Australian Test Selection 2016/2017

[TheJediBrah]

I'd imagine dropping loads of catches

Pretty sure Wade has and will drop more than him

 

[SeamUp]

In Maddog's corner

No Cookies | Daily Telegraph

Why Nic Maddinson was picked for the Adelaide Test

Ben Horne, The Daily Telegraph
an hour ago

ON the day Darren Lehmann assumed control of Australian cricket, Nic Maddinson gave the coach an exhibition he would never forget.

Batting for Australia A in Bristol, the team Lehmann was coaching when he was sensationally called up to the top job on the eve of the 2013 Ashes, Maddinson stood and delivered the innings selectors are desperately hoping he can now replicate in Test cricket.

Parked cars and office windows were under siege from the first ball Maddinson faced, as the 21-year-old powerhouse slaughtered nine sixes and 22 fours to post a stunning 181 off just 142 balls.

It was an utter blitzkrieg of David Warner proportions that left the English press in awe.

Since then Maddinson has struggled for consistently to the point he has never scored more than two centuries in a domestic season, and with a first-class average of just 38 it has come as somewhat of a shock that he has leapfrogged NSW teammate Kurtis Patterson for a baggy green.

However, so extraordinary is Maddinson’s ability as a matchwinner that selectors feel compelled to look past his vulnerabilities.

Selector Mark Waugh flagged last week that the panel would pick on “instinct” if they had to, and Maddinson is that policy summed up in a nutshell.

Last season for NSW he smashed a run-a-ball 70 in Mackay on a pitch where no one else could score more than two an over. It was a game-defining knock.

In the Matador Cup semi-final this year, he shrugged off a head knock and piloted an 86 and then the next game after returning from a delayed concussion he clubbed 116 on an SCG deck that was turning square.

Statistics show Maddinson is a rocks and diamonds player, but the Nowra-born left-hander feels he has turned a corner as he prepares to fulfil his childhood dream.

“(I’m not just a break the game open player). What I’ve tried to work on the last 18 months especially in my four-day game is developing a game plan which can be consistent on any wicket and in any conditions,” said Maddinson.

“I guess that’s being disciplined when it’s getting tough. It is such a mental (thing). That’s the area where my game can improve and go to the next level.

“(Test call-up) is the reason I started playing cricket. It’s the reason I still play now, to try and play Test cricket for Australia. If that wasn’t my goal I wouldn’t be suiting up every week.

“It’s always been my goal as a kid and it’s still the main focus. I probably haven’t been as consistent as I would have liked … that’s where my game has to develop a little bit.”

Hohns admits instinct told selectors to roll the dice on Maddinson and they’re hopeful he will respond positively to the environment of Test cricket.

“We see him as a player of enormous potential. He is definitely a game breaker and if we can get the best out of him at that level as I think we can, he could be a very, very important player for us down the track,” said Hohns.

“Sometimes you do of course go with your gut, as they say.

“It’s all very well looking at statistics all the time but sometimes, particularly right now, we were asked to go with some players … we thought could play for Australia and hold us in good stead for years to come.”

For the frustrating players I'm in Maddinson's and Head's corner ahead of Maxwell. I just don't see what others see in him. T20 definitely. 50-over iffy but his fielding/spin-bowling could earn him a re-call. Test- not a million years.

 

[Blocky]

Pretty sure Wade has and will drop more than him

Wade has and will drop more catches than Wade?

Might help if you read posts from time to time..

 

[Top_Cat]

I meant what did Nevill do wrong, for the record.

 

[Blocky]

I meant what did Nevill do wrong, for the record.

#intent.

In all seriousness, after 17 matches, an average of 22.2 doesn't cut it for a #7 and the modern era can't tolerate keepers who aren't also batsmen.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Wade has and will drop more catches than Wade?

Might help if you read posts from time to time..

uh, If you understand the English language it would be quite obvious to you that TopCat was talking about Nevill

so maybe follow your own advice a bit more rather than calling out other people and making yourself look like an idiot

 

[Blocky]

uh, If you understand the English language it would be quite obvious to you that TopCat was talking about Nevill

so maybe follow your own advice a bit more rather than calling out other people and making yourself look like an idiot

He adjusted his post, it originally said "What did Wade do wrong" - but OK.

 

[Gob]

The problem with Maddinson selection is not about his form leading up to this but the fact that he is the sort of a guy Aust needs the least atm. Australia collapse like **** and the reason for that is their inability to bat against the moving ball and against the spin and it has much to do with their inability to show some grind instead of the usual intent as much as it has to do with techniques. I'm all for picking them young and i don't mind picking them on hunches as long as you do it to pick the guy with the best technique, willingness to bat ugly and consolidate and not being totally useless against spin and KP is all those things but Maddog is unfortunately non of them. Last thing they need in this line up is another naturally talented bloke with a suspicious technique who likes to play with intent regardless of the situation. I'm a huge Mad dog fan and has been for years and i think he is super talented but this isn't the team to pick him. Good luck to him nevertheless though i hope he does well.

And Wade well **** it

 

[quincywagstaff]

I think the focus should've been just on those who'd had extended runs in the side and not use those who'd been in for a Test or so and were easy scapegoats.

Voges was a no-brainer. I agree with dropping Nevill as his batting has been disappointing, esp since his Adelaide inns last summer which seemed to be a breakthrough.

Obviously Nevill isn't going to be a Gilchrist (or even Haddin) but he should be at least busy and able to tick scoreboard over as much as Ian Healy. But he gets bogged down far too often and apart from a few handy stonewall efforts, just hasn't imposed himself with the bat.

I would've dropped Lyon as well - I think the main issue with him is not just his poor recent form but that he consistently fails to do the job in Asia. Does anyone really believe if he's Oz main spinner they'll have a hope in India next year? Time to try someone else.

I know Mennie was poor on debut - easily the worst of the seam bowlers on either side - but just to give one Test is pretty harsh. Why not see how he does at home in what's a dead rubber anyway?

Ferguson even more harshly dealt with, esp when one of his dismissals was a run out. It's beginning to feel like the Ted Dexter era

 

[Howe_zat]

Are we discounting the possibility that Hadscombe has been brought in as a keeper-batsman and Wade is the batting allrounder

 

[Tangles]

I meant what did Nevill do wrong, for the record.

9 runs less than Wades average. Not a **** of s bloke. Lack of facial hair during Movember was seen as unAustralian.

In all seriousness he dropped a catch of Lyon iirc in Hobart. I have a feeling the selectors decided if he isn't perfect he isn't worth the runs difference (9). Having watched Wade fumble at the SCG he is still bad and they have short memories.

 

[Tangles]

Ok so I've had some sleep on this team and I can get behind the young bats. Change was needed and although I haven't seen much of Renshaw what I saw of Handscomb was encouraging. KPat needs to keep the pressure on. Mad dog is the new Steve Waugh project player so hopefully the last one, Mmarsh, has been abandoned. His aim should be to be better than Marsh.

I can't get behind Wade though. If your picking young then move forward with Whiteman and not backwards. Need him to fail hard before the India tour. We will struggle anyway but that Muppet keeping in India is not what the team needs.

 

[Top_Cat]

#intent.

In all seriousness, after 17 matches, an average of 22.2 doesn't cut it for a #7 and the modern era can't tolerate keepers who aren't also batsmen.

Cheers for the wrap-up of what everyone already knows. Point is, Nevill was picked ahead of better bats in the first place for his keeping which has, abysmal stump-mic game aside, been good. Nothing to do with his batting. Wade certainly doesn't have form on his side and overall, he's not that much a better bat anyway.

Nevill did everything expected of him, aside from learn to sledge like an Aussie, stopped the rot in some really ****** situations and he's been dumped. With Wade, the team (potentially) gains a little bit of batting and loses a lot with the gloves. I'm not even a fan of Nevill but that, I dunno, seems a ****** trade to me.

 

[Top_Cat]

Are we discounting the possibility that Hadscombe has been brought in as a keeper-batsman and Wade is the batting allrounder

It's not the Australian Way[sup]TM[/sup] to do this.

 

[Top_Cat]

The Renshaw pick has GChapp written all over it. I sure hope he dominates but I'm thinking whoever fields at 3rd slip will have his hands warmed pretty quickly.

 

[Tangles]

Selectors realized we need Smith at his best with a free mind. Wade to be the specialist captain.

 

[Burgey]

Mennie - easy to think of several players with far more to reward and far more likely to succeed at the next level.
Maddinson - easy to think of several players with far more to reward and far more likely to succeed at the next level.

Same-same.

The worst thing is that they have indicated 'pick and stick'. That's fair enough if you've made the right calls. If you've ****ed it up (and they have) then you are stuck with backing a guy you never should have backed in the first place and denying a chance to the better options you overlooked. We know how this song goes. Maddinson will probably come out and bang a run a ball ton on debut and then revert to his usual disappointments. Just when the selector's patience is just starting to wear out he'll bang another ton and buy himself another summer which he will promptly underperform in again.

I've been crossing my fingers on Mad Dog finally coming good for years. I'd love him to prove me wrong and become a ten year test player. But he won't.

I actually reckon Mad Dog is a lot more likely to succeed at test level than Mennie. But I still wouldn't have picked him. It's a bad selection, even if he makes a go of it, because he just hasn't shown enough IMO.

Feel sorry for Ferguson. That's a really tough way to be dealt with. Actually, it's appalling.

Certainly interesting times to be an Australian supporter. I hope a couple of the young blokes kick on.

 

[Julian87]

Decent squad, I'd imagine Maddinson will only play if they decide they'll bench Lyon (which they should, most over-rated bowler since Ashwin)

There is no ****ing way in this world we'll be picking 5 bowlers after being bowled out for 85 and then losing 8-30.

 

[Tangles]

Have to wonder where Darsh fits when he's fit. Is Renshaw warming his spot or is it worst performer gets dropped? I doubt the selectors are done with Darsh.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Cheers for the wrap-up of what everyone already knows. Point is, Nevill was picked ahead of better bats in the first place for his keeping which has, abysmal stump-mic game aside, been good. Nothing to do with his batting. Wade certainly doesn't have form on his side and overall, he's not that much a better bat anyway.

Nevill did everything expected of him, aside from learn to sledge like an Aussie, stopped the rot in some really ****** situations and he's been dumped. With Wade, the team (potentially) gains a little bit of batting and loses a lot with the gloves. I'm not even a fan of Nevill but that, I dunno, seems a ****** trade to me.

This is not actually true. When Nevill was picked he was averaging mid 40s in first-class cricket and IIRC was even occasionally playing for NSW as a specialist bat a season or 2 before his selection.

I was one of the guys thinking that he was easily the best batting keeper in Australia, but his actual returns have been overwhelmingly disappointing.