Australia v India - pre series discussion

[Jim Prideaux]

One name to me sticks out like dogs balls in that line up - well two if you count Neser but he is a different sort of player as an all-rounder.

Scott Boland.

He is going to be 36 at the end of next summer. They know what he can do. He has almost 400 first class wickets, he is in decent form. They know that if they need an immediate replacement for one of the normal trio that he can do the job. There is no position to audition for in the frontline attack.
And the role of ‘guy the young players in the A side can learn from’ can easily be filled by Neser and Steketee.

Seems like a tremendous waste of a selection that can be filled by a younger player to get a taste of the next level

Certainly don’t disagree Phat, but I’d say his inclusion suggest he will be considered for 1-2 tests, same as Neser, depending on how things go.

I’d be much happier if they just said Boland is the back up, we know what he can do, and we’ll trial some younger players to see if the put their hand up

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Yep its a bit baffling.

Also, why is Pierson in the line-up? He's 32.

Nothing against him but you would think that the keeper's role currently held by Carey will pass to Inglis (or even Phillipe) in due course. Pierson surely isn't anywhere in that frame?

Anyone over 30 in struggling to see what the point of the selection is. Why not give a young bowler or bat a go? Henry Hunt just made a ton for one. Clayton from QLD.

 

[western royboy]

Anyone over 30 in struggling to see what the point of the selection is. Why not give a young bowler or bat a go? Henry Hunt just made a ton for one. Clayton from QLD.

It’s a reflection on the system

 

[LukeParkerno1]

It’s a reflection on the system

It’s going to end so badly these A games (should be more of them) should give these next players some experience above shield level. We know what these 30 plus year olds do.

 

[eth-dog]

Yep its a bit baffling.

Also, why is Pierson in the line-up? He's 32.

Nothing against him but you would think that the keeper's role currently held by Carey will pass to Inglis (or even Phillipe) in due course. Pierson surely isn't anywhere in that frame?

Do you want Doran or Harper there instead? No point sending Inglis, he's clearly second and has the ODI's anyway. Doran is the best technique of the four but probably the weakest keeper. Harper the opposite, weakest bat but strongest keeper for mine. Neither are realistically gonna jump Philippe.

I said this elsewhere but I feel Peirson born 5 years later probably jumps ahead of those three as a test keeper.

 

[KBLT]

Yeah we don't exactly have a surplus of young keepers who look even remotely able to step up to Test level.

 

[western royboy]

Do you want Doran or Harper there instead? No point sending Inglis, he's clearly second and has the ODI's anyway. Doran is the best technique of the four but probably the weakest keeper. Harper the opposite, weakest bat but strongest keeper for mine. Neither are realistically gonna jump Philippe.

I said this elsewhere but I feel Peirson born 5 years later probably jumps ahead of those three as a test keeper.

In another time Stuart Law, Jamie Siddons and Martin Love would have played 100 tests…

 

[Cleavy]

One name to me sticks out like dogs balls in that line up - well two if you count Neser but he is a different sort of player as an all-rounder.

Scott Boland.

He is going to be 36 at the end of next summer. They know what he can do. He has almost 400 first class wickets, he is in decent form. They know that if they need an immediate replacement for one of the normal trio that he can do the job. There is no position to audition for in the frontline attack.
And the role of ‘guy the young players in the A side can learn from’ can easily be filled by Neser and Steketee.

Seems like a tremendous waste of a selection that can be filled by a younger player to get a taste of the next level

he just returned from injury. so presumably they want to squeeze a more high profile game into him, rather than having him play in a weakened Shield match?

 

[cricketnut14]

Yeah we don't exactly have a surplus of young keepers who look even remotely able to step up to Test level.

there's only one spot in the side.

don't need a surplus of keepers as we've had a history of being blessed with durable champion keepers in marsh, healy & gilchrist.

we only ever take a maximum of 2 on a test tour.

it's possible our next test wicketkeeper may not even be playing first class cricket at the moment (or certainly after inglis)

 

[sabso]

Load the team with the poms renshaw hardie and inglis, then you have a ready made excuse/scapegoat if they fail.

 

[Whiskers]

In the last 18 months, across all formats he has multiple centuries, and plenty of scores above 50. He’s going alright. He’s not coming off a pair either - 21 & 18 are his last 2 test scores

Oh wow I totally forgot about the NZ series.
I didn’t use his numbers for that series for the 32 average from his past 29 innings.

His last hit in Australia was a pair but ok I’m sorry I forgot to include his scores of 1,29,21 & 18 in NZ.

All formats he has multiple centuries and lots above 50 but in TESTS he has 1 ton. All the other centuries came as an opener… which is my whole point, Head should open!
He has been poor at #5 and because I forgot those 4 scores is barely averaging 30 at #5 in the last few years.

11.5 in the last 3 tests and people still think he is in great form.
The test before that he got his only ton in the past 2 years boosting his average to 26 in 4 tests.

 

[western royboy]

Oh wow I totally forgot about the NZ series.
I didn’t use his numbers for that series for the 32 average from his past 29 innings.

His last hit in Australia was a pair but ok I’m sorry I forgot to include his scores of 1,29,21 & 18 in NZ.

All formats he has multiple centuries and lots above 50 but in TESTS he has 1 ton. All the other centuries came as an opener… which is my whole point, Head should open!
He has been poor at #5 and because I forgot those 4 scores is barely averaging 30 at #5 in the last few years.

11.5 in the last 3 tests and people still think he is in great form.
The test before that he got his only ton in the past 2 years boosting his average to 26 in 4 tests.

What was his last score before the pair? Poor at No.5? Can i get some of whatever you’re on?

 

[Jim Prideaux]

What was his last score before the pair? Poor at No.5? Can i get some of whatever you’re on?

Completely ignoring his form in other formats too. He’s had a good 12 months

 

[Borisdog]

What was his last score before the pair? Poor at No.5? Can i get some of whatever you’re on?

It wasn't just a pair either, it was a King pair!. But his position should not even faintly be in jeopardy.

 

[eth-dog]

Head's spot should only be in question in Queensland. He was even too scared to travel there for the Shield game such was his form there

 

[Whiskers]

What was his last score before the pair? Poor at No.5? Can i get some of whatever you’re on?

Did you even read the post? I said he got a ton before that.
So I included it in his average as it was 7 innings ago. Last 7 innings he averages 26 if you want to include his ton.
I have to go back another 2 years to find his other ton.

He was in good form a few years ago. The last time he averaged above 40 in a series though was as an opener.
So open him! I’m not saying drop him. He is ok but let’s not pretend he is in form at test level.

In the shorter format he is in form yes I know that. He opens!

 

[Whiskers]

Completely ignoring his form in other formats too. He’s had a good 12 months

No I don’t lol.
People keep saying he is an in form #5. He isn’t, he is in good form in the shorter format opening. I want him to open.

Here is his test match form in the past 12 months….

Pakistan (home)
40,14,17,0,10

WI (home)
119,0,0

NZ (away)
1,29,21,18

As you can see, 1 ton, a 40, 10/12 scores under 30 including 3 ducks.

People generally don’t like using the short format as a guide, otherwise let’s bring in Maxwell.
BUT since people want to use it to suit an argument here, I say he is doing that opening.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

No I don’t lol.
People keep saying he is an in form #5. He isn’t, he is in good form in the shorter format opening. I want him to open.

Here is his test match form in the past 12 months….

Pakistan (home)
40,14,17,0,10

WI (home)
119,0,0

NZ (away)
1,29,21,18

As you can see, 1 ton, a 40, 10/12 scores under 30 including 3 ducks.

People generally don’t like using the short format as a guide, otherwise let’s bring in Maxwell.
BUT since people want to use it to suit an argument here, I say he is doing that opening.

I’m happy for you to use it for both he and Maxwell, Head has been in good form for the last 12 months across all formats.

Maxwell has been in good form across 2, and has barely played in the 3rd, which is a huge shame.

 

[dumb]

head has a few credits in the bank i reckon. the ways he can get out through attacking makes him look worse than someone trying to grind out an innings, like getting caught at third man. it looks terrible and like he's not applying himself.

only 3 years ago we had paine and wade in the same team, not beyond the realms of possibility we pick a keeper to bat again soon.

 

[Around the Wicket]

India were happy to grind out wins in previous tours through batting for long periods of time to tire out the aussie attack. The 'new' mindset under Gambhir is to attack which hasn't been successful. Do they revert back to the winning formula in Aus or push this 'new attacking' plan?

In memory weren’t Australia in a strong position a couple of the Tests but Pant swung the bat and Australia shit the bed.