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Roar Rookie
Joined November 2020
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It’s been a while since I commented here, very interesting concept and one I hope the selectors are considering in some form or another.
I think there’s really only a couple of issues with this:
1. We saw how well our second string T20 side fared against Bangladesh (albeit on rank turners that didn’t help either side for WC preparation) and West Indies. In theory this side looks stronger but the test players showed they’re a class above in the T20 WC. In the past, second string personnel have been comprehensively beaten, such as in South Africa something like 5 years ago, and in England in 2018 I think when Tim Paine was captain of the ODI team (England set the world record score).
2. Following on from the first point, currently many series (not sure exactly how many of the above) count directly towards ODI WC qualification. So if results don’t turn out well, Australia’s place at the WC could be under pressure.
That being said, it looks like with COVID especially omicron floating around, teams will need much larger touring squads anyway. So I’m sure that a team similar to what you’ve named will end up playing at some point, and all players will be better for the experience 🙂 I like the left field choice of Street to enhance his skills that he has some deficiencies in too.
A pathway for Australia’s next generation of Test batsmen
It seems to be a trend to pick a big performing white ball player for tests, due to the belief that “form is form”, regardless of the format.
E.g. Buttler, Roy, Finch, Imam, Fakhar, Hope. Rahul’s case certainly won’t be a new one, but all of the listed players flopped and were dropped (except Buttler, who succeeded a couple of times and just held his spot).
KL Rahul’s Test inclusion everything wrong with Indian cricket
I think ABC Me (formerly ABC3) would be perfectly appropriate for the BBL
Decision making needs a review in the BBL
I think something that needs to be considered is that this team that you’ve selected is likely to be drastically changed again in the third test. Ishant and Rohit Sharma are meant to be fit by then.
I think the BCCI see Rohit as the first choice opener, otherwise they wouldn’t have even brought him half-fit to Australia. He has only opened in India but averages 92 as an opener from memory. Does that mean you see Rahul as a 1 game stop-gap who’s better than Shaw? That’s kinda how I see it actually, but that’s not fair on Rahul to get picked for a game knowing that he’ll be dropped anyway unless he scores 100. Sort of like Matt Wade but with 1 less game to prove his form.
As for the pace attack, it’s sort of the same. Siraj looks like he’s going to be there for 1 game, but I think that’s more fair just because Ishant is a genuine first pick for the team.
I guess the conclusion is that no matter how many changes are made for the Boxing Day test, there’s going to be at least 1, most likely 2 changes for the third test too, and it could have an effect on the Indian dressing room.
My India XI for the Boxing Day Test
The IPL, hosted in the country that was most reluctant to use DRS, and refused use it in internationals until 4 years ago, has DRS. The CPL and PSL already have DRS. Heck, even the newly formed LPL (Lanka Premier League) has DRS. I’m not sure about the MSL (South Africa T20 league) and Vitality Blast.
Instead, the BBL is spending time devising new rules to satisfy 7’s criticism. Hilarious. My biggest issue with the BBL is that I think it lacks professionalism sometimes, and embodies “hit and giggle”. With all the new developments, which resemble backyard cricket rules, combined with umpiring howlers that could and should be sent upstairs, it’s not really changing my mind.
It’s like the overall essence of a fair game between bat and ball have been put aside for the “entertainment” factor. Unlike other leagues who seek respect by signing as strong an international cohort as they can, and focus on a healthy competition, the BBL seems to try to elevate itself by becoming the best kids TV show, seeking to entertain above all common sense.
We talk about the umpiring standards of the BBL every year, and DRS can at least remove the howlers and make it a bit more respectable. And considering it’s used in plenty of leagues, and plenty that traditionally would be thought of to not introduce such measures before Australia, it’s not a tough ask.
Decision making needs a review in the BBL
That’s harsh on Saha. I don’t see Pant getting anywhere near the 2 that he dropped. They weren’t easy chances. And Pant is even more likely to play 2 terrible shots to get out.
The bowling of Australia and India is joyful
I would actually trust Saha more than Pant. More solid with the gloves (although should’ve caught Labuschagne for 0) and more solid with the bat. Pant can have his day but he’s too inconsistent in both categories
The bowling of Australia and India is joyful
I believe he played for a long time with a niggle. Then, because of it, his form began to drop off domestically, especially in bowling. I believe he also became too predictable with his back of the hand shower ball. He was omitted due to injury and average form for a while too.
His batting hasn’t seemed to be the same since around 2015 either, although his bowling this season for the Hurricanes looks much better, and he’s rediscovered how to swing the ball.
Analysing Australia's most successful ODI batsmen
I think Pant’s glovework and batting are too erratic, Saha’s batting has improved over the last few years and should be a lock due to his work behind the stumps
A look at the Indian team for the first Test in Adelaide
Ashwin looked just as good, if not even better than Lyon in the games he played. Then Jadeja bowled tightly and hit 80-odd with the bat too. Both are improved cricketers
Previewing the Australia vs India Test series
I agree that Whiteman isn’t being talked about enough. For a country with such a lack of openers, he’s been bashing the door down with weight of runs
Selectors ignore ideal stop-gap in Khawaja
They played Kuldeep in Sydney last time around, and he took a 5-fer. So the Indians aren’t afraid of changing a winning combination if the conditions suit
Burns and Harris opening would give India huge chance in first Test
At first I was pretty confident in an easy Australian win (3-0 or 4-0), but now I’m not so sure. It’s been well documented but Australia have a serious opening problem now, and I can’t help but expect that a lot rides on Labuschagne and Smith’s play against the new ball. India have a big chance in the first game against an uncertain Australian batting order.
Previewing the Australia vs India Test series
Third seamer for India is an issue right now, although Umesh performed quite well in the A game and seems to be the frontrunner. He was pretty poor when he played in Perth last time around, so for his and India’s sake hope he has learned from that
Previewing the Australia vs India Test series
Quality research, and always interesting to get some insight on foreign players
Australia and India’s unlucky Test XI of the 21st century
Also, I think Smith is a player who really needs time to find his rhythm and get into his “bubble”. If you look at his tests and ODIs, he bats reasonably slowly in his first 30 or so deliveries, then accelerates as he finds his groove and gets all the weird geometrics of his technique together. That’s where his SR picks up. In the number of balls he faced in the ODIs and T20s, I think his SR was similar.
So for me, unless he faces 60 balls, he might not be the best T20 player. That’s unless Australia feel they need an anchor.
Australia vs India: T20I Series review
Saying D’Arcy Short performed well in the first game has got to be one of the most contentious calls I’ve seen here. To bat at less than a run a ball outside the powerplay and eat up 30 odd deliveries is simply a match-losing effort. He’s in the side to provide the quick start he provides in the BBL (admittedly he hasn’t really done that for a season or two now).
Meanwhile, Smith is the anchor and while the criticism is perfectly fair, and something I agree with actually, Short struck at a lower rate than Smith and faced more balls in the first game.
There were more than a few controversial moments in this series. As an Aussie fan I agree that more should have been said about India’s concussion sub use, but also, things went against India in the last game where the LBW review on Wade was voided due to it being shown on the big screen. Mistakes like that shouldn’t happen and may have cost India the game too, among horrible fielding.
Australia vs India: T20I Series review
Eh, he had a decent spell in his first game too. Could have had 2 wickets in his first over, and seems to have developed an extra yard of pace. Also has succeeded in the IPL before, unlike Sams (Abbott never even made it to the IPL). But yeah, that being said, I still would rather not see an Australian team with Tye in it unless it’s a last resort
Matthew Wade secures Test place as Australia scramble to victory
I thought Tye was decent, certainly a level above Abbott and Sams
Matthew Wade secures Test place as Australia scramble to victory
Interesting call, glad I’m not a selector right now
Green ton makes tough call even tougher
I’ll be interested in seeing what Chemar Holder can bring to the table, although I get the feeling he’s not ready yet and will be expensive. Roach is out so he’s in line to make his debut
West Windies vs New Zealand: Five talking points
Oop yep I saw it, inside edged a cover drive onto his own stumps. A sign of a man with no confidence 🙁
Green ton makes tough call even tougher
In terms of the bowling, I think the Windies have improved enormously since the last series they played in Australia. Gabriel, Roach and Holder are all genuinely solid seamers who have improved their discipline impressively in the last few years. Their win against England was off the back of their bowling. Their bowling this match was probably an off day
West Windies vs New Zealand: Five talking points
Yeah definitely agree with that, I just know the media and the fans make a big deal about it. We had a lot of questions about our T20 team when we dropped to 7th place and questions over whether we take short form series seriously enough. Would love to see this team win games though, nice to see the new faces developing!
A pathway for Australia’s next generation of Test batsmen