A much better start by the Oz batters, openers are still brittle but Head and finally Smith and later Carey really got on top of the curry muncher bowlers. They have no clue how to bowl to Head who knows only one way to bat and thats full tilt. The munchers appealed for everything stupid and missed a couple of reviews which were dumb reviews. Now Starc and Haze have them on the ropes early before the inevitable Brisbane rain set in. The Bison’s catch in the gully was amazing given the big fellas size, he moved like lightning.
Travis Head is a legend.
Smudge back in form along with Carey.
Starc and Hazlewood continue to bowl well.
Mitch Marsh doing well in the field.
Hazlewood injured again, He has played 16 of the last 34 tests for Australia, sorry but that’s not good enough
[quote=“premiership hangover post=239523 userid=1206”]Hazlewood injured again, He has played 16 of the last 34 tests for Australia, sorry but that’s not good enough
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The coach and his fellow selectors knew he was underdone having missed the 2nd Test with a side strain and yet still picked him whilst a fully fit Boland carries the drinks.
Enough said!
BH surely the medical team cleared Hazlewood fit to play, and Ronald et al took their advice accordingly?..pretty sure Voges gets told Paris, Behrendorf, Richo and Kelly are all fit to go, yet they keep breaking down…don’t see you having a crack at Voges et al when that happens.
Aust are 190 ahead, it’s been a rain affected test…rather be 190 ahead then 190 behind…yeah losing Hazlewood probably ended Aust chances, but the way India celebrated avoiding the follow on clearly shows where their mindset is…
Hey Freeze, Mitch Santner sends his regards mate! 
If only the NZ coach & selectors picked him at Hagley & the Basin.
If only the NZ & Aus selectors had your ? foresight and medico nous BH…looks like you missed your calling mate. But yeah kudos to “Mutch” for filling his boots v a team that was clearly on route to Heathrow, and playing in a decisive dead rubber, with nothing to gain WTC wise.
Geez I wish Mitch Marsh had of picked footy over cricket…than he would be only a SFFC fan’s problem, instead of being every Aust cricket fans farking problem…
5 for 36 in our second inning are we chasing stupid runs or trying to lose the test match after being in control for the past 4 days
Aussies would be frustrated that they dominated 90% of that game but the weather prevailed in the end. I quite liked them having a go at setting a target today, even though the scoreboard looked ugly. They will look back to 2 moments yesterday that allowed India off the hook, that dolly that Steve Smith dropped first ball and then inexplicably bowling short stuff to India’s numbers 10 and 11 when the follow on was at their mercy. Sure even if Smith had taken that catch and India had followed on, it might have still been a draw but it would have been a damn sight closer and more uncomfortable for the tourists today.
So some decisions beckon for the selectors ahead of Boxing Day. Boland replacing Hazlewood is the easy one but they need to think about the number of passengers they are carrying in the top and middle order. Head is averaging 81 this series, next best is Smith on 24 and he has only nudged up to that mark because of his century in this test. So Khawaja, Labuschagne and Marsh all look like walking wickets at the moment. Mc Sweeny hasn’t really done much either but they have to give him a chance to settle. These guys all seem to be completely befuddled with Bumrah
Marsh is the real puzzling selection. His batting alone does not justify his selection, he was picked as an all rounder and if he is not able to bowl a 5 to 10 over spell he should be replaced by Webster or someone else. Starc and Cummins bowled heroically in this game but with back to back tests coming up, there needs to be someone there to share the load otherwise we risk more breakdowns of our fast guys.
Now we are hearing that Head has pulled up sore. How much deep shit are we in if he can’t play in Melbourne? Who would replace him? If he is not fit maybe it provides an opportunity to expose Kontas. I saw this young man hitting a 50 in a big bash game last night and along with his red ball returns this summer has really pushed his name up the pecking order. He is a confident young man and I reckon he could handle the pressure. Kontas would open which would push McSweeney down to 5 which would give him more of an opportunity to show his ability.
On the Indian Side, quite a shock to hear that Ravi Ashwin has announced his retirement mid series. Don’t know what provoked it as the last two tests are being played on pitches that certainly would have suited him
If our coach & selectors are serious they have to make a call on Khawaja, Labuschagne & Marsh.
Smith is another but probably reprieved himself with the first innings century but we cant continue to falter along with these underperforming 30+yo’s any longer.
I always have an eye to the Ashes series and with the next just less than 12 months away the likes of Konstas & Connolly (Green should be back by then too) have to be exposed to Test Cricket now not next year!
Unlike Paddy to take a risk and set India a target of under 300 to win regardless of the weather.
Considering Uzzie and McSweeney are doing fark all as openers, why not give Konstas a crack, even he gets fark all, nothing to lose TBH…with Head doing a groin, losing him will be costly for Aust, but then again Head is realistically due a couple of failures anyway, thats what he does and always has done.
Bar injury no changes will be made…Marsh will play…despite doing very little with bat n ball. Starc sadly is due to taper off as he historically does in most 5 match series…Boland in and hopefully he can repeat that magic MCG spell v England a few years back…
Congrats to Ashwin on a stellar career…taken a lot of wickets and scored more tons then most batting at 7 or 8.
Starc and Cummins traditionally don’t have the best records at the SCG and MCG either
Once more I find myself bewildered by these selectors. Make McSweeney the fall guy for the consistent failures in the top and middle orders when only Head has shown the ability to deal with Bumrah. Why? Now they look like they are throwing young Kontas to the wolves to face Bumrah on boxing day. He is a fine young prospect and deserves his opportunity but why didn’t they pick him in the first test and give him the whole series to establish himself instead of a makeshift opener who has inevitably failed with the heat that he has been put under ( mind you Uzzie has also been underwhelming and still kept his spot). Mc Sweeney will be back hopefully in the middle order next time. Marsh the Claytons all rounder will no doubt keep his number 6 spot and bowl his regulation 2 overs…
Love Jhye Richardson but how many first class games has he played since his return from injury?
Can’t see a back up spinner to support Lyon in Sydney but Abbott has retained his spot in the squad with a first class average of over 30. Just totally mind boggling.
I’m hearing you mate
I don’t know what Morris has done but the way he’s been treated is just deplorable
Cricket down here cannot wait for the likes of Bailey , Dodemaide & McDonald to be deleted
Test teams like England, NZ, SA, even India seem to have a conga line of new talent coming through on a regular basis. Australia has had the same old tired over 30s for a few years now and when they do give a young bloke a chance, he lasts 3 tests and gets dropped while the coach and captain’s favourites live on.
Boland seems a logical choice for the MCG but at 35, why not take the opportunity to give some new younger talent a shot.
39° forecast for Boxing Day. Important toss to win.
Definitely not the debut knock folk were expecting from Konstas…well maybe the end total…but definitely not the execution…definitely not sustainable, but refreshing to see… kudos to the kid for trying something different…especially after the way Bumrah had suffocated the scoring options of his more experienced team mates in previous matches.
Not sure the purpose of Mitch Marsh now…acts likes a clown to win over his team mates…but surely his clown days are numbered..
4 individual scores of 50’+ for Aust top four nstead of the expected 50 combined …is a nice change to see…also good to see Aust score 300+ with no contribution from Head…
Great start by the debutant, lets see if he is able to do the 'grind an innings out" if required, but given Smiths great knock … again and solid contribution by the top order apart from Head, it puts us in a very strong position. Smith and captain Pat plundered 140 odd in the 1st season today to get past the 450 mark. The Aussies can now go full on attack with 4/5 slips a couple of gullies and leg slip so the Elephant pilots will be under immense pressure from ball 1.
Day 1 was a horrible weather day,for the Ingins.High 30’s with around 90% humidity.
The wicket looks to have speeded up day 2.And is showing signs of being two paced.
Starc + Cummins look to be getting plenty out of the wicket.In the new ball spell.
Boland will love bowling on this wicket.
Think we will win the Mcg test.And then a Sydney rain out.
Unless a couple of Indian batsman really stand up.Could be set up for Rohit.
couple of things
there is no way Konstas will get away with that sort of stuff now that the footage is out - he got lucky and he’ll have to come up with different methods
Marsh’s time as a Test cricketer is over that was as poorer shot as you’ll ever see , and there are other players out there it’s a pity Hardie has been injured in respect to that end
the bowlers came good in the last hour and got big wickets that might just see a substantial lead if Starc doesn’t undo it with the loose stuff that is
Lyon again didn’t look at all threatening on what is fast becoming a spin friendly pitch with a bit of bounce
3rd day will be crucial to Australia’s chance of winning