***Official*** Australia in South Africa + South Africa in Australia 2016/17

[TheJediBrah]

Looks like our bunny Mitch will play. Seems stark is on the verge of getting injured per Lehman so doudt aus would go in with only 4 bowlers.

Then why the **** is Starc going to play?

This selection idiocy is reaching absurd proportions

 

[morgieb]

Then why the **** is Starc going to play?

This selection idiocy is reaching absurd proportions

The only reason I can think of is that they desperately want X-factor in the side and are willing to roll the dice on Starc to give it. Hazlewood, Bird and Mennie seems kinda sameish....

 

[Daemon]

They're worried because he bowled 50 overs in the last Test without a proper buildup to that sort of workload. Statistics show that quicks tend to be at a higher risk of injury after that sort of spike in deliveries bowled.

I guess they've spoken to Starc and he feels fine about bowling in the next game and they're willing to take the risk. Hopefully he gets through it fine.

 

[Spikey]

m8 when you've got two days of play you gotta do whatever it takes to win

 

[Top_Cat]

Starc is a must-pick. So he's at a greater risk of injury, fine. 'He's at a higher risk of injury' does not mean 'he's on the verge of being injured'. He's the best bowler in the side so you pick him if he's telling you he feels fit.

 

[MW1304]

With Australian fast bowlers' recent history with injuries, it's understandable that people are going to be wary of playing someone with question marks over their fitness.

 

[NickDB]

Part of me is really enjoying watching TJB Blocky etc go at it, but part of me is concerned we're scaring off all the new SA fans

Don't worry about that, Saffers have had to live through several world cups, it will take a lot more than a forum argument to scare us off

 

[Gnske]

Part of me is really enjoying watching TJB Blocky etc go at it, but part of me is concerned we're scaring off all the new SA fans

I like how you're trying to meme this into existence

It'll happen

 

[cnerd123]

I like how you're trying to meme this into existence

It'll happen

Hey if it worked for Donald

#TJBvsBlocky2017 #MakeCWGreatAgain

 

[Bijed]

They're worried because he bowled 50 overs in the last Test without a proper buildup to that sort of workload. Statistics show that quicks tend to be at a higher risk of injury after that sort of spike in deliveries bowled.

I guess they've spoken to Starc and he feels fine about bowling in the next game and they're willing to take the risk. Hopefully he gets through it fine.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this traditionally is not a reliable thing to make such decisions on.

 

[honestbharani]

If there is weather around, maybe they just feel he will be ok as he will get couple more days to rest, maybe more if they get to bat first?

 

[GotSpin]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this traditionally is not a reliable thing to make such decisions on.

At the end of the day each individual player should be responsible for their own fitness as its their performance that is on display

 

[Crazy Sam]

Pitch today. Curator says there'll be nothing in it for the spin bowlers.

 

[Bijed]

At the end of the day each individual player should be responsible for their own fitness as its their performance that is on display

Oh, I agree, but it's not unheard of for a player to incorrectly assess their fitness, whether wilfully or an genuine misjudgement and if they break down during the game it's not just their problem, it's the team's too. Tbf, it was only conjecture from Daemon and he did qualify it with "they're willing to take the risk", it's just that if it is the case, then I'm not sure it's necessarily the right approach. Though I don't know what else they could do really, except just rest him to be completely safe, despite being 95% confident that he'll be fine.

 

[Spikey]

Maybe I`m being a bit daft... but is it normal for Aus to announce the team selection the evening before the match?

If they're confident, they do it, if they've lost a match and have to pin the blame somewhere, it'll happen at the toss. I associate it with Clarke, his very first team was announced the night before iirc

cricket.com.au ‏@CricketAus 5m5 minutes ago
Steve Smith says no decision has been made on the final XI for the second Test. Weather, pitch to determine team. Voges fit. #AUSvSA

 

[cnerd123]

> Pitch green af
> Smith says they will decide XI based on pitch

Omg they're actually going to drop Lyon aren't they

 

[morgieb]

Pitch today. Curator says there'll be nothing in it for the spin bowlers.

Given the weather that ought to remain pretty green throughout.

 

[Blocky]

Pitch today. Curator says there'll be nothing in it for the spin bowlers.

That helps South Africa more than Australia.

 

[Tangles]

Don't think Mmarsh is needed if its this green at start of play. #anyonebutmarsh

 

[91Jmay]

Reckon is there was ever a pitch and weather to drop Lyon it would be now. Smith can roll his arm over for a few if required.