Ashes 2021/22

[Gethelred]

Averages 34. Head averages 39.7.
Argument over.

Shoving your fingers in your ears and shouting "Not listening!" isn't generally considered adult behaviour.

Remind me again, what position you playing Head in?

 

[swingdog]

Considering Head is currently 130 not out and dominated in the Sheffield Shield last year, what else would you expect him to do?

He's a good Shield player but he isn't up to it as Test level, as has been demonstrated. There are always these kinds of batsmen, often from SA.

 

[Mego Red]

He's a good Shield player but he isn't up to it as Test level, as has been demonstrated. There are always these kinds of batsmen, often from SA.

How has that been demonstrated? He's still early in his career. Only 27 years old.

Looked good making 162 today.

 

[to1994]

fu** you for forcing me to defend Shaun Marsh.

Marsh has had 68 innings; from those 68 innings, he's bat at 5 22 times at an average of 42.55; it's better than the majority of options in that position, and there is no reason to believe it wouldn't be better if he had been allowed to settle into the team at 5, rather than trying him 43 times opening or at 3-4. He's too old now, but to no small extent he's been f’ed around by a CA who have wanted an all rounder at 6 and gave him nothing resembling consistency or his optimum batting position.

It's a testament to how sh*t the shield and Australian batting development that he's still there, hasn't retired or transitioned to coaching or something else yet.

He was unlucky only once from memory. Scored a ton against SA away and got canned two Tests later so we could keep Doolan in the side who was justifiably dropped a few games later.

He's a solid player but he can't be considered unlucky because we didn't arrange the whole team around him batting at 5. Got a pretty decent run at various points and his experience counted for pretty much naught in India away + India at home. Played some very good individual innings but unfortunately could never really put together a consistent run of form.

 

[Gethelred]

He was unlucky only once from memory. Scored a ton against SA away and got canned two Tests later so we could keep Doolan in the side who was justifiably dropped a few games later.

He's a solid player but he can't be considered unlucky because we didn't arrange the whole team around him batting at 5. Got a pretty decent run at various points and his experience counted for pretty much naught in India away + India at home. Played some very good individual innings but unfortunately could never really put together a consistent run of form.

I don't disagree with any part of that. What I was objecting to is the notion that Head is immediately a better option than Marsh is, even now when he's 38.

I will say, though, that we had Smith fixed at 4, Warner at 2; there's no reason Marsh couldn't have spent an entire career at 5 or 6, if it worked. But him, Maxwell, Khawaja all got ****ed around by a complete lack of consistancy in team role or batting position, and we've paid the price in wondering where the runs are going to come from.

 

[corbies]

Moeen Ali has retired from Test cricket so we can rule out seeing him in the Ashes. Him playing was probably my only hope of catching a ball at the top of the Victor Richardson Stand (assuming I'm allowed into the great state of South Australia).

 

[Blue Arrow]

Moeen Ali has retired from Test cricket so we can rule out seeing him in the Ashes. Him playing was probably my only hope of catching a ball at the top of the Victor Richardson Stand (assuming I'm allowed into the great state of South Australia).

As if 2021 hasn't been bad enough for the worlds batmen, more disappointing news that this pie chucker is calling it quits.

 

[royboy2]

Lets not forget that Kholi is his bitch though

 

[ep2018]

Looking likely Perth misses out on another test this year . Apparently several English players are not likely to fly over due to family and quarantine requirements. It will probably be a second rate series as a result.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Test XI

Warner
Pucovski
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green
Paine (C)
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

Pretty much picks itself. Last series for Paine - then Inglis? Starc is a question mark, but we probably need the variety.

If the left arm is that "variety", it might be time to switch to Joel Paris if he puts together a few good Shield games.
I wasn't big on him a couple of years back, but he stepped up recently and Starc's multiday form has done the opposite.

 

[BStaff17]

Looking likely Perth misses out on another test this year . Apparently several English players are not likely to fly over due to family and quarantine requirements. It will probably be a second rate series as a result.

They just won't go to perth for the final test. If it remains the status quo.

They should play it in tassie if borders between NSW and WA still closed in mid january seeing as they will miss out on Afghan test.

 

[Leeda]

In this diabolical situation…UKome won’t happen
Chatter is rife that the G will be and perform to expectations

 

[Westend]

WA Cricket asks for an Ashes reshuffle over border concerns

The boss of WA Cricket says the order of Test matches for the upcoming Ashes series needs to be revisited to avoid issues around border restrictions.

www.abc.net.au

interesting

 

[Goroyals22]

Starc's been picked for variety for a while now. Hasn't worked.

Considering his variety is short outside off and then short outside leg for roughly 6 overs then a yorker his variety isn’t worth much as a bowling side anyway

 

[magpiemaniac44]

The vaccination rates will be higher enough by then that larger crowds should be back and more borders have opened. Victoria shouldn't have to give up the Boxing Day test IF it can have substantial crowds, that's on WA to figure out.

We've said for ages now that McGowan's stance on borders, whether it is right or wrong is going to impact WA getting events if they're still blocking off travel from other states going into next year, because I doubt over here in East we will get back down to 0 cases again.

 

[Great8]

WA Cricket asks for an Ashes reshuffle over border concerns

The boss of WA Cricket says the order of Test matches for the upcoming Ashes series needs to be revisited to avoid issues around border restrictions.

www.abc.net.au

interesting

Everything I’m hearing suggests CA will say bad luck and Hobart have put their hand up for the final test. CA needs to give Perth a ultimatum and in no way should adjust the schedule for them.

 

[Great8]

The vaccination rates will be higher enough by then that larger crowds should be back and more borders have opened. Victoria shouldn't have to give up the Boxing Day test IF it can have substantial crowds, that's on WA to figure out.

We've said for ages now that McGowan's stance on borders, whether it is right or wrong is going to impact WA getting events if they're still blocking off travel from other states going into next year, because I doubt over here in East we will get back down to 0 cases again.

Yep, it ain’t getting to zero again. All the states will eventually have to open up to each and that’s fine if WA wants to stay a hermit state but they need to realise it will prevent them hosting some sporting events and possibly even the AFL next year

 

[big_e]

Yep, it ain’t getting to zero again. All the states will eventually have to open up to each and that’s fine if WA wants to stay a hermit state but they need to realise it will prevent them hosting some sporting events and possibly even the AFL next year

Hermit state?

You do remember we hosted the grand final three days ago, yeah?

 

[Great8]

Hermit state?

You do remember we hosted the grand final three days ago, yeah?

Yes you hosted a GF with stringent quarantine regulations and had to have a week in between the Prelim to allow it to go ahead. This can’t and won’t happen going forward and as I said it’s fine if that’s what you want to do. The rest of Australia is opening up and some states will do it at their own pace but a fair chunk of Australia will be travelling between states by Christmas and International flights will start ramping up. McGowan has hinted numerous times that it could be months into next year before you are open to all states and the rest of us can’t wait. If that means you have to miss out on a few events I’m sure you and the public of WA will understand

 

[big_e]

Yes you hosted a GF with stringent quarantine regulations and had to have a week in between the Prelim to allow it to go ahead. This can’t and won’t happen going forward and as I said it’s fine if that’s what you want to do. The rest of Australia is opening up and some states will do it at their own pace but a fair chunk of Australia will be travelling between states by Christmas and International flights will start ramping up. McGowan has hinted numerous times that it could be months into next year before you are open to all states and the rest of us can’t wait. If that means you have to miss out on a few events I’m sure you and the public of WA will understand

Easily sorted by having England fly to Perth, do two weeks quarantine at Joondalup, be allowed out for training and intra-squad matches, day 15 they have a warm up game vs WA, maybe two. And then the first test in front of a full house.

From there they can play travel around freely, it gives the best chance of playing in front of crowds everywhere else, you keep Boxing Day and the New Year's Test as normal and everyone wins.

 

[Great8]

Easily sorted by having England fly to Perth, do two weeks quarantine at Joondalup, be allowed out for training and intra-squad matches, day 15 they have a warm up game vs WA, maybe two. And then the first test in front of a full house.

From there they can play travel around freely, it gives the best chance of playing in front of crowds everywhere else, you keep Boxing Day and the New Year's Test as normal and everyone wins.

CA already telling folk that the schedule won’t change and that if WA lose the test that’s up to them. Hobart already looking at being parachuted in. According to my SACA source the WA government has been given 2 weeks to agree to quarantine free or lose it
Will be interesting to see if the WA sides need to hub for AFL next year too

 

[Seedsfan]

Easily sorted by having England fly to Perth, do two weeks quarantine at Joondalup, be allowed out for training and intra-squad matches, day 15 they have a warm up game vs WA, maybe two. And then the first test in front of a full house.

From there they can play travel around freely, it gives the best chance of playing in front of crowds everywhere else, you keep Boxing Day and the New Year's Test as normal and everyone wins.

**** that, if WA want to dig their heals in Tassie can host the test

 

[big_e]

CA already telling folk that the schedule won’t change and that if WA lose the test that’s up to them. Hobart already looking at being parachuted in. According to my SACA source the WA government has been given 2 weeks to agree to quarantine free or lose it
Will be interesting to see if the WA sides need to hub for AFL next year too

If CA want to blow a massive hole in their budgets that's up to them, too.

Having the grand final in front of a full house made shitloads of cash for the AFL, and a Perth Ashes test going into prime time on the east coast seems a no-brainer.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. These arrangements are not hard to change.

 

[Great8]

If CA want to blow a massive hole in their budgets that's up to them, too.

Having the grand final in front of a full house made shitloads of cash for the AFL, and a Perth Ashes test going into prime time on the east coast seems a no-brainer.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. These arrangements are not hard to change.

Australian players want no quarantine into Perth either so unless exemptions are given I can’t see it going ahead

 

[big_e]

Australian players want no quarantine into Perth either so unless exemptions are given I can’t see it going ahead

Modified exemptions like the AFL teams got. They were still allowed out to train, etc during their two weeks.

It's a reasonable compromise. WA Government still gets to say "they're in quarantine!" and players still get to do the required work. And frankly, if they do intra squad matches, they're basically out of the hotel for the vast majority of the day anyway.

And once they've done their two weeks in WA, that's it - they can pretty much travel around the rest of the country freely.