God that's a junk top four. All proven failures at test level. They shouldn't be considered again.It's because there's so much other cricket. Teams have less Test depth because more players are specialising in other formats, and even when backup players are good at FC cricket they're often off doing other things to make a living and not available for these sorts of games.
A proper Australia A that was genuinely trying to win would probably look something like this:
1. Bancroft
2. Harris
3. Renshaw
4. Handscomb
5. Marsh/Green
6. Hardie
7. Inglis
8. Neser
9. Boland
10. Murphy
11. Morris
Now I definitely wouldn't pick Harris and I probably wouldn't pick Bancroft either (I'd prefer to open with Renshaw and get Maxwell in there actually) but I think that's what we'd get from the selectors if they were just ignoring the best Test XI and going from there with the game on the line.
Handscomb did fine in india on some hard decks and has been in pretty good form recently, tbf. Renshaw also really hasn't had a proper second shot since he started making runs again. Bancroft and harris definitely should be binned off.God that's a junk top four. All proven failures at test level. They shouldn't be considered again.
Having the white ball tours of the UAE and England clashing with this meant it was always going to be a weak NZ team.Genuine NZ A team would probably include Cooper, Bruce, Fletcher*, Ajaz, Duffy from this lineup.
* or Cleaver, same same.
If I coached a kid in under 12s to have Handscomb's technique I'd have my certification revoked.Handscomb did fine in india on some hard decks and has been in pretty good form recently, tbf. Renshaw also really hasn't had a proper second shot since he started making runs again. Bancroft and harris definitely should be binned off.
I'm open to picking Renshaw again, and Handscomb specifically in Asia/WI, but yeah it's pretty grim. Harris in particular is so bad that it makes me want Warner to continue as long as possible even though he's a passenger in close games.God that's a junk top four. All proven failures at test level. They shouldn't be considered again.
NZ stats mavens have successfully put forward a player from outside Central Districts for once, and this may complete the full set. Underneath Francis Payne, these would be the top mavens, esteemed mavens.I was going to guess Greg Hay at first but I see you've mentioned him later in the post so it seems too obvious.
Where is this being broadcast? You tube?Nice from Solia and Bruce. Solia played and missed a heap early, not surprising for an adapted opener, but has hung around stubbornly and put away the bad balls.
Bruce's innings has reminded me a little of Daryl Mitchell <- high praise from me.
You know the cynical ***** at NZC won’t care whether it was Mpofu, Martin, Such, Mullally and Malcolm - they’ll use a 5-wicket haul against Aus-A to justify any old selectorial bullshit.3 tailend wickets in that 5, just to take the "shine" off it
How about cajoling Ben Sears into thinking some thoughts that are a bit meatier and heartier in nature, eh?Can’t even rely on Australia to give the old ***ual predator a good old thrashing.
Fancy conceding a 5-wicket haul to the old straight up and down fast-mediums. Seeing his best in the season just gone was 3-53, this is a massive letdown from the other side of the Tasman.