3rd Test Border Gavaskar Trophy December 14-18 1050hrs @ The Gabba

[Spanghertron]

I think the problem with the selectors atm is wanting to pick the best 6 batsmen in the country regardless of where they bat. Having no specialist opener negates the fact they are the best 6 as it's completely different to batting in the middle order. Smith even gave it away after trying it and he is one of our all time best batsmen.

We should have picked an opener to begin with and let Mcsweeney wait until a middle order position opened up. Give whoever is picked the full 5 tests to settle, then if they aren't up to it we have at least given them a full series to secure the spot. That gives us our best chance as our best batters are not batting out if position. They should have picked Harris(yuck) or Konstas. Bancrofts form at the time ruled him out.

A problem that has always existed with our selectors is they don't give batsmen a decent run to prove themselves and this kills their confidence. 2 or 3 tests then they are dropped. Matt Renshaw is a perfect example. Played 14 tests, 9 or 10 as an opener up until 2018. 1 of those he was flown over to SA as a replacement to play in the final test after sandpapergate, which would have been an extremely tough experience. Played 3 or 4 tests since 2018, none of them as an opener, 1 he had covid and was picked as a injury replacement batting 5 or 6. Given 1 more test against in India then dropped, brought back in as concussion sub next test. Not surprisingly his domestic form dropped each time after only be given 2 or 3 innings to succeed. Killed his confidence as not batting in position or given a decent chance. Not saying he should be brought in as his form is patchy(been good in 1 dayers) but whoever is should have the freedom of knowing they have a full series, not just 1 or 2 tests.

So if Konstas is picked for Melbourne then he has to be picked and play every test in the tour of Sri Lanka regardless how he goes here in the last 2 tests. At 19 they need to get this right as we could have a longterm opening solution if they do. Get it wrong and it could kill his confidence long term. Remember Renshaw was 20 when he played his first test i think and has only played 3 tests since he turned 22.

 

[imagifED]

Mcsweeney's 4 of 25 when leading by 180 and needing quick runs triggered his dropping? I don't think you can have a top 3 of Khawaja, Mcsweeney, Labs. If they're playing well, they would only be 0-1/40 from 20 overs, with a ball having their name on it anytime soon. I feel Konstas could either score a quickish 50 or get clean bowled through the gate first ball. I prefer the more exciting Kontas over Mcsweeney looking at how he's batted but would prefer Mcsweeney over Khawaja. Get two new players as openers like India and England have done in the past with success.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I think the problem with the selectors atm is wanting to pick the best 6 batsmen in the country regardless of where they bat. Having no specialist opener negates the fact they are the best 6 as it's completely different to batting in the middle order. Smith even gave it away after trying it and he is one of our all time best batsmen.

We should have picked an opener to begin with and let Mcsweeney wait until a middle order position opened up. Give whoever is picked the full 5 tests to settle, then if they aren't up to it we have at least given them a full series to secure the spot. That gives us our best chance as our best batters are not batting out if position. They should have picked Harris(yuck) or Konstas. Bancrofts form at the time ruled him out.

A problem that has always existed with our selectors is they don't give batsmen a decent run to prove themselves and this kills their confidence. 2 or 3 tests then they are dropped. Matt Renshaw is a perfect example. Played 14 tests, 9 or 10 as an opener up until 2018. 1 of those he was flown over to SA as a replacement to play in the final test after sandpapergate, which would have been an extremely tough experience. Played 3 or 4 tests since 2018, none of them as an opener, 1 he had covid and was picked as a injury replacement batting 5 or 6. Given 1 more test against in India then dropped, brought back in as concussion sub next test. Not surprisingly his domestic form dropped each time after only be given 2 or 3 innings to succeed. Killed his confidence as not batting in position or given a decent chance. Not saying he should be brought in as his form is patchy(been good in 1 dayers) but whoever is should have the freedom of knowing they have a full series, not just 1 or 2 tests.

So if Konstas is picked for Melbourne then he has to be picked and play every test in the tour of Sri Lanka regardless how he goes here in the last 2 tests. At 19 they need to get this right as we could have a longterm opening solution if they do. Get it wrong and it could kill his confidence long term. Remember Renshaw was 20 when he played his first test i think and has only played 3 tests since he turned 22.

Mitch Marsh is in the best 6 batsmen in the country?

His average (29) is that of a no.8, not a no.6.

Might as well pick Sean Abbott - a genuine no.8 who takes wickets.

 

[Spanghertron]

Mitch Marsh is in the best 6 batsmen in the country?

His average (29) is that of a no.8, not a no.6.

Might as well pick Sean Abbott - a genuine no.8 who takes wickets.

I don't think he is personally, but it is something the selectors have said about picking the best 6 and figuring it out from there. In Marshs defence he has been fairly solid over the past 18 months but i think he is far more suited to whiteball cricket. Lacks consistency in tests.

 

[Coasters7]

In lots of industries including the one I work in that's exactly what would happen and does happen.
It's cut throat and if you don't consistently get things right you are replaced with someone else who has a better track record.

The argument is not a false equivalency because the selectors get to watch the players regularly and have access to a lot of data (like we do in the private sector) and if they make the wrong decisions based on that data then there has to be accountability. Your opposite opinion is why we have so many ex cricketers in cricket management who wouldn't survive 12 months in the corporate world because their processes aren't good enough and there's no accountability from above when they screw up. The whole 'high performance culture' is a complete myth spun to the media for PR purposes.

To add to that. What credentials does someone like Bailey have for being an international selector in the first place?

Two things you’d want ideally would be some sort of success at the highest level and a certain degree of separation from the current playing group. Neither of which Bailey seems to have. Same with McDonald. They aren’t far enough removed from the current playing group to make objective decisions.

 

[Coasters7]

It certainly is a gamble and not one I am suggesting is a guarantee to pay off. But that’s sport sometimes.

Mcsweeney looked out of his depths. 23 know Bancroft, Harris are not it. They are taking a gamble on an extremely talented young player, it if fails so be it.

I would prefer us to take a swing and miss rather than just stick with the Bancroft, Harris types that we know are not the answer.

But what you’ve just described is also McSweeney. They made their call so they should grow a pair and stick with it. Konstas over McSweeney isn’t going to be the difference in this series

 

[fargothegreat]

So just so I understand correctly, we need the rookie to take the pressure off for the experienced guy?

It's not working having two openers who take a while to get going. Uzzie gets the gig over McSweeney because he's a proven performer in the role.

 

[Westend]

Heading up the country for a few days, so won’t be on here as often, so I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone on the board a Merry Christmas and a happy Boxing Day.

You too Jim have a good one

 

[Westend]

I would like to see Boland get wickets,will have plenty of support from the crowd.

Boland playing ??? Jhye been picked in the squad surely we go a younger better bowler than Boland ......

cue the melts............

 

[Black Diamond]

Likewise! He's going to get the biggest cheer from a packed MCG crowd since they days of Deano and Merv.

Or Warne perhaps?

 

[PhatBoy]

To add to that. What credentials does someone like Bailey have for being an international selector in the first place?

Two things you’d want ideally would be some sort of success at the highest level and a certain degree of separation from the current playing group. Neither of which Bailey seems to have. Same with McDonald. They aren’t far enough removed from the current playing group to make objective decisions.

Well he captained his country, captained his state to their second ever Shield title, so that was a decent basis before he finished playing, meaning he had a role as a selector during those periods.
He’s been a selector for almost 6 years, and the chief of selectors for 3.

Probably a bit late to be wondering what his qualifications are now; it’s not like he’s just been appointed

 

[Black Diamond]

If we’re questioning Bailey’s credentials, then what business do any of us internet randoms have telling him who to pick?

What are our credentials exactly?

 

[Westend]

I presume you are joking.lol

Honestly I rate Jhye better than Boland and I reckon a lot do as well. If called up Jhye would do the job

But Boland deserves the spot and he will play.... I am still trying to get my head around Jhye being called up into the squad ...all season I have been following Jhye and he has been managed all year...he has played 2nd eleven shield grade all being managed in those games

Oh well spend time with Inglis on the bench most likely ..just no hi fives

 

[peternorth]

If Konstas fails in same guise as McS, does he stay on for the next series?

 

[danielnajdek]

If Konstas fails in same guise as McS, does he stay on for the next series?

Yes. He is the next chosen one by the way the media is carrying on about him.

 

[Iceman!]

No wonder why he failed when he was picked to fill a position he doesn't ordinarily fulfil in his other cricketing roles.

Yes, we knew that going in. He was batting out of position.

 

[The hands of stone]

Nice work from CA , roll out Mcsweeney in front of the media......then drop him out of the squad .

 

[Iceman!]

But what you’ve just described is also McSweeney. They made their call so they should grow a pair and stick with it. Konstas over McSweeney isn’t going to be the difference in this series

It absolutely could be the difference, I think whichever teams top 4 actually shows up over the next two tests will likely decide the series.

 

[BGman]

Jhye been picked in the squad surely we go a younger better bowler than Boland .....

Great to see Jhye back. But Boland will play in Melbourne or there will be a riot at the MCG. Jhye for Sydney.

 

[Coasters7]

It absolutely could be the difference, I think whichever teams top 4 actually shows up over the next two tests will likely decide the series.

Yeah agreed but that’s Usman, Marnus and Smith. Not a 3 game player vs a 19 year old with 11 FC matches under his belt. The difference between those two will be marginal in comparison to what the other 3 need to produce.

 

[Bedi]

Or Warne perhaps?

Literally just rewatched his doco last night, so dunno how i forgot Warnie lol

 

[Lunchtime]

Mitch Marsh is in the best 6 batsmen in the country?

His average (29) is that of a no.8, not a no.6.

Might as well pick Sean Abbott - a genuine no.8 who takes wickets.

Weak era of Australian cricket for the past 10 to 15 years....thats why Marsh keeps getting picked in the Test team. Stronger era - he doesn't get a look in.

Garbage era.

 

[HalloweenJack]

To add to that. What credentials does someone like Bailey have for being an international selector in the first place?

Two things you’d want ideally would be some sort of success at the highest level and a certain degree of separation from the current playing group. Neither of which Bailey seems to have. Same with McDonald. They aren’t far enough removed from the current playing group to make objective decisions.

Not sure that success or otherwise at the top level is an essential component.

Greg Chappell is an all-time great cricketer. He was also a selector and wasn't that good in that role (he wasn't that good as a coach either).

Lawrie Sawle wasn't an all-time great cricketer but he was a brilliant selector.

I do agree that George and his band of merry men are very slow to drop under performing players.

 

[SC_Power]

If Konstas fails in same guise as McS, does he stay on for the next series?

He’s younger than Don Bradman was on debut, so yeah.

 

[Westend]

Great to see Jhye back. But Boland will play in Melbourne or there will be a riot at the MCG. Jhye for Sydney.

Jhye for Sydney ..you reckon bgman ??

Who for ?? Starc has a poor record back end of the test series

Boland ??

Two spinners ?

Oh well get through this test first before concentrating on the scg test