Roar Guru
Joined February 2009
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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…
After managing just one Duckworth-Lewis-assisted win from their seven World Cup games so far, South Africa have rapidly emerged as the new minnows of…
After comfortable victories against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Australia’s World Cup campaign is looking healthier than it did a week ago. However, despite encouraging…
After a narrow victory against the West Indies and a disappointing loss to India, Australia have limited options to right the ship for the…
With Australia unable to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy after a crushing loss in the Boxing Day Test, the selectors continue their puzzling recent trend…
With the standoff between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association finally concluding in the announcement of a new deal on Thursday afternoon, it…
Following two unprecedented bludgeonings at the hands of a dominant South Africa, an overhaul of the Australian team is expected for the final Test.…
With humiliating performances rapidly becoming the modus operandi for our Test side, a mid-90s ECB style overhaul of the team must be just around…
Australian batting coach Michael Di Venuto quietly announced this week that he will be stepping down from the role following the completion of the…
With the recent announcement that young firebrand James Pattinson will miss the rest of the summer with shin issues, the alarm bells must be…
With Cricket Australia announcing that national bowling coach Craig McDermott is finishing his time with the team after the T20 World Cup, the search…
Along with the Gabba in Brisbane, the WACA Ground in Perth usually poses the biggest challenges to touring sides. The WACA missed out on…
As the Trans-Tasman Test series heads to the Wild West, it's time for New Zealand to fight fire with fire. The Australian side have…
Every year, I get sucked in to reading articles that make the same tired assertions. This player is 'dodgy'. That team plays the game…
Wicketkeeping is often a thankless job. Sometimes, it can seem like you are only readily apparent when you make a mistake, while hours of…
Armed with a group of grizzled veterans and retired greats reminiscent of an Eagles tour, Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar have turned into cricket…
After two brutal defeats from their opening two matches, the debut season for the recently launched Cricket Australia XI could not have gotten off…
The federal government has moved to expand legislation that facilitates stripping Australians of their citizenship, with the national cricket side firmly in their sights.…
English cricket has faced a backlash in recent days, with an apparent break in tradition behind the tension. Many older English fans expected a…
Well, this is awkward. Just days after Australia completed a humiliating 405-run bludgeoning of the old enemy, reports from the UK suggest wicketkeeper Brad…
Who would you pick using my criteria, Amritangshu? This is a hypothetical scenario that would never happen, so perhaps you could play along rather than just criticising?
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide
I can’t speak to why Vics didn’t bowl him in last game, but he has 55 wickets from 44 first class games, which indicates he is a wicket-taker. Agreed he should be picked on his batting and fielding, and I would have him at six ahead of other contenders on the basis of those two things.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
I could write a whole book on the selectors, but will try to write an article soon. I think the problem isn’t necessarily experience, but rather temperament. Obviously experience should prevent such collapses, but for whatever reason that’s not happening. It’s worth looking at guys like Bancroft, who has shown a consistent ability to occupy the crease and adapt to the conditions.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
Fair point on spinners, although I do remember Warne winning a few games there. It’s a shame one of our more attacking quicks, like Cummins, Pattinson or Coulter-Nile, isn’t available. One of them paired with Starc, Hazlewood and Sayers would be a pretty strong and varied attack. I’d be worried that Starc, Hazlewood, Mennie and Sayers would lack venom.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
Hi jamesb,
Handscomb always looks very assured at the crease, doesn’t he? I’m a big fan. Would be happy to see him and Patterson in the side. I think in 2-3 years, we’ll have a great team again. Something like: Warner/Renshaw, Bancroft, Stoinis/Handscomb, Smith, Patterson, Head, Whiteman/Handscomb, Agar, Starc, Cummins/Pattinson, Hazlewood.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
Agreed, Ryan. As I said somewhere else in this thread, I wouldn’t be surprised if the selectors only make 1-2 changes for the final Test, with Burns, Ferguson, Nevill and Lyon given one more chance. Mennie may fall into this category too, although I think the selectors will generally drop bowlers quicker than batsmen. It’s entirely possible the only change for the final Test of this series will be Voges out for Patterson/Handscomb.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
Interesting, Rob. Would you have a lineup like Bancroft, Marcus Harris (Renshaw, when fit), Warner, Smith, Khawaja, Maxwell, Nevill? I think one benefit of Khawaja at 3 is that it shields him from spin early in his innings most of the time, whereas at 5 he’d be exposed to spin more frequently. Not a great mindset, but I think that’s why he’s high in the order.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
Picking bowlers at the right time is crucial. Mennie seems serviceable, whereas Sayers can be absolutely destructive. Seems like a Terry Alderman-style bowler who would be useful in all conditions. Your thoughts on the Starc/Hazlewood/Sayers combo are spot on, and O’Keefe would definitely bring more to the side than Lyon.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
Agreed. I’d be happy for the Victorian selectors to give Handscomb the gloves and play Wade as a batsman only.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
I’d have no issues with Hanscomb being picked, although I’d probably put him at six and give him the gloves, then have Maxwell at 7 and O’Keefe at 8. I think Patterson has been in great form and could handle the step up, but perhaps the first Test against Pakistan would be a better time for him to debut. I wouldn’t be surprised if we only saw 1-2 changes for the next Test, with guys like Burns, Ferguson, Nevill and possibly Lyon given one last chance, and then sweeping changes for Pakistan series if they fail. I think the only definitely changes are Voges being dropped, and probably Mennie being left out for Bird or Sayers.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
Thanks, Bells. Will be interesting to see how many changes the selectors actually make.
Five changes Australia should make for the third Test
I’d pick Nevill for now. His T20 record is supposedly weak, but he performed very well at the World T20. Quality players rise to the challenge when they get opportunities at higher levels. As a Victorian, I’d be quite happy for Wade to move to another state. Have never rated him.
Is Matt all you got? Australia Wades into a search for new ODI keeper
Tub is busy recording air conditioner ads. Maybe Mike Veletta is available?
Brad Hodge should be Australia's next batting coach
Surely Geoff Marsh would make a better bowling coach, Don.
Brad Hodge should be Australia's next batting coach
I think Hodge would be the best replacement for the reasons I’ve outlined, but that certainly doesn’t mean other candidates would not be successful if appointed. Australia certainly has a wealth of cricketing talent, past and present.
Brad Hodge should be Australia's next batting coach
Rogers would be a great choice as well. He certainly has a broad range of experience, and a great temperament to teach current players. I do wonder if being such a recent member of the side may blur the roles of player and coach somewhat though.
Brad Hodge should be Australia's next batting coach
I’d imagine it’s close to home. He’d probably be happy to spend more time with his family after years of travelling.
Brad Hodge should be Australia's next batting coach
I guess it’ll depend on his longer term career goals. Batting coach can be a great stepping stone to a state or county coaching role. Taking on the IPL and Haileybury roles certainly indicates a desire to move into coaching in the next few years.
Brad Hodge should be Australia's next batting coach
You beat me to it! ‘Workload management’ is certainly a recent concept. I can’t imagine DK being given a weekend at home with the family to freshen up while the rest of the team were off playing an ODI.
Is the need for speed crippling our young quicks?
I agree, Belles. It could also be said that in the 1980’s, rules for playing county cricket were more relaxed for overseas players than they are now. It would be an interesting exercise to compare the workload between a county season and an IPL season.
Is the need for speed crippling our young quicks?
Both are optional though, Noel. And one could argue players these days have access to a whole realm of sports science and biomechanics that was not available to players in the 80’s.
Is the need for speed crippling our young quicks?
I think he’s preached a good message about line and length, and has had a hand in the development of Starc and Hazlewood. Pretty good performance from him, really.
Bowling coach key to success of Australia's upcoming quicks
It’s an interesting question, Noel. We have certainly sliced and diced some teams, but the consistency of the bowling attack has been lacking at times. I’d put some of that down to the transition period of late, along with injuries forcing fairly consistent lineup changes.
Bowling coach key to success of Australia's upcoming quicks
Thanks, Bells. I have another one going up tomorrow.
Bowling coach key to success of Australia's upcoming quicks
What would your XI look like, Rob? I almost put Stoinis at 3, but changed my mind. Lynn is injured, and Carters hasn’t been in great form. I was going to go with Whiteman, but thought I’d mix it up. Cartwright is a valid option. I’d love to pick a leggie, but as the only one playing this round is Zampa, who is getting belted, it didn’t seem right.
The audition XI: An alternative side for Adelaide