Australian test selection 2019-2020

[Spark]

Who was actually contending that Khawaja, averaging 43-odd, would be remembered as "great"?

 

[the big bambino]

Nah, he should have stepped up last summer and he didn't. It's why he's good but he'll never be remembered as great.

My point was pretty much that he isn't great but people expected him to perform like one. Well like two - they expected him to step up for both Smith and Warner.

And drop the Love love. He was sorted by a greenhorn Harmi. He'd have been Bevaned in test cricket without the stellar odi career to compensate.

 

[aussie tragic]

Good thing selectors dropped 6 players, including 2 century making batsmen and a 10fer wicket taking bowler...but Langer knows best

 

[Starfighter]

I know Wade's been in form, and I think he should have been picked for the WC, but can we some have proper first-class batsmen please, like Patterson?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Good thing selectors dropped 6 players, including 2 century making batsmen and a 10fer wicket taking bowler...but Langer knows best

I guess he will live or die by the series result. Win he is a genius, lose and he may get bombed.

 

[stephen]

I know Wade's been in form, and I think he should have been picked for the WC, but can we some have proper first-class batsmen please, like Patterson?

Yep, picked him for the wrong series.

 

[Red]

Who was actually contending that Khawaja, averaging 43-odd, would be remembered as "great"?

Where did I contend that someone was contending that?

It was an personal observation.

 

[Red]

My point was pretty much that he isn't great but people expected him to perform like one. Well like two - they expected him to step up for both Smith and Warner.

And drop the Love love. He was sorted by a greenhorn Harmi. He'd have been Bevaned in test cricket without the stellar odi career to compensate.

No one expected him to perform like both Warner and Smith. People expected that maybe he'd take some responsibility and play some innings where the team could bat around him and build some solid totals. For a guy with all the talent in the world he really just doesn't seem to have the desire to win. Which is a shame.

And I'll love Martin Love forever, no matter what you say.

 

[the big bambino]

No one expected him to perform like both Warner and Smith. People expected that maybe he'd take some responsibility and play some innings where the team could bat around him and build some solid totals. For a guy with all the talent in the world he really just doesn't seem to have the desire to win. Which is a shame.

And I'll love Martin Love forever, no matter what you say.

Maybe you don’t think so but that’s exactly the situation he was put in. I mean even your comment that he should have taken responsibility contradicts the conclusion of your post. Taken responsibility for what exactly if not for the absence of Smith and Warner? Besides he played that important knock in our win at Perth with wickets going down around him didn’t he? He’s a special player but just not the class of Smith and Warner. He’s a low 40s batsmen up against a fine attack on some dicey wickets without the leadership of our best players. It’s no surprise he underperformed which is disappointing but let’s not go too hard with the criticism, which - due to its visceral nature - also implies he was expected to do more than what he is capable of to compensate for Smith and Warner’s absence.

You can love Martin but imo he wasn’t as good as Usman is.

 

[TheJediBrah]

You either have an irrational dislike of Martin Love or you genuinely overrate Khawaja, because no way is Khawaja a better player than Love was. Or even as good.

Love averaged 50 in the Shield when it was almost as strong as international cricket

 

[the big bambino]

Oh yeah obvs. I wonder how I kept my dark secret for so long. Its just my opinion ffs. Or maybe you have an irrational hatred of Usman or genuinely overrate Martin Love. Nyah nyah nyah.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Nah I always liked Usman more than he deserved. I like that he comes across as a typical Aussie bloke, relaxed and lazy. A lot like Martin Love actually.

 

[quincywagstaff]

On a broader level, Australia's tour selection seems reminiscent of their 2017 tour of India.

After several prev failed tours there they've decided to go more unconventional and horses-for-courses in their selection. If that means players who had a great run of form being left out (Khawaja in India) or who was leader of the attack for years (Starc), so be it.

 

[Starfighter]

They sure as heck didn't read the pitch to go for Siddle over Starc.

 

[quincywagstaff]

I think they're basing it on their past record in England. Starc is considered to be a bit disappointing in England while Siddle is considered to have a good record there and well suited to the conditions, hence who got picked first.

 

[Red]

After a pretty good win at Edgbaston there probably aren't too many concerns.


- Bancroft - Failed in both innings, was pretty disappointing. Good work at short leg thru the test however.

- Warner - Like Bancroft, failed in both innings. Plenty of credits in the bank, however.

- Khawaja - Failed in the 1st innings, but 40 in the 2nd innings more important than it might seem, saw off the new ball to an extent.

- Smith - Everyone knows, 280 odd runs for the match, was the difference between the two teams. Outstanding.

- Head - A couple of significant contributions in terms of partnerships, scored 35 and 51. Be nice to see him get a ton this series, as he's very likeable imo.

- Wade - Failed in the 1st innings but a huge contribution in the second. Worked his ass off to reclaim a spot and deserved that ton. His personality would be valuable on field atm too.

- Paine - Made a few runs, and kept well. Leads the team well.

- Pattinson - Only two wickets but looked constantly threatening. Not sure what the management plan is but I feel a bag is just around the corner. Super important 2nd innings runs also.

- Cummins - Probably the best fast bowler in the world right now. 7 wickets, led the attack, bowled beautifully. Contributed a few with the bat in the 2nd inning.

- Siddle - Two wickets but just kept it tight. With Pattinson and Cummins attacking, Siddle provides a good foil. Contribution with the bat in the 1st innings that let us be in a position to win the test.

- Lyon - 9 wickets, bowled tirelessly, you can just rely on him.



Only a few question marks:

Bancroft: but I'm against picking guys for one test and dropping them, so he should stay. I'd prefer Khawaja opening with Warner and someone else at 3, but we'll see what Bancroft can do.

The quicks: I'd keep the same guys, but with Starc and Hazelwood on the sidelines there's plenty to ponder.

 

[Midwinter]

Congratulations to the Australian selectors, all the players selected, excepting Bancroft, did the job required.

10 out of 11 aint bad.

 

[aussie tragic]

What did Warner do?

 

[AnthonyC]

What did Warner do?

Entertain the crowd and be the ultimate villian figure, so Smith doesn't look so bad...

 

[Midwinter]

9 out of 11 then