**Official** 4th Test at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 2024

[Fanboy375]

The thought of that must be horrible for them.

Kohli Babar

 

[honestbharani]

The thought of that must be horrible for them.

I always support Pak against the SENA sides. I actually supported them over India in the late 90s as I felt they were the much better side and was gutted when they lost the 99 WC final and the series in Aus after that.

 

[Prince EWS]

Ah right thanks.

So either a perpetual non-international or a potential Philander. Not really the Aussie model though.

Unlike Philander who was always immensely skilful and could also pretty seriously bat, I think O'Neill's record is mostly a product of how it's never been easier to take cheap wickets in Shield cricket between the horrible standard of both Shield batting stocks and Shield wickets. It's not like Philander or even Paris where you can see why the success is coming.

 

[Qlder]

To add to the specialist opener debate, anyone else remember when Australia decided to go in with 3 openers. Boon was averaging 45.06 in 36 Tests as an opener and then moved back to #3 to allow Taylor and then Slater to come in:

Marsh, Boon, [crap]
Marsh, Taylor, Boon
Taylor, Slater, Boon

What would Aus give to have a solid top 3 like that vs Bumrah right now

Note: @Spark Boon debuted at 6 and played 10 tests moving up the order to #3 before becoming a very successful opener [not thrown in the deep end]

 

[Betterpolo]

Unlike Philander who was always immensely skilful and could also pretty seriously bat, I think O'Neill's record is mostly a product of how it's never been easier to take cheap wickets in Shield cricket between the horrible standard of both Shield batting stocks and Shield wickets. It's not like Philander or even Paris where you can see why the success is coming.

I really had no idea, is there an obvious reason why wickets have declined?

As an aside the hill I will die on is that there is room in Test cricket for a strictly medium pace bowler who can use a few one day tricks and bowl with a keeper standing up. Obviously this wouldn't warrant a position as a specialist bowler and he would need to bat as well, but would add an option that's different. Like Sam Curran if he stopped trying to be a medium-fast bowler and pegged it back a bit.

 

[Burgey]

I see the tourists held an Indian media only presser today to try to explain the Ashwin disgrace. They’re panicking.

A house divided.

 

[Qlder]

I see the tourists held an Indian media only presser today to try to explain the Ashwin disgrace. They’re panicking.

A house divided.

It's still pretty simple. Ashwin said he'd tour if selected in all games. Ashwin dropped for Sundar 1st Test, they had to talk him in to not retiring and play 2nd Test, then dropped him again for 3rd Test. Ashwin lost his ****, said **** you and went home

 

[Burgey]

A house divided indeed

 

[Son Of Coco]

Why drop McSweeney? He looked like a good opener in Perth. Don't want to create insecurity by dropping young batsmen after a couple of bad games.

Left the poor dude hanging with a 14 average, that's cold. You think Costas (or whatever his name is) is going to do any better against Bumrah? I doubt it.

I reckon he'll make better coffee than McSweeney.

 

[Son Of Coco]

If Inglis opens I'll think of giving up watching cricket until all selectors are fired.

These guys played for Australia, how can they seriously think a WK that has never batted higher than 6 in FC can debut as a test opener against Bumrah

This continuous lack of respect for the opening position is driving me nuts. We've had specialised openers for 145 years but now they think anyone can do it.

It's what happens when middle/upper-management think takes over sports administration.

I wouldn't be surprised to hear they are currently interviewing interns to replace Khawaja and Smith at series end. Given it's a year until The Ashes, we will have gone through 8 by then.

 

[Sunil1z]

 

[Qlder]

View attachment 43517

Is this supposed to be amazing insight. It's pretty obvious

 

[Starfighter]

Is this supposed to be amazing insight. It's pretty obvious

Not sure why it would be specific to outside of India either.

 

[GirthQuake]

Not sure why it would be specific to outside of India either.

You are right it's not specific to India. Maybe he's being charitable because in India, before the capitulation in front of NZ, the lower order led by Jaddu and Ashwin carried Indian batting countless times. Jadeja has scored runs in SENA as well but of course those runs have not been as effective as at home. For whatever reason, Jadeja is publicly putting the pressure and responsibility on the batting line-up. Ashwin's sudden retirement being the straw that broke the camel's back.

100% a case of fractured dressing room.

 

[Starfighter]

You are right it's not specific to India. Maybe he's being charitable because in India, before the capitulation in front of NZ, the lower order led by Jaddu and Ashwin carried Indian batting countless times. Jadeja has scored runs in SENA as well but of course those runs have not been as effective as at home. For whatever reason, Jadeja is publicly putting the pressure and responsibility on the batting line-up. Ashwin's sudden retirement being the straw that broke the camel's back.

100% a case of fractured dressing room.

Umm, it was referring to outside of India the location, not India the team.

 

[Burgey]

View attachment 43517

A house divided

 

[GirthQuake]

Umm, it was referring to outside of India the location, not India the team.

''You are right it's not specific to India.'' - was about India in India. The follow up sentence made it clear.

 

[centurymaker]

Bumrah vs Aus top order

4/15 vs McSweeney (66 balls)
4/17 vs Khawaja (71 balls)
3/20 vs Smith (54 balls)
2/6 vs Labuchagne (72 balls)

 

[halba]

Possible XI in ashes in 12 months. Remember, david warner was a big opener in ODI before being promoted to tests. Labuschange is finished as is Khawaja and Smith. All three are simply dire. Smith is exactly like Kohli, either a 100 or nothing. Remember, current opening combination barely is worth 10-20 runs for both, so if these guys can smack a few better is good enough. England are also playing a similar- Bazball style.

Inglis, one of the best batters in the country, goes to #3 and the Returning green goes to #4 primarily as a batter. Harris gets a recall as hes the only proven opening batter in shield.

1. Marcus Harris.
2. Sam Konstas - age 19
3. Josh Inglis
4. Cameron Green (playing as a specialist bat with very occasional bowling only) V/C
5. Travis Head
6. Beau Webster (all rounder)
7. Alex Carey
8. Jhye Richardson/ Hazlewood(if fit) / Boland (this spot will have a lot of rotation due to Hazlewoods injuries)
9. Pat Cummins
10. Mitch Starc
11. Nathan Lyon

12. Fergus O Neill.

 

[Betterpolo]

Possible XI in ashes in 12 months. Remember, david warner was a big opener in ODI before being promoted to tests. Labuschange is finished as is Khawaja and Smith. All three are simply dire. Smith is exactly like Kohli, either a 100 or nothing. Remember, current opening combination barely is worth 10-20 runs for both, so if these guys can smack a few better is good enough. England are also playing a similar- Bazball style.

Inglis, one of the best batters in the country, goes to #3 and the Returning green goes to #4 primarily as a batter. Harris gets a recall as hes the only proven opening batter in shield.

1. Marcus Harris.
2. Sam Konstas - age 19
3. Josh Inglis
4. Cameron Green (playing as a specialist bat with very occasional bowling only) V/C
5. Travis Head
6. Beau Webster (all rounder)
7. Alex Carey
8. Jhye Richardson/ Hazlewood(if fit) / Boland (this spot will have a lot of rotation due to Hazlewoods injuries)
9. Pat Cummins
10. Mitch Starc
11. Nathan Lyon

12. Fergus O Neill.

Are Green's injuries that serious then? Guessing stress fractures?