The Roar
The Roar

The Roar

David Schout

Expert

Joined April 2018

204k

Views

106

Published

127

Comments

David Schout is a Melbourne-based freelance journalist covering (mostly) cricket. He has reported for The Guardian, the ICC, IPL, Yorkshire CCC and others. You can follow him on Twitter at @david_schout.

Published

Comments

Older Submissions

Sorry, which stars weren’t risked?

Choker tag’s short stay and the pay-off for patience: Five things we learnt from Australia’s UK tour

View Comment
Cricket
 
Sep

I get where you’re coming from but I don’t think moving Labuschagne or Smith down the order would solve the issue. They’re not power hitters who can clear men on the rope; more accumulators who pick up the odd boundary. As for Finch and Warner, you’d need a crowbar to prise them from the openers spots.
Re: Maxwell, I think he is the man in the latter overs. He has the second-highest ODI S/R of all time. His issue, of course, is that he doesn’t do it often enough

Stuck in the middle: Aussies uncertain ahead of ODI series

View Comment
Cricket
 
Sep

The thing is, shifting Labuschagne or Smith down the order won’t solve the problem. They’re not power hitters and I couldn’t personally see that working. Warner and Finch won’t budge from opening, either. The key stat to look at here is S/R, which Maxwell is second-highest of all time (here: https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/282919.html). His issue, of course, is that he doesn’t do it often enough.

Stuck in the middle: Aussies uncertain ahead of ODI series

View Comment
Cricket
 
Sep

Thanks for the note Paul, always value your input!
Yeah as I referenced, I think Langer sees number 3-6 as very much fluid. In the last T20 the Aussies played (against South Africa), Warner and Finch put on 120 for the first wicket so they bumped Wade and Marsh up and pushed Smith down. Conversely, if there’s a relatively early wicket Smith will always be 3. But yeah, the last 5-6 overs is ideal for Marsh.
Re: the broadcast rights, I think Seven are desperate to cut costs and seemingly have little to lose by going public. They’re not a long-term partner like Nine was and probably don’t feel the need to protect the relationship if they’ve already decided they won’t bid again come next rights negotiations. I’d be surprised if CA don’t offer a discount on rights like other codes have.

Australia’s UK tour takes on importance of a different kind

View Comment
Cricket
 
Sep

Erghh that old argument hey

Australian players weary, but there’s little respite in sight

View Comment
Cricket
 
Mar

Good point! Thanks for picking up the slack. And yep, Wolvaardt’s in-out shot through extra-cover was one of the tournament’s best

Nerveless Aussies dodge rain on way to World Cup final

View Comment
Cricket
 
Mar

What a game. I too hit the sack. And wrote about it on here a while back: https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/10/25/how-i-missed-the-most-remarkable-odi-ever-seen/
Also, how good is it to hear the name Boeta Dippenaar

I went to bed at the innings break of the 438 game and haven’t trusted anyone or anything since

View Comment
Cricket
 
Feb

I know right, I hate those grade cricketers who’ve captained their country over 50 times

Chokers, front-runners, over-achievers: Why Big Bash storylines matter

View Comment
Cricket
 
Feb

Cheers Brett

Chokers, front-runners, over-achievers: Why Big Bash storylines matter

View Comment
Cricket
 
Feb

Understand that perception (with guest stint players coming in and out) but most clubs actually retained the vast majority of their core squad from last season

Chokers, front-runners, over-achievers: Why Big Bash storylines matter

View Comment
Cricket
 
Feb

In his last 20 ODIs he’s bowled 5+ overs on 13 occasions. In this format he is most definitely an all-rounder

Five things we learnt from India vs Australia

View Comment
Cricket
 
Jan

It’s not just about the current form of India and Australia though, Paul. It’s a huge sample size of tests on Australian shores where the pitches (and Kookaburra, for that matter) offer little to the bowlers. And that’s my argument: when there’s a fair balance, cricket is invariably entertaining. But we don’t see it nearly enough. People tune out, which can’t be said of the Ashes 4-5 months ago

Newlands Test the tonic after flat Australian summer

View Comment
Cricket
 
Jan

Great comment Simon and interesting anecdote about your mate. Also agree 100% re: Kookaburra

Newlands Test the tonic after flat Australian summer

View Comment
Cricket
 
Jan

Ha, you are right. Can happen when you file after midnight…

Series slipping as Black Caps desperate for something special

View Comment
Cricket
 
Dec

Yeah I saw that too Paul, and it seemed strange. Why not just pick the squad after the England series? You’re right that Mitchell looked solid on debut but whether he could slot into opening in Aus is another thing!

Raval liability exposes Black Caps on the biggest stage

View Comment
Cricket
 
Dec

Nice summary Riccardo and you’re right, top order cover seemed a no-brainer

Raval liability exposes Black Caps on the biggest stage

View Comment
Cricket
 
Dec

Cheers Paul. But Handscomb was skippering last week, no?

MCG pitch shambles a failure in PR

View Comment
Cricket
 
Dec

It definitely won’t be abandoned Hugh because CA aren’t the main players in the decision-making – it’s (usually) the AFL. Last year’s Perth wicket, for me, was a good one, and Adelaide has produced several good drop-ins. So it can be done, just not in Melbourne it seems

MCG pitch shambles a failure in PR

View Comment
Cricket
 
Dec

Take your point but I did qualify what I meant (i.e. all three results being in play) in the same sentence. Test matches are rarely, if ever, dead. My overall point is that there’s been very few gripping test series in Australia in recent times.

Resolute Kiwis primed to ensure closest home series in years

View Comment
Cricket
 
Dec

Cheers Paul and I agree, think it’ll be a big test for Australia’s top order. Looking forward to it

Resolute Kiwis primed to ensure closest home series in years

View Comment
Cricket
 
Dec

Cheers Marty

Bailey’s appointment signals shift into new selection era

View Comment
Cricket
 
Nov

I think my point re: Khawaja was that 5-6 years ago he might have been seen as done. Now, he isn’t.
And I agree with your point re: younger players. I feel the shift now is that Shield runs are yet again seen as the biggest indicator of readiness to play for Australia, not merely identification in the elite pathways and fast-tracking via that.

Bailey’s appointment signals shift into new selection era

View Comment
Cricket
 
Nov

This is a good point re: aggregates. But it was just one of the reasons I used to support the argument. Weighing up their ability, irrespective of stats, I still believe it to be the case

Seven things to look forward to in this summer of cricket

View Comment
Cricket
 
2019

I don’t think I am. Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc will all, barring long-term injury, finish their careers at the very least within the top 10 Australian test wicket takers of all time. Throw in Pattinson and I’m not sure there’s been four better to pick from at one time.

Seven things to look forward to in this summer of cricket

View Comment
Cricket
 
2019

I don’t think I am. Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc (barring long-term injury) will almost certainly finish their careers **at the very least** within Australia’s top 10 test wicket takers of all time.

Seven things to look forward to in this summer of cricket

View Comment
Cricket
 
2019
Older Comments