4th Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, 15 - 19 Jan 2021

[harsh.ag]

Green looks nervous. He really doesn't need to be.

 

[jcas0167]

Enjoyed that chat about Smith having 14 bats on a tour compared to Waugh with 3. I can imagine Hussey with his bat scales weighing his bats too.

 

[harsh.ag]

Easy passage of play for the Aussies with Saini and Nattu operating.

 

[hazsa19]

Surprised they haven’t gone short to Smith more often since his hundred in Sydney. Seems less comfortable there than anywhere else.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

True, I don't disagree with that. But moving someone between opening and 5 depending on the circumstance risks really muddling with his potential. If Australia's batting depth was better I wouldn't really worry that much.....but the amount of top-class batsmen coming through is very small, Australia really can't afford to burn a talent because they ****ed around with him to fill other holes.

Considering his history, Pucovski is the absolute last player Australia should be shunting around up and down the order

 

[Burgey]

How late is he playing those defensive shots?

 

[Senile Sentry]

Lol. I was actually thinking 2021 had finally taken over and some sanity restored when Warner and Harris were motoring at nearly 5 per over. Apparently not.

Maybe India should just start playing itself against India A and India B in test cricket.

 

[trundler]

Green is a bit of a nervous starter isn't he?

Oh that's a Smith throwback

 

[Burgey]

Seriously, that's an unbelievable shot

 

[morgieb]

Considering his history, Pucovski is the absolute last player Australia should be shunting around up and down the order

Yeah which is basically 100% my point. If Khawaja was younger or even if Pucovski was more solid I'd have no problems with him moving around the order, but under the current climate they have to be extremely careful with Pucovski. The gap between his floor and ceiling is arguably higher than any batsman in Australian history.

 

[silentstriker]

Rohit is definitely trolling Smith.

 

[morgieb]

Very interesting session. Smith's looking omnious. Green has to get a move-on, though in saying that his innings at Sydney was kind of a gradual build-up in pace too.

 

[Senile Sentry]

I think the pitch is still largely a very good road and even 300-325 is chaseable (with sufficient time left). Aus really need to bat out next session and half and put in India an hour before close of play.

 

[Burgey]

Beautifully poised now.

 

[honestbharani]

Need a Sundar spell post lunch.

 

[Senile Sentry]

Much love for this bowling lineup again Haven't let Aus run away with thr play at any point despite all the obvious shortcomings. Even if India lose from here, its been one heck of a resistance, with this C grade attack and that too with a bowler down more or less.

 

[Pratters]

Rohit is definitely trolling Smith.

Haha yes

 

[Prince EWS]

This has been such a great series. Lots of twists and turns, close contests, 1-1 with an evenly poised final Test at lunch of Day 4, and most importantly it has ended the Test careers of Joe Burns and Matthew Wade.

 

[Niall]

I think the pitch is still largely a very good road and even 300-325 is chaseable (with sufficient time left). Aus really need to bat out next session and half and put in India an hour before close of play.

We don't really get many targets of note chased down these days do we though?

300 no matter how placid this pitch would still be very difficult considering how good this Aussie bowling line up is.

 

[stephen]

The reason I think we should push Pucovski down to 5 is that personally I don't think we should be exposing him to the new ball in South Africa. He's far more likely to get badged opening than batting 5. It also brings in a much better batsman (Khawaja) than anyone else we can bring in, and into a batting position which he's shown great aptitude in before.

A batting order of Khawaja, Warner, Labuschagne, Smith, Pucovski, Green and Paine really looks good to me, puts our youngest players into positions in which they can spend a but of time learning their craft and makes me feel good that we've left out all of our 30s averaging mediocre rubbish.

Alternatively, Green has good enough technique to succeed against quality pace bowling and could slot nicely in to the opening batting position.