Third Test Australia v Pakistan Jan 3-7 1000hrs @ the SCG

[JimmyBC]

Head is probably the only guy at present that could play Warner-ish as an opener, not keen on the idea though.

 

[big_e]

Speaking of scoring 500 in an innings I'd like to see stats on whether it's decreased across the board since the early 2000's, I suspect it has though I'm just going on the vibe.

Dunno about 500+, but a quick look on Cricinfo says that 17% of the innings totals of 650+ have been in the most recent 16% of tests.

Test matches | Team records | Highest innings totals | ESPNcricinfo

Find records of Highest innings totals in Test matches only on ESPNcricinfo.

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[DaRick]

Speaking of scoring 500 in an innings I'd like to see stats on whether it's decreased across the board since the early 2000's, I suspect it has though I'm just going on the vibe.

The overall batting average has definitely decreased since the 2000s.

 

[Underarm]

I think in covid times in local cricket where the umpire was not allowed to hold the bowlers hat.. Bowler put hat at the start of his run up and if ball hit hat it was a dead ball.Now what happened in test cricket first class cricket not sure what happened in covid times,have forgotten all ready.

They had more common-sense and allowed fathers umpire to hold the hat.

 

[Voice of the G]

They had more common-sense and allowed fathers umpire to hold the hat.

Not in our local competition seniors and juniors,cap left behind the bowlers run up start.

 

[philreich]

Thank you.

There’s no one that wants to see competitive cricket here each summer more than I do and it disappoints me if there isn’t, and yeah there were moments in the series where things went south for Pakistan quickly and the games got beyond them but the fact is they put themselves in positions where they could have conceivably won them which for starters doesn’t always happen when teams tour here or other places for that matter. I would rather watch that than what we have seen on other occasions through the years at various times

Plus Pakistan might not have won, but they've unearthed a couple of stars of the future, which definitely makes the series worthwhile. Once they fix their fielding, they'll be a good team.

 

[PhatBoy]

Except he didn't
He said wed lost series, yeah to India and england so * all to do with the minnows. It was completely irrelevant

The other 3 that Australia have lost?

 

[THE A5]

Read an article that mentioned Carey as an option being mentioned but that was the first time I’ve seen his name thrown up. Also highly unlikely they would do that as you can’t open and keep in this format

 

[PhatBoy]

Read an article that mentioned Carey as an option being mentioned but that was the first time I’ve seen his name thrown up. Also highly unlikely they would do that as you can’t open and keep in this format

QDK never failed to pass 50 when he did it…..
(He did it in one match and passed 50 both times)

 

[THE A5]

QDK never failed to pass 50 when he did it…..
(He did it in one match and passed 50 both times)

Not a long term solution

 

[PhatBoy]

Not a long term solution

Yes it was tongue in cheek.
Even England’s perennial stop gap Alec Stewart was only ever asked to do both a handful of times

 

[Soggy2112]

Plus Pakistan might not have won, but they've unearthed a couple of stars of the future, which definitely makes the series worthwhile. Once they fix their fielding, they'll be a good team.

Except they probably won’t ever unfortunately. It’s clearly systemic that they produce poor fielders.

 

[4Seasons]

Lol I'd hate to see a bad series in your eyes if you think that's a great series

But you don’t want to see anything, you want to be miserable.
Your mind is so clouded in misery, the Sun of joy has no chance of being understood by you.

Even in one sided contests (which this wasn’t) there is still great joy to be observed for the reasons that made something so dominant.

 

[4Seasons]

Yes it was tongue in cheek.
Even England’s perennial stop gap Alec Stewart was only ever asked to do both a handful of times

PhatBoy…I’m looking forward to the series, as I’m sure you are.
What are your top 3 things for me to observe via someone who obviously follows Caribbean Cricket so closely?

Either way I’ll enjoy it, it’s cricket, but give me some side dishes I can perhaps focus on.

 

[dogs105]

Yes it was tongue in cheek.
Even England’s perennial stop gap Alec Stewart was only ever asked to do both a handful of times

Wayne Phillips.

 

[mcgarnacle]

Bancroft has been given a bunch of Australia A opportunities over the last two or three years to show that he can step up in class, but he's failed those tests.

He's a better batsman than he was when he was previously playing in tests, but I'm unsure whether he's a good personality fit in the test team.

He didn't stick 'fat' with Smith and Warner, which has ****ed him.

 

[mcgarnacle]

Plus Pakistan might not have won, but they've unearthed a couple of stars of the future, which definitely makes the series worthwhile. Once they fix their fielding, they'll be a good team.

It's 2024. No excuses at test level to drop those catches, and make the fielding errors they did.

The Windies led the way in the 80s with fielding, and high performing nations like Australia took note.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Shield cricket is no longer the model to get a berth in the test team.In fact, runs scored in the BBL have far more relevance for some stupid reason.
If going by shield runs, Bancroft should be automatic selection.But, his part in the ball tampering scandal has and never will be forgiven by CA.He is the true scape goat of the saga.
I do not think Markus Harris has the ability to make the team and be part of it for a number of years. But if he is going to get another shot, what better team than against the Windies at home.

You would hope that selectors are saying the same message to be fair.

If i recall correctly, Bancroft was told by selectors to go back to Sheild cricket and score runs, which he has done to his credit. If Shield cricket performance is no longer the barometer for a test gig than that would hopefully be clarified to all.

Re the ball tampering that egg is on CA's face IMO if they still hold that grudge against him. CA forgive Warner and Smith who were in leadership positions but not the rookie kid who was just doing what he was told? Thats a bit rich of them.

 

[dogs105]

He didn't stick 'fat' with Smith and Warner, which has ****ed him.

Might be regretting saying that Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood were in on it, now that Cummins helps pick the team.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

I think Green opening will be way too much pressure for him.

I'd do;

1 Kawaja
2 Smith
3 Lab
4 Head
5 Marsh
6 Green

maybe swap Green and Marsh

 

[the_interloper]

I think Green opening will be way too much pressure for him.

I'd do;

1 Kawaja
2 Smith
3 Lab
4 Head
5 Marsh
6 Green

maybe swap Green and Marsh

I'm good with that, I feel like Smith needs a new challenge perhaps and if he's keen to open let's do it. I'd have Green at 4 with Head then Marsh personally

 

[HirdsTheWord]

I'm good with that, I feel like Smith needs a new challenge perhaps and if he's keen to open let's do it. I'd have Green at 4 with Head then Marsh personally

yeah, marsh looks rock solid at 6.

Agreed. If smith wants it, should be his.

much of a muchness to me if Head or green is 4 or 5. Good with either.

 

[the_interloper]

yeah, marsh looks rock solid at 6.

Agreed. If smith wants it, should be his.

much of a muchness to me if Head or green is 4 or 5. Good with either.

Yeah not a heap of diff between 4 and 5 I guess, I'd have Green higher because he's less attacking than Head but wouldn't worry me too much.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Yeah not a heap of diff between 4 and 5 I guess, I'd have Green higher because he's less attacking than Head but wouldn't worry me too much.

the real question is do we need 2 all-rounders.

Marsh has been reasonably handy with the ball. do we desperately need green bowling also?

its a good problem to have i guess!

 

[philreich]

It's 2024. No excuses at test level to drop those catches, and make the fielding errors they did.

The Windies led the way in the 80s with fielding, and high performing nations like Australia took note.

I agree - especially the dollies offered to Shafique at first slip in Melbourne. Surely a coach can take him aside and work on his catching technique, because he's a liability to the team if such errors keep happening.