Combined XI from the first test

[Adders]

Can't really argue with that tbh.

And just in case anyone is unaware I feel it important to point out after Smiths much lauded epic Ashes series.......

2017/18 SPD Smith - 687 runs in 7 innings, 3 tons with a HS 239. SR 48.51

2010/11 AN Cook - 722 runs in 7 innings, 3 tons with a HS 235. SR 53.26

Good effort Smitteh, 2nd best Ashes returns in my time of watching cricket.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Never thought I'd see as dominant an Ashes series with the bat as Cook 2010/11, but if anyone was going to do it I guess it would be TPC

 

[Spark]

He'll actually be filthy that he didn't overhaul it too, really left a lot of runs out there by getting out when he did.

I'd have Malan over Cook too. Open with Khawaja instead.

 

[Daemon]

He'll actually be filthy that he didn't overhaul it too, really left a lot of runs out there by getting out when he did.

I'd have Malan over Cook too. Open with Khawaja instead.

Why not open with Root?

 

[Zinzan]

He'll actually be filthy that he didn't overhaul it too, really left a lot of runs out there by getting out when he did.

Could apply to any specialist bat that comment. I don't think Smith should feel short-changed tbh. As superb as he was, he did have his fair share of streaky moments where his runs could have been cut a lot shorter than he was.

 

[Zinzan]

Series:

Warner
Cook
Khawaja
Smith
Malan
MMarsh
Bairstow+
Starc
Lyon
Hazelwood
Anderson

 

[OverratedSanity]

Warner
Khawaja
Smith
Malan
S Marsh
Bairstow
Cummins
Starc
Hazelwood
Lyon
Anderson

 

[TheJediBrah]

Series:

Warner
Cook
Khawaja
Smith
Malan
MMarsh
Bairstow+
Starc
Lyon
Hazelwood
Anderson

Did you forget about Shaun Marsh? He was in a different league to Malan. Better than Khawaja too. And Cook.

You've left out probably the 2nd best bat in the series.

 

[Zinzan]

Did you forget about Shaun Marsh? He was in a different league to Malan. Better than Khawaja too. And Cook.

You've left out probably the 2nd best bat in the series.

Close between Marsh & Malan. The former had the better stats, but I really liked what I saw of Malan, and he had to combat a considerably better attack, which was no fault of Marsh's but something I factored.

 

[stephen]

On the batting front, Smith and S Marsh are the only two guaranteed locks imo. Marsh set up the series with his first couple of innings. M Marsh vs Malan is a more difficult decision and there's an argument to pick both and shift Smith up to 3.

 

[TheJediBrah]

On the batting front, Smith and S Marsh are the only two guaranteed locks imo. Marsh set up the series with his first couple of innings. M Marsh vs Malan is a more difficult decision and there's an argument to pick both and shift Smith up to 3.

Warner is a lock, he's far and away the best opener.

 

[Starfighter]

Can't really argue with that tbh.

And just in case anyone is unaware I feel it important to point out after Smiths much lauded epic Ashes series.......

2017/18 SPD Smith - 687 runs in 7 innings, 3 tons with a HS 239. SR 48.51

2010/11 AN Cook - 722 runs in 7 innings, 3 tons with a HS 235. SR 53.26

Good effort Smitteh, 2nd best Ashes returns in my time of watching cricket.

Never would have guessed Cook would have the higher strike rate, especially considering how dominant Smith looked at times. Says something about how attritional things were this series, compared to 10/11 where Cook got to feast on Johnson spraying the ball all over the place.

 

[stephen]

Yeah nobody really made their runs quickly in this series. The pitches were slow all round, except at the WACA. And the bowling was better than I think people are giving credit for, particularly Anderson and the Aussie bowlers.

I bet the English are glad the series is over though.

 

[Warnest]

If one takes into account consistency and ability of the opposing side, there's no way the likes of Cook (one big innings and nothing) and Starc (over half of his wickets in the first 3 tests were number 8-11) would make the XI.

1. Warner (slowest he's ever played, but still played important knocks throughout)
2. Khawaja (he was basically opening anyway, 2 half centuries and a century in a series where pretty much all openers from either side failed)
3. Root (Should've batted at 3 where he belongs, 5 half centuries in 5 tests batting at 3 would be much less scrutinized)
4. Smith (just barely makes it into the XI)
5. S. Marsh (second best batsman from both sides)
6. M. Marsh (exceeded all expectations, from a match saving knock to batting the opposition out of the game at quick pace, did all that would've been expected of a number 6 bat)
7. Bairstow (considering level of opposition bowlers, just makes it over Paine)
8. Cummins (averaged over 40 with the bat and leading wicket taker at under 25 with the ball, most consistent bowler throughout)
9. Lyon (Rest of spinners average: over 100, Lyon: under 30)
10. Hazlewood (clutch wickets throughout the series, although still below his best)
11. Anderson (averaged 27 at 2.1rpo while rest of his team averaged 60 at 3.5rpo)

12th Man (Malan, realistically would have Malan ahead of Khawaja, but unfortunately he has never opened)

 

[GIMH]

I love Joe Root but he’s no business being anywhere near a series XI IMO

I’d consider Anderson, Malan and Cook. Maybe Bairstow too but probably not. Everyone else should be an aussie

 

[stephen]

Cook really only makes it because he's the least bad opener to partner Warner. None of the three openers were really very good.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Only Cook & Bairstow would get in a combined XI from England for mine. Malan is unlucky (and probably more deserving than Cook or Bairstow are) but Australia's middle-order had too much quality for him to be squeezed in.

As admirable as Anderson was in comparison with the rest of his bowling teammates, don't think he's even that close to getting in as his best performances (Adelaide 2nd innings, Perth 4th day) were when the match was done. Was really disappointing on the opening day in Adelaide and on the 2nd & 3rd days in Perth when England had runs in the bank.

 

[GIMH]

They’re the days you’re looking for Broad to strike though, the days where he traditionally does.

If you take the series as a whole, I don’t think there’s an enormous difference between Anderson’s performance here and in 2010-11. But this time he didn’t have Tremlett, Bresnan and Swann bowling beautifully at the other end, and nor did he routinely have 500 to defend.

 

[Daemon]

Anderson bowled well "when the match was done" because his team insisted on losing the match within a day or two of stepping onto the field.

 

[Gob]

Warner
Khawaja
Root
Smith
Marsh
Marsh
Bairstow
Cummins
Starc
Hazlewood
Moeen