CRICKET WTC and Ashes Tour of England

[Fitzy]

WTC and Ashes squad:
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy

Discuss!

 

[Sproj]

Harris is resurrected!

 

[Fitzy]

I personally think this squad has been put out far too early. Players like Handscomb, Abbot and Kuhnemann will be thinking what a waste spending there off-season in England to not even get a look in at what sort of form they produce.

Regardless my outlook on the squad….

Batters:
Seems strange. Obviously you have the core 6 that have played the last few years relatively untouched until recently. No complaints with them whilst some might have some questions over Warner.

Harris, Renshaw and Marsh is really strange. Harris whilst failing previously is by far the next best opening option (apart from head but I like our middle order the way it is) so no complaints with his inclusion, will be interesting to see if he can actually score runs this time around.

Renshaw is very puzzling he hasn’t been that good, we already have an opener as cover, he obviously holds versatility but it’s really quite a meh selection. Seems like they just don’t have enough faith in Harris to be the sole backup so they have rolled the dice with Renshaw over Handscomb which I think is the wrong move.

Mitch Marsh also covers the middle order very blandly but this seems like it is our response to the Bazball brand of cricket. I’m not a lover not a hater. It seems a poor selection as there is one less bowler because of it and due to Renshaw not quite being of Australian standard in any position it seems strange. Considering he is in the squad instead of Neser I’m glad he is someone who is culturally very positive towards the group.

Overall the batting would be heaps better if Renshaw was Handscomb instead but as a result Marsh’s selection seems a bit risky and if a player goes down in the middle order that isn’t head (Marsh can cover his style well) than we will be left vulnerable in the middle order.

Keepers:
Speaks for itself these 2. Carey 1, Inglis 2. Nothing to debate about here if they want 2 genuine keepers in the squad. Possibly could have argued that Inglis might have been relinquished if Handscomb was in the squad as a back up gloveman for emergency. In saying that I almost would have more confidence in Inglis to get a middle order role than Renshaw and depending on the replacement Marsh considering he just seems to be able to perform through pressure.

Bowlers:
The 4 quicks and 2 spinners speaks for itself. Only issue here is do they have the numbers right. Obviously Cam will bowl but I’d really like him to be relied upon as a bowler when making selection decisions. The strange omission here is Neser, he suits the conditions, has experience in England, awesome culturally, in good form both domestically and for Australia. I’m surprised he isn’t there but I can understand considering someone like a Marsh has to be there from a tactical standpoint. Kuhnemann could consider himself unlucky considering he has started the county season well but considering at No stage would two spinners be selected I think Murphy’s similarity to Gazza is a non-issue. Matt is playing the entire county season so he will probably be very easy to call up if injuries occur.

Really the only doubt I have is how Renshaw will cover Smith and Labuschagne if something was to happen to them. I think very easily Inglis comes absolutely nowhere near playing a test so to leave out Handscomb who tactically would have allowed Neser to come as well at the expense of Renshaw and Inglis is probably the only place where the selectors have gone wrong for mine. It has also made Marsh’s selection look worse than it is because he looks like middle order coverage rather than a tactical selection. I really think we have missed a trick or two that could very well be the difference between bringing home the ashes or not. Obviously the usual 11 will play the WTC but 6 massive tests and our depth coverage just isn’t Structured adequately and we could be in for some trouble if things don’t go smoothly for the part. I guess only time will tell.

 

[BooKhaki]

I don't understand how we can take less quicks to England for 6 tests, than we did to India for 4.

Neser should be fighting Hazlewood for a spot in the side the way he bowls, yet doesn't make the squad. Marsh is being taken over as an allrounder, but he doesn't bowl anymore? I think Boland is a dud bowler for England conditions.

The only thing that would make sense is we are not including guys like Neser and Abbott in the squad, but getting them into county games to be ready to come in for tests while having bowled over there and not just touring as net bowlers.

 

[1910]

I don't understand how we can take less quicks to England for 6 tests, than we did to India for 4.

Neser should be fighting Hazlewood for a spot in the side the way he bowls, yet doesn't make the squad. Marsh is being taken over as an allrounder, but he doesn't bowl anymore? I think Boland is a dud bowler for England conditions.

The only thing that would make sense is we are not including guys like Neser and Abbott in the squad, but getting them into county games to be ready to come in for tests while having bowled over there and not just touring as net bowlers.

It's for Three Tests not 6. 15 get picked for the WTC and then the 17 gets revised after two Tests for the last three.

 

[1910]

I personally think this squad has been put out far too early. Players like Handscomb, Abbot and Kuhnemann will be thinking what a waste spending there off-season in England to not even get a look in at what sort of form they produce.

Regardless my outlook on the squad….

Batters:
Seems strange. Obviously you have the core 6 that have played the last few years relatively untouched until recently. No complaints with them whilst some might have some questions over Warner.

Harris, Renshaw and Marsh is really strange. Harris whilst failing previously is by far the next best opening option (apart from head but I like our middle order the way it is) so no complaints with his inclusion, will be interesting to see if he can actually score runs this time around.

Renshaw is very puzzling he hasn’t been that good, we already have an opener as cover, he obviously holds versatility but it’s really quite a meh selection. Seems like they just don’t have enough faith in Harris to be the sole backup so they have rolled the dice with Renshaw over Handscomb which I think is the wrong move.

Mitch Marsh also covers the middle order very blandly but this seems like it is our response to the Bazball brand of cricket. I’m not a lover not a hater. It seems a poor selection as there is one less bowler because of it and due to Renshaw not quite being of Australian standard in any position it seems strange. Considering he is in the squad instead of Neser I’m glad he is someone who is culturally very positive towards the group.

Overall the batting would be heaps better if Renshaw was Handscomb instead but as a result Marsh’s selection seems a bit risky and if a player goes down in the middle order that isn’t head (Marsh can cover his style well) than we will be left vulnerable in the middle order.

Keepers:
Speaks for itself these 2. Carey 1, Inglis 2. Nothing to debate about here if they want 2 genuine keepers in the squad. Possibly could have argued that Inglis might have been relinquished if Handscomb was in the squad as a back up gloveman for emergency. In saying that I almost would have more confidence in Inglis to get a middle order role than Renshaw and depending on the replacement Marsh considering he just seems to be able to perform through pressure.

Bowlers:
The 4 quicks and 2 spinners speaks for itself. Only issue here is do they have the numbers right. Obviously Cam will bowl but I’d really like him to be relied upon as a bowler when making selection decisions. The strange omission here is Neser, he suits the conditions, has experience in England, awesome culturally, in good form both domestically and for Australia. I’m surprised he isn’t there but I can understand considering someone like a Marsh has to be there from a tactical standpoint. Kuhnemann could consider himself unlucky considering he has started the county season well but considering at No stage would two spinners be selected I think Murphy’s similarity to Gazza is a non-issue. Matt is playing the entire county season so he will probably be very easy to call up if injuries occur.

Really the only doubt I have is how Renshaw will cover Smith and Labuschagne if something was to happen to them. I think very easily Inglis comes absolutely nowhere near playing a test so to leave out Handscomb who tactically would have allowed Neser to come as well at the expense of Renshaw and Inglis is probably the only place where the selectors have gone wrong for mine. It has also made Marsh’s selection look worse than it is because he looks like middle order coverage rather than a tactical selection. I really think we have missed a trick or two that could very well be the difference between bringing home the ashes or not. Obviously the usual 11 will play the WTC but 6 massive tests and our depth coverage just isn’t Structured adequately and we could be in for some trouble if things don’t go smoothly for the part. I guess only time will tell.

Renshaw just got 112, 78, 2 and 140 against New Zealand for Australia A last week. Waste of a game if you ignore those runs and he's an England specialists.

 

[Sproj]

Renshaw just got 112, 78, 2 and 140 against New Zealand for Australia A last week. Waste of a game if you ignore those runs and he's an England specialists.

Hardie also did really well and his kind of gentle medium pace suits English conditions, shame he isn’t getting a look in.

 

[Fitzy]

It

Renshaw just got 112, 78, 2 and 140 against New Zealand for Australia A last week. Waste of a game if you ignore those runs and he's an England specialists.

It was genuinely a waste of a game for him. Who in their right mind viewed the two teams and thought Renshaw got anything out of playing in it. For god sakes at the very least you could have used the argument we wanted a few experienced heads to lead them for development but that’s not valid considering McSweeney was the captain in one of them. I don’t take much from that when everything he did leading up to it was pretty average. The only spot he deserved to be in the team as would have been if he was the back up opener. I personally believe you can’t have been better than Marcus Harris at batting in the last year and a bit and not get an opportunity so for mine he isn’t a great middle order batsman and as a result it just seems ludicrous as to why he is getting picked off an A’ tour where neither team were remotely close to there 2nd best 11. Renshaw makes our second best 11 so he was playing beneath his level and he demonstrated that. As you would need to expect. I’m not taking anything away from what he did but it’s not impressive by any stretch for someone making an ashes tour dominating in a game/series like that is a non-negotiable.

I do agree with you he is an England specialist but at the end of the day he is only close to test quality as an opener IMO. Handscomb is heaps better in the middle order, covers all of 3-6 and has a couple months worth of cricket in England before the series. I think with Harris already in the squad we are far better suited with Handscomb in the middle order as back up and whilst Inglis is the second best keeper Peter can be the emergency gloveman whilst Neser rightfully retains his spot in the squad. Without a doubt Renshaw is very contentious call in terms of the fact his selection doesn’t really solve any solutions very well whereas Handscomb solves 3 very big ones in the middle order, keeping department and having a back up bowling all-round that is able to be selected.

 

[Fitzy]

It was genuinely a waste of a game for him. Who in their right mind viewed the two teams and thought Renshaw got anything out of playing in it. For god sakes at the very least you could have used the argument we wanted a few experienced heads to lead them for development but that’s not valid considering McSweeney was the captain in one of them. I don’t take much from that when everything he did leading up to it was pretty average. The only spot he deserved to be in the team as would have been if he was the back up opener. I personally believe you can’t have been better than Marcus Harris at batting in the last year and a bit and not get an opportunity so for mine he isn’t a great middle order batsman and as a result it just seems ludicrous as to why he is getting picked off an A’ tour where neither team were remotely close to there 2nd best 11. Renshaw makes our second best 11 so he was playing beneath his level and he demonstrated that. As you would need to expect. I’m not taking anything away from what he did but it’s not impressive by any stretch for someone making an ashes tour dominating in a game/series like that is a non-negotiable.

I do agree with you he is an England specialist but at the end of the day he is only close to test quality as an opener IMO. Handscomb is heaps better in the middle order, covers all of 3-6 and has a couple months worth of cricket in England before the series. I think with Harris already in the squad we are far better suited with Handscomb in the middle order as back up and whilst Inglis is the second best keeper Peter can be the emergency gloveman whilst Neser rightfully retains his spot in the squad. Without a doubt Renshaw is very contentious call in terms of the fact his selection doesn’t really solve any solutions very well whereas Handscomb solves 3 very big ones in the middle order, keeping department and having a back up bowling all-round that is able to be selected.

But this all comes back to the fact that the squad has been selected far too early. Another couple weeks and we would have had a far better outlook on this situation. Obviously they will be going over far earlier than the first test in the WTC but that’s 7 weeks away. Ridiculously long time in advance to have selected a squad with elements of uncertainty about whether or not the right person has been picked and with how it has been structured. Left us in a position where really the only depth options we have confidence in is Boland as a quick and Inglis as a gloveman. Obviously there is confidence in Murphy but we would rather not want to use him. As for Marsh, Renshaw and Harris there is a great deal of uncertainty and yet they have been selected so far in advance. Strange.

 

[Sproj]

But this all comes back to the fact that the squad has been selected far too early. Another couple weeks and we would have had a far better outlook on this situation. Obviously they will be going over far earlier than the first test in the WTC but that’s 7 weeks away. Ridiculously long time in advance to have selected a squad with elements of uncertainty about whether or not the right person has been picked and with how it has been structured. Left us in a position where really the only depth options we have confidence in is Boland as a quick and Inglis as a gloveman. Obviously there is confidence in Murphy but we would rather not want to use him. As for Marsh, Renshaw and Harris there is a great deal of uncertainty and yet they have been selected so far in advance. Strange.

Labushagne wasn't in the last tour party originally from memory? His pure weight of runs over there got him in late and then Smith got smacked in the head, Labs came in and the rest is history.

 

[Fitzy]

Labushagne wasn't in the last tour party originally from memory? His pure weight of runs over there got him in late and then Smith got smacked in the head, Labs came in and the rest is history.

Labs was 100% in the squad. His pure weight of runs got him into the squad but it wasn’t a late thing he was in from the start. That’s why waiting to see if the blokes who went over there during there off-season when nobody would blame them from spending time with there families haven’t had more than 2 games to show that they can be the next one to put there hand up and produce county runs into test runs in England. Real waste and a real shame that this is when they decided to pick it when realistically 2 games into an Ashes series unless we are 0-2 or mass injuries nobody is getting sent home that would be shit enough to be able to be sent home cause they won’t have got a run. Nothing will change and being so premature that’s just such a waste.

 

[BroncosFever]

Neser would be ideal in English conditions

 

[Fernando]

Archer ruled out of the Ashes with a reoccurrence of his elbow injury ( i reckon they'd be pissed that he played IPL)

Johnny Bairstow is back

 

[BooKhaki]

Neser absolutely dominating County, and we don't have him in the squad. Neser should be our 3rd quick and batting 8 in the first test of the Ashes.

 

[Harry Sack]

Neser absolutely dominating County, and we don't have him in the squad. Neser should be our 3rd quick and batting 8 in the first test of the Ashes.

Can't we just pick him anyway because he's over there? I might have misheard, but I swear I heard them talking about him not being in the squad and what that means.

 

[BooKhaki]

Can't we just pick him anyway because he's over there? I might have misheard, but I swear I heard them talking about him not being in the squad and what that means.

I'm sure we can. But if he was in the frame, he'd have been in the squad. Our selectors have shown gross incompetence many times before, including the last Ashes trip, so I see it happening again.

 

[Sproj]

Funny that No heads rolled over the non-selection of Head in India and hacking it up with a ridiculously early squad for the Ashes. Someone is doing a really poor job there somewhere.

 

[Allo]

As if you wouldn’t pick him