@mikeh I agree, as good as the trio have been, they should have been blooding younger bowlers to follow. Boland is closer to 40 than 30.
Anchor, who are you thinking of mate? Richo and Morris are young, but never get on the park, Bartlett only just now getting on the park more frequently now, Paris is another walking injuryâŚOâNeill had a breakout year only last yearâŚBoland is better then most, and TBH fitter and more resilient, then all the aboveâŚdespite being close to 40 as you say.
Donât deny the fact Aust need some young blood in the bowling ranksâŚbut if they canât stay fit, how can they be picked.
@Freezin , I have no idea, but there has to be bowlers around that are not injury prone. I would not dare suggest that Boland not be selected, he has been unlucky to have had such a trio keeping him out.
There have been plenty that have travelled around with the Aussie squad, yet never seem to be selected.
Recently they included young Beardmann in the short form squad, yet never gave him a game.
It would have had to be a total disaster for Abbott to get a berth. An average player in all ways I reckon.
I just think they play ducks and drakes with players.
The same is going to happen with the batting.
I did predict England would win 5-0 and that was with Cummins & Hazlewood playing.
I can actually see this being a very one sided series.
Australiaâs batting line up is average at best, Smith is an all time great but well and truly past his best at 36yo whilst I cant believe Khawajaâs spot in the side has not been up for question? He hasnt scored Test runs for a while and looked deadset frightened when facing real quicks like Wood, Joseph etc of late just wafting his bat outside off stump time and time again.
The bowling line up now could have their 2 best in form bowlers in Cummins & Hazlewood missing, Starc is hit and miss and tends to give up a lot of runs whilst chasing wickets while Lyon is well and truly past his prime, his last 18 months have been very underwhelming!
Hazlewood cleared, Abbott out. Time for Fergus OâNeill to be included in the squad not Neser
Sadly mate, it doesnât mean he wonât breakdown next weekâŚit isnt an Australian test summer without Hoff breaking downâŚagree about FergusâŚsmart bowler, who knows his limitations, and bowls a good lineâŚcan swing the willow as well⌠something Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon struggle to do these daysâŚStarc especially has gone backwards with the willow.
So hearing Wood has gone off for scans on his hammyâŚboth teams falling apart before the series startsâŚUzzie will be pleased.
Hazelwood out for first test. Not good with Cummins out as well.
Nesr included as the replacement for him.
With a hammy, I doubt he would be risked even for the second test.
It isnt an Aussie summer without Hoff missing a test or 3âŚbe interesting to see if Neser frog leaps Doggett into the starting XIâŚcan see Weatherald paying the price for Hoffâs injuryâŚprobably need both Webster and Green in the side for their bowling âŚ
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Much better for them to find out about Hoff now rather than him breaking down during the test. Neser would be the âsafeâ option but I would be inclined to give Doggett a go TBH. He has earned his spot with excellent form and that should be rewarded. More likely now that Marnus will open and Green and Webster will need to play. I am disappointed that Fergus OâNeill wasnt drafted into the squad. He has been in great form for Victoria and is younger than 25!
Doggett 31, Neser , 35.
Both been good SS players for some time.
A pity that so many younger quicks can not stay on the park long enough to become test players.
Surely Doggett comes in now for the injured Hazlewood.
What do people think of this team? Saw this proposed on social media
- Usman Khawaja
- Jake Weatherald
- Cameron Green
- Steve Smith (c)
- Travis Head (vc)
- Beau Webster
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Michael Neser
- Mitchell Starc
- Brendan Doggett
- Scott Boland
So no Marnus or Lyon. This gives us 6 fast bowling options and Webster and Head could potentially cover the spin. Neser gives the batting more depth I donât mind it although I suppose there has been the assumption from the media that Lyon and Marnus would be picked whatever the conditions
Itâs a reasonable thinking line-up
but
McDonald will pick Lyon
and Labuschane to open up
odds on certainty given no press to the contrary
and it appears itâll be one of Green or Webster & no Weatherald
Doggett is looking like a cert now too
itâll be 4 bowlers because Neser bats so well
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This is how they will line up on Friday imho-
Australia
Khawaja (who shouldnt be in it)
Weatherald
Labuschagne
Smith (C)
Head
Green
Carey (wk)
Starc
Lyon
Doggett
Boland
England
Crawley
Duckett
Pope
Root
Brooks
Stokes (C)
Smith (wk)
Atkinson
Carse
Archer
Wood
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Iâve been one of Marnus Labuschagnesâ biggest critics in recent years just his body language and attitude when he gets outs but if you ignore form then youâre a donkey.
He has the temperament to be an opener and could be a great one if he puts his head down. I know sfa about Weatherald so no comment but they picked Green at 3 and basically conceded he canât be relied upon to bowl. So stick with it and keep Webster.
Guessing with the tickets,sold already.
They will be keen for a 5 day test.
So it probably wont be a green top wicket.Like last years ,Indian test.
Looks to be one of the closest matched.Ashes series in recent history.
England 2~1.With Sydney washout.
Bring it onâŚ
It will be so good to finally get the cricket under way on Friday. Is anyone else sick of the stupid crap that the local rag has been putting out under the pretence of news, having a crack at the England team at any opportunity. Wouldnt mind if it was funny but its just really boring. Yesterday it was an attack on them going to play golf instead of practicing. So F$$$%%ing what?
I can guarantee you if Australia get behind in the series at any stage, all the media wrath will be redirected on to the home team and their players
Typical crap from the Dirty Rag.
There is no way Marnus isnât playing!!!
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