***Official*** Pakistan in Australia 2023/24

[trundler]

Keep Babar away from Haze somehow. ****ting bricks every time he has to face him

 

[Nintendo]

No because we have BISON

Ide love to go back 5 years and tell people that in 2024 mitch marsh and usman khawaja would be the two best test bats in the team on form. Just feels wrong to say that.

 

[Starfighter]

Is anyone else a bit worried despite the result this series? I just don't feel very confident in this side right now despite the whitewash.

Marnus has been scratchy for a prolonged period, Smith looks the worst he's looked in ages, head has had a dreadful series, and starc is the second best bowler in the side despite bowling both sides of the wicket regularly this series. As bad as Warner's been for a while, he's a major reason where up in this series and hes done after this game, and the replacements are so bad where talking about making green, marnus or Smith to open. We've also got to replace usman in the near future.

It's not a whitewash yet.

We'll still beat almost every team who tours here. But India will be tough, and if England discover some good batsmen they could mount a challenge too - and I don't see us winning an away Ashes having blown two good chances*. The batting is going to be a huge problem, especially the openers - which is why I'm not averse to moving Head up and having him play Warner's role. It's a better idea than Green opening.

We have some batting talent (including Green) but it's nowhere near as much as I'd like and it will take a while to gell. I'm not worried about the bowling, except that replacements might not be made until after they're due. The spin bowling stocks in particular are looking better than they have for many years.

*with Joel Wilson's help both times

 

[morgieb]

Is anyone else a bit worried despite the result this series? I just don't feel very confident in this side right now despite the whitewash.

Marnus has been scratchy for a prolonged period, Smith looks the worst he's looked in ages, head has had a dreadful series, and starc is the second best bowler in the side despite bowling both sides of the wicket regularly this series. As bad as Warner's been for a while, he's a major reason where up in this series and hes done after this game, and the replacements are so bad where talking about making green, marnus or Smith to open. We've also got to replace usman in the near future.

I see what you meant. I think the bowling is OK - sure the bowlers that aren't Cummins are aging but I'm fairly confident in the calibre of their replacements even if they aren't as good.

Batting though is a huge worry and the way Shield cricket works means that there's bugger all coming through. So much relies on Marnus getting back to this best.

 

[Prince EWS]

I see what you meant. I think the bowling is OK - sure the bowlers that aren't Cummins are aging but I'm fairly confident in the calibre of their replacements even if they aren't as good.

Batting though is a huge worry and the way Shield cricket works means that there's bugger all coming through. So much relies on Marnus getting back to this best.

I'm not sure Marnus is actually much worse than he was at his best, he's just getting dropped a lot less often.

 

[Kraken]

Is anyone else a bit worried despite the result this series? I just don't feel very confident in this side right now despite the whitewash.

Marnus has been scratchy for a prolonged period, Smith looks the worst he's looked in ages, head has had a dreadful series, and starc is the second best bowler in the side despite bowling both sides of the wicket regularly this series. As bad as Warner's been for a while, he's a major reason where up in this series and hes done after this game, and the replacements are so bad where talking about making green, marnus or Smith to open. We've also got to replace usman in the near future.

Ah cmon man. This wicket is not as flat as it’s made out to be -I thought Marnus in particular batted quite well today, only undone by a good nut. I agree there’s a little bit of lack of depth with the batters - however Green will come good, and we will find players. Imagine thinking Marnus would be a test player 5 years ago?

 

[Gob]

No because we have BISON

What did Geoff Marsh said to Mitchell Marsh before Mitchell left to play the Ashes in England?

 

[Skipper Pup]

Is anyone else a bit worried despite the result this series? I just don't feel very confident in this side right now despite the whitewash.

Marnus has been scratchy for a prolonged period, Smith looks the worst he's looked in ages, head has had a dreadful series, and starc is the second best bowler in the side despite bowling both sides of the wicket regularly this series. As bad as Warner's been for a while, he's a major reason where up in this series and hes done after this game, and the replacements are so bad where talking about making green, marnus or Smith to open. We've also got to replace usman in the near future.

Not really. I said it in an earlier post but they just look complacent; as if winning the WTC and WC entitled them to walk over this Pakistan side. To be fair that was the result most expected so its been a credit to Pak for making this series competitive and worth watching.

Warner has had his criticism over the last 18 months and there's a few options for his spot who will be hungry to make an impression. I think Usman has been impacted by some of the stuff happening off the field, he's also allowed a quiet spell after the 2023 he had. The same goes for Head, who's probably still hungover from what he achieved to end last year. Marsh has been good.

Smith and Labu are probably my biggest concerns, it's very unlike them to cash in during a home series.

Bowling unit has been fine, aside from Lyon who is quieter than usual and only really made the headlines due to the milestones rather than performances. If he doesn't do something of note this innings then there's probably a conversation to be had there, although there isn't much point in discussing alternatives.

 

[Spark]

I'm not sure Marnus is actually much worse than he was at his best, he's just getting dropped a lot less often.

These pitches also don't really suit him. He's like Hussey in that he's a very specific type of HTB who thrives off being able to leave on length.

 

[Starfighter]

Batting though is a huge worry and the way Shield cricket works means that there's bugger all coming through. So much relies on Marnus getting back to this best.

It's not just the Shield, it's the pre-Shield stage as well. Batsmen should be coming into the Shield at 20-22 and be ready for tests by 24-25. Instead they're not ready until 27-28.

NSW in particular is being a dead weight when it comes to producing batsmen. Probably due to too much focus on white ball at the age group representative level.

 

[morgieb]

Never thought I'd be sitting here and saying #SCGSoSpinny and for it to not feel ironic.

 

[Starfighter]

These pitches also don't really suit him. He's like Hussey in that he's a very specific type of HTB who thrives off being able to leave on length.

Maybe another reason we need our traditional fast, bouncy, but fairly flat pitches back.

 

[Spark]

It's not just the Shield, it's the pre-Shield stage as well. Batsmen should be coming into the Shield at 20-22 and be ready for tests by 24-25. Instead they're not ready until 26-28.

NSW in particular is being a dead weight when it comes to producing batsmen. Probably due to too much focus on white ball at the age group representative level.

Really feels like Sam Konstas is already being seen as the saviour in that regard. Tbf he's probably got a free run at the rest of the Shield to bed himself in.

 

[Starfighter]

Really feels like Sam Konstas is already being seen as the saviour in that regard. Tbf he's probably got a free run at the rest of the Shield to bed himself in.

I hope he does really well, but I'm not holding my breath. Wyllie is struggling to find his feet for WA. At least they've both got plenty of time get the hang of things, and have proven themselves more at lower levels than the likes of J Sangha and Edwards.

 

[Spark]

Have no issues if Lyon gets cover driven a lot here. Much better that than milked to square leg

 

[Prince EWS]

Babar was absolutely not playing a shot on that first appeal lol. You still can't give that out though.

 

[Spark]

I hope he does really well, but I'm not holding my breath. Wyllie is struggling to find his feet for WA. At least they've both got plenty of time get the hang of things, and have proven themselves more at lower levels than the likes of J Sangha and Edwards.

Wyllie is a different player tbf, he specifically seems to get tied down really easily which was always the question mark on him coming in because he's a naturally cautious player. Whereas Konstas and Dixon seem to be natural stroke makers which I personally think is much more promising at that U19 level

 

[Nintendo]

I'm not sure Marnus is actually much worse than he was at his best, he's just getting dropped a lot less often.

He's averaging 34 over 16 tests since the start of the SA series last summer. The drops definitely made him look better than he was but I don't know if this current patch reflects his true ability either.

 

[Starfighter]

Bowling unit has been fine, aside from Lyon who is quieter than usual and only really made the headlines due to the milestones rather than performances. If he doesn't do something of note this innings then there's probably a conversation to be had there, although there isn't much point in discussing alternatives.

Murphy's an intriguing alternative, though I feel he's gone backwards since his test debut. Bowling far too quick and guilelessly and averaging 59 this season. Needs to flight it a bit more so he gets more grip.

Kuhnemann's a decent left armer but I don't think he's better than Holland yet, and he's playing second fiddle behind Swepson currently. Rochiccioli is the closest we have to a Lyon type spinner but probably needs a bit more time. And of course there's T Sangha waiting in the wings.

 

[Shady Slim]

i knew that the scg hasnt actually spun recently but i didn’t realise lyon’s record here was so dogwater, 45 at only 41 for someone who’s done so well all across the country!!