*Official* Australia Tour of West Indies 2025

[Fuller Pilch]

After the Ashes, none of the Australian players will retire (except probably Khawaja).

All this talk of possibly several players going away is wishful thinking. None of them have any plans to hang up so soon. In fact most of them have said to the contrary and that they want to continue for as long as possible. I could see the same bunch play till Ashes 2027 (minus one or two players).

Hope so. I reckon 26/27 tour will be 2-1 to NZ with 1 draw in that case.

 

[govinda indian fan]

After the Ashes, none of the Australian players will retire (except probably Khawaja).

All this talk of possibly several players going away is wishful thinking. None of them have any plans to hang up so soon. In fact most of them have said to the contrary and that they want to continue for as long as possible. I could see the same bunch play till Ashes 2027 (minus one or two players).

Khawaja would retire or dropped after ashes

 

[Justo]

I don't think there's going to be a mass retirement after the Ashes. Khawaja for sure but Lyon and Smith have previously indicated they want to go on as long as they can. There hasn't been anything recently on it but with Smith's form and Lyon still bowling well I don't see why that would change. Smith retiring from ODI's helps extend his Test career and Lyon doesn't have a lot of bowling to do in Aus these days with recent conditions.

Starc I don't see him going soon either, he's gone quite well with injuries recently and bowling as well as ever. Boland has barely had a test career so as long as he's getting a CA contract (the best money he would have earned in his career) and performing when he does get a chance I'd say he'll keep going as long as he can.

Hazlewood is the one that I think could retire earlier from Tests given his recent injury troubles. He could potentially still be around for the next ODI world cup (I don't think he's retired from ODI's yet) and Tests have been where most of his injuries have popped up.

While Patterson had a very good Shield this was the first season this decade he's averaged over 30. NSW were willing to drop him last season and omit him at the start of this season and it's not like they are swimming in great batting options. He'd need a strong start to the Shield next season to get a call up for me. McSweeney shouldn't be rushed back into the side IMO. He looked mentally shot at the end of the Shield season and just needs time to get back into the groove.

Overall though there will probably be a few other options by the end of the next Shield season. A good season by any one of Clayton, McSweeney, J Sangha, Kellaway, O Davies, Connolly or even Peake (probably a few I'm missing) will probably see them push ahead of the queue given their ages. Clayton specifically had success when he went up to 3 and Kellaway when he started opening so they are my bolters going forward.

The reality is that the best players with the best records/form (recently and long term) are already in the side. Some are going to have to play out of position and that won't be ideal. Conditions have been the best for bowling the last few years than I've seen in my time of following cricket and bowling attacks generally around the world are good enough to take advantage of it. Between the quality of attacks, kookaburra lasting as a new ball for 30 overs and still offering movement afterwards, ball changes as soon the bowling side are unhappy with the ball top order batting sucks.

I'd stick with Konstas and Green as they are for this series and I'd be tempted to rest Smith next test just to give Inglis one more crack at 4 at least. Marnus can slot back for the ashes if Konstas or Green keep struggling this series. If both struggle then we'll need to see how things shape up after a few shield rounds.

 

[GotSpin]

After the Ashes, none of the Australian players will retire (except probably Khawaja).

All this talk of possibly several players going away is wishful thinking. None of them have any plans to hang up so soon. In fact most of them have said to the contrary and that they want to continue for as long as possible. I could see the same bunch play till Ashes 2027 (minus one or two players).

Yeah agreed. Khawaja is a very decent chance though

 

[Gob]

I'm not so sure on this, I wouldn't rule it out but then I could still see him being there for the next BGT in 2027.

Khawaja, Lyon and maybe Starc, could see them maybe moving on from Boland too.

Smith seems to have this weird fascination with t20s. I get the feeling from his interviews that he feels t20s are the only format that he didn't fully conquer so he wants to tick that

 

[WICFan]

Smith seems to have this weird fascination with t20s. I get the feeling from his interviews that he feels t20s are the only format that he didn't fully conquer so he wants to tick that

He's wanting to play in the Olympics so he will be sticking around for sure.

 

[Beamer]

What sort of pitch can we expect at Grenada? Has it been slow or seam friendly like the first test?

Actually very similar to Barbados in that the bounce will be uneven and there will be seam movement. If anything, it will be slower though.

The last test was very difficult for batting and Josh Da Silva played a remarkable innings to grind out a century. Kyle Mayers medium paced swing and seam then bundled England out.

An interesting side note is that the players wish they could play in Grenada all the time because the locals come out in numbers. Its one of the only venues left that feels like an old school Caribbean experience.

 

[Sliferxxxx]

Actually very similar to Barbados in that the bounce will be uneven and there will be seam movement. If anything, it will be slower though.

The last test was very difficult for batting and Josh Da Silva played a remarkable innings to grind out a century. Kyle Mayers medium paced swing and seam then bundled England out.

An interesting side note is that the players wish they could play in Grenada all the time because the locals come out in numbers. Its one of the only venues left that feels like an old school Caribbean experience.

Maybe they can change it into a rank turner and play Motie and Jomel plus Seales and Roach. Yes, I'm already anticipating a Shamar-less WI. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

 

[trundler]

Maybe they can change it into a rank turner and play Motie and Jomel plus Seales and Roach. Yes, I'm already anticipating a Shamar-less WI. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

Would have to bust out industrial fans to manufacture a rank turner on such short notice

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

No way they are bringing Motie back. Our vice captain’s spot is locked and it seems like Thanos is the first choice spinner

 

[Qlder]

I find it strange that West Indies named a squad gor all 3 Tests. What happened to home advantage of bring in anyone rather than just stick to the squad, so Roach would have been possible.

 

[Burgey]

Smith will most likely retire after the Ashes so that will be the long term spot for Green

I reckon smith will play on tbh. He’ll average 140 for the series so he’ll be feeling good about himself

 

[Burgey]

Smith seems to have this weird fascination with t20s. I get the feeling from his interviews that he feels t20s are the only format that he didn't fully conquer so he wants to tick that

He wants to go to the LA Olympics

 

[Fuller Pilch]

He wants to go to the LA Olympics

If Oz gets to go. Only 6 teams and I assume one will be USA (host nation) and another India ($$$). Might only leave 4 spots. Dunno if they'll look at rankings, geographical spread, have playoffs etc. for qualifying criteria.

 

[centurymaker]

It's not certain yet that they would give a direct qualification to USA.

"At the time, it was reported that all team sports at LA28 would be six-team events in both men and women's categories, which has been confirmed now. In its proposal to LA28, the ICC had suggested the six teams be shortlisted based on the T20I rankings at a cut-off date. The final call on qualification, while not taken yet, is expected to be made this year."


Could even be a mix of using rankings and then playoff/s for final 1-2 spots. I expect Ind and Aus to make any ranking cutoff.

 

[Gob]

I reckon smith will play on tbh. He’ll average 140 for the series so he’ll be feeling good about himself

How much do you think joseph root would average?

 

[Burgey]

How much do you think joseph root would average?

 

[Burgey]

If Oz gets to go. Only 6 teams and I assume one will be USA (host nation) and another India ($$$). Might only leave 4 spots. Dunno if they'll look at rankings, geographical spread, have playoffs etc. for qualifying criteria.

It's an international tournament though. Would be one for the ages if Aus doesn't make the final in it, let alone qualify.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

1. King
2. Campbell
3. KC
4. Kevlon
5. Shai
6. Chase
7. Imlach (wk)
8. Greaves
9. Alzarri
10. Shamar
11. Jayden

I would rather not play Kraigg again.

 

[Coronis]

After the Ashes, none of the Australian players will retire (except probably Khawaja).

All this talk of possibly several players going away is wishful thinking. None of them have any plans to hang up so soon. In fact most of them have said to the contrary and that they want to continue for as long as possible. I could see the same bunch play till Ashes 2027 (minus one or two players).

I think its always been the sentiment about 2027 Ashes which is like, right after this WTC cycle iirc, rather than the upcoming Ashes.