Australia keep winning as the selectors keep ignoring Shane Warne
After following up a strong win over host England with a crushing win over trans-Tasman rival New Zealand, Aaron Finch’s side head towards the…
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Thanks for the comment, badmanners. These points have been amended.
Unbalanced squad leaves Australia vulnerable at World Cup
Agreed, Ryan. Tremain is a very similar bowler to Hazlewood, and seems the logical replacement, especially when you apply for selectors off-sighted ‘like for like’ replacement policy, which they’ve previously used to justify Richardson’s selection in a Test squad as a backup for Cummins. I guess expecting consistency from selectors is unrealistic. Some players put up the stats the selectors say they need and don’t get picked, others it’s about potential and ‘gut feel’.
Hazlewood ruled out of Sri Lanka Tests
Interesting read, gents. Looks like a pretty strong side, although I’ll be surprised if Jake Doran hasn’t reached his potential by then and takes either opening spot from Short or keeping spot from Nielsen.
May be my Vic bias showing, but I also think Sam Harper could be our next long term keeper after Paine. More Healy than Gilchrist, which isn’t a bad thing. He’s a brilliant keeper and batting is improving all the time. We certainly have some depth there, as Whiteman and Inglis from WA and Peirson from QLD are all excellent prospects.
Also a minor quibble, but I’d say Pucovski will be our long term number 3, with Sangha at 4 or 5.
On the bowling front, I think Joel Paris will be competing for a Test spot too.
Finally, the all rounder position is an interesting one. May alternate between Sutherland on bouncy pitches here and Arjun Nair on lower, spinning wickets overseas.
Future Australian greats: 2025 onwards
Hi Brett, I was thinking about that selection recently when watching BBL. I was at that Scorchers/Renegades game, and as good as SMarsh looked, I certainly didn’t equate that form with Test prospects. Seems odd that the selectors have shifted to a ‘runs are runs’ philosophy with selection, but I guess them’s the breaks when there’s such a big break in the Shield season.
My money is on Stoinis to get the ‘BBL call up’ against SL, especially if we lose the fourth Test against India. I’m curious to know which way you think the selectors should go for the rest of the summer. It seems like we could either pick the best side available, which I’d say would be similar to the team Ronan suggested a couple of days ago, or use the remaining Tests to pick a few younger players as an audition of sorts before Smith and Warner inevitably return to the side. I’d a bit torn on my preferred pathway.
Daniel.
Who’s most likely to get the Shaun Marsh Test call-up from the BBL?
Perhaps I should pick a ‘hard to pronounce’ XI? I like this idea. All his friends have got long and complicated names, seems a pity really for this young man to miss out.
The retread XI
Absolutely. I didn’t consider those guys because they’ve actually performed pretty well at Shield level since being dropped. Burns in particular.
The retread XI
More Vics than Redbacks, but fair observation 🙂 I shudder to think how Sydney Test will go. If Ashwin is back and the wicket turns it’ll be ugly. Scary to think India have been without him for last two Tests and Shaw for whole series.
The retread XI
I don’t think the DT and other Murdoch outlets are in any way important. Was just an example of one area of coverage. Even Cricket Australia’s website has next to no new content for months on end outside of summer.
Australian cricket needs to be in the media all year
Different strokes for different folks, Liam. I’m not thinking fluff pieces, etc, as much as interesting stuff that might not get much coverage in the regular season. Every October, I read articles about all the changes state teams and BBL sides have made to their lists in the off-season, but it’s never reported at the time. I’d be interested to know what new coaches are planning on doing to improve their team if they were terrible last season, or what players are working on to improve. More content doesn’t have to mean drivel, if it’s done well. AFL was the best local example, but I think the NBA does a much better job of generating meaningful off-season content to keep fans engaged year round. There is less in the off-season, so it’s not as intense as during the season and finals, but it also doesn’t dry up entirely. Somewhere in the middle would be nice.
Australian cricket needs to be in the media all year
I’ve hit them up on Twitter, so let’s see if they acknowledge me.
Australian cricket needs to be in the media all year
Hi Matt,
Thanks for commenting. There is a small amount of IPL coverage in MSM, and a little bit when the national side is on an overseas tour, but it’s very quiet beyond that. An interest study would be to compare how many AFL articles are in the daily news in January, compared to cricket articles in August. I’m pretty sure AFL would win hands down.
No problem with wanting a break from cricket, but some of us would prefer to have cricket news year round. I do think there is scope for a lot of interesting stories in the off season that aren’t being told for some reason.
Australian cricket needs to be in the media all year
I think you’ll find it’s 12, Don. Unfortunately one of Bird or Sayers will be 12th man.
Six added to squad for Adelaide as new Australian selectors start slashing
Handscomb’s 215 today wasn’t enough for you?
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
That was definitely one of the challenges, as I rated Swepson quite highly. I think right now he’s ahead of Zampa and Boyce in long-form cricket, and I’m pretty excited to see how he develops in the next couple of years.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
I gave up on a spinner when I realised I couldn’t pick Agar or Holland, although Agar is injured, which rules him out of contention. Zampa and Boyce seem to be short form options at the moment, along with Muirhead. Hopefully one of them will stand up in long-form cricket in the coming years. Fawad Ahmed would be better than any of them, but seems to have fallen behind Holland in the Vics’ pecking order.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
Not a huge surprise, unfortunately. Handscomb was just dismissed for 215, so he’ll be batting at 5 or 6 in Adelaide. Was quietly hoping Jackson Bird would pull a Gillespie and hit a double ton as nightwatchman as a nice send off to Rod Marsh.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
Holland is out of contention due to his Test debut earlier this year 🙂 Otherwise, solid team, although not sure Patterson is an opener.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
Hi Chris,
I definitely think Jake Lehmann is on the radar, and was tossing up between him and Head/Maddinson for those middle order spots. It’s encouraging that there is some batting depth in the ranks.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
I love Billy. If he can stay on the park he’ll be pushing for Test selection in the next 12-18 months. I think Floros took a bag in one match when Swepson didn’t do so well. Definitely based on batting though.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
Bit light on in the bowlers, Dingo. Surely you could’ve gone with Billy Stanlake (my current favourite young quick) and Ben Cutting? Assuming Swepson is not injured, it’s disappointing he’s fallen behind Floros in QLD pecking order. Must be tough being usurped by a cold blooded ginger!
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
Hi Michael,
Thanks for being the first person to actually comment and accept my challenge of picking your own XI, which was the main point of this hypothetical scenario. I have no issues with your changes, although Swepson can’t get a game for QLD ahead of Jason Floros at the moment. I didn’t pick players who were available and not picked for current Shield games. And yes, Lynn would’ve been in my middle order if he wasn’t injured. Richardson is an interesting one. I still think he can be a good long form bowler, although home ground familiarity probably got him over the line. I would’ve picked Joel Paris if he wasn’t injured.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
I’m Victorian, and I rate Maddinson. He’s been inconsistent, but hasn’t turned 25 yet. I still think there’s time for him to develop some consistency and perform strongly at international level. He’s brutal when he’s on song.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
Cummins is certainly versatile. Will be interesting to see what changes are made to the side for tonight’s game against Pakistan.
Unbalanced squad leaves Australia vulnerable at World Cup