Australian Test Selection Thread 2017 - 2018

[Top_Cat]

Really have disliked post-retirement Langer.

 

[Second Spitter]

He was always a dressing room politician, but was sorta out of limelight because of the other shenanigans that were going on, Warnie's antics, Roy's feud with Clarke, Ponting's captaincy blunders, etc.

 

[vic_orthdox]

I think it would be crazy for him not to tour. Just as it would have been crazy for Renshaw not to have gone on tour if we had have been playing away after Bangladesh.

 

[James90]

The only way Renshaw sees off the new ball in South Africa is if he does what he did on debut and inexplicably plays and misses 40 times without getting an edge

AWTA. I'm not ready to sit through that again.

 

[Red]

Yeh, Langer is a complete idiot, along with his old opening partner they make a fine pair.

 

[mr_mister]

Shoulda never dropped Slats for this muppet. You just know crickets the only thing he's got in life

 

[stephen]

So we drop a guy who's last innings in an Australian test was 180, was second top run scorer in India and had one poor test in Bangladesh. Instead we pick a guy who, and let's be fair to him, had two good shield games and one decent test innings in five tests on some of the biggest roads in world cricket. And it would be "absolutely crazy" not to pick him to face the world's toughest fast bowlers on their home track.

Remember how well we stayed collapsing when Langer became our batting coach?

Why is a state coach publicly pressuring selectors to pick players from his state?

 

[stephen]

Especially a state that really hasn't been on top while he's been in charge.

 

[Gob]

Keep your eyes on the ball

 

[Justo]

Agreed, Bancroft pretty much matched what George Bailey did back in 13/14 and Bailey was discarded for that. This wasn't exactly a difficult season for batting (both Marshes made runs ffs) so I see no reason for Bancroft to be guaranteed a spot. He's only 25 so has plenty of time to work on his game in the Shield and come back stronger later.

That said while I don't think Renshaw should have been dropped in the first place since he has been dropped I don't think he should necessarily be first choice to come back since he hasn't really shown any reason to. I do think his ability to see off the new ball could be very useful in South Africa.

If I were selector I would probably go back to Burns for SA. His main failings were against spin and SA shouldn't particularly expose it, he's in decent form and if we are touring the UAE or whatever later this year it'll be an opportunity to see if can improve against spin. If he fails there then hopefully Renshaw or someone else will be in form for the next home season.

 

[mr_mister]

Move Smarsh to Bancroft's spot


and BRING IN THE BIG SHOW AKA MR 278

 

[Red]

It's weird that there's comments floating around like "his game will develop the more tests he plays".

To play test cricket, your game should be pretty much fully developed.

I remember Ian Chappell saying (I know, I know) that back in the day they wouldnt select guys until they'd played three or four years of Shield cricket. Back then the wickets were more diverse around Australia and players would get trialled on every ground.

 

[Burgey]

Depended on the player tbh. Harvey, Walters, GC all picked young.

Darsh should definitely not be moved from the middle order. He’s been fantastic there.

Of the openers around, it’s hard to say someone is knocking down the door to get in. Burns has been decent, Renshaw done nothing since he was dropped. Can’t really think of too many stand out performances from openers around the country at all tbh.

I’d like to find a spot for Maxwell in the middle order but given MMarsh did so well he’ll be picked at six for SA. Whoever is the reserve batsman stands a very good chance of playing some time in the series imo. The down side to Maxwell is, of course, a Victorian getting a game. At least he’s the only one realistically in contention.

 

[ajdude]

i kinda hope we pick Marcus Harris just to really piss Langer off

 

[Spark]

Depended on the player tbh. Harvey, Walters, GC all picked young.

Darsh should definitely not be moved from the middle order. He’s been fantastic there.

Of the openers around, it’s hard to say someone is knocking down the door to get in. Burns has been decent, Renshaw done nothing since he was dropped. Can’t really think of too many stand out performances from openers around the country at all tbh.

I’d like to find a spot for Maxwell in the middle order but given MMarsh did so well he’ll be picked at six for SA. Whoever is the reserve batsman stands a very good chance of playing some time in the series imo. The down side to Maxwell is, of course, a Victorian getting a game. At least he’s the only one realistically in contention.

Open with Usman, Maxwell at 3? Brave, but...

 

[burr]

Move Smarsh to Bancroft's spot


and BRING IN THE BIG SHOW AKA MR 278

I don't mind this suggestion, moving Smarsh could be folly but, sometimes you gotta be brave.

Bancroft really failed to capitalise on his early form. A shame.

 

[Gob]

I'd rather open with Maxwell. If you are going to have an unpredictable batsman in your side you'd rather have him opening or below five. I want my 3,4,5 to be solid batsman as they are the engine room of the side

 

[Spikey]

i kinda hope we pick Marcus Harris just to really piss Langer off

this is the only correct option

 

[Spikey]

the issue is less langer's comments and more anyone actually reporting on them as if they remotely worth anything. when he speaks, the sounds should be left with the songs of birds

 

[Red]

I'd rather open with Maxwell. If you are going to have an unpredictable batsman in your side you'd rather have him opening or below five. I want my 3,4,5 to be solid batsman as they are the engine room of the side

You dont think a bit of solidity is important as an opener?