Australian test selection 2018/19

[GoodAreasShane]

I am a Ferguson fan, have been for a long time , but Head has been a better first class batsman for about three years or so. Head's not brilliant FC average is in large part down to his first couple of seasons, he was thrown to the wolves somewhat prematurely due to the absolute paucity of batting talent in SA. Ever since he got his first ton his Shield average has been over 40

Ideally I would have both of them, but that won't happen.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I think this is part of the problem. They should be treated as separate players. "LOL MARSH BROTHERS" is a funny meme but it's not a serious analysis given they're totally different players with different records, different strengths and weaknesses, at different phases in their careers etc.

I feel like both their places are under more pressure just because they're related and the other one also failed in this apparently career-defining two Test series. It's funny but it's dumb. I struggle to take any post that references "both Marshes" or "Marsh brothers" together as if their cases are in any way similar aside from failing in this series. Sometimes they're funny, but it's Facebook meme stuff, not CW serious stuff.

The fact that I think Burns is a **** ****, that while Maxwell being left out in the UAE was criminal that his relative prospects in Australia are slightly less good, and that I don't care about Labuschagne taking a few wickets might be obscuring the conversation slightly though. It might not be that I rate Shaun Marsh higher than you guys but that I rate his potential replacements (Ferguson aside, who I think is of very similar overall quality) less than you do.

You might not take it seriously but that doesn't mean it isn't an accurate assessment. Of course they're different players, that doesn't mean that they aren't in very similar positions and should be more or less equally under pressure. So no, I don't agree that "it's dumb". Maybe it has been in the past, but not now.

 

[Woodster]

What's the overall feel around JL at the moment then ? I appreciate there are one or two major selection blunders, subjectively of course, but is there a sense he is the right person in charge and he just needs some time to understand his role and learn and develop on the job ? Or do people generally feel that actually the type of character he is doesn't fit or that the current squad deficiencies mean it's just the wrong time for him ?

 

[mr_mister]

I think he's an idiot. Always have really

 

[Top_Cat]

Langer could get a lot out of guys who are fully-formed, serious Test players. As a player, Langer of the 90's really didn't fit in what became the Aussie top-order of the early 00's. But he turned himself into a player who not only fit but was a serious player in his own right. There are many lessons in how he did it.

Unfortunately, he doesn't have a team of Test players at the moment.

 

[Dan]

It's kinda weird though, because he (along with Andy Hurry) got so much out of a pretty awful Somerset team in his three year stint. Took them from bottom of Div 2 to title contenders in a couple of years, without huge levels of talent churn.

tl;dr hire Andy Hurry as assistant coach.

 

[stephen]

What's the overall feel around JL at the moment then ? I appreciate there are one or two major selection blunders, subjectively of course, but is there a sense he is the right person in charge and he just needs some time to understand his role and learn and develop on the job ? Or do people generally feel that actually the type of character he is doesn't fit or that the current squad deficiencies mean it's just the wrong time for him ?

I feel like if he could be removed from the selection process he could actually make a pretty decent coach.

 

[aussie tragic]

Next shield round is going to be interesting for Bats on Test watch:

Pucovski (243 @ 243)
Doolan (125 @ 62.5)
Wade (123 @ 61.5)
Lehman (94 @ 94)
Stoinis (83 @ 41.5) (4 @ 18.25)
Burns (18 @ 9)
Renshaw (- @ -)

 

[TheJediBrah]

Wade should play as a specialist bat ahead of Labuschagne or Marshes

 

[aussie tragic]

Wade should play as a specialist bat ahead of Labuschagne or Marshes

He could also then bowl his medium pace (FC average 11.25)

 

[Burgey]

Apparently Khawaja’s surgery went well and he’s a chance to play a Shield game before the first test.

I suppose if he doesn’t he won’t get picked because he won’t have had enough #timeinthemiddle

 

[Woodster]

So, in relation to the article below, what can we deduce from this in terms of the top 6 for the opening Test v India ? Finch surely has to open, if Khawaja is fit does he open or drop to three and let Burns/Renshaw come in at the top ? Head and Labuschagne done enough to warrant perseverance and a crack at a home series ?

I’m sure stand out ODI performances will count as will Shield runs before the opening Test so it’s a bit of a crystal ball question.

Not that I know nearly as much as the knowledgeable Aussie followers on here, but here’s my top 6 on the assumption they make some serious contributions before the Test series :-

1. Renshaw
2. Finch
3. Khawaja
4. Head
5. Ferguson
6. Maxwell / M Marsh


Australia's batting conundrum: show faith, tinker, or wholesale change? - ESPNcricinfo

 

[the big bambino]

I'd bump Ferguson and play Maxie. Btw I kinda reckon if the bans were lifted today and the test was tomorrow Langer would adjust his #timeinthemiddle policy or only have it apply to Renshaw somehow.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I don't know if Maxwell really deserves the Test spot now. He's just been so **** lately in Limited overs, and he's not going to even get to play the Shield really. Not ideal for selection.

 

[Woodster]

I'd bump Ferguson and play Maxie. Btw I kinda reckon if the bans were lifted today and the test was tomorrow Langer would adjust his #timeinthemiddle policy or only have it apply to Renshaw somehow.

Just think a more reliable and consistent performer at five gives the side a better balance and that batting experience of Ferguson, albeit not in Test cricket, could be important to the side. If he doesn’t get the chance to add to his one Test with the batting line-up in the current dilemma, then his time will certainly have gone and I think that’s something Aussie fans may look back on with regret.

 

[the big bambino]

Fair points both of you. He was treated like trash but I'm not a huge Fergie fan anyway. If it came down to it I'd move Finch down the order and look for another opener.

 

[GotSpin]

Id give Head a run at 5 with MMarsh at 6.

Labuschagne needs to get back into shield but I think there's something to work with. He definitely should start bowling more too

 

[stephen]

I don't know if Maxwell really deserves the Test spot now. He's just been so **** lately in Limited overs, and he's not going to even get to play the Shield really. Not ideal for selection.

Yep. His career has been messed up badly by the way he was treated this year but his limited over form has been concerning and that's all we have to go on.

 

[morgieb]

Semi-interesting idea worth considering: https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/bfa78a50a5e1d0adeb59c1a0c706d82d

Patterson certainly has at least as good of a case as Head or especially Labuschagne to be picked.

Thought Renshaw would be higher.

 

[stephen]

Honestly Ferguson doesn't add anything that isn't offered by Shaun Marsh. If you're going to pick Ferguson you may as well pick Marsh instead.

And Marsh at 5 isn't too bad honestly.

Renshaw
Finch
Khawaja
Head
S Marsh
Labaschagne/M Marsh is how I think the top 6 will look in the first test.

I can't see them making sweeping changes. M Marsh is going to stay due to sunk costs. S Marsh will start due to experience. The most I can see is Renshaw in for Labaschagne, but he's just keeping Bancroft's seat warm in Langer's mind.