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**Official** 4th Test at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 2024
- Thread starter Spark
- Start date
Betterpolo
School Boy/Girl Captain
Detecting real despondency amongst Indian supporters and maybe an assumption that this is how the team are feeling too. If true this should be seen as misplaced maybe. There are no easy series wins in Australia, they usually come back hard at some point, but 1-1 with two to play is a good base. Both teams have some top players and both teams are fragile, a repeat of Perth is surely as plausible as a react of Adelaide? India seemed to be a very focused team pre-Perth with a lot of sustained practice before a convincing win, so they have a model to return to. Maybe a bit of 1:1 and team level people management and leadership needed to, or at least the big characters stepping forwards.
Australia will feel good after the last two Tests but I imagine they're grateful not to have back-to-back Tests at this stage given injuries and workload to their quicks. At least this is manageable, the problem of their erratic batting is harder to resolve unless they've got Test ready top order batters ready to step in. My question for Australians is about the chat about March and Webster and maybe other all-rounders. Would you not be better to go back to the 6+1+4 model that has served you so well through the generations than a more bits and pieces approach?
As a neutral I'm thoroughly enjoying the drama of this series and the ups and downs it is providing for each side. For Australia and India supporters it sound less enjoyable.
Australia will feel good after the last two Tests but I imagine they're grateful not to have back-to-back Tests at this stage given injuries and workload to their quicks. At least this is manageable, the problem of their erratic batting is harder to resolve unless they've got Test ready top order batters ready to step in. My question for Australians is about the chat about March and Webster and maybe other all-rounders. Would you not be better to go back to the 6+1+4 model that has served you so well through the generations than a more bits and pieces approach?
As a neutral I'm thoroughly enjoying the drama of this series and the ups and downs it is providing for each side. For Australia and India supporters it sound less enjoyable.
the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
Funny you should mention the 6-1-4 line up as I think its more doable with Boland than Haze in the team. And I've been thinking of Konstas at six. Before that I've preferred Webster for Marsh but the only real confidence I have in the latter is that he could bowl the overs Marsh no longer can.
Its getting to the stage that I'm counting on the old Marsh frailty to force him out of the side but he's proving quite resilient. Its not a nice thing to think that way about a player but I see its the only way to make the change I'd like to see (the selectors are just going to stick otherwise). The idea of Konstas at six is more appealing than Webster as he looks like a player with a future.
It means Lyon will have to up his overs as will Travis. Its a risk to take with the bowlers but if we're looking for 10-15 overs from someone outside the four then I feel reasonably confident they can be supplied by Travis, Marnus and McSweeney.
Its getting to the stage that I'm counting on the old Marsh frailty to force him out of the side but he's proving quite resilient. Its not a nice thing to think that way about a player but I see its the only way to make the change I'd like to see (the selectors are just going to stick otherwise). The idea of Konstas at six is more appealing than Webster as he looks like a player with a future.
It means Lyon will have to up his overs as will Travis. Its a risk to take with the bowlers but if we're looking for 10-15 overs from someone outside the four then I feel reasonably confident they can be supplied by Travis, Marnus and McSweeney.
Burgey
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No Ashwin?
silentstriker
The Wheel is Forever
Six bowlers....I know Reddy did well with the bat, but at this point India need more batting depth. I'd keep with three seamers and two spinners and give another batsman a game. Whether it is Jurel or Sarfaraz Khan. I am still thinking Sarfaraz Khan should get the opportunity. He can't possibly do worse than the guys we are carrying on reputation alone.
India finding out how frustrating it can be to have a captain that doesn't command a spot in the XI. We've just had one and might have another on our hands...
the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
Either way I guess. It’s just that McSweeney has done an ok job in crease occupancy at certain vital times in the series. We’ve put one young bat through the trial of Bumrah and I’d prefer to keep him there rather than starting over the experiment again with Konstas.
morgieb
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Can see your point. The difference is that McSweeney isn't an opener, while Konstas is. Him batting 6 would be kind of alien for him, whereas the opposite is true for McSweeney.
Ultimately though I think the question is how long does Khawaja go for.
I think for now I'd just prefer to bring Webster or Inglis in for Marsh.
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
Konstas still shouldn't be anywhere near the team at this point in his career. Throwing him in the deep end (especially with the absolutely absurd degree of media hype around him) would be frankly bordering on negligent at this very early stage. Putting such a vast degree of pressure on someone who has still played so little professional cricket in the grand scheme of things does not sit well with me at all
the big bambino
Cricketer Of The Year
It's difficult because McSweeney bats at 3 normally and that spot is taken. So if he plays he'll be out of position anyway so I kind of think let him open. Bringing Konstas in at six takes the pressure off him a bit. Hopefully by the time he bats the new ball has been worn down and isn't moving as much.
I've only seen Sam bat in one innings and that in the BBL. So I will take the word of people on here who've seen him bat red ball and say he's susceptible to the ball coming in. That weakness is probably less exploitable with him at six, and is the actual reason I want him at six.
I'm also turning against GAS' point regarding Konstas being too young. A lot of the debutant bazballers are young - the latest being Bethell. There has been a long history of Australia playing young batsmen from Puc back to Ponting back to Walters then Bradman and down all the way to Trumper. There are only two tests left. Its easier to navigate the pressure and expectation than if he was playing all five.
Son Of Coco
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
If our batsmen can't bear to look at him, he's a very good chance of picking up some wickets.
nido
Cricket Spectator
Not sure about the specifics, however, an Aussie victory is likely.
Here are the lowest averages for Aus openers in the last 30 years (min. 2 Tests)
Smith - 4 tests, 171 runs @ 28.50
Finch - 5 Tests, 278 runs @ 27.80
Wade - 2 tests, 111 runs @ 27.75
Bancroft - 10 tests, 446 runs @ 26.23
Harris - 14 tests, 607 runs @ 25.29
McSweeney - 3 tests, 72 runs @ 14.40
So Wade > McSweeney
Smith - 4 tests, 171 runs @ 28.50
Finch - 5 Tests, 278 runs @ 27.80
Wade - 2 tests, 111 runs @ 27.75
Bancroft - 10 tests, 446 runs @ 26.23
Harris - 14 tests, 607 runs @ 25.29
McSweeney - 3 tests, 72 runs @ 14.40
So Wade > McSweeney
GoodAreasShane
Cricketer Of The Year
It isn't even a remotely comparable situation to someone like Ponting, who while quite young had already had been playing Shield cricket for 2-3 seasons and had been absolutely gunning it. Konstas has played all of 9 Shield games. Absolute apples and oranges
As for Pucovski, he really shouldn't have been picked for the Test he played anyway imo with all his issues, but that's a topic for another day
"McSweeney set to be dropped from Test squad"
Reported in Sydney Herald and Brisbane Times
www.brisbanetimes.com.au
www.smh.com.au
Reported in Sydney Herald and Brisbane Times
McSweeney set to be dropped from Test squad
Nathan McSweeney is set to be axed from Australia’s Test squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
McSweeney set to be dropped from Test squad
Nathan McSweeney is set to be axed from Australia’s Test squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
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centurymaker
Cricketer Of The Year
McSweeney at least he was kind of seeing off the new ball and allowing the likes of Head to make hay against the older ball. Bringing in an aggressive opener who likely departs early is better for India.