Final tour match vs Derbyshire

[aussie tragic]

I consider Paine and Lyon most mentally scarred from last test so I'd be sending them to nearby Blackpool to get their mojo back. This means Bancroft can play as WK since cricinfo list him as a WK in the squad anyway

 

[stephen]

Whats the thought process of giving Bancroft a big opportunity. What happens if he gets 80 (240). Waste of time, no?

Yeah my XI was about giving the blokes who needed it a run. Next test I don't want Bancroft as opener - I probably want Uzi there with Labaschagne at 3. But best to give them all a run, you never know when someone might tread on a cricket ball.

 

[aussie tragic]

Would need 3 to step on a ball as Bancroft is currently the 9th batsman in the squad

 

[Burgey]

I feel sorry for Derbyshire, as apparently the Smith Program has decided he needs a hit and is playing. They may end up fielding for three days.

 

[Burgey]

You don't play someone to fulfill a role they're not good at. That's how you end up with Smith as your spinner. Okay, bad example. That one ended up not so bad but Marsh further weakens your batting significantly and doesn't add much with the ball. It's actually dumber than the 5 bowlers plan, which isn't worth trying either. Marsh adds nothing. A decent 5th bowler would be the bee's knees but tough titties.

If Marsh plays and bowls ten overs max in a day as an allrounder, he's sparing the other quicks three overs each over a day. Three. If you factor in that he may bowl at times instead of Lyon, he's saving 2.5 overs per day worth of juice per bowler, max. I suppose he could come in and average 4 with the bat, which would be helpful. If you think Khawaja is so soft he's the anti-Steve Waugh, wait til Marsh plays again.

 

[stephen]

I feel sorry for Derbyshire, as apparently the Smith Program has decided he needs a hit and is playing. They may end up fielding for three days.

Nah Smith saves his low scores for tour matches.

 

[aussie tragic]

No surprise but it's confirmed Cummins, Pattinson, Hazlewood and Paine rested from tour game. Wade will keep, which I think is a bit stiff given he is fighting for a batting spot.

 

[Spikey]

Carey's playing

 

[aussie tragic]

So team is:

Bancroft
Harris
Khawaja (c)
Smith
Wade
Marsh
Labuschagne (spinner)
Carey +
Neser
Starc
Siddle

 

[GotSpin]

Warner really should be playing

 

[NUFAN]

Pretty bad that Paine is resting after his woeful batting this series.

 

[Spikey]

take it to the fail thread

 

[aussie tragic]

I don't understand why Bancroft is playing. If he scores a ton, would they really play him in the Tests again after his failures? Khawaja batting 3 surely means he's not being considered as an opening option?

With Warner, Smith, Labuschagne and Head locked in, it looks like it's:

Bancroft vs Harris
Khawaja vs Wade vs Marsh

 

[GoodAreasShane]

As much as I think he should be, Head isn't a lock at this stage.

 

[aussie tragic]

Head is definitely a lock or he would have played this game (and been captain)

 

[aussie tragic]

Just reported that Khawaja and Harris will open

 

[TheJediBrah]

Head is definitely a lock or he would have played this game (and been captain)

This. His performances don't scream "lock" but most others have been much worse

 

[stephen]

Head is the 2nd batsman picked on form right now. Which is an indictment of our batsmen right now.

 

[marc71178]

Head is the 2nd batsman picked on form right now. Which is an indictment of our batsmen right now.

I know Smith's output at Headingley was poor but surely his form's better than Head's?

 

[stephen]

I know Smith's output at Headingley was poor but surely his form's better than Head's?

Who are you implying is first?