The upcoming first three rounds of the Sheffield Shield will likely finally determine who bats at number six and who keeps wicket for Australia in the Ashes series.
It’s therefore hard to place too much credence on a domestic one-day series, especially one in which Doug Bollinger has averaged 34 with the bat; however, some hopefuls have started the domestic season well and some need to find form quickly.
It’s been commented previously that the Marsh brothers have already been given too many chances for Australia, but the JLT One Day Cup statistics speak for themselves. Mitchell Marsh has scored 258 runs at an average of 129, albeit with some not outs, whereas Shaun Marsh has scored 380 runs at an average of 95. If the Australian selectors elect to go with a specialist batsman at number six and Shaun Marsh stays fit and keeps scoring during the four-day games, he will be close to selection.
He was dropped after three Tests last summer, but Nic Maddinson has also started the season well, scoring 398 runs at an average of 66. Cameron Bancroft, so close to Test selection a couple of years ago, has scored 189 runs at an average of 47.
From the other specialist batsmen who are considered a chance of playing at the Gabba Travis Head, Kurtis Patterson and Joe Burns have work to do. Travis Head has had one hit out for 29 runs, albeit with an impressive strike rate, while Patterson and Burns have averaged 41 and 31 respectively. These are not poor results at all, but when compared to Shaun Marsh’s 95 some big scores in the Sheffield Shield games become a necessity.
It’s difficult to get a good read on the all-rounders as most have had limited opportunities. Other than Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques scored 72 from his only innings, Glenn Maxwell made 12 in his only knock, while Hilton Cartwright has scored 39 from his two innings, including one not out. If the selectors do decide they want an all-rounder at number six in Australian conditions, Henriques would likely be the favourite at this stage. A solid start to the Sheffield Shield may just be enough.
Of the wicketkeepers with a chance Matthew Wade and Alex Carey are probably jostling for the lead at this stage. Wade is averaging mid 40s with the bat while Carey’s 92 in the semi-final was a match-winning knock while also boosting his average into the 30s. Peter Nevill has had a very modest start in his less preferred 50-over format; however, if he can repeat his Sheffield Shield form of last year, he will be close to a recall.
As I said at the start, the four-day games coming up will determine these two key positions for Australia in their quest to take back the Ashes. However, after the JLT series, some players definitely have the advantage. Whether they can keep that advantage all the way through to selection remains to be seen. It promises to be some of the more tense Sheffield Shield games played for a long time.
Don Freo
Guest
Just another thing we could take from the JLT ODD; WA's top 7 batsmen...That's right...7! All with averages over 50. Only Ashton Turner missed out. MR Marsh 169.00 JW Wells 91.00 SE Marsh 82.40 DJM Short 66.00 M Klinger 56.16 HWR Cartwright 54.00 CT Bancroft 53.00
matth
Guest
Re S Marsh, he is in great form and, even allowing for India, his last couple of years when given the chance in the national side have been good. The only thing to be careful of is the assumption that his state form means he would do better than the incumbents in the national team. The current top 6 did not have an opportunity to bat in the JLT Cup. whose to say how they would have gone. There is always a tendency for players not in the national team to look better and better compared to the incumbents who are obviously having to play against international quality opposition on unfamiliar grounds. Which makes these first few Shield rounds so fantastic. We will be able to draw a firm form line through the candidates. I can't wait.
matth
Guest
Problem is that our top order is strong with depth. It's our middle order and keeping that needs help. So for Khawaja and Maddinson to get a game, they need to push out Warner, Smith or Finch. the first two are locks and Finch finally bounced back into form. And S Marsh is also waiting in the wings for a top[ order spot.
matth
Guest
And his strike rate was a step up on what I expected from him. I would be happy for Bancroft to get a run in the ODI's.
matth
Guest
It's now for the purists I think. all marketing money is gobble up by the BBL and it's an Ashes year as well. I also think they have diverted marketing funds to the Women's Ashes and I'm fine with that too. Good match yesterday.
matth
Guest
Assuming he is fit, Mitch Marsh walks straight back into our ODI team. Shaun Marsh probably has to wait for Finch to struggle again, and also there is Khawaja to consider. There's a lot more competition for a top order spot than the middle order, where Mitch Marsh is so valuable.
matth
Guest
Ben, I'm not sure if you are a Roar regular, but you don't need to call people names here to get your point across. By all means state your opinions forcefully, but Don Freo knows plenty about cricket, even if he has a long standing Marsh crush. In this case, his points about their performance and about playing at the WACA are 100% correct.
matth
Guest
Also, he was propping up a weak batting attack. there wasn't a lot of help for Khawaja from the Bulls in this tournament.
13th Man
Guest
If the selectors decide to play a pure Batsman at #6 then it's got to be Shaun Marsh. Say what you will about his past form but right now he is the best batsmam in Australia and in the best form Ive seen. For mine if they decide they need a bowler at #6 (I don't think they do) then it's a contest between WA teammates Cartwright and Stoinis for that spot. Also I think Bancroft could be a bolter for the keeping spot, perhaps not the Ashes but if he keeps this entire season in the Shield he could be a legitimate option. Is already a way better batsman than the other options although on current form Carey probably gets the nod.
qwetzen
Guest
Maddinson should be ineligible for selection until he removes that sorry excuse for a mo he's sporting. He looks like the slow Deppity Sheriff we've seen in hundreds of shows set in Smalltown, Alabama. It's so bad it's worth a CoC charge.
Don Freo
Guest
I suspect Bancroft might be keeping in the first Shield game on Thursday. I haven't seen Josh Inglis' name in any grade cricket so far this year. I'm not sure what the story is there.
Ross
Guest
I think they must give maddinson and khawaja a chance to play ODI again
Ross
Guest
Don't forget khawaja he was the second equal top scorer for the tournament
Ross
Guest
Marsh and khawaja were the best 2 batsman for the JLT cup
Ross
Guest
What made khawaja special for me in this tournament aside from him being the second highest scorer was that all his runs came against the 3 strongest bowling attack in NSW, WA and Vic. Against Nsw who had the best attack in Starc Lyon and cummins he scored 140, so no cheap runs against a cricket Australia 11 for him. And I calculated that he also has the most domestic runs for one day cricket in the last 4 years
AREH
Roar Guru
Hard to take away the fact they're both in blistering One-Day form. Plenty of other names like Ferguson, Maddinson, Labuschagne and Bailey putting their hand up to gain ODI selection later this summer.
Don Freo
Guest
Try harder. You'll understand it if you watch. "Obsession" is an interesting choice of words. I celebrate the success of so many Oz cricketers. If you read regularly you'll have seen support many that others obsess about putting down. Maddinson, Maxwell, Lyon, Nevill, Head... The obsession lies with those who see the name Marsh and it blinds them to any discussion about cricket. I just seek to redress the balance.
Ben Brown
Guest
Yes I don't understand your obsession with the Marsh brothers when both have mediocre First-Class records.
Matt P
Roar Rookie
A) You know what they say - if you can't take it, don't dish it out. B) Lower levels =/= flat tracks. Otherwise all of the state players would look like international quality. C) It really says something about sports fans that the initial reaction always seems to be that those players are "bad". No "good but not up to international level" or "tough run for Australia, still a good player" or anything like that. Nope, if someone doesn't succeed for Australia, it's always a negative slant. Regardless of how well they've done, they've represented their country at the highest level - something you could only dream of doing. Maybe lay off the needless attacks, you might not get as much backlash that way. Besides, both the Marshes have done very well for Australia in ODI's - the format you're calling them "flat track bullies" in. Which just makes it worse, people like you mold their entire perception of a player based on their test form. It's a joke.
Paul
Roar Guru
and being called delusional was acceptable? Players chosen to represent their country are supposed to be the best available and when they fail - repeatedly - yet succeed at a lower level, what conclusions can be drawn?