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As is typically the case between Australia and South Africa this century, the visiting team had a comprehensive victory. Unexpected, perhaps, on most occasions,…
Crowd involvement or not, Australian domestic cricket will feature a raft of new-look bowling attacks for the 2020-21 season. It is a great relief…
Let me take you to an alternative world, perhaps the one most would have realistically expected to be in. The England and Wales Cricket…
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Yeah would have to agree; by the sounds of it, he is the purest in the land (arguably)
Australia’s next Test XI
Surely form should overrule incumbency most of the time, although as a stern character of principle, I can see why JL in particular is backing Burns.
The chat about Burns finally receiving a rub of the green are interesting too. Wouldn’t necessarily select him myself right now, but if he is on the other side of the coin this time, it must be refreshing for him.
Incumbency didn’t mean much for Burns between the Johannesburg test in April 2018 and UAE six months later, or the routing of Sri Lanka in early 2019 and the Ashes squad later in the year.
Weighing incumbency in a year without Test cricket
No way is there, unfortunately.
I note there was talk of team’s winning percentage to be taken instead, of the matches actually played – and finalising rankings on this basis. Unsure if that has been formally announced, though.
Why Sean Abbott deserves a cap against India
There’s always been striking similarities between Starc and Johnson – be it the pace/left-arm factor, the gulf between on and off with confidence playing a key part, or the potential for both expensive streakiness and unplayable in the same match.
Not so sure MJ always needed the new ball to succeed as much – but as Chris points out, in the case of Starc, there was a period of grabbing a wicket in his first 1-2 overs with almost certainty. It seemed a clear sign of being ‘On’ – perhaps through that 2016-17 phase.
Why Sean Abbott deserves a cap against India
Yeah agree, those tests and almost always the Ashes and Indian visits only, bring financial benefit. Really not sure CA can afford the cash cow to sour – if that hasn’t started already.
Not confident the product is now sustainable in it’s current form, sadly. Dwindling audiences over the last couple of seasons and growing public malaise over factors like the duration, reduced star power, and quirky gimmicks such as these – cause my worry.
Yet in the last 12-18 months, I wondered if a corner had been turned. While the number of matches was left unchanged, the total time frame of BBL09 was (slightly) shorter than BBL08. There was an increase to the number of imports allowed and some serious English headline acts arriving for this season. Yet baffling decisions like these make you think again.
BBL gimmicks show Cricket Australia missed the memo
I think if I recall he’s played about three games in BBL existence – which is just shy of a decade!
The Big Bash has announced three new rules for BBL10 and they're ridiculous
This comp continues to reek of overkill, in most things they do.
The Big Bash has announced three new rules for BBL10 and they're ridiculous
Exactly. Abbott may be a suitable type at 8, but I don’t think his batting has ever suggested test number six. As others have said, he’s probably the sixth ranked quick in the squad, behind the NSW trio, Pattinson and Neser.
Why Sean Abbott deserves a cap against India
Definitely their own choice re – social media, but I wonder if a lot more young athletes would benefit from doing the same.
Will Pucovski wraps head around concussion
Yeah even though clearly not his preference, Burns’ game may better suit the middle order, like early in his career. I fear the top attacks at the highest level, as the tendency to be dismissed through the gate with the alarming bat/pad gap, seems far from assured.
That said, other candidates and tried options – incl. Harris and Bancroft, have their own concerning deficiencies. Maybe we’ll find Pucovski does too, after some exposure.
The tough call on Will Pucovski
Did expect/hope to see Whiteman in the A-squad
Young stars headline Australian Test squad for India series
Yeah it’s interesting Rogers sensed the opportunity in potential vacancy, pushing the young lad to open but also warned of this. It’s such a tough one because you duly hope the coach’s input is acknowledged. Incredibly sharp though to identify this and hand him the chance to own the position. The only loser from it, perhaps, was Maddinson!
The tough call on Will Pucovski
And what a cauldron of pressure it would be, first up against Bumrah and Shami in particular.
I think the hub factor is critical, and understated perhaps until now, given the young man’s troubles before. Purely on numbers, form and readiness for the task, the selection is almost a given.
But I do fear too what a string of early failures against a top-tier attack (albeit missing Ishant) may do to his wellbeing. Maybe though, this concern is far too conservative.
The tough call on Will Pucovski
Yeah huge respect for a class cricketer and bloke. End to a top-shelf FC career, and possibly any chance of SA pulling off an outrageous win. A century would have been apt.
Whether he should’ve won a test cap is a matter of opinion, but imagine copping that Proteas pace attack in tricky Hobart conditions, where most AUS batsmen struggled, (run-out in the first dig too) and being cruelly discarded after a single test. Thought that was puzzling.
Matt Renshaw needs a bold move to get back in the green and gold
Yeah this is the thing with Renshaw – there’s still so much time for him to forge a respectable career of 50+ tests. 11 already under his belt at 24 and having shown some evidence of handling the top level.
Matt Renshaw needs a bold move to get back in the green and gold
I reckon (a long time ago) there was once a st Gilchrist b McGrath
Tim Paine produces the best stumping of his career off a fast bowler!
Agree that it’s actually too far out to contemplate, really. There could be players in the frame by then that we simply would never suspect currently.
I still think there’s a case for choosing the best XI to handle the conditions and location, but form behind them is a non-negotiable. Right now I still doubt if AUS could put together a side to win in India, but they’d probably go even closer than last time.
How are the CA-contracted players going in the Shield?
I guess given we’d be talking three years away. Trying to think of players with the style to negotiate opening in the UK. These guys can bat (very) long periods.
I agree Weatherald deserves to be higher on the ladder – deliberately excluded I guess pending his personal situation.
TBF I think Bancroft has the grit and patience required too, should have added his name. Even though his technique is questioned a lot, there is time to tighten that. Think he has plenty of qualities to carve a 50-60 test career still.
How are the CA-contracted players going in the Shield?
Renshaw + Pucovski might be the ideal pairing for that 2023 tour.
Otherwise Whiteman, Street or Henry Hunt could be in that mix.
How are the CA-contracted players going in the Shield?
I see plenty of Damien Martyn when watching Pucovski…just a random thought
How are the CA-contracted players going in the Shield?
Um Marnus another nought?! Far from ideal for Burns today, too…
And how about this NSW/TAS game…can’t imagine facing that pace quartet on morning one would be easy, and it shows!
How are the CA-contracted players going in the Shield?
Canned, yep. Never nice to see either!
Breaking down the young talent in Australian cricket
Think there’s time for Doran if he can just put 1-2 dominant seasons together
Australia’s next Test XI