Another innings, another failure by the openers in massive run chase

wish they'd made a similar gut decision with alex carey, he flogged all countries with technique and skill in the world cup, last few tests was the time to take a flyer on him for sure , the openers did nothing it was the poorest opening exhibition in australian test history

Pattinson went well, a bit unlucky and one or two untidy spells in second innings but the pitches were a bit flatter than expected, the last test may have been perfect for him with swing though as marsh got plenty. They botched up the 5th test selection big time, 5 bowlers was a good move retaining head and dropping an opener at the very least but starc and a fresh pattinson may have steam rolled them the opening day late afternoon when butler got an extra 50 plus runs due to the aussies tiring with the old ball a bit. was 120 runs in it in the and the psychology batting first and giving the bowlers one more days rest, head/khawaja both in , openers out and starc in for siddle and pattinson in for a slightly tiring hazel wood would have got them the prize I think . Wont even get in to the poor decisions at headingly but we could have used the fifth bowler there too to get the tail out . Could easily have won the series 4 nil with some smarter selection , better captaincy and DRS decisions as england won by small margins really

I hope warner and harris get a spell out for a few matches purely on the basis of the worst opening partnership in australian test history according to the numbers in england. Of course they can bounce back in aus but if we go on form they were disgraceful and should earn their spots back

Unfortunately for siddle of course england is where he plays so well of late. Jhye richardson back in to the squad of bowlers in aus. Pattinson to start a few more. Exciting line up with the bowlers. I agree with Anon all the way as well , kept calling for khawaja to open in england those 40 for 1 or 50 for 1 starts and some better captain decisions may have seen australia come back 4 nil up

In Australia less of a problem but warner is getting on in age, theres a chance to prepare for the future and also he’s been a bad apple in the side for some time and really let australia down in england. I think one day cricket is his place but in australia he can still play very well no doubt. Many will open quite well on the drop in pitches I suspect. We need a real county season , australia A lead up to the ashes in 4 years back in england to try and assist openers in particular and middle order as if smith is still going he will be instantly selected and labs too if he can continue half decent form as he clearly goes well on english pitches even if theres more comp in australia for his slot Id certainly give warner a run serving drinks in the first test against pakistan in november , its the lowest opener set of scores in a 5 test match series ever so he doesn’t deserve to go straight back in both he and harris cost australia dearly in england .

Border was given his debut during the World Series Cricket era when selectors had no incumbents to back! Chappell had a great first class record and earned his selection. Ponting was a gun junior who scored plenty of runs and earned his chance. Smith was picked as a leg spinner and after being dropped, he scored a truckload of runs batting at number 3 for NSW to earn his selection too. Steve Waugh was the only "gut selection" but his junior career was very impressive. I agree that Nevill had to be replaced. But I will never agree that Renshaw has shown that he is test quality, Burns has improved or that Handscomb is a revelation. BUT if any of them score a truckload of runs this season, they have the right to be selected.

it got Nevill out with his terrible form. reinforced that a keeper has to score. i hold that position now.... it got Voges and his serial nicking out. the guy was 500 anyway. Renshaw was excellent but lost his way. Handscomb was a revelation. Burns came back stronger. Maddinson was a bizarre selection but I expect to force his way back in this year. he was on fire last year before injury. if those you pick fail after 2 or 3 tests, go again. that is how and when we found Border. Ponting. S waugh. Smith. G Chappell.

That was a hysterical response to getting thrashed by South Africa. Dropping Voges (Who still averaged over 60) Poor old Ferguson (who only got to play one test) and Burns (Who people are hoping to be recalled) in favour of Renshaw (On a fast train to nowhere) Maddinson (test average 6.5) and Handscomb (World's worst technique!) was a masterstroke!

that's one selection philosophy, but I don't share it sometimes when results are so bad, you have to make the statement we did that after Hobart in 16-17 and it worked a dream for a while, notwithstanding not everybody picked made the grade. that is one of the many facets of selection that will always exist.

Batting out of position is no biggy. We'll see how things run but you should always pick your best top 6 regardless of position. 1, 2 and 5 are all up for grabs. Khawaja is a better opener than all his contemporaries.

Extraordinary series for opening partnerships. Australia’s read: 2.13.11.13.12.10.1.0.5.18 England hardly fared any better, with only the first and last test keeping them above Australia: 22.19.0.9.10.15.10.0.27.54

I think the only lock in the top 6 is Smith, Jeff. As I suggested elsewhere, none of the openers or Khawaja are guaranteed to make runs early in the season, unless the pitches are roads and Labuschagne needs to come back and show his form in England translates into runs in Australia, especially after his ordinary displays last summer. Head & Wade will likely play the First Test but both need to make lots of runs, if the other guys you mention get on a roll.

not crazier, your Holiness, just sad!

You're probably right but gee that's harsh on Khawaja. He looked way more assured than did Davey, even though he played less innings. The selectors backed themselves into a corner, again, by not playing Khawaja as an opener. They clearly made up their minds others were better opening choices, even though Usman has a pretty good record at 1 or 2. We have a real problem on our hands if they continue with Harris and co, unless they all sort out their techniques, concentration and mindset. ALL of our opening batsmen are failing in at least one of these areas at present.

The best attack is Cummins, Hazelwood, Starc because they won the 4TH Test. Remember it took Marnus to get a wicket late or else it might have been a draw in that test. We also won the 1ST test with an attack of Cummins, Pattinson and Siddle. Pattinson was dropped after the 3RD test in which we should of won. He was not bowling at the end when stokes was batting . Patto took 3 for 56 in that game of 30 overs less than 2 runs per over, he bowled one poor spell in that test with the 2nD new ball in the last innings, but so did Cummins and Hazelwood bowl poorly wi that 2nd new ball. Starc took about 4 for 130 in the 4TH test of about 35 overs. I think Pattos figures in the 3RD test were better that Starcs in the 4TH test. I will say that definitely both Patto and Starc should have played in the 5TH test as either Hazelwood or Cummins should have been rested and Siddle should not have been in the team. Going forward for the Australian summer Jye Richardson will be a contender to put pressure on Patto and Starc for that 3RD fast bowling option.

Think one of the already identified openers will be the batch from which they choose.

At least one of the specialist openers in Harris, Burns, Renshaw and Bancroft will make runs in the opening Shield games and be selected to partner Warner. Khawaja may make runs in Shield and put his hand up for selection, but would have to come in in the place of Head at 5, because right now Labuschagne at 3, Smith at 4 and probably Wade at 6 are all locks. And that would require him batting out of position. And if Khawaja, Head and especially Pucovski are all making runs, UK will be at the back of the queue.

I think Usman will need to score big runs in the opening Shield games to get back in. The selectors approach to dropping him and not bringing him back, versus publicly saying they weren't going to drop Warner, was telling in regard to future direction of the team IMO

I know the openers have been awful, but their replacements need to earn their spots and not be gifted opportunities because the incumbents are poor. It is up to the alternatives to demand selection through performances in the early season. Burns, Pucovski. Patterson, Carey and J Richardson need to perform better than the incumbents in early Shield games to gain a spot. Otherwise you are replacing faltering "Ashes retainers" with undeserving cricketers. It is easy to claim that these guys would have performed better but they have little to back these claims. My guess is that Warner, Khawaja and Harris will pile on the early season runs back in flat track Australia.

Yes I have drawn line thru him too Maybe Paine if he deigns to play On Maxwell, Maddinson, Wildermuth, they should all ask their states to let them open and announce they are willing to step up Watson and Katich were born on similar times