Australia v India - pre series discussion

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Who do you want to open?

Someone who is an actual opener. I know everyone hates Harris and I'm not a fan either but he would be better than what's been suggested. Given the options I think Bancroft is the least worst option but they clearly won't go back to him for political reasons and won't admit it. Let's be honest.
 
So you're telling me our opener stocks around the country are so poor that you're going to pick someone who has never opened at first class level before? That sounds like a wonderful plan. I'm sure not much could go wrong with it.

Yea they are that bad. Konstas isn’t ready the fact he was in the mix after a few games said it all. He’s a star in the making but too soon. McSweeney is the next best and I sure ain’t picking the Average Triplets in Bancroft, Harris or Renshaw
 

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Well it looks like we're safe from Bancroft and Harris given they both just got first ball globes.

McSweeney will never get a better chance to press his case if he toughs this out. It's certainly doing a bit.
 
Someone who is an actual opener. I know everyone hates Harris and I'm not a fan either but he would be better than what's been suggested. Given the options I think Bancroft is the least worst option but they clearly won't go back to him for political reasons and won't admit it. Let's be honest.
Agree to disagree.

You know what you're going to get with Harris and Banners.

Time to try someone new.
 
Agree to disagree.

You know what you're going to get with Harris and Banners.

Time to try someone new.
I have watched most of McSweeny's innings - he is one of the form players in the country with leadership skills and values his wicket more than most. A bit obviously the choice really- Neser should have been in the one day team v Pakistan too...
 
Well it looks like we're safe from Bancroft and Harris given they both just got first ball globes.

McSweeney will never get a better chance to press his case if he toughs this out. It's certainly doing a bit.

Thank you India A
 
Agree to disagree.

You know what you're going to get with Harris and Banners.

Time to try someone new.

Bancroft is miles better performed as an opener than anyone else you could suggest.

Let's just be honest about the politics involved and not lie about it.
 
Or because he is averaging about 3 since the start of the season. He was every chance to play at the start of the season, he blew it.

He's been the best shield opener the last 3 years. Making the call on the last 3 games is moronic.
 
He's been the best shield opener the last 3 years. Making the call on the last 3 games is moronic.
Well, it's 4 matches now. Absolutely nothing moronic about not picking a guy that has made 29 runs in his last 8 innings, he is absolutely cooked right now. Could genuinely be a case for him to not be picked in the next WA shield match considering Fanning and Goodwin both came in last week and made runs.
 
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He's been the best shield opener the last 3 years. Making the call on the last 3 games is moronic.
Yes he has and all he needed to do was make a score this year.....unfortunately he has run into some very bad form at the very wrong time it's very sad to see

He can barely hit it off the square...mentally he is cooked

I think the pressure of wanting it so much and with a spot opening has stuffed him
 
Well, it's 4 matches now. Absolutely nothing moronic about not picking a guy that has made 29 runs in his last 8 innings, he is absolutely cooked right now. Could genuinely be a case for him to not be picked in the next WA shield match considering Fanning and Goodwin both came in last week and made runs.
most likely the test squad will be picked and then with the pressure off Bangers will go back to the shield and score a ton

and if he does that to me will explain a lot

its all in the head
 
If McSweeney is picked as our opener, I hope they give him atleast the first 3 tests to make a decent score. Potentially you could carry him all 5 tests if the team is doing well and we have early wins on the board. We need to get some new faces familiar around the current squad with likely Ussie, Smith, Lyon could be retiring in the next 24 months.
 
Well, it's 4 matches now. Absolutely nothing moronic about not picking a guy that has made 29 runs in his last 8 innings, he is absolutely cooked right now. Could genuinely be a case for him to not be picked in the next WA shield match considering Fanning and Goodwin both came in last week and made runs.

Because he has been effective as an opener for a long period of time and will find that again this year. There's no reason he won't do it in the next few weeks.

Mcsweeney on the other hand has never shown any form as an opener so you are picking on the basis of nothing other than hope.
 
Tell me you didn't watch the shield last year without telling me you didn't watch the shield.

Shield sure he’s never been more than that level
 
Webster: 145 runs @72.5 and 7 wickets at 19.6 - that's got to be pretty close to player of the series.

McSweeny 166 @ 55.33 the leading run scorer but struggled when opening.

Harris played one decent innings but with 127 @31.75 and given his overall record, I don't see how you can pick him.

Konstas probably not quite ready but he looks fantastic. 73* today to guide the chase. Although he came out at 4, he was out there in the first over facing a hat-trick ball. I'd be seriously tempted to pick him if this wasn't BGT, but I think maybe he waits another year while hopefully piling up enough FC runs to break down the door for The Ashes next year.

I would be very seriously considering Slug - I think his bowling would be very valuable but then you have the problem of having 3 number 5s in the side.
 
I'm not sure the 2 A games helped us much at all in terms of finding a test opener. Other than putting a line through Bancroft I guess, but I felt like he was coming from a long way anyway.

Still going to be a bit of a pig and a poke I think.
 

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Australia v India - pre series discussion

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