Even with Australia leading 2-0 in the series, I always find it interesting how we always want to change a winning side.
I have always thought that prior to a huge series, Cricket Australia could have a current Australian team against an Australian second XI in a match to see if there are any players who are on the fringe and could shine against the current Australian team.
If that were to happen, here is my Australian second XI:
1. Jake Weatherald
2. Joe Burns
3. Callum Ferguson
4. Glenn Maxwell
5. Alex Carey
6. Jack Wildermuth
7. Mitchell Swepson
8. Chadd Sayers
9. Chris Tremain
10. Jackson Bird
11. Sam Rainbird
I like this team as it has a nice mix of experienced players and youth. The experienced players in Burns, Ferguson, Maxwell and Sayers have all got Test experience and will help the younger ones to learn and develop.
The youngsters in Weatherald, Carey, Swepson, and Wildermuth have now played at least a couple of years of Shield cricket to give them a good standing. They are all having very good seasons in 2017-18 too.
The bowlers are all performing well and would put on a good showing against the current Australian team – both Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers have been in and around the Test squad for a while now.
The younger players, if given a chance, could become regular instalments in the Australian team as the national selectors keep chopping and changing the current side around.
So a match between this side and the current side would give those selectors a chance to look at the fringe players and the younger ones.
So what do you think Roarers; who would you put in a second XI for an imaginary game against the current Australian Test team?
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Swepson is twice the bowler Agar is with an average of 33 and strike rate of a wicket every 49 balls. Agar averages 38 and only takes a wicket every 75 balls which is a really poor strike rate. I know Agar can bat a bit, but purely on bowling terms Swepson is streets ahead.
danno
Guest
1. Renshaw 2. Burns 3. Maxwell 4. Ferguson 5. Lehmann 6. Head 7. Carey 8. Holland 9. Sayers 10. Bird 11. Behrendorff
Mattyb
Guest
...and Cowans NSW.
Rob
Guest
1) Renshaw 2) Weatherald 3) Burns 4) Maxwell 5) Labuschagne 6) Lehmann 7) Wildermuth 8) Carey 9) Bird 10) J. Richardson 11) Sayers
dan ced
Guest
Weatherald Harris Maxwell Ferguson Bailey Labuschagne Carey Sayers Bird J Richo Holland
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Tremain (VIC)
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
Head Possibly in for Lehmann. Was torn.
Maxwell Charlesworth
Roar Rookie
Mine: 1. Cowan (VIC) 2. Burns (QLD) 3. Furguson C (SA) 4. Maxwell (VIC) 5. Lehmann (SA) 6. M. Marsh (WA) 7. Carey (SA) 8. O'Keefe (NSW) 9. Sayers (SA) 10. Tremain (NSW) 11. Holland (VIC) Behrendorf in for Holland if he wasn't injured.
Ben
Roar Rookie
Cartwright may have played good last year but this year he is out of form. What is his average this season?
Bearfax
Roar Guru
Maxwell has to show that he has become more consistent in my opinion. He is 29 with a 42 average, while there are young blades like Cartwright, Lehmann, Patterson with averages either better or close to, yet half a decade younger. Head I picked because he has improved markedly in the past 18 months and the two openers look to me to be future test players also. I like Maxwell and I think he was treated abysmally in the past not playing enough first class cricket. He's had a pretty good season this year but he's mainly judged on that 278 he scored.. Other than that he's had two 60s and a 96 above 50 from 9 innings. Last year he averaged 31.8. I would be going for a younger batsman who can grow into the role
jameswm
Guest
Bailey ahead of whom? Head, Lehmann, Cartwright or Maxwell?
jameswm
Guest
Haven't seen enough of him. But Agar/SOK are the next in line.
Adam
Guest
1 Weatherald 2 Burns 3 Maxwell 4 Head 5 Finch c 6 Stoinis 7 Carey 8 Tremain 9 Sayers 10 Holland 11 Bird
Tony Mellow
Guest
Sorry i meant to drop Jake Wildermuth.Put Alex Carey in his place.
Tony Mellow
Guest
Out of your team who would you make captain of the side.For mine i would make Maxwell captain as he is one of the most experienced and i think the captaincy would bring the best out of him.
jamesb
Guest
Who is your wicketkeeper?
Tony Mellow
Guest
It goes to show that there is plenty of talent waiting in the wings.There are so many fringe players who have played ODI for Australia but havent cracked the test side.While the main test team is winning there might just be the occasional change but not much is going to happen until this Ashes series is finished. They travel to South Africa for a test series in March so it will be interesting to see who makes the squad.
Bucks
Guest
Aus Second XI 1.Weatherald 2.Burns 3.Maxwell 4.Head (c) 5.Cartwright 6.Wildermuth 7.Carey (wk) 8.Agar 9.J Richardson 10.Sayers 11.Bird 12.Ferguson
Tony Mellow
Guest
Maxwell for me is a walk up start for a 2nd team
Tony Mellow
Guest
Bailey has been in good form,but it is the fact he has been in and out of the aussie side ,i would much rather go for a youngster and see how they go instead,