Roar Guru
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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…
With one match played each, the Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes launch a third consecutive day of double-header BBL action. Join The Roar for…
The 2019-20 Big Bash gets underway tonight as the Brisbane Heat host the Sydney Thunder for the season-opener at the Gabba. Join The Roar…
For a handful of years, a frantic scurry to overhaul the tame exit at the 2015 World Cup saw England go all-in, knowing the…
The road back to Sheffield Shield cricket has been an adventurous one for towering paceman Cameron Gannon. It included a brief suspension and more…
The newly named Marsh Cup commences on September 21 amidst a wave of positive changes to the domestic cricket schedule. The early start again…
Cricket Australia have finally made a desperately needed adjustment to the Big Bash League – reducing its duration. Last season, the dragged-out campaign would have…
Forty-five days and 48 matches later, another chapter of World Cup cricket finally draws to a close. An exhausting tournament that began back on…
Diverting from the World Cup for a moment, Australia's equally important Ashes campaign begins in well under 100 days. Australian players are blessed with…
It might have been the best state of mind Cameron Bancroft has experienced for some time. Returning to first-class cricket and carrying his bat…
Winning back the faith of the cricket public has been as difficult as winning matches of late for the Australians, and their uphill task…
Yet again a World T20 is upon is, this time the women's arena taking centre stage. Australia will be out to go one better…
When Tim Paine was unexpectedly thrust into Australia’s XI for the ultimately successful Ashes series almost 12 months ago, many felt it may have…
It is yet again that time of year where this short, sharp tournament is upon us to kick off a new season – this…
The presence of the women's game is fast increasing in this country, from the WBBL to our women's national team – and so it…
On Sunday, Cricket Australia revealed their team of the tournament for the Sheffield Shield season, which reaches its climax with the final, between Queensland…
The final stanza of the Ashes series awaits at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a venue known as a wonderful ground for watching cricket. Neither…
A major highlight on the Australian cricket calendar, the Boxing Day test match is one of the greatest Australian traditions each year. Despite the…
I guess to allow the first couple of days/nights of the Adelaide test to take the spotlight…that weekend sees BBL games shuffled to the morning
Cricket Australia finally releases Big Bash schedule
A celebration of the tenth edition and yet I (sadly) much preferred the simplistic structure and appeal of the first two or three seasons.
Perhaps some aspects are better, but I fear the overall deterioration of the product is bemoaned by many fans.
Cricket Australia finally releases Big Bash schedule
I think they’ll afford Burns the first test or two, but on the block swiftly should he fail. Warner and Burns always seem in sync and enjoying their partnership.
Regarding alternatives;
Harris – Strong starts against India in his 18-19 debut tests. I wouldn’t know enough about the technical side but I imagine selectors are worried about something. As others have said, quite similar to Warner too, but shouldn’t preclude him either. TBH I worry about both he and Burns combatting Bumrah and Shami.
Pucovski – Second FC match only at the top, Rogers apprehensive and of course who knows what some early failures could do to his health. Think they will follow the coach’s lead and wait – plus, is it more sensible his test career begins down the order?
Weatherald – May have been the right time with another heavy score or two, but obviously no.
Whiteman – More left-field choice but current form is there and he finished last season strongly. Remember the raps on this guy some seasons ago? Clearly a high-quality bat; maybe in the squad?
Bancroft – Could also find himself in the squad? This most recent ton certainly helps and we know he is highly regarded by JL. Also seems to click with Warner. Doubt they are convinced, though, that the well-known weaknesses have been corrected enough.
Only other names just outside the race could be D.Hughes or Maddinson. Hughes’ overall record is solid but unspectacular and I guess his form is OK but nothing to rave about. He’d probably do a solid blunting job as a test opener but don’t see how he is ahead of the others. 12 months ago many would have pencilled Maddinson in but we haven’t seen much currently having dropped to no. four.
Ten takeaways from the Sheffield Shield
Would seem he’s always had immense ability – and this has only grown since ditching the gloves. The current form is strong and you would think he’s surely in their thoughts.
Australia’s probable Test XI versus India
Yes it’s a good call – in actual fact he’s probably the first quick chosen outside the usual three, isn’t he…sub him for Bird definitely
Shield round to shape enlarged Test squad
I will go –
Burns, Warner, Lab, Smith, Head, Wade, Paine, Cummins, Starc, Lyon, H’Wood, Green, Pucovski, Swepson, Bird, Neser, Bancroft
More my expectation than choice
Shield round to shape enlarged Test squad
Yeah Burns easily under the most pressure now to post something substantial. Wasn’t disappointing last home season, but didn’t nail his place either.
At this stage whether it be Harris, Pucvoski at the top, JL backing a well-known favourite in Bancroft – who has some form, at least – or someone left field with runs like Whiteman, I think they’d overlook Burns unless he soon gives them a reason not to. Plus, historically it seems more about the reasons to leave Burns out than to keep him in.
I’m all for incumbency but this instance is a little unique with such a gap and more current Shield form to go by than we might usually have.
How do the Indian and Australian Test teams stack up?
Goodness wasn’t it an ugly sort of dismissal too… Different shot, same result!
Bird has three & wreaking havoc on a pitch probably suited perfectly to he and Siddle. Tigers did win the toss, too
Green set for debut after being named in Australia's white-ball squad
We are in the unique position too without a domestic OD Cup to guide selection ahead of the season – not that it usually did a great deal, though.
Rapt for Henriques but a little puzzled – his OD Cup was strong last season (310 runs @ 44 with four 50’s) – I guess plenty of credits in this comp have been stored, too. Yet this is a year ago now and was before a fairly indifferent BBL – albeit with the eventual winners – that 148 S/R was neat, however.
Green set for debut after being named in Australia's white-ball squad
Cheers Paul!
Now, why not speculate on a possible Aus-A side and/or, who we would watch with the most intrigue…the ones that jump out being Green, Pucovski and perhaps Weatherald and Inglis.
Surely Neser and Abbott lead that pace attack? Interested to see which of those with test experience line up too.
We have a schedule! Cricket Australia finally releases summer fixture list for India tour
I reckon it may have been two, as VIC were only prepared to offer one? Can’t recall 100%
My current Test XI based on Sheffield Shield form
Looking better than say a month or two ago!
How will attendees be determined I wonder; a ballot?
Crowd set to attend Boxing Day Test at MCG
One of those (many things) within cricket – and sport in general – that, exists for an unclear purpose, the sport was perfectly able to cope beforehand without, and, is probably there to stay.
Sheffield Shield: What's the purpose of the numbers again?
17 – 10 – 12 -3
Sayers’ effort with the ball against TAS so far…just incredible
Lyon, understudy Agar square off in Shield
Siddle continuing his relentless ways no matter the kit he wears! Not that this should surprise, though
Long-time Ferg fans can rejoice – he is back.
Like the look of young Hunt also, building from last season – just dismissed by Siddle – but appears a proper opener that can bat long and grind.
Less than ideal first outings for D.Hughes and Patterson
Lyon, understudy Agar square off in Shield
Yeah unsure, I may have got that horribly wrong
Four takeaways from Round 1 of the Sheffield Shield
Did he take a 10-for against NSW last season if I recall?
Although may have been the one prior, 18-19.
Four takeaways from Round 1 of the Sheffield Shield
Great comment – I find it a little overblown too.
It’s undoubtedly far less dynamic than the young Paine many will remember, but can only imagine (many) finger injuries have affected that, while also approaching 36 now.
The side has still benefitted from a stack of useful contributions in the last two years, even if larger scores often evade him. As you say, the reliance should be minimal, given it is the primary job of the top six. In Paine’s case, batting is the third priority behind leading and keeping.
Can India take down the Aussies with Steve Smith and David Warner involved?
The stream does a terrific job it seems!
Imagine an alternate world where Channel 10 have complete access and matches (yes, even Shield ones) are televised free to all…..
Eight early takes from the Sheffield Shield
Nice to have a piece on this opening round, and a place to discuss it.
A sign of strength that quality players – even some with test caps – like Ferguson, Lehmann and Cartwright are left out of their sides.
Seriously feel Inglis can play test cricket and will be as strong a chance as any come the post-Paine era. I recall reading somewhere that his pure keeping might be the best in the country, but no idea how accurate that may be.
Eight early takes from the Sheffield Shield
I’d just love to see him afforded a better opportunity than in previous instances.
Clearly wants to open, I agree. No idea if he is the longer term answer, but this season will reveal plenty, whether he can secure the place or another candidate leapfrogs him.
Can Bancroft bounce back?
Still worried about how loose Burns can appear defensively; dismissals through the gate seem common.
Interestingly, where is Ferguson for the Redbacks? Simply not selected?
I also had no idea Webster bowls some medium pace, too!
Can Bancroft bounce back?
That’s right, as far as I recall. Bancroft outperformed all others, surviving and finding his way to a score when basically all others crumbled – it was ideal timing.
The County performances are worth noting too and as the article describes superbly. On one hand some may have been quick to jump at the fact it was Division 2 yet you need only look at the calibre of some of those attacks he withstood.
Can Bancroft bounce back?
Good call on Street. He’s definitely in the mix if the start to his career continues.
Can Bancroft bounce back?
Wow – terrific write up!
Breaking down the young talent in Australian cricket