Australian test selection thread 2026/7

[Red]

Just sort of thinking that Labuschagne should tour SA and play. Why crucify a kid at #3 against Rabada and Jansen? If Labuschagne is dropped, I think an experienced campaigner like Patterson needs to go in at #3.

If Labuschagne suddenly finds form, well and good. If not, drop him (forever) for the final test with a clear plan of the batting order vs NZ and for the Ashes next year.

 

[Gob]

Sort of agree

As a backer of Marnus for years, I finally ran out of gas after the Bangladesh series. If anything, I think he should be left out for his own sake for a while but then again, I thought people who could bat 3 and it turned out to be a pretty sad affair.

Patterson is the only one that I can imagine to be an upgrade. Yeah I know we are talking about replacing a guy who was averaging 25 but it's that bad

 

[Starfighter]

Patterson shouldn't play. Preserving his average is more important.

 

[Gob]

The other option is take a chance with say Kellaway and jumble at the top with 3 openers.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Kelleway, konstas and Peake to bat top 3 and get ruined

 

[Gob]

Kelleway, konstas and Peake to bat top 3 and get ruined

Kellaway passes the eye test and has done something of note in FC cricket. Peake also passes the eye test but virtually has not done anything in FC cricket. Konstas doesn't pass the eye test and has done as much as Kellaway in FC cricket

Reckon they will all be playing in 5 years time but right now, Kellaway is the most likely guy to succeed at the highest level

 

[TheJediBrah]

Kellaway passes the eye test and has done something of note in FC cricket. Peake also passes the eye test but virtually has not done anything in FC cricket. Konstas doesn't pass the eye test and has done as much as Kellaway in FC cricket

You know this actually makes sense

 

[Gob]

You know this actually makes sense

There isn't much point in looking at FC averages before picking players imo. Below is the top 10 leading run scorers in the shield and there's no one averaging over 40 in the top 10.

https://www.cricinfo.com/records/tournament/batting-most-runs-career/sheffield-shield-2025-26-17419

I was scrolling down the average column and saw a bloke averaging 115 and turns out it was Smith lol. I think you just have to pick a guy who looks good and play these days. At least they'll do better away from home where the wickets aren't **** tips

 

[Spark]

I don't actually think Peake passes the eye test yet. I think he will, and soon, but last summer he legitimately looked like FC level bowlers were bowling too fast for him, he really seemed to struggle to time the ball down the ground or in front of square. Even in that famous BBL innings virtually all his boundaries were behind square (and indeed often behind the keeper).

 

[Qlder]

Kellaway passes the eye test and has done something of note in FC cricket.

What would that be? He's played 44 FC games with an average of 31.52 and has only 3 hundreds. So basically a hundred every 15 games

 

[Top_Cat]

You just know with Peake, it'll be one knock one day that unlocks him and it'll be obvious he's a Test player.

 

[Gob]

What would that be? He's played 44 FC games with an average of 31.52 and has only 3 hundreds. So basically a hundred every 15 games

I think we all have to lower our expectations on Shield averages tbh. I posted this link for the highest run scorers in the last shield season and no one in the top 10 averages over 40. Its a sorry state but I also think playing on **** tips massively contributes to that. You watch an innings like this and you see there is talent and most importantly no massive flaw. Just needs to pick guys like that and see how it goes

 

[GoodAreasShane]

I broadly agree with the notion that the talk of career FC averages is overrated, if we are restricting ourselves to only picking those with averages starting with a 4 or higher then it will be a struggle to even put a full XI on the park.

Back to Kellaway specifically I don't think he's honestly a million miles away, although that says as much about opening depth (or lack thereof) as anything else. Undeniably had a down year last season but was genuinely really good the season before that, agree but to the eye his game looks better than a lot of others around, while still pretty young he has played a decent amount of Shield cricket by now which is definitely something I value highly, theres a fair bit to like (although once again with the caveat the bar isn't that high right now)

Peake on the other hand shouldn't even be remotely anywhere near the conversation. Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too early