The past week in Australian cricket has been one of the more disappointing and acrimonious periods in recent years, with the emotions and accusations very much resembling the floor of Federal Parliament at Question Time… only this is way more important.
Regardless how we got here, we all have to remember the Ashes starts in less than three weeks, so rather dwell on negatives of the recent past, we should be focusing on this series and all the positives that we can take leading into it.
Australia’s going to have a 47th Test captain and I’m glad Pat Cummins has scored the job.
There’s a view, probably put about by batsmen, that fast bowlers ain’t real smart and can’t captain any side, let alone the most important team in the land. Pat gets to have a crack and I have confidence he’ll prove the doubters wrong.
His appointment adds another layer to the Ashes. I’m really keen to see how he manages his workload and whether his bowling will continue at the same high level as we’ve seen in previous years.
Another aspect will be how he works with his vice-captain, Steve Smith, especially when it comes to things like DRS, field placements, etc.
The other obvious issue is how he manages across the five Test series. At some point he’s likely to have to tell one or more of his fast bowling mates they’re not playing, yet he’ll have to play the whole series.
Marcus Harris is going to open presumably for the full series. I genuinely hope he does well and finally scores at least one or more Test tons. George Bailey clearly has confidence in him and so does Dave Warner, who will hopefully carry over his excellent white ball form.
His battle against Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson will worth the price of admission alone.
In the 1930s, England was seriously fearful that Bill Ponsford and Don Bradman would get together and make massive partnerships. They did so twice, once at Leeds (388) and again at the Oval (451) – in the same series.
Pat Cummins (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Joe Root has to be concerned Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will do something similar. If they do, it will likely be some of the best Test batting seen in a very long time.
Usman Khawaja or Travis Head – who cares, as long as they bat like they have been in the Shield. Ditto with Cameron Green, who is overdue to take a Test wicket. Look out for the team celebration when he does so.
I can’t think of a time when Australian cricket was blessed with so many top quality batsmen/keepers. Josh Inglis and Alex Carey are the frontrunners for Brisbane but Jimmy Pierson is making a bid and even Josh Philippe could be a smokie.
It may come down to who does best in the coming practice matches, but whoever scores the spot, will do a terrific job, I’m sure.
The lift the bowling squad must have received in recent weeks is enormous. One of their own is captain of the side and three of the Test regulars helped Australia to a completely unexpected World Cup victory.
The quicks are all in impressive form, as are Jhye Richardson, Brendon Doggett, Scott Boland and Mark Steketee. Again, those practice matches could assume huge importance in deciding who will bowl in the First Test.
And let’s not forget the GOAT. Nathan Lyon seems to have been sitting 399 Test wickets forever. There’s no doubt he’ll pass the 400 in this series and hopefully number 400 is a memorable dismissal for all the right reasons.
And of course there’s the Poms. Joe Root’s batting, if he gets going, the quality of the England attack, just how well will Ben Stokes go – all things to really look forward to viewing.
Finally, one of the best positives is being able to watch these games live, for those lucky enough to be able to get to a day’s play. I’m really looking forward to hearing from Roar fans who make it to a Test.
I reckon there’ll be some terrific cricket played this series. Both squads really lift when it comes to playing in the Ashes and it makes no difference how many top notch players there are, the intensity will be massive.
As always it will come down to which team can win the most key moments and that will start with the first coin toss for Pat Cummins on the eighth of December.
I can’t wait.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
One thing that has always puzzled me is the need in the Cricket game for the Captain to be potentially long term option. In most other sports (and professions) seniority and experience count for a lot when it comes to leadership positions. I don’t see a downside in changing who the captain is every 2-3 years as the most senior player (the captain) retires. Sure a whole lot of other factors come into play as to suitability, but I’d hate to think a senior player with all the right attributes was denied the captaincy over a potentially lesser experienced and capable player because the latter was going to give more years of continuity in the role.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I thought of Lyon. Since the UK ashes his form at times has been questionable but he remains the first pick spinner despite there being potential to rotate him during the series which may be a consideration . Traditionally his best form has been on bouncy flatter pitches India did tend to hit some runs off him at time in both series despite him still getting wickets. I need to recheck but feel he’s a candidate for rotation coming up though some will argue with that. His averages at mcg and scg were a bit mediocre until we played NZ last year and he improved them a tad from memory. Im not sure if they are considering his playing days being a little limited as he will be 35 next year.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
What about 100 test veteran Nathan Lyon? Look I'm not dismissing Cummins and am really happy for him. But I just can't help thinking that everyone has dismissed the sheer amount of experience he has over such a long time. He only plays this format internationally. Is an excellent fielder in the inner circle so doesn't need to be riding a boundary. Has a fair idea about spin bowling and I suspect there's been many occasions he was keen to bowl earlier while watching batting captains bowl quicks into the ground. He's also a cleanskin over a very long period of time. I think we've missed a trick here.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Why address that to me? These are conversations you are having with the little people in your head.
Rohan
Roar Rookie
"Australia can no longer afford a tipsy topsy fifth bowling option,,," GOLD :stoked:
Rohan
Roar Rookie
I agree, and although I would like to see the younger Renshaw in the mix with his new found middle order, bats well with bowlers role forming up, he's also very tidy in slips.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That's providing we have shield matches to play it's not been easy to get red ball cricket going this year . Limited chances . We will need multiple Spinners for India some test experience is important . I'd say maddinson has been knocking the door down last two months
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Slight on words . I meant it was a hard deck to play on even if soft and patchy
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It was not a “hard” deck. It was soft, patchy and up and down. Swepson, Maddinson and Inglis don’t need any blooding matches. Let them play Shield cricket like everybody else and knock the door down. Ball sports with position play might require transitioning and introducing the next generation. Cricket doesn’t work that way.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That is very true on the last deck Head and Carey played on . Ive been defending carey on that hard deck last week it was dangerous so Heads innings was very good. He did need a good one though as Khawaja had been a bit more consistent in the last month than Head which is an issue many keep bringing up but I don’t doubt his ability on Australian decks especially at shield level. I think his average wasn’t great in England and England got on top of him but it was more lack of discipline by Head across the five tests he was streaky on the english pitches with Dukes ball and of course he had one maybe two very arguably lucky knocks there. Pan forward to the India Series he lost his place after struggling at the MCG series. All in all its a three horse race (probably two horse) with Khawaja and head ahead of unlucky Maddinson who is arguably been more conistent than both of them last two months. I still like the idea of finding space for two of them and elevating labs or khawaja to open. Im not convinced on Harris he’s had alot of chances but he may have a good series on a home deck against weaker opposition than India. In reality I know Bailey has already made up his mind on Harris which seems way to premature to me and its down to Khawaja or Head. In theory I think we could get both Khawaja and Head in the side and sacrifice Harris out. And if Head doesn’t perform over three tests bring Madinson or even Inglis (to get that vital match so he can’t play for england) in and hopefully we are 3 nil up by then. It would be a luxury to give madinson, inglis , swepson matches if we can retain ashes in first three tests before subcontinent tour and give three players valuable debuts/second chance but I’m not sure the selectors will think that way.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He hasn't failed and didn't fail. He is a proven Test player even at this beginning of his test career. His Shield and 50 over form demands selection...as the selectors have indicated by selecting him. His last 100 was on anything but a "good deck". They called the game off on day one because it was dangerous. Later, 6'6" Gurinder Sandhu was bowling shooters.
Frank delosa
Guest
Cannot wait Matth Sadly our selectors wont look beyond the bowling cartel who failed so badly at the same venue vs India. It makes complete sense to bring in Richardson for several reasons, however they wont. Ive been banging on since October than Anderson and Broad will tear the guts out of our wafer thing batting, esp under foul conditions. Ive been called a clown, a ninny, a primp, a downer, a chip wrangler and a dilly. Give it a week or so and we will see who the dilly and cringer are! ENG 2-1 (weather will favour them)
matth
Roar Guru
Yep, it's getting excited. I've got my tickets for Day 3 at the Gabba. Please rain Gods, take a detour! With the practice match looking on shaky ground due to weather, I'm getting concerned about the recent red ball cricket played by the squad. I wonder if the selectors might lean towards handing Richardson a start, simply because he has played plenty of top quality recent red ball cricket? That would be a smart move in my opinion. The weather and therefore pitch are going to be fascinating for the first test. The pitch is very green right now and the weather has been overcast, rainy and cool. If we get a Day 1 green top and overcast humid weather this test could be a quick one. I worry about our ability to combat Jimmy under those conditions. Equally for me it brings Richardson even more into the equation. Can't wait!
matth
Roar Guru
The good thing about this is that in some previous seasons we've been scratching around for any decent candidates and now for both the number 5 and keeper we have some hard choices for the right reasons: Number 5 could have been any of Head, Khawaja, Maddinson and Renshaw just starting go as well. Keeper, any of the four being mentioned would likely do a fine job.
Frank delosa
Guest
Jeff, what is the source on this?
Frank delosa
Guest
Donald "Don" Freo, Please dont be salty that WA is about to be stripped of their test match. I am quite annoyed about it as it provides pryme tyme viewing in VIC. Plus Aussie boys rule the pitch over there in the hidden kingdom. You still have not provided your expected XI for Brisbane (aka the Rain Test). Is the session on the 1st being telecast? I love how none of these sessions are shown, especially from ENG, trying to be all covert and ham fisted. Why Stoinis is STILL hanging out on the "Goldie" with the AUS squad is beyond me? He isnt picked so should be removed from the team space. He should be joining with the Melb Stars soon (thank goodness me its SPC). Bat or Bowl first in Brisbane Don? GUARANTEED Aus will pick to bat first regardless of overhead conditions! We will be pummelled into 9 pins if it is overcast. The Poms will scoon and crimple us to dust in these conditions. Much like a lower class Victorian trying to buy in Toorak. Also, Don, thanks for your recipe your sent me via email (Prune, Egg and Chicken Tartlet). It was really appreciated and made a great Sunday lunch. Thanks again mate :)
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Don head failed the test under pressure in the uk ashes on balance but I often think he was more reckless and baited in to shots outside off than beaten in that series . Back on home soil surely he can make some big totals on good decks and probably has more upside long term than khwaja given their ages
Paul
Roar Guru
Huh? Teams these days take cues from where ever. Much of the planning for sessions is done well beforehand and on field, any player can and will offer suggestions to the captain, just as the coach will send messages. That hardly means the leader's in the grandstand.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
That's promising for Harris In uk be great for any of the. To get more county experience let alone Australia and Australia A having a warm up fix on subcontinent as well before play .
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You needn't worry so much about weather, Frank. We all know rain and we all know fine weather. There is nothing earth- shatteringly perceptive about that observation. Your desire to
misuseabuse people's names is so puerile. Why do it?