*Official* Australia vs South Africa -2022/3

[Kirkut]

Great to see vintage Warner back!!

 

[Kirkut]

Pretty much Australia's game now, Cummins to take Australia to a win in 4th innings with a 4fer.

 

[Burgey]

So assuming Australia wins this test, do you rest some of your main players for the tough tour ahead in India? I'd say yeah. Unless Australia wants to go for the jugular, they've pretty much already booked themselves a spot in the WTC finals. No point in risking an injury to Smith or Cummins for example.

I think Haze will come in for Boland. Starc will miss Sydney with the finger injury, as will Green. Morris will probably play for Starc unless they run with two spinners and Hardie or Dermo Sabba Abbott for Green with Carey at six if the series is won

I think it’s also important to remember that if Aus smack SA this series, the jury is still very much out on them as a team, whereas if England beat the same SA, albeit losing one test by an innings then turn over a half strength Pakistan OMG THEY HAVE REVOLUTIONISED TEST CRICKET. IT WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.

 

[Arachnodouche]

As good as Boland has been, it always feels the Aus attack is a little less than what it can be with him in the side instead of Hazelwood. Unfair impression maybe but he doesn't feel like a like-for-like, long-term option.

 

[TheJediBrah]

With Starc and Green unable to bowl and this wicket not exactly a minefield to bat on it could be a gruelling bowling effort for Boland, Cummins and Lyon. Sydney Test could see a very different bowling attack

 

[Burgey]

Could be, but it might also be over by lunch tomorrow

 

[the big bambino]

Think people here are underplaying the possible impact of Australia’s injuries. We could spend the best part of the last two days bowling and that’ll cook us for Sydney. I hope the pitch plays up when the saffers bat because seeing large overs from head Marnus and smith doesn’t inspire confidence

 

[TT Boy]

Marnus bowling seam up would probably cause these guys issues. Starc averages more than de Bruyn and isn’t too far off Zondo and Erwee. Last time Aus were the walking wounded, Siddle and Hilfenhaus at Adelaide had Smith, Amla, Kallis, AB and Faf to contend with. Even the weak links in that lineup, Rudolph and Petersen, would be top players in this side.

 

[Anil]

episode one done and dusted

View attachment 34079

do you know border personally?

 

[Gob]

Travis will take a bag

 

[Gob]

With Starc and Green unable to bowl and this wicket not exactly a minefield to bat on it could be a gruelling bowling effort for Boland, Cummins and Lyon. Sydney Test could see a very different bowling attack

Is it confirmed that Green can't bowl?

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Before the Green injury, it all seemed pretty straightforward, Haze back in for Starc at Sydney was the move that would make sense

Green being likely out too makes everyting a hell of a lot less clear. None of the names floated as possible replacements here really fill me with much confidence tbh

Of the supposed allrounders I don't think Neser, Abbott or Agar are test top 7 quality at all, especially wouldn't play Agar as I don't think his bowling is good enough either. For more specialist spinners Swepson has not been going great, Murphy I rate but is probably too similar to Lyon, can't say I think much of the second spinner idea in the first place, Morris is a genuine 11 so that makes it harder to fit him in without having too long a tail. Hardie is probably the closest in terms of all round ability, but perhaps a bit too early for him, outside of one excellent game against QLD his Shield season hasn't really been so flash

Probably somebody I am forgetting, but really there is no one clear choice at all

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Less worried about this Test than Sydney, think the three remaining bowlers plus Head and Marnus (but NOT Smith) is sufficient considering the position the game is already in

Would hate to see too odd looking of an XI for the new years Test though

 

[TheJediBrah]

Probably somebody I am forgetting, but really there is no one clear choice at all

Will Sutherland or even Jonathan Merlo

 

[morgieb]

Before the Green injury, it all seemed pretty straightforward, Haze back in for Starc at Sydney was the move that would make sense

Green being likely out too makes everyting a hell of a lot less clear. None of the names floated as possible replacements here really fill me with much confidence tbh

Of the supposed allrounders I don't think Neser, Abbott or Agar are test top 7 quality at all, especially wouldn't play Agar as I don't think his bowling is good enough either. For more specialist spinners Swepson has not been going great, Murphy I rate but is probably too similar to Lyon, can't say I think much of the second spinner idea in the first place, Morris is a genuine 11 so that makes it harder to fit him in without having too long a tail. Hardie is probably the closest in terms of all round ability, but perhaps a bit too early for him, outside of one excellent game against QLD his Shield season hasn't really been so flash

Probably somebody I am forgetting, but really there is no one clear choice at all

Could also see Australia pick another batsman instead and rely on Head/Marnus to give the bowlers a breather. Though the SCG is on average the flattest Test wicket in Australia so....

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Will Sutherland or even Jonathan Merlo

Know you are taking the piss, but I genuinely wouldn't be stunned if Sutherland does play Test cricket one day. Bowled some really good spells in the last season and a half of Shield cricket

Merlo is pretty much your classic mid 90s Mercantile Mutual Cup bits and pieces man transplanted into the 21st century

Could also see Australia pick another batsman instead and rely on Head/Marnus to give the bowlers a breather. Though the SCG is on average the flattest Test wicket in Australia so....

Inherently possible, although your point on the typical roadiness of the SCG deck may reduce the chances

 

[Gob]

Before the Green injury, it all seemed pretty straightforward, Haze back in for Starc at Sydney was the move that would make sense

Green being likely out too makes everyting a hell of a lot less clear. None of the names floated as possible replacements here really fill me with much confidence tbh

Of the supposed allrounders I don't think Neser, Abbott or Agar are test top 7 quality at all, especially wouldn't play Agar as I don't think his bowling is good enough either. For more specialist spinners Swepson has not been going great, Murphy I rate but is probably too similar to Lyon, can't say I think much of the second spinner idea in the first place, Morris is a genuine 11 so that makes it harder to fit him in without having too long a tail. Hardie is probably the closest in terms of all round ability, but perhaps a bit too early for him, outside of one excellent game against QLD his Shield season hasn't really been so flash

Probably somebody I am forgetting, but really there is no one clear choice at all

Who is that youngster from WA I'm keep hearing good things about

Maybe too early though

 

[morgieb]

And confirmation that Green is ****ed.

Wonder how that determines how we target the 3rd innings. On the one hand, overbowling Cummins/Boland risks them breaking down too. On the other, we're two bowlers down.

 

[morgieb]

Who is that youngster from WA I'm keep hearing good things about

Maybe too early though

Hardie.

As GAS says he's the closest in terms of ability, but yeah it does seem too early for him.

The squad selection for Sydney will be interesting.

 

[Gob]

Hardie.

As GAS says he's the closest in terms of ability, but yeah it does seem too early for him.

The squad selection for Sydney will be interesting.

Nah not Hardie. He was a batsman

Apparently his brother was an all-rounder too