- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
How Wednesday’s selection meeting should have, could have transpired
Teleconference
Hohns (Chair): Trevor here, how are you Chappelli and Boof? How about we get straight into it and lock in the final seven seeing those quicks are having a holiday up in Bris-Vegas?
Lehmann: G’day fellas. Renshaw was solid today facing the quicks in the nets. He’s back on Aussie soil and, while he hasn’t been setting the world on fire, I think we give him the first two Tests. He and Warner complement each other so well. I loved what I saw last year.
Chappell: Yep, agreed. While the last Shield game he looked more technically deficient than Terry Alderman with pads on, the kid can be that rock for the first couple of sessions to get the boys going.
He at least should get another couple of Tests and runs may be just around the corner. Be interesting to see how he fares with the pink ball. Don’t forget he played some stoic long innings on the sub-continent when all around him floundered.
Lehmann: In terms of other options, I’m moving on from Shaun Marsh – he just hasn’t quite done enough to get there – he has been a good servant but just, unfortunately, has not had the durability or consistency we have needed. Obviously, Bancroft is knocking the door down, and I want him in the team but just a little later down.
Hohns: Ok – haha I think I know who you want as keeper. So we have Renshaw and Warner opening. What’s the call on Usman? Has he run himself out of chances?
Chappell: Love the pun Trev. I believe he has demanded selection – so far he has answered all the queries asked of him with runs this season.
Lehmann: Copy that – he should slot in at three to return Smithy back to his favoured four You know Uzzie and I aren’t always eye to eye on things but he has done enough to get back in the team. I want to see how he goes over a series too and I will tell him the three is his to lose.
Hohns: This is easier than I thought – Handscomb at five?
Chappell: Yep, no dramas on that one – I’m surprised a bit there has been less chatter about his lack of runs, but like Renshaw, he’s part of our longer-term plan.
Lehmann: Yep support that.
Hohns: So number six…
[latest_videos_strip category=”cricket” name=”Cricket”]
Lehmann: I think Maxwell holds his spot in the team from Bangladesh. Too much chop and change otherwise. But this is in my view that Bancroft keeps. I like having a change-up bowler to switch ends and rest the quickies as you know – will be important over the five-Test series.
Chappell: Yeah – Cartwright played in the last Test, but hasn’t shone since. The 35 the other day in Perth was on a highway and unfortunately, in my opinion, his card was stamped for the time being with his pair in Sydney. Still not 100 per cent sold on Maxwell.
Lehmann: And you know I love Mitch Marsh as well – but he needs a season of runs and the odd wicket. Hopefully, the captaincy gives him something. Now – can I bang on about Bancroft and pick him?
Hohns: Haha, you’ve been itching for this one. I watched Neville in Sydney against WA and his keeping wasn’t perfect. He just hasn’t done it with the runs as well. Wade has had plenty opportunities as the incumbent but is completely out of sorts.
Chappell: I am happy to consider Bancroft – but aren’t we setting him up to fail if he drops a couple? I’m not convinced I have seen enough of him keeping up to the stumps. I’m thinking Neville keeps with Bancroft at six.
Hohns: Wade and Neville are far from perfect though Chappell. Funnily enough, with Wade moving to Tassie, Tim Paine is now just a batsmen. He could have been another option! I support Boof on this one. Bancroft has looked tidy behind the stumps and complements coming behind an aggressive batsman like the Big Show.
Chappell: I’m happy to support his selection – but jury out on his keeping just as I have not seen any of it. However, I will defer to you both on this one.
Hohns: Just one more thing I wanted to cover off on number six. Boof you can leave as we are going to have a chat on Jake.
Lehmann: Call me back when done.
Hohns: So Greg what’s the call on Lehmann? It is a hard one to consider in that number six role.
Chappell: He is definitely just behind Maxy – I agree with Boof that if Bancroft is going to be the keeper, we leave Maxy in for the first couple of Tests.
Hohns: Yeah I think we may certainly see him in the side later in the series if he can keep up his early season work, and definitely in consideration for the one-day team.
Hohns dials Lehmann
Hohns: Hi again Boof – Jake is close, but we agree we should keep Maxy.
So, in summary folks, our key message is we are looking for relative stability in the top six, noting that Hilton Cartwright has been replaced by Usman Khawaja on the weight of runs from our last Test against Bangladesh.
Very much this is a long-term top six we are continuing to build for future sustained success, mixed with talented experienced players at the top of their game.
The big news will be the selection of Bancroft – and we note that he has selected himself on the weight of runs, and with other keepers not taking their chances and being in top notch we are giving him the gloves on debut.
So – we’ll line up Friday’s presser
David Warner
Matt Renshaw
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith (c)
Peter Handscomb
Glenn Maxwell
Cameron Bancroft (wk)
Mitchell Starc
Pat Cummins
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood
Jackson Bird (12th)
Chappell: Supported.
Lehmann: Yep good to go.
Hohns: Thanks fellas – see you next week at The Gabba.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.