Your heading should simply read ‘The BBL needs fewer matches’. The key question that needs to be asked is ‘what is the number one factor that will increase interest in the BBL?’ In my opinion, tournament will only grow in a way you discuss if it can attract the star talent. Considering the lack of big names that the tournament has attracted in recent seasons, any expansion of team numbers would dilute the talent pool further. By reducing the number of matches and condensing the tournament into no more than 5 weeks at a maximum, the BBL would attract more international talent like we have seen previously.

With all the outrage from channel 7 around the rights fee, surely CA could arrange for another home series and give them the rights at a discounted price. Work it in with the AFL in a way that suits both parties.

Aside from the obvious benefits of match practice, Australia desperately need to determine who will bat at 5 in the ashes and questions remain over additional bowing options. Starc clearly needs an ‘understudy’ as his potency diminishes drastically the deeper he goes through a series. Pattinson perhaps? Neser has great numbers and deserves an opportunity. Better to experiment in a less crucial series!

Yes the AUSTRALIA DAY public holiday.

Unlike the gutless author of this article, I’ll give a balanced opinion that doesn’t masquerade as a news article.

In my view, CA are trying to have their cake and eat it too. You cannot have it both ways CA. If you truly do believe in the agenda you are willing to promote, then why are you scheduling THREE games on Australia Day? Walk the walk and reschedule the games, irrespective of the financial sacrifice because morals are above all else right?

Could it be that the CA bean counters are expecting a financial benefit from this decision? Greater publicity at a time when interest in the BBL traditionally begins to wane as children gear up for the new school year.

It remains to be seen what the crowd and TV numbers look like but I am not buying the idea that this a call that was made merely on conscience.

In case I was not clear enough, I think the field settings were negative at best and in fairness, the bowlers could have argued for a more attacking field given the runs Australia had to play with. I still think he has done a good job in helping build a healthy culture within the setup with his ‘nice guy’ persona but even he wilted on the fifth day with the sledging fail.

What was it exactly in that particular innings that really tested his strategic ability? Or his mettle? The innings was all over in the blink of an eye due to impeccable bowling and everything just falling Australia’s way!

I think Australia are much better shape going into the fourth test. They haven’t lost a test at the GABBA since 1989, Smith has found his hands again and unfortunately for India, they will be without Bumrah, and most likely Jadeja and Vihari also. Australia will hopefully bat first after a short turnaround and give the bowlers at least another day and a half rest. If that eventuates then it will be Australia’s match to lose.

There is next to no chance of Burns being recalled. Wade played okay at the top and I wouldn’t be surprised if he sees a return to that position if Pucovski is out. The question then would be who would bat at five. With the scheduling the way it is, all new player selections have to be made with no current form to assess on. Having just dropped Travis Head, how can selectors justify re-selecting him now? Which ever way it plays out, it will highlight the rather large drawback in having zero shield cricket for 10 weeks.

Paine is a good leader of men and has lifted the side out of abominable state that they found themselves in BUT he has, in my view, failed at a tactical level when the side has been in a winning position on more than one occasion. We saw that in the ashes and we just saw it again in the Sydney test when Pant was all over the bowling. Australia still had over 200 runs to play with and Paine had 5 fielders out! He clearly panicked.

If you were to create two lists- one with ‘the locks’ and one with ‘the rest’ pertaining to the current Australian test team you’d end up with something like this:
Locks- Warner, Labuschagne, Smith, Paine, Cummins, Starc, Lyon and Hazlewood.
The rest- Pucovski, Green and Wade.
Of the rest, Pucovski and Green have been selected as part of the long- term vision of selectors and hence should be ‘carried’ if need be for at least ten matches. Experience is invaluable as shown, and allows talented players to reach their potential. Any good or bad luck will be negated and the cream will rise to the top.
Wade, coming in at 5, clearly is the last one picked in the current side because of his age and overall test numbers- he averages 31 in 35 tests. Ironically, I think he made a better account of himself opening in the first two tests in this series. He will play the fourth test barring injury but not withstanding a performance of note, that may well be his last test.

I would argue that you haven’t been watching the same matches if you think Wade has been THAT bad. Openers have a difficult job facing the new ball and I think Wade has shown a level of patience in a role that he isn’t all that familiar with.
Additionally, Green has just played two tests and has looked better each time. The 45 off 146 in the second innings in Melbourne was the type of knock that showed he can apply himself in a pressure situation.

I do agree that Head does need to convert his starts into significant scores. Close tohalf of his career test scores have been between 20 and 40.

Labuschagne has done a stellar job since he came into the side and I am happy to cut him some slack at this stage.

Warner averages almost 65 in home tests! Your argument regarding his 2019 Ashes form is nonsense- he typically does struggle in away tests where he only averages 35.

There is risk in every single facet of life. If we are to use your logic then it’s about time we do away with stairs at grounds because there’s a much greater likelihood that someone will trip and either sprain an ankle, break a bone or land on their head and sustain a brain injury.

No no no. Warner will be there, I can’t believe people think he won’t be or that he shouldn’t be. He has failed in all three Ashes tours, yet dominates at home. It was back to business last week with a ton on a bowler- friendly wicket in Brisbane in the first round of shield matches. He is a lock for this entire summer.

Question marks over the other position remain but it sure as hell won’t be Renshaw. He is grossly out of form and frankly, it’s outrageous that he would be talked about as an option right now.

Poor article that fails to consider all elements.
It is 100% certain she will not be stripped of her titles and only the Aussie Open this year is implicated. Anyone insinuating that she has cheated prior to this year regarding to this drug is wrong. In fact, it’s quite possible that it will be proven that the prescribed amount has not provided Sharapova any performance benefit. And speaking of performance enhancement, Sharapova earned only about 20% of her 2015 earnings from prize money. Just being Sharapova was enough for her to earn about $24 million in endorsements in 2015. For someone quite business minded nowadays, do you really think she Sharapova would be willing to risk her reputation for the sake of a possible performance gain ?

I think the answer is quite simple. The media is generally private enterprise and everything is about profits and more profits. Stories that will generate outrage will ultimately attract more readers to click, to buy the paper, to watch the 6pm bulletin too. They will engage because their emotions drive them.

I agree that more focus should be placed on the performances on the field but I think with most women’s sports there may be a fear to be seen as sexist if the players are scrutinised. Women’s cricket is no where near the quality of the men’s. The bowlers are slow, the shots are smaller, the fielders not as nimble. I just said what others will not dare express. But yes, the crowds at the game and TV ratings have been phenomenal and that should be celebrated.

I’d dare say Mark Richardson is as unbearable as James Brayshaw! For the typical Aussie bogan who thinks that the only cricket that matters is in Australia they have missed out on what I’d say has been the highlight of the international summer. Genuine test match cricket without the unnecessary hype.

So they’ve implemented a clock for scrums, conversions and so on but players will stand around after a possible while 25 different angles are analysed.

Look at the way the Australian bowlers are performing in NZ on two pitches where Australia have scored 500 +…. Perhaps more accurately, the Australian batsmen have really stepped up, and NZ haven’t bowled with the same potency that was to be expected.

I don’t think there will be anyone unhappy aboit Wade being dropped. Hooray. Hopefully never plays for Australia again, he is no where near good enough. Nevill is our best keeper and that more than makes up for any failings he may suffer as a batsman in India. Australia have a very strong batting lineup. For me the Agar selection is perplexing. Other than that the selectors have done their job and it’s about time!

Has anyone seen the ticket prices for tonight’s game ? Yes kids are free but adult tickets are ridiculous to see an Australian side comprising of mostly second and third string players. It’s complete contempt to fans. Imagine buying tickets to see your favourite band only to find out most of the band is being ‘rested’. ‘We have replacements that can do the job, play the same songs, what’s the problem?’

Just imagine any new Roar reader clicking on this article as their first sampling of the ‘expert’ journalism the site has to offer. Loaded with errors and contradiction. Quoting players out of context to help justify your unbalanced point of view surely does nothing good for this site’s creditibility.

Khawaja is unlucky to have missed out on ODI selection no doubt but I think it’s more likely to do with keeping him fit for the tests than him not being a good pick. It is becoming more apparent that the test and shorter form sides are going to be almost completely specialised where perhaps only a couple of players will play both tests and one of the other formats. As a fan, I cannot justify paying to see big money to see an ODI team with so many non- stars as we see right now.

That’s ALOT of travelling to only play one test. A scenario where each nation plays 3 tests home and away would be a much better option.

He sure did squeeze every ounce of talent out of himself did Lleyton.
I was looking at his grand slam statistics. He could have retired in 2005 and not sacrificed a great deal in terms of success, he had a very front heavy career.

The format itself is ok. The problem in my opinion is that almost all games are nothing more than ‘friendlies’. If India lose this series 5-0 what does it mean in the context of world cricket ?