*Official* Fourth Test (Old Trafford, Manchester) 19-23 July

[the big bambino]

If the weather is bad then maybe there isn't enough time in the game for a front line spinner. Especially if days 4 and 5 are impacted. 5 (or 6 seamers depending on Warner getting picked) and Travis could be the selection here.

 

[Molehill]

In an ideal world, Moeen wouldn't be playing let alone batting at 3. But we lost both our first choice spinner and number 3 batsman to injury, so he's filling in. It allows us 4 seamers at the back end and at least two of them have shown they can cause serious mayhem down the order. There's method to the madness.

What's really ****ing stupid though is picking an opener who has scored 236 in his last 16 innings in England and averages under 15, especially when there's another opener in the squad. At least Moeen has another string to his bow, what is Warner's?

 

[chris.hinton]

Weather Forecast

Wed - Showers in early afternoon, Evening will be dry with sun
Thurs - Dry all day.
Fri - Some showers possible
Sat - Rain all day
Sun - Rain all day

Grim

The forecast now

Wed - Looking drier then previously
Thurs - Dry all day
Fri - Some showers are possible
Sat - Rain all day
Sun - Showers and some Rain in late Afternoon


Aside from Day 1. This hasn't changed much.

 

[SteveNZ]

In an ideal world, Moeen wouldn't be playing let alone batting at 3. But we lost both our first choice spinner and number 3 batsman to injury, so he's filling in. It allows us 4 seamers at the back end and at least two of them have shown they can cause serious mayhem down the order. There's method to the madness.

What's really ****ing stupid though is picking an opener who has scored 236 in his last 16 innings in England and averages under 15, especially when there's another opener in the squad. At least Moeen has another string to his bow, what is Warner's?

The other opener isn't exactly Sir Donald...

 

[Molehill]

The other opener isn't exactly Sir Donald...

So the question would be, if someone is so **** that he cannot replace the walking wicket that is Warner, what on earth is he doing in the squad?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

So the question would be, if someone is so **** that he cannot replace the walking wicket that is Warner, what on earth is he doing in the squad?

I feel sorry for Renshaw having to bat at 6 (?) and play when he had covid. It was a mad decision. He seems a much better opener than Harris.

 

[SteveNZ]

So the question would be, if someone is so **** that he cannot replace the walking wicket that is Warner, what on earth is he doing in the squad?

I don't think you'll find a single person who disagrees with you.

 

[Molehill]

I don't think you'll find a single person who disagrees with you.

In which case, why not explore other options like England have by putting Moeen at 3? Are they just hoping it comes right with Warner because history would suggest it doesn't.

Does opening with either Marsh or Green weaken the team?

 

[halba]

i hope david warner fails and aus lose the game- cos its time for a change and if thats what it takes for aus selectors to realise - so be it.
Any aussie fan is sick of warner by now.

 

[halba]

The forecast now

Wed - Looking drier then previously
Thurs - Dry all day
Fri - Some showers are possible
Sat - Rain all day
Sun - Showers and some Rain in late Afternoon


Aside from Day 1. This hasn't changed much.

looks enough for a result. Need only 3-3.5 days this time. Aus cant bat more than 250 runs anyway v Wood, Broad and Woakes and co.

Todd murphy likely dropped for the 4th test

Green, Murphy at centre of selection toss-up

With David Warner seemingly safe, Australia's remaining selection call at Old Trafford could be between the two youngest members of the squad

www.cricket.com.au

 

[SteveNZ]

In which case, why not explore other options like England have by putting Moeen at 3? Are they just hoping it comes right with Warner because history would suggest it doesn't.

Does opening with either Marsh or Green weaken the team?

Are they hoping it comes right, without any basis for doing so? Yes. He's been a sub-par Test opener for about 5 years, and he's progressively getting worse. I guess the only hope is he scores his out of the arse big score like he has over the past few years, like the 335 against Pakistan, 200 v SA around a lot of failures. Did bat reasonably well v India in the WTC final and at Lord's for a while.

Does opening with Marsh or Green weaken the team on current form? No, not really.

I think that Australia's mentality is that they don't want a stop-gap, devil may care, what do we have to lose No.3 like England have. I don't think the Australian cricket mentality would allow it, even if it seemed like a good idea on balance.

And the fact that Marcus Harris is the back-up, is dire. I haven't heard this word in ages but the fact the back-up Australian Ashes opener averages 25 from 14 Tests and 24 completed Test innings is un-Australian.

 

[halba]

Are they hoping it comes right, without any basis for doing so? Yes. He's been a sub-par Test opener for about 5 years, and he's progressively getting worse. I guess the only hope is he scores his out of the arse big score like he has over the past few years, like the 335 against Pakistan, 200 v SA around a lot of failures. Did bat reasonably well v India in the WTC final and at Lord's for a while.

Does opening with Marsh or Green weaken the team on current form? No, not really.

I think that Australia's mentality is that they don't want a stop-gap, devil may care, what do we have to lose No.3 like England have. I don't think the Australian cricket mentality would allow it, even if it seemed like a good idea on balance.

And the fact that Marcus Harris is the back-up, is dire. I haven't heard this word in ages but the fact the back-up Australian Ashes opener averages 25 from 14 Tests and 24 completed Test innings is un-Australian.

Aus has its worst batting depth in domestic FC cricket- ever in its entire history IMO
a bunch of 20 -25 type ave players in FC- poor.


Shades of West Indies here- team never recovered its batting depth once all the greats of the 80s 90s/00s retired. Same as aus - losing all its 80s/90s/00's greats and now its got very very soft depth.

ITs fast bowling depth is occasionally there however- just like Aus has Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood - Windies have guys like Roach, Joseph on fast wickets can do some damage, but the batting depth and lack thereof will be a concern for a very long time.

 

[Prince EWS]

So the question would be, if someone is so **** that he cannot replace the walking wicket that is Warner, what on earth is he doing in the squad?

We did all ask that to begin with.

 

[halba]

We did all ask that to begin with.

Yep they simply have no options -all the top order batters in FC are poor.

 

[Molehill]

We did all ask that to begin with.

I know, but I'm just wondering what the state of affairs is whereby Harris gets a game. Does he need to attend Warner's funeral first?

 

[Prince EWS]

I know, but I'm just wondering what the state of affairs is whereby Harris gets a game. Does he need to attend Warner's funeral first?

I think the selectors rate him a lot higher than most of the public. Most of us want Warner gone in theory but we'd pick someone other than Harris to replace him. If it's going to be Harris then some of us would prefer Warner be persisted with even if it's not ideal.

 

[Qlder]

I know, but I'm just wondering what the state of affairs is whereby Harris gets a game. Does he need to attend Warner's funeral first?

Well Warner already said FU to selectors by announcing his retirement after 3rd test vs Pak at SCG next year, so after that

 

[CartyDurham]

If the weather is bad , I can see England attempt to bat for 50 overs at ODI and T20 pace, declare and then hope to bowl Australia out

I reckon they would look to score 300 off 50 overs in the first innings then declare if the weather is to be bad

they have to win so declarations will be in play

this of course depends on the toss and if they are inserted or choose to bat .

 

[GIMH]

Sunday doesn’t look too bad, forecast wise

 

[halba]

Should be a result here. Aus won't last more than 60-70 overs against the likes of Wood, Broad, Woakes

Wood is world class and scary. He's the new white lightning- throwback to Donald days. He is in career best form.

Eng bat super quick, so definitely will get a result