Lots of name have been thrown around for the final pace bowling spot for the Ashes. Some of the potential candidates include James Faulkner, Ben Cutting, Mitchell Johnson, James Faulkner, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Chadd Sayers and even Clint McKay.
However, one player that I haven’t seen in any lists, but that I think deserves to be thought about, is Joe Mennie.
Out of the bowlers I mentioned above, only Ben Cutting has a better strike rate than Mennie.
The fact is though, that Mennie has got more wickets per game than Cutting and has got them at a lower average.
He also plays half his patch on the road that is the Adelaide Oval pitch.
If Adelaide Oval is a more bowling friendly pitch after the renovations, expect Mennie to be a complete force with the ball in the Shield.
Last Summer Mennie took 33 wickets at an average of just 22.03, and in his last three Shield matches he has taken 21 wickets. He is also showing form in the Ryobi Cup delivering nine wickets in his last four games.
Mennie is also a useful bat once getting 79 not out in a Shield game against Queensland at the Gabba.
I don’t know why no one thinks of Mennie but I believe that he should take the last bowling spot if his early Shield form is good.
What do you think, Roarers?
A punter
Guest
Looking closely at his stats, I agree that they are impressive. He has an exceptionally good strike rate. The only reservation I have is that these stats are based on a short career at this stage. But I think he is definitely worth watching.
Pudd
Guest
I like your enthusiasm but neither Sayers or mennie are up to it long term -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
A punter. Mennie has a better average than Cutting
Magic
Guest
Sayers bowls way too slow. Would be slice and diced by Pietersen in a heartbeat. If we want a swinger, go for Bird.
Dan Ced
Guest
Mennie looked better than Sayers in Ryobi, I think. ..but Peter George looked more dangerous than both.
Dan Ced
Guest
Mennie looked better than Sayers in Ryobi, I think. ..but Peter George looked more dangerous than both.
davros
Guest
Hard to argue against Cutting ..he has been unlucky...also he is quick and gets steepling bounce ...and if you regarded his stats it should put him ahead of guys like couter nile who I a similar bowler, although he , Nile might be a tad quickr..ive watched Cutting a bit ...and I have seen him let himself down....he can sometimes get his length wrong and go for plenty ...but he can also be devastating on his day ...and ghe could potentially win u a game with his massive striking
davros
Guest
Sayers would be a worthy inclusion....and he gets late swing ...but I would rate Mennie 5 ks at least quicker..Sayers was the leading shield wicket take last year and deserves his oz A gig for sure ...bit a little known fact from last years stats ...excepting redbacks tragics like myself ...Mennie was on track to be leading shield wicket taker bar none ...but he was contracted to Perth scorchers and had to go to SAfrica champs league therefore missing 3 shield games..if he had maintained his strike rate and ave of 5.5 wickets a shield game.he would have finished ahead of everyone including Sayers...in fact Mennie took his 33 wickets from only six shield games last year...I would not be pushing him for a test berth ..but surely stats like that deserve an OZA Gig?
A punter
Guest
"only Ben Cutting has a better strike rate than Mennie" Ben Cutting I agree with. He has a better strike rate and average than just about any in the country and far better than all the potential new inclusions being touted..
abigail
Guest
You also listed Faulkner twice. Does that give him double the chance of selection? I think the selectors have already picked the side for the first Ashes, and only something unforseen can change that lineup. I think the side they will select is: Rogers, Warner, Watson, Clarke, Bailey, Smith, Haddin, Johnson, Harris, Siddle and Lyon. Unforseen events include Warner getting drunk and punching someone, Bailey getting two ducks in is only Shield game, Clarke breaking down again, Watson breaking down again etc. It's scary how many of those scenarios are possibilities not improbabilities. Maybe that lineup isn't as set in stone as I first thought?
Robbo
Guest
Joking........not fast enough, doesn't move the ball enough! Sayers is the man!
davros
Guest
Butterworth is up there too along with Faulkner ...If the Bulls were worried about David Warner tomorrow in the Ryobi Cup final ...they could do worse than look to Mennies .blueprint 2 matches back Warner pumped him for 2 fours in a row...then had him caught next ball skying one ...gone for 36...Seriously though I would be happy to see him mentioned as a possible for OZ A...why not ? he took the wickets and posted the no's and as you rightly point out a lot of those were on the Adelaide road...not known for being pace friendly...why not give him a start in the Wa tour match ...he has some seriously good figures at the waca ...7 for 90 odd one shield game comes to mind
aggregated drupe
Roar Pro
Sorry just realised that Faulkner also has a better strike rate than Mennie but he gets his wickets at the most bowler-friendly pitch in Australia, while Mennie gets his at the most batter- friendly pitch in Australia.