Australian test selection 2018/19

[stephen]

With Patterson added to the test squad, what are the odds that Burns and Renshaw now both miss out, with Patterson and Pucovski straight swaps in the order for the dropped Smarsh and Handscomb?

I'd be pissed if Labaschagne played ahead of Burns on the basis of a game that wasn't even first class.

 

[Jarquis]

You mean, despite the fact that Labuschagne was already being picked ahead of Burns?

 

[Burgey]

I feel a bit bad that I actually even forgot Marnus. That may in itself say something, I suppose

Much depends on whether they're looking longer term or not. I don't want to be too negative on him, but does anyone really see Marnus as a long term test number three? Not saying he can't develop into a test player over time, but I don't know that his future lies in the top three. I guess if they want to keep The Pillow opening then Neither Burns nor Renshaw may be picked and it could be

Harris
The Pillow
Marnus
KPat
Head
The Poo

Still too many lefties for my liking looking long term. But I suppose if you factor in the return of the damned, then moving ahead you get:

Warner
Harris
The Pillow
TPC
The Poo/ Marnus/ Kpat
Head

which is still a bit too leftie heavy for mine. Having said that, Harris hasn't secured his spot by any means yet, and neither has Head, so there are at least three spots properly up for grabs in the top six in the medium term.

 

[stephen]

You mean, despite the fact that Labuschagne was already being picked ahead of Burns?

Yes. Picking the new squad was supposed to be a step forward. Basing selection policies on a warm up game is a step backwards IMO.

Why should a second innings half century in a warm up match count more than three years of shield form and a better test record?

 

[stephen]

Labaschagne getting picked at all has been woeful at every stage. Despite being a moderately successful part time spin option, what had he done at any level to warrant being picked in the test side?

 

[marc71178]

Yes. Picking the new squad was supposed to be a step forward. Basing selection policies on a warm up game is a step backwards IMO.

So you don’t think they should’ve called up Patterson then?

 

[Red]

With Patterson added to the test squad, what are the odds that Burns and Renshaw now both miss out, with Patterson and Pucovski straight swaps in the order for the dropped Smarsh and Handscomb?

FFS, drop Labuschange.....

Patterson and Pukovski both dayboo

I'd much prefer Handscomb to Labuschange, in fact I'd take SMarsh over Labuschange

 

[Red]

I feel a bit bad that I actually even forgot Marnus. That may in itself say something, I suppose

Much depends on whether they're looking longer term or not. I don't want to be too negative on him, but does anyone really see Marnus as a long term test number three? Not saying he can't develop into a test player over time, but I don't know that his future lies in the top three. I guess if they want to keep The Pillow opening then Neither Burns nor Renshaw may be picked and it could be

Harris
The Pillow
Marnus
KPat
Head
The Poo

Still too many lefties for my liking looking long term. But I suppose if you factor in the return of the damned, then moving ahead you get:

Warner
Harris
The Pillow
TPC
The Poo/ Marnus/ Kpat
Head

which is still a bit too leftie heavy for mine. Having said that, Harris hasn't secured his spot by any means yet, and neither has Head, so there are at least three spots properly up for grabs in the top six in the medium term.

I'd like to see them bite the bullet when the damned return, and pick and stick properly

Warner
Harris/Renshaw
Khawaja
Smith
Patterson
Pukovski
Paine +

 

[stephen]

So you don’t think they should’ve called up Patterson then?

I think they either shouldn't have named a squad or should have named a squad with Patterson in it. Labaschagne shouldn't be anywhere near the test side and I hate to say it but neither should Renshaw in his current form.

I'm not against picking Patterson. I'm against picking a bloke based on a single game. When Renshaw was picked for the 2016 side it was on the back of one game but also on the back of over a season of shield form. Patterson is similar here.

Harris
Burns
Khawaja
Patterson
Head
Lehmann/Wade

Should probably be the top 6 based on the last couple of seasons of batting form. The cupboard is pretty bare at ther moment.

 

[Spikey]

So you don’t think they should’ve called up Patterson then?

It's difficult when someone who had a strong case gets overlooked for a particular reason and then picked once he's had a game when he conquered that particular reason. I like that he's there, the way he got there troubles me

 

[Dan]

It's difficult when someone who had a strong case gets overlooked for a particular reason and then picked once he's had a game when he conquered that particular reason. I like that he's there, the way he got there troubles me

Yeah this was my thought too - right outcome, wrong process

 

[Spark]

it's a bit desperate but i guess these are desperate times

 

[Red]

I think personally you can see enough in Pukovski and Patterson to say there is the talent here to succeed at test level. So if they get picked against SL, they get picked for both the Ashes (and next summer's home series and anything in between). And if the returns aren't great, they still get persisted with.

We have to stop selecting guys then dropping them constantly, or picking them for under 5 tests and discarding them.

 

[stephen]

I think personally you can see enough in Pukovski and Patterson to say there is the talent here to succeed at test level. So if they get picked against SL, they get picked for both the Ashes (and next summer's home series and anything in between). And if the returns aren't great, they still get persisted with.

We have to stop selecting guys then dropping them constantly, or picking them for under 5 tests and discarding them.

I agree but it's hard when the axe is hanging over two of the six batsmen for the Ashes. Because there's no way Warner and Smith don't get picked.

FWIW:

Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Patterson/ Pucovski

Is what I predict our ashes top six will look like.

I don't expect Labaschagne to play for Australia for a very long time, if ever, after Smith and Warner return.

 

[Spark]

idk why travis head is considered a lock, as far as i'm concerned his spot is still very much contested

 

[Red]

idk why travis head is considered a lock, as far as i'm concerned his spot is still very much contested

Agree 100%, and I dont think he has the talent that Patterson or Pukovski have.

 

[stephen]

idk why travis head is considered a lock, as far as i'm concerned his spot is still very much contested

Concrete feet has been less terrible than every other batsman tried recently.

 

[howardj]

Marnus and Renners to miss

 

[howardj]

Long-term

Harris
Warner
Usman
Smith
Patterson
Poo

 

[howardj]

idk why travis head is considered a lock, as far as i'm concerned his spot is still very much contested

I agree.

Water finds its own level, and sure enough Head averaged in the mid-30s against India, same as he does in FC cricket