Australian test selection thread 2015/16

[TheJammyTurtle]

Disappointed Pattos been left out,and I just really hope that it wasn't on the basis of his performance in the ODIs and that they're just keep him fresh for the summer tests.Also,does anyone think they're absolutely running Starc into the ground?Probably gets a rest when they play the Windies

 

[Howe_zat]

That squad is funky as hell.

Kind of the only way they were going to be able to not win in Bangladesh so thanks for keeping things interesting I suppose.

Dumping Clarke and making Voges vice captain also not particularly consistent. Though I expect Voges to make heaps of runs against Bangladesh as he did in the Windies.

 

[Prince EWS]

That squad is funky as hell.

Kind of the only way they were going to be able to not win in Bangladesh so thanks for keeping things interesting I suppose.

Dumping Clarke and making Voges vice captain also not particularly consistent. Though I expect Voges to make heaps of runs against Bangladesh as he did in the Windies.

At this point I'm just refusing to believe Clarke was pushed. What they've done since doesn't make any sense at all if he was.

 

[Howe_zat]

At this point I'm just refusing to believe Clarke was pushed. What they've done since doesn't make any sense at all if he was.

Do you think the Watson and Haddin retirements are due to shoulder tapping?

 

[Prince EWS]

Do you think the Watson and Haddin retirements are due to shoulder tapping?

I think Haddin was probably going to retire after the Ashes regardless of what happened.

Watson.. perhaps, but I think that's a bit different. If I had to guess I'd say he was told he wouldn't be selected for the tour of Bangladesh and decided just to focus on limited overs cricket from that point, rather than thinking "oh I better jump before I'm officially pushed" as he basically had been officially pushed already.

I was told Clarke had been informed he wouldn't be selected after the Ashes and then decided to retire, but I'm going to put that into my hogwash basket for now because it doesn't fit anywhere else anymore.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Clarke was not dumped or pushed in any way

He simply had enough and had no desire to play, as you could tell from watching the last ashes. He couldn't bat either due to form or injury so that doesn't help.

Voges was the obvious choice as backup v/c tbh

 

[Spark]

He did seem to lose a bit mentally in that last year, couldn't spend any significant length of time at the crease regardless of how well he seemed to be hitting the ball. One does wonder how much the summer took out of him emotionally.

 

[Red]

All emotions aside, Clarke just looked rigid at the crease all thru the Ashes. Hamstrings, back, whatever, he just wasn't moving like the Pup of old.

 

[the big bambino]

Clarke was busted physically and emotionally. Now, hypothetically, if he was pushed in those circumstances bcos he wanted to keep playing out of a misplaced sense of pride, or whatever, then the selector's dec'n would have been justified on that basis irrespective of whom they chose subsequently.

 

[adub]

[He did seem to lose a bit mentally in that last year, couldn't spend any significant length of time at the crease regardless of how well he seemed to be hitting the ball. One does wonder how much the summer took out of him emotionally.]

It looks like he poured just about everything into that innings in Adelaide. Had enough left in the tank to get back and make useful if not outstanding contributions to the WC, but had nothing left after that. Did the right thing to recognise he was done rather than doing a Ricky and trying to keep writing cheques he could no longer cash.

 

[Tangles]

My one reservation about Clarke is if the batting was injury related and he was mentally fried it might have been good for the selectors to tell him to take break then make a decision. Maybe that changes nothing but maybe he could have played on for a home summer as a batsman. Seems like they saw his batting and captaincy fall away and thought Smitteh time.

 

[Red]

My one reservation about Clarke is if the batting was injury related and he was mentally fried it might have been good for the selectors to tell him to take break then make a decision. Maybe that changes nothing but maybe he could have played on for a home summer as a batsman. Seems like they saw his batting and captaincy fall away and thought Smitteh time.

Exactly, he could've had time off and re-assessed if he wanted to do the home summer based on his mental state and fitness.

 

[the big bambino]

That back wasn't getting any better and its not as if he wont have time to rethink his decision anyway. Clarke was cooked and I reckon any attempt to try and convince him to return with the offer of a sabbatical to bridge it, would have been pressure and inconsiderate of him. However I'd have hoped they would've had a quiet word to Rogers.

 

[Tangles]

We don't know anything for sure so I'll assume he was just done. Just tough on the team to lose all his experience and Rogers at the same time. Not to forget that we lost Rhino just before the series. It all leaves Smitteh with just Warner, MJ and Lyon experience wise.

 

[Tangles]

That back wasn't getting any better and its not as if he wont have time to rethink his decision anyway. Clarke was cooked and I reckon any attempt to try and convince him to return with the offer of a sabbatical to bridge it, would have been pressure and inconsiderate of him. However I'd have hoped they would've had a quiet word to Rogers.

Think I saw the phrase "give Rogers whatever it takes to stay on" in an article and I totally agree with it.

 

[Red]

Rogers is interesting. Saw a video interview with him and he was talking about the loneliness of life as a professional cricketer, living half in Eng and half in Aus. Dunno if he has a partner or whatever but he really seemed like he just wanted to settle somewhere and not move around any more.

 

[brockley]

I think Rogers may settle in England like Dirk Nannes and Marcus North,big cash on the line for the next County he will play for.Last I heard he wants to rest,but been offered the Victorian Under 19 coaches job.

 

[Red]

I think Rogers may settle in England like Dirk Nannes and Marcus North,big cash on the line for the next County he will play for.Last I heard he wants to rest,but been offered the Victorian Under 19 coaches job.

I reckon just playing county cricket would be really cool if you were at Rogers' point of life.

 

[mr_mister]

Rogers being lonely really saddens me. I hope he wifes up soon

 

[NUFAN]

Here is a list of names who played in our first Ashes Test and have a chance of being picked in the first Test vs Bangladesh

. Smith
. Voges
. Starc
. Lyon