Australian test selection thread 2015/16

[Red]

Is Dave Hussey still considered a contender for tests? I know the PM XI isn't primarily about younger players, but given the uncertain nature of our top 6 at the moment I'd rather they have a look at someone younger. Unless they are thinking Hussey might play tests?

 

[adub]

No chance.

Like I said they've assumed Qld ain't going to make the play off so they've given the candidates for the test Uzi and Burns along with the WA lads a chance against the Kiwis with a pink ball.

The interesting one is that Smarsh isn't in the side. You would think he'd be there instead of Dhussey,

Smarsh already inked in for the first test?

 

[Red]

I'm thinking first test might be:

Warner
S.Marsh
Khawaja/Burns
Smith
Voges
M.Marsh
Nevill


but what I'd like to see is:

Warner
Bancroft
Khawaja/Burns
Smith
S.Marsh
Voges
Nevill

Don't think we need to have an all rounder in the top 6 at present. As highly as I rate MMarsh I think he should wait a bit for now.

 

[adub]

I don't think you're far off with that. Can see any benefit in moving Smith from 3 myself.and whilst I know it won't happen would love to see Moz get a shot at 6.

 

[adub]

No matter how much I don't like it Starceh's Matador has locked him in for Brisbane. The only question re the attack will be Siddle v Haze.

In the same vein though could Voges' Matador have put his spot under threat and Smarsh's locked him in? It is lunacy, but par for the course.

 

[Dan]

Bancroft-Khawaja-Burns is almost certainly a bat-off for the final batting slot (assuming Marsh bats 4 if Bancroft or opens if Khawaja or Burns).

I think they want Voges to get some form into him, hence his selection here. M and D Huss is probably for the sake of getting them playing together.

Overs in the legs for Siddle, Agar the golden boy as per usual. Carters and Behrendorff the locals-who-are-actually-good. Steketee the "oh **** maybe this guy is actually gun" trial selection.

The three options, IMO:

1. Warner
2. Bancroft
3. Smith
4. Marsh
5. Voges
6. Marsh

1. Warner
2. Marsh
3. Khawaja
4. Smith
5. Voges
6. Marsh

1. Warner
2. Marsh
3. Smith
4. Burns
5. Voges
6. Marsh

 

[Tangles]

What makes people think Darsh hasn't been inked in since the WI? He doesn't get held to the same criteria as others. I'm just hoping they don't open with him.

 

[Dan]

Marsh opening vs Southee/Boult could be, uhh, bad. Very bad.

 

[hendrix]

Marsh is the exact type of hack opener who'll score runs against Southee and Boult.

 

[Dan]

Marsh is the exact type of hack opener who'll score runs against Southee and Boult.

That series... #Never4get

 

[aussie]

Marsh opening vs Southee/Boult could be, uhh, bad. Very bad.

Indeed. Elder Marsh has had enough chances IMO, his bro is the future. Sink or swim with young Bancroft or test Burns versatility as a opener like they did with Katich & Langer in past

Warner
Bancroft/Burns
Khawaja
Smith
Voges
M Marsh

 

[Spark]

Marsh is the exact type of hack opener who'll score runs against Southee and Boult.

Marsh may deal with Southee okay, but Boult is exactly the sort of bowler who you'd think would eat Marsh for breakfast.

 

[Tangles]

Voges is still a lock then? I'm guessing yes as the experienced middle order cake. Needs runs vs the Kiwis though to get the whole summer. Or he should anyway.

 

[Gob]

Warner
Burns
Khawaja
Smith
Voges
Nev
MMarsh
MJ
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon

Smitteh has done nothing wrong at 3 but with clarkeh gone,Smitteh at 3 makes it so top heavy plus I'd rather have Smitteh coming in at 40 for 2 at the 15th over than 3 for 1 in the 2nd over when boult is hooping it around

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm still gunning for this:

1 Warner
2 Burns
3 Smith
4 Voges
5 Marsh
6 Marsh

But it's still not looking very likely.

 

[adub]

What makes people think Darsh hasn't been inked in since the WI?

You answer your own question:

He doesn't get held to the same criteria as others.

Tbf, apart from his test performances (which of course is a pretty big but) he has done everything you could ask of him in the last two years. Piled on heaps of fc centuries inc in tour games. But he just has never been held to the same standards as anyone else and the selectors will always look for an excuse to pick him.

I agree that if Boult gets a hold of him it could be the India series redux, but at least then we can (finally) put a line through his name and move on.

Personally if they are looking for a guy about his age with a sub-standard fc record but good quality in the last couple of years I'd be going Ferg.

 

[adub]

Voges is still a lock then? I'm guessing yes as the experienced middle order cake. Needs runs vs the Kiwis though to get the whole summer. Or he should anyway.

I think he needs a score Friday or in the first innings of the Shield match myself. I reckon his poor Matador will count heavily against. He had a poor Ashes too so everything before his second test is starting to fade in the memory. Wouldn't surprise at all to see him dropped.

 

[adub]

I'm still gunning for this:

1 Warner
2 Burns
3 Smith
4 Voges
5 Marsh
6 Marsh

But it's still not looking very likely.

I also get the feeling the selectors are going cold on Burns. Reckon he's behind Smarsh, Uzi and Bankers.

Picking it today I'd go:

Warner,
Bancroft (think he's probably the guy and will provide a great foil to Davey a la Buck)
Smith
Voges (but in need of runs)
S Marsh (as much as it pains me, and mostly for some semblance of stability, but also in need of runs)
Henriques (Mitch can go and bat 4 for WA and prove he's a top order bat. Until then Moises is our best 6 option if you want someone to contribute properly with the bat and also bowl some handy seamers)

with Ferguson, Burns, Maddinson, Khawaja, Lynn and maybe at a pinch Cowan for a short term replacement next group in line (in about that order depending on Shield performance).

 

[the big bambino]

Warner
Cowan
Usman
Smith
Burns
M Marsh
Nevill
Starc
Johnson
Siddle
Lyon

A bit of a makeover from my last team. Kind of not trusting Joe at the top of the order lately but would still like him there. Cowan seems to have rejigged a more aggressive game and I'm surmising he'll be best to handle the quality of Boult and Southee first up. Khawaja at 3. Don't really know why he hasn't played more matador but I want to give him a go as much as the selectors want the same for S Marsh. Besides Usman is a pilot and that takes patience and composure (Cricinfo) so there. Voges makes way to find space for Joe at 5.

I've picked Starc and Johnson despite the 2 loose bowlers in the same team thing. With 5 bowlers there is cover if one of them has a bad spell and gets dragged early. Siddle has position over Haze atm. Lyon obvs.

 

[Dan]

Yeah I'd personally want:

1. Cowan
2. Warner
3. Smith
4. Burns
5. Marsh/Voges
6. Marsh
7. Nevill +
8. Johnson
9. Pattinson/Siddle/Starc
10. Hazlewood
11. Lyon

Still undecided if I think Starc is competent with the red ball yet or not, and if he can justifiably coexist with MJ.

Shaun Marsh vs. Voges is a 50/50 call. Marsh has done more in deserving his most recent stint than ever, but is still Shaun Marsh. Voges has the runs, but if form isn't on his side I don't see the point of investing in him.

Actually, **** it. Let's go crazy:

1. Warner
2. Cowan
3. Maddinson
4. Smith
5. Burns
6. Henriques
7. Nevill
8. Johnson
9. Pattinson
10. Hazlewood
11. Lyon