4th Test at Old Trafford, Manchester

[TheJediBrah]

Leaving Pattinson out for any reason other than a genuine injury would be dumb. Starc would be a huge downgrade

 

[Starfighter]

I reckon the possibility of Starc being selected is increasing. I do also think that Pattinson has been a bit disappointing. But recent history has tended to show that Aus going for the extra yard of pace in England doesn't work.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Pattinson has been fairly good but not at his brutal best, bowled solidly but I was hoping for him to get on that sort of hot streak where he can take 3 or 4 in a couple overs. His pace (assuming I've got my mph to kph conversion rate correct) has been generally in the 137-142 range, still pretty sharp but down a bit from his peak

 

[Arachnodouche]

It appears Australian fans want Pattinson to be the bowler he was and promised to be but ultimately wickets matter.

 

[wrongun]

Sorry meant Siddle for Hazelwood

 

[wrongun]

It appears Australian fans want Pattinson to be the bowler he was and promised to be but ultimately wickets matter.

Im ok with them leaving Pattinson out for Starc....a 5th bowler is required.... I wish they would drop Paine for Mmarsh or an extra fast bowler and allow Wade to keep

 

[the big bambino]

Heading into the 4th Test, how's this for a combined series batting line up:

Warner (13.16)
Roy (9.50)
Harris (13.50)
Khawaja (20.33)
Denley (24.50)
Butler (9.16)
Paine (12.83)

Versus the best

Burns (40.33)
Labuschagne (71.00)
Root (29.33)
Smith (126.00)
Stokes (81.95)
Head (32.00)
Bairstow (27.20)

Tail ender averages mostly.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Im ok with them leaving Pattinson out for Starc....a 5th bowler is required.... I wish they would drop Paine for Mmarsh or an extra fast bowler and allow Wade to keep

Yeah, nah

 

[Flem274*]

Pattinson is a game away from taking a 10fer. He's been bowling beautifully without return.

is he though? he has been ok, but there's been some meh looseners and general nothing balls mixed in with the good. not drop worthy by any means, but there's clear room for improvement.

 

[the big bambino]

He’s good but on performances to date and his poor fitness generally, Pattinson is the most over rated cricketer on CW.

 

[Daemon]

It does when we start calling him to retire despite him not showing any signs that he wants to.

If we can wheel him out at 40 and he's still taking wickets at home for fun and still wants to do it then we shouldn't stop him.

I understand the sentiment, but you also have to consider that he may be more prone to breaking down mid-game. England lost the first test largely because of that.

But if there's no evidence that he's going to get injured other than his age, and he's still bowling well, then sure.

 

[hazsa19]

Gutted, was really looking forward to watching Jimmy bowl.

Looks like we’ll be unchanged then, with exception of a batting order re-jig. I hope I’m proved wrong, but I can’t see what difference it’ll make.

Buttler must closing in on make or break time too.

 

[Woodster]

I think there’s a few players in the England side that could have Ben Stokes to thank for another opportunity at Test cricket. England these days are generally not into wholesale changes following a defeat but had we surrendered meekly last week it could well have forced the hands of the selectors in making at least a few changes.

It is indeed time for the likes of Buttler, Roy, Denly (despite his battling 50) to put in some serious contributions.

 

[greg]

Gutted, was really looking forward to watching Jimmy bowl.

Looks like we’ll be unchanged then, with exception of a batting order re-jig. I hope I’m proved wrong, but I can’t see what difference it’ll make.

Buttler must closing in on make or break time too.

If you take the viewpoint that Roy’s problem is more with meeting the requirements of test match batting in general, rather than opening per se, then it is reasonable to conclude that such a switch may actually weaken the team.

 

[Starfighter]

Pattinson has been fairly good but not at his brutal best, bowled solidly but I was hoping for him to get on that sort of hot streak where he can take 3 or 4 in a couple overs. His pace (assuming I've got my mph to kph conversion rate correct) has been generally in the 137-142 range, still pretty sharp but down a bit from his peak

I don't think he's physically capable of bowling those really fast spells anymore, at least not without breaking down again. I hate that we've had him and Cummins being injured for years and they are no longer capable of bowling the express spells they once could produce while England get a random émigré who was somewhat ignored by his original country hurling them down. Cummins is certainly a smarter bowler than he might have been, but if one or both had been able to hit the speeds they once could as well Australia might have gotten the tail and retained the Ashes already. We needed Starc's pace but not Starc's lack of control.

 

[the big bambino]

I think in Cummins' case he's setting himself as our long term all weathers, all wickets bowler. No. 1. So he has to start playing the long game for the benefit of his career. I suspect he's still able to touch 150ks but why damage your body when you can be as successful as he has been operating in the 137 - 145k range? I think Pattinson is restricted by his injuries meaning we only have one man left who can bowl 150+. I agree he has to play now. At this stage of a tight series you are looking for players to give your side a boost. England got it with Archer and had Anderson coming back until setback with today's news. Its now Australia that's looking to upgrade its 3rd test team with the return of our best batsman plus an injection of our express bowler.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

I don't think he's physically capable of bowling those really fast spells anymore, at least not without breaking down again. I hate that we've had him and Cummins being injured for years and they are no longer capable of bowling the express spells they once could produce while England get a random émigré who was somewhat ignored by his original country hurling them down. Cummins is certainly a smarter bowler than he might have been, but if one or both had been able to hit the speeds they once could as well Australia might have gotten the tail and retained the Ashes already. We needed Starc's pace but not Starc's lack of control.

Sadly I think you may well be right. I love watching Patto bowl but with all the injuries he isn't as terrifying as he once was. Similar story with Cummins to a certain extent, but the loss of his outswinger is also part of the story there

 

[Daemon]

Personally wouldn’t change the side at all. It took a freak innings to lose the game. I mean they had them 67 all out in the first innings.

 

[wrongun]

Yeah, nah

Yeah Yah!
Its happening! Instead of Paine being dropped its Wade. Predictable move. Pattinson has been good but not match winning...has had a lot of bad luck. Makes sense to bring Starc in...Marsh is a curse but could be useful as a 5th bowler.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...a-consider-mitchell-marsh-matthew-wade-switch

 

[Uppercut]

is he though? he has been ok, but there's been some meh looseners and general nothing balls mixed in with the good. not drop worthy by any means, but there's clear room for improvement.

Also his good spells have tended to be in the textbook unlucky-looking zone i.e. a yard too short. Good player but purely on his performances so far he's been much closer to Siddle than to Cummins or Hazlewood.