Australian test selection thread 2015/16

[nevermind]

All signs pointing to a golden summer

 

[Tangles]

We should be picking a team only for the NZ series and not for both imo.

I would leave Bancroft out till the WI series. With Lynn out I don't like moving Smith or the non Voges options at 4. I want more runs at 6 so I'd pick Moz. So for NZ.

Warner
Cowan
Smith
Voges
Burns
Moz
Nev

Then if Bancroft gets runs and Lynn is fit punt Voges and Cowan for WI.

Warner
Bancroft
Smith
Lynn
Burns
Moz
Nev

This way we have some extra cake for NZ and then use WI for some dayboos.

 

[aussie]

Pivotal summer for Khawaja | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[NUFAN]

I'm really glad that Burns made a ton today. I was convinced that he wouldn't be opening for us but would be first choice for the spot vacated by Clarke. Now it looks like our squad could be:

First Test Squad Smith Voges Burns Hazlewood Johnson Khawaja Lyon MMarsh Nevill Siddle Starc Warner

 

[aussie tragic]

I'm mixed. Is it

(a) wtf is Australia doing giving NZ a sighter of:
1. Bancroft
2. Burns
3. Khawaja
4. Voges
5. S. Marsh
6. M. Marsh

or

(b) good competition for 4 batting spots with the CA XI named above

 

[Gnske]

We should be picking a team only for the NZ series and not for both imo.

I would leave Bancroft out till the WI series. With Lynn out I don't like moving Smith or the non Voges options at 4. I want more runs at 6 so I'd pick Moz. So for NZ.

Warner
Cowan
Smith
Voges
Burns
Moz
Nev

Then if Bancroft gets runs and Lynn is fit punt Voges and Cowan for WI.

Warner
Bancroft
Smith
Lynn
Burns
Moz
Nev

This way we have some extra cake for NZ and then use WI for some dayboos.

Its weird that Moz is like third seed for the all-rounder spot right now behind a clutch drunkard and a former drunkard turned meme batsman.

I'd feel so much better with him coming in at 6 than Faulkner or Mitch "Please aim at my stumps, I literally can't stop you" Marsh.

 

[Top_Cat]

I find the fascination with Khawaja interesting. I mean, if we're considering only who'll score runs at 3, Smith is the choice right now even with Khawaja tonning up but it's interesting that some guys seemed to have changed their minds about Smith at 3 (other than Chappelli, obv). Someone like JackTheMac would know more about the machinations but I assume the perception is that the window for picking Khawaja as a long-term Test bat is now so if you're going to pick him, he has to bat top 3. Similarly, although Smith is the guy in the best form, maybe him at 3 maybe wouldn't be great when he's no longer in such top nick and he is, long-term, better down the order. Picking Bancroft is one of a couple of long-term bets in the works, I reckon. Cowan is over too unless something happens to Warner.

So, I guess what I take away from it is that it's less about fortifying a weak line-up and more about an issue of balance in the long term. Khawaja is certainly more in the Aussie counter-attacking number 3 mould than Smith so I look forward to the Chappelli column retrospectively backing the decision if Khawaja smashes the Kiwis.

 

[TheJediBrah]

I don't want to get my hopes up but it's looking like S Marsh may just miss out.

Voges is a lock, and they def. want an all-rounder at 6. Add Smith and Warner which leaves you 2 spots left. Burns, Khawaja would surely both be ahead of S Marsh, even before they made tons in Canberra.

 

[Tangles]

It's a timely ton from Uzi. I watched a little while I was gaming last night and I saw boundaries with the occasional single. When he is going he looks good but the strike rotation is an issue at test level. I'd take him over darsh if that's the other option. I don't think we should be moving Smith to fit him in the top 3 though. If you have a good, or better, no 3 you don't move them. It's a crucial spot.

 

[Gob]

dunno about Bancroft but get a good feeling about Usman and Burns. Now only if Mad dog can pull his head in

 

[NUFAN]

Sometimes I do wonder why Bancroft Burns Khawaja Marsh are the chosen ones at the moment ahead of say Cowan Maddinson Ferguson Handscomb

I bet that no one (who wants Australia to win) would pick all of the first 4 bats in the frame ahead of the 4 others who aren't.

 

[Spikey]

The only thing I really like about Usman's impending third debut at 3 is that they made the decision a long time ago. Like, it's not as if Usman made a heap of runs in a burst and they were like "****! We've gotta pick the man in form!!!". They made the decision when he was basically injured, they haven't let 'form' affect the call. They clearly think he's the best man for the job, and I don't see it, but I prefer that than the in form selections

 

[adub]

The only thing I really like about Usman's impending third debut at 3 is that they made the decision a long time ago. Like, it's not as if Usman made a heap of runs in a burst and they were like "****! We've gotta pick the man in form!!!". They made the decision when he was basically injured, they haven't let 'form' affect the call. They clearly think he's the best man for the job, and I don't see it, but I prefer that than the in form selections

So long as they stick with it and give him a good long run to settle in (like at least until 16/17 summer). Nothing worse than making a pick like that and then panicking after a couple of failures.

 

[Spikey]

oh if we lose the 2nd test several people are probably gonna be dropped

 

[Dan]

Yeah, the standard Lehmann selection tactic really.

 

[Gob]

The only thing I really like about Usman's impending third debut at 3 is that they made the decision a long time ago. Like, it's not as if Usman made a heap of runs in a burst and they were like "****! We've gotta pick the man in form!!!". They made the decision when he was basically injured, they haven't let 'form' affect the call. They clearly think he's the best man for the job, and I don't see it, but I prefer that than the in form selections

you meant best man for the gob

 

[Red]

It does baffle me a bit that Callum Ferguson hasn't played tests yet. Guys like Burns and Doolan who have been less successful in FC cricket have had a go.

Sometimes he strikes me as ideal for right now, and I'd far prefer to see him at 4/5 over SMarsh

 

[Howe_zat]

Could Khawaja open with Smith at 3?

 

[Tangles]

He has opened but I don't know if that's his best spot. Ideally I'd want a foil for Warner like Rogers. A worker of the ball and a right hander would be nice.

 

[adub]

oh if we lose the 2nd test several people are probably gonna be dropped

oh if we lose the 2nd test several bowlers are probably gonna be dropped