2024–25 Australian Domestic Season

[TheJediBrah]

He was definitely picked mostly on "potential"/eye test though. IIRC he'd only put together one really strong season and was still averaging high 30s/low 40s in an era where a dozen batsmen were averaging 50 in the Shield.

he'd also been very good in ODIs for the year or so before his selection. Then made that 151 on debut in India, also made 140 odd a few months later in his first Test at home. He was definitely the next best bat available. Lehmann and Hodge were the others and while Lehmann might have been able to match pup's level for a year or 2, the long term option was the right one.

It was only really the 05 Ashes that put him in the cross-hairs to get dropped for Hodge and that whole series should be asterisked for obvious reasons

 

[the big bambino]

Where are the blue baggers playing the vics - mcg or junction?

 

[TheJediBrah]

Where are the blue baggers playing the vics - mcg or junction?

MCG. Decent little crowd.

 

[Spark]

Starc truly representing the national team here; pretty comprehensive owning of Harris in those two overs

 

[TheJediBrah]

Harris getting out now for <100 would have probably answered that question too tbh

 

[Spikey]

no longer being able to rewind the live stream is a real bummer

 

[Spark]

no longer being able to rewind the live stream is a real bummer

Kayo exists

 

[Qlder]

Just when we thought the path was clear to finally select a specialist opener, Head goes and says this (on cricket.com)

"From my side of things, I've got no favourite position. I've only got a position that is best for the team and what the team needs from me."

"I couldn't care less if I bat (anywhere) from one to seven, if I bat at nine, I don't care."

 

[Spark]

That is a phenomenally bad drop by Hearne. It's not a totally trivial catch but it's like he was so busy getting in position he forgot to actually catch the ball.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Just when we thought the path was clear to finally select a specialist opener, Head goes and says this (on cricket.com)

"From my side of things, I've got no favourite position. I've only got a position that is best for the team and what the team needs from me."

"I couldn't care less if I bat (anywhere) from one to seven, if I bat at nine, I don't care."

Reckon he would care if someone asked him to bat 9 lol

 

[Spark]

Yeah that's just boilerplate media training

 

[Spark]

It's actually getting comical, how Abbott hasn't gotten like four wickets this spell

 

[Qlder]

So much for the report that Hardie will only play as a batsman. He's come on 1st change and bowled 3 overs

 

[Burgey]

It was only really the 05 Ashes that put him in the cross-hairs to get dropped for Hodge and that whole series should be asterisked for obvious reasons

Wouldn’t have played 06/07 had Watson been fit (I know)

 

[Burgey]

He was definitely picked mostly on "potential"/eye test though. IIRC he'd only put together one really strong season and was still averaging high 30s/low 40s in an era where a dozen batsmen were averaging 50 in the Shield.

Some guys stand out like dogs balls though. Ponting was another, playing Shield at 17 or whatever and tbh could have played tests a year later without letting anyone down. Those blokes are rare though.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Wouldn’t have played 06/07 had Watson been fit (I know)

Sounds familiar, part of Australia's post 05 Flintoff "we want all rounder" boner. Would have only delayed his return by 2 matches until Martyn retired after Adelaide though

Still doesn't change that he wasn't picked too early

 

[Spark]

Starc looks excellent today

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Starc looks excellent today

Yeah, has been great to see

 

[Spark]

Yeah, has been great to see

No idea how fast he's bowling but he's getting so much lift off a length that he looks ****ing scary

 

[social]

Just saw highlights of Starc bowling to Harris and the latter hasn’t improved at all

Still plays square on from the crease and will be a sitting duck for Bumrah etc