL, which he doesn't normally play, so good chance he gets a fair bit of rest.

I don't think Boland makes it at 38 and Neser seems to have a fair bit of wear and tear so he's unlikely to make it either.

It shows that Marnus, Head, Green and Carey are all pretty key to the transition period that's coming up. The selectors will desperately want to see something from Marnus and Green to solidify that batting order
 
Fernando said:
@Sproj I thought Renshaw was like 31yo. Surely he comes into the side over popgun Weatherald.
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Renshaw is 29... he was probably a better choice as a bridging opener if they think Kellaway, Konstas, etc. aren't quite ready, but are inevitably going to take the spot long term.

Renshaw has also shifted around to middle order in the shield so has a bit of flexibility if they did want to bring an opener in without having to drop Renshaw if he was showing some form at the same time.
 
Yeah Renshaw is CLEARLY a better bat than Weatherald, that dude has been badly found out. I'm hoping Kellaway has a massive end to the year and McSweeney too. There is a lot of test cricket in six months time as mentioned. Australia need to plan for the future. There's an opening at 2 and 5 - I'd love two of Connolly, McSweeney or Kellaway knock the door down to claim those spots. Even Hardie if he finishes the season well has to be a smokey.

For 2027, I'd love to see some kids barge their way in:
1. Head
2. Kellaway
3. McSweeney
4. Smith
5. Green/Hardie
6. Connolly
7. Carey
8. Cummins
9. Starc
10. Richardson/Vidler
11. Murphy / Kuhnemann / The Pasta
 
Sproj said:
Yeah Renshaw is CLEARLY a better bat than Weatherald, that dude has been badly found out. I'm hoping Kellaway has a massive end to the year and McSweeney too. There is a lot of test cricket in six months time as mentioned. Australia need to plan for the future. There's an opening at 2 and 5 - I'd love two of Connolly, McSweeney or Kellaway knock the door down to claim those spots. Even Hardie if he finishes the season well has to be a smokey.

For 2027, I'd love to see some kids barge their way in:
1. Head
2. Kellaway
3. McSweeney
4. Smith
5. Green/Hardie
6. Connolly
7. Carey
8. Cummins
9. Starc
10. Richardson/Vidler
11. Murphy / Kuhnemann / The Pasta
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I'd love to see Connolly at 6 or 7 and be that Pant style player for us... for him to be able to play that role we need Green to actually become something OR Carey to continue being a top 6 batter, because I'm not sure Connolly can be an actual all rounder, although having a left arm orthodox is a great change up for the captain to have... and that Pant style probably doesn't sit within Aus's top 6 batters, although Head is showing that a batter with gears is extremely valuable.

I noticed that he's averaging 40 in shield so it's a good start, but I've no idea where or when he's actually playing in that WA side. Is he a 6 for them OR is he further up the order... is he only playing in Perth or is he always in the team.

Is he putting his hand up to head across to County Cricket or is he wanting to do the T20 circuit.

I think CA should be pulling him aside and flagging that they see him as a long term test player and not to get side tracked by T20 comps, but who knows where their priorities lie at the moment.

McSweeney jumping straight into 3 worries me a little bit, only because he got Bumrah'd and a no. 3 is basically an opener nowadays, because no openers seem to be able to see out 20 overs.

I'd be happier if Green can become a number 3 OR even better if Marnus can find some sort of form again, McSweeney comes in down the order (which was the norm for middle order bats in Aus teams of old) and then move up to 4 when Smudge retires... or he becomes comfortable and naturally takes over the number 3 position with experience under his belt.
 
BroncsFan said:
I'd love to see Connolly at 6 or 7 and be that Pant style player for us... for him to be able to play that role we need Green to actually become something OR Carey to continue being a top 6 batter, because I'm not sure Connolly can be an actual all rounder, although having a left arm orthodox is a great change up for the captain to have... and that Pant style probably doesn't sit within Aus's top 6 batters, although Head is showing that a batter with gears is extremely valuable.

I noticed that he's averaging 40 in shield so it's a good start, but I've no idea where or when he's actually playing in that WA side. Is he a 6 for them OR is he further up the order... is he only playing in Perth or is he always in the team.

Is he putting his hand up to head across to County Cricket or is he wanting to do the T20 circuit.

I think CA should be pulling him aside and flagging that they see him as a long term test player and not to get side tracked by T20 comps, but who knows where their priorities lie at the moment.

McSweeney jumping straight into 3 worries me a little bit, only because he got Bumrah'd and a no. 3 is basically an opener nowadays, because no openers seem to be able to see out 20 overs.

I'd be happier if Green can become a number 3 OR even better if Marnus can find some sort of form again, McSweeney comes in down the order (which was the norm for middle order bats in Aus teams of old) and then move up to 4 when Smudge retires... or he becomes comfortable and naturally takes over the number 3 position with experience under his belt.
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Certainly not in the WA team, he's played seven shield games since his debut in the Shield final in 2024

You can't pick him as a Test batsman with 472 Shield runs over two seasons and you can't pick him as a bowler with three wickets in two seasons.

90 of those 472 runs came in that Shield final on debut.

He needs to play a lot a lot more cricket, WA need to flog him to within an inch of his life. These three games a year thing needs to stop.
 
BroncsFan said:
I'd love to see Connolly at 6 or 7 and be that Pant style player for us... for him to be able to play that role we need Green to actually become something OR Carey to continue being a top 6 batter, because I'm not sure Connolly can be an actual all rounder, although having a left arm orthodox is a great change up for the captain to have... and that Pant style probably doesn't sit within Aus's top 6 batters, although Head is showing that a batter with gears is extremely valuable.

I noticed that he's averaging 40 in shield so it's a good start, but I've no idea where or when he's actually playing in that WA side. Is he a 6 for them OR is he further up the order... is he only playing in Perth or is he always in the team.

Is he putting his hand up to head across to County Cricket or is he wanting to do the T20 circuit.

I think CA should be pulling him aside and flagging that they see him as a long term test player and not to get side tracked by T20 comps, but who knows where their priorities lie at the moment.

McSweeney jumping straight into 3 worries me a little bit, only because he got Bumrah'd and a no. 3 is basically an opener nowadays, because no openers seem to be able to see out 20 overs.

I'd be happier if Green can become a number 3 OR even better if Marnus can find some sort of form again, McSweeney comes in down the order (which was the norm for middle order bats in Aus teams of old) and then move up to 4 when Smudge retires... or he becomes comfortable and naturally takes over the number 3 position with experience under his belt.
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Yeah in all honesty Connolly won’t be picked and it should really be McSweeney earmarked for 5 as you say. Even Kellaway probably has to wait for Renshaw to have a shot and I’m not entirely against that. I’m just hoping Kellaway piles on some scores and makes himself irresistible.

Times have changed and you don’t have a Ponting or Clarke style pathway into test cricket with so much T20 nonsense on now. Look at what England is doing with Bethell, giving him exposure here and there even though he’s never made an FC ton. That’s what Aus should be doing with Connolly.

But then there’s also Clayton who struggles to make big scores but is pretty consistent in getting decent starts, there’s something to build on with that, it’s a bit Marnus like. Nice technique, might be worth a punt at some point.

The key will be to nurture the undoubted wave of talented kids coming through. None of them other than Connolly and Kellaway should be in the team yet but Konstas (if he can fix his massive flaw), Peake, Dixon, Weibgen, Wylie, Hicks and especially Shaw and Salzmann need as many opportunities as possible.
 
Fozz said:
Alyssa Healy to retire from all forms of cricket after the India series.
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Been coming for a while, as I’ve felt her good performances with both bat and gloves have been getting more rare, and her extended successful Ashes commentary gig has her set up well.

Plus the national side are starting to go through a rejuvenation period and the old guard will be moving on inside the next 12-18 months like Healy, Perry, maybe even a Tahlia McGrath or someone like that.

Mooney will probably play until she’s like 40, but they have shown their hand picking Faltum as a backup keeper at times
 
Australia’s first game is tomorrow v Ireland.

Hogan is the future Bull and best batsmen but only 17.

Lachmund plays for Ipswich bowls fast.
 
Lachmund is rapid, very promising.

The keeper bat is also very highly regarded.
 
Viran Chamuditha 192 highest score ever. SL 3/353.

Japan sent them in!
 
Malajczuk's 100 was better than Hogan's 100. You can see why he's been included in the prep for the Perth Test and 14th man for WA a few times.

Great white ball batting.
 
1910 said:
Malajczuk's 100 was better than Hogan's 100. You can see why he's been included in the prep for the Perth Test and 14th man for WA a few times.

Great white ball batting.
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He'll be on T20 circuit by this time next year with a performance like that.

Interestingly, the Japanese batsman who has put two good scores together, is also Australian. One from the other team to keep an eye on.
 
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