Australia v India - pre series discussion

[PhatBoy]

Can anyone clarify what number test Smith was playing when Archer hit him with that nasty blow? I'm guessing it'll be somewhere close to that 68th test.

That 68th test came 2 tests later; after the Lords test where he got hit, he did not bat in the second innings.

He came back in the next test and smashed a double-century, and 82 in the second innings for good measure.
That was his 67th
In the first innings of his 68th he hit another 80 and by my reading of it that’s where his average peaked

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Head should open, I have no idea why he can’t. The role suits him and who cares if he doesn’t like the idea? Make him do it, it’s not like he is a great #5.
You can play Inglis at 6.
Doesn’t seem all that difficult to me.

He literally is our most important bat and one of the only ones in form. You are not moving him from no5 it’s that simple.

 

[Voice of the G]

Surely the opener if he doesn't fail 6 times will be Bancroft, the comments by Bailey last week were on the lines of he had to be in great form to nick those.

I love Konstas but my gut says maybe a summer too soon, take him on every A game/tour for a year, look at him in 2026.

Depends a lot on what Konstas does in the upcoming 2 A grade games for Australia if he is to play 1st test.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Depends a lot on what Konstas does in the upcoming 2 A grade games for Australia if he is to play 1st test.

Just hope they don’t revert back to Harris we know how this goes

 

[Gough]

We could also go into the first Test without a player under thirty which is a little bit terrifying.

 

[Freezin]

Khawaja not doing much in the shield cricket at the moment is a worry.

I think more is the worry, is that the selectors won't drop Ussie through the India series, if he has a Warner like UK Ashes series. Reason is that the selectors would need to play 2 new openers then, which they would be loathe to do v Bumrah et al.

Smith and Ussie are locked in for all 5 tests( barring injury) regardless of form. Probably ditto for Labs as well.

 

[southern_crusher]

Smith is completely cooked and can't see him averaging more than low 30s against India. Also think India wins the whole series rather easily

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Smith is completely cooked and can't see him averaging more than low 30s against India. Also think India wins the whole series rather easily

At this stage I’d take 30! The way he batted yesterday double figures is a stretch the bloke was playing field hockey with balls hitting the stumps

 

[magpiemaniac44]

Firmly believe we bring in an opening bat rather than shifting one of our established middle order batsmen up.

Only problem is the batsmen in good form in the Shield all bat in the middle order McSweeney, Inglis, Handscomb and Webster.

I reckon it could literally comes down to who bats well in the Shield and Aus A game

 

[burge13]

We could also go into the first Test without a player under thirty which is a little bit terrifying.

I'm less worried about this tbh. Test cricket is different to season long sports, you pick the best players for that series.

We're never short on fast bowling, our next crop of quicks will still take 20 wickets.

Probably a bat or 2 short under 30 but someone will pop up when we need them. McSweeney still has a summer to develop, Konstas is just a kid, Connelly highly regarded, as is Ollie Davies.

 

[western royboy]

Didn’t see it but saw a hell of a lot of blow ups about it on social media along the lines of ‘not hitting a second set’ so must have been a pretty borderline decision at best

Jagged back a long way - you’d be dirty getting given out at any level

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Jagged back a long way - you’d be dirty getting given out at any level

Agree, poor decision. The one yesterday wasn't though the plonker can use his bat

 

[Black Diamond]

You never know, Khawaja and Renshaw have a huge chance today with a long time to bay and 300 to get. Could be when it turns around.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

You never know, Khawaja and Renshaw have a huge chance today with a long time to bay and 300 to get. Could be when it turns around.

Bancroft too even a 30 or so not out

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Not really my place to say as a ‘non fan’ but probably the concerning thing about that analysis is that the most reliable player in that line up who isn’t probably on the verge of retirement (Usman), ALSO believes he has to smash everything in order to play his role in the side which he really doesn’t as he was just as good before he started playing that way as he was after it.

I’ll give Travis his due, he has played 2-3 genuinely momentum shifting knocks with his borderline England-esque approach but he really didn’t need to change what he was doing, and the downside of it has been that he’s had a couple of shockers at crucial times as well.

Always appreciate your opinions Phat.

I think let Head do what head does, but I will certainly agree it’s concerning when you frame it with the age of our squad.

We desperately need more ‘A’ games and to begin blooding Bats in particular. My worry is I just can’t see it happening.

 

[Nuggetz]

Always appreciate your opinions Phat.

I think let Head do what head does, but I will certainly agree it’s concerning when you frame it with the age of our squad.

We desperately need more ‘A’ games and to begin blooding Bats in particular. My worry is I just can’t see it happening.

The only player under 30 in the aus test team is cameron green who won't be playing. It could be a big drop off if a few players retire together. Aus have to bring in some transition planning asap, I wouldn't wait around after this series or the ashes. It has to be done now.

I think they should start with the openers slot because Uzzie is 37yo & will turn 38 in Dec. He's one bad series away from falling off a cliff at his age imo. Middle/lower order should be set with Head/Marsh/Green. They need to blood some bowlers too, Starc will be turning 34 during the series & Lyon 37.

It's actually worrying if you're an Aus fan.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Head should open, I have no idea why he can’t. The role suits him and who cares if he doesn’t like the idea? Make him do it, it’s not like he is a great #5.
You can play Inglis at 6.
Doesn’t seem all that difficult to me.

I’m not entirely against it, however, his technique early of going back toward leg to make room. It makes him susceptible to edging and also could trap him with a good short ball. In the middle order it is a problem, but less so. Opening, when the ball is hard and has more movement, it could be a huge concern.

 

[PhatBoy]

Always appreciate your opinions Phat.

I think let Head do what head does, but I will certainly agree it’s concerning when you frame it with the age of our squad.

We desperately need more ‘A’ games and to begin blooding Bats in particular. My worry is I just can’t see it happening.

I like him and he’s played great cricket almost since the start of his test tenure. I just don’t like the idea of players feeling they ‘have’ to play a certain way when they have shown that there is another method that works for them that’s all.

The English are a bit different because for a lot of them it’s just been what has always worked and particularly for a guy like Crawley, it’s the ONLY thing that has worked, really.

Head I - well worry isn’t the right word because I’m not an Aussie fan - but I suspect has almost pigeonholed himself as this player who HAS to go out and blast when really he’s shown he can play really effectively just playing normal tempo cricket

 

[Westend]

I agree with Head opening now. Things look bleak there but the best option

Head
Usman
Lab
Smith
Inglis
Marsh
Carey
Bowlers

Whoever keeps bats at 7, I'm not fussed which of them takes the gloves

I actually don't mind that team.....bold aggressive everything the poms are doing and more.....and thats why they will not do it..unfortunately Cummins and McDonald are just too conservative in there thinking..Konstas the media darling is coming strong imo

that line up though...could see that for the Sri Lankan series ...where I reckon head will go up to open and most likely Inglis to make his test debut

 

[Westend]

Just hope they don’t revert back to Harris we know how this goes

thats the conservative option Luke......and I can see that happening ..

 

[Jim Prideaux]

I like him and he’s played great cricket almost since the start of his test tenure. I just don’t like the idea of players feeling they ‘have’ to play a certain way when they have shown that there is another method that works for them that’s all.

The English are a bit different because for a lot of them it’s just been what has always worked and particularly for a guy like Crawley, it’s the ONLY thing that has worked, really.

Head I - well worry isn’t the right word because I’m not an Aussie fan - but I suspect has almost pigeonholed himself as this player who HAS to go out and blast when really he’s shown he can play really effectively just playing normal tempo cricket

I’m not sure his technique is that suited to playing tempo, he looks itching to free his arms early. I wish he could though, and maybe I’ve misread him.

 

[burge13]

I actually don't mind that team.....bold aggressive everything the poms are doing and more.....and thats why they will not do it..unfortunately Cummins and McDonald are just too conservative in there thinking..Konstas the media darling is coming strong imo

that line up though...could see that for the Sri Lankan series ...where I reckon head will go up to open and most likely Inglis to make his test debut

For mine it's just picking Inglis who is one of the more in form guys who has some international experience. Will be less overawed by the situation. Head bats the way he bats regardless of position, if it comes off then there's runs on the board for Smith/Lab to build their innings' with less pressure. If there is pressure on, and Head comes in 3/40 he won't bat any different anyway so does opening matter? Throw him in

I can't have this Konstas coming in yet when Head is an option and Inglis is much more proven. Just re-jig the order, it's much less risk for their conservatism IMO

 

[Black Diamond]

…most likely Inglis to make his test debut

Don’t get your hopes up.

 

[Westend]

For mine it's just picking Inglis who is one of the more in form guys who has some international experience. Will be less overawed by the situation. Head bats the way he bats regardless of position, if it comes off then there's runs on the board for Smith/Lab to build their innings' with less pressure. If there is pressure on, and Head comes in 3/40 he won't bat any different anyway so does opening matter? Throw him in

I can't have this Konstas coming in yet when Head is an option and Inglis is much more proven. Just re-jig the order, it's much less risk for their conservatism IMO

Yeah I can see the argument and I would love to see it happen and all the points you make are valid...but I just don't think its going to happen ....my point is Cummins and McDonald are too conservative for me I just don't think they would be that bold

Saying that....if green dog was fit IMHO I reckon head would've opened this series with smudge going down batting 4/5 with greenie.....but unfortunately greenie is injured

Inglis is in terrific form but as I said before reckon he will make his test debut in Sri Lankan as he is a gun against spin

But saying that......lol I'm rambling a bit....if he keeps tonning up you never know....demand selection

also if we are looking for another middle order role Mcsweeny is in the Frame as well

 

[Westend]

Don’t get your hopes up.

we will see