Playthrough: Australia

[ddrap14]

I'm going to do a international save with my favourite country, Australia.

We have some issues at the moment, so it will be interesting!

Important posts:
Caps List (Test):

https://www.planetcricket.org/forums/threads/playthrough-australia.115791/post-3446953

Caps List (LO):

https://www.planetcricket.org/forums/threads/playthrough-australia.115791/post-3446956

2019 World Cup Selection:

https://www.planetcricket.org/forums/threads/playthrough-australia.115791/post-3446505

Great WC win over India:

https://www.planetcricket.org/forums/threads/playthrough-australia.115791/post-3446512

Ashes Squad: https://www.planetcricket.org/forums/threads/playthrough-australia.115791/post-3446529
Classic Test against Pakistan: https://www.planetcricket.org/forums/threads/playthrough-australia.115791/post-3446811

 

[ddrap14]

Australia Announce World Cup Squad; Ferguson Gets Recall
Australian manager D. Draper has announced his World Cup squad for the 2019 World Cup. There are some surprises; Nathan Lyon (dropped) and Usman Khawaja (injury) miss out. Lyon has been dropped to facilitate the inclusion of both AJ Tye and Jhye Richardspn, with Draper stating "We believe both AJ and Jhye can offer something different to this squad." However, the big surprise is Callum Ferguson being recalled to the Australian team after eight years. Having averaged 70 in the JLT Cup in 2018-19, he has been selected ahead of Chris Lynn and Darcy Short to replace Khawaja. Draper said on his selection, "Cal's shown he's one of the best domestic batsmen in ODI cricket and I want to give a chance to those who perform domestically." Some are questioning this selection as Ferguson is 36 in January, but others are celebrating Draper's commitment to players who have performed in domestic cricket.

Australia Squad List:
Aaron Finch (C)
Alex Carey
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Patrick Cummins
Callum Ferguson
Shaun Marsh
Glenn Maxwell
Jhye Richardson
Kane Richardson
Steve Smith
Mitchell Starc
Marcus Stoinis
Andrew Tye
David Warner
Adam Zampa

 

[ddrap14]

Australia suffer heavy defeat

Australia will take on England in their first warm up game.
Australia Lineup: Space has been found for both JLT Cup leading run scorer (Ferguson) and wicket taker (Richardson). Stoinis and Coulternile are rested.


Toss: Australia win it and send England in.

Jonny Bairstow hit the second ball of the match off Starc for four. Cummins looked dangerous early on, beating Roy's edge more than once. The first real chance of the game was a LBW shout on Bairstow in Starc's third over but it pitched outside leg. Cummins' fifth (and final powerplay) over also yielded a half chance, but Smith could only save four rather than complete a catch at third slip. Richardson came in in the 7th over and while he was expensive early, he finally got the breakthrough in the 13th over- Roy LBW for 38. Zampa and Maxwell put the brakes on the scoring but rarely looked like taking the wicket. That was until the 27th over, Maxwell's sixth, when Bairstow got a feather edge and was caught by Carey for 61. James Vince failed again with Richardson bowling him for 14 in the 32nd. This left England 3/167 and brought Eoin Morgan in. Morgan laboured to get set, until with him on 11 and the score 188 in the 38th, Cummins cut straight through Morgan and knocked him over for 61. Stokes came, hit his first ball for four, and was adjudged in front the next delivery. Richardson's final spell was expensive, though, and England got to 243 from 43 overs before Maxwell knocked over Morgan for 41 with his final ball of the day. Buttler raced to his 50, then two balls after he secured it Ali missed a straight one from Starc. Woakes holed out to long on for 8 in the 49th, and Dawson did the same as Stokes earlier. However, two boundaries for Buttler in the last made his score 70 and the target 322.




Australia's innings began with Finch being bowled for three. Warner was also bowled by Stokes for 20, leaving the Aussies 2/44 after eight overs and Smith-Ferguson with work to do. They took their time but right as they were about to launch, Smith was bowled by Rashid. Ferguson was LBW to Dawson the next over, leaving Australia 4/124 in the 27th and needing 8.3 an over. Just as things were beginning to turn again, Maxwell was bowled by Moeen. Carey and Marsh put together an enterprising stand before the former was yorked with 115 needed from 55 balls. Starc was sent out to be aggressive but made only 1 (4) before nicking to slip. Cummins was LBW for 1 the next over, Richardson struck a couple but with 92 needed from 25 nicked to Buttler. Zampa was LBW with three balls left to leave Australia all out.




With only Marcus Stoinis in batting reserve, pundits have questioned Draper's squad selection tactics. However, they have agreed that retaining Shaun Marsh, whose place was under threat pre-tournament, was a good choice.

 

[ddrap14]

Australia fall well short of Sri Lanka; questions over batting longevity
Australia took on Sri Lanka in their second warmup match after the thumping against England. Warner was rested with Marcus Stoinis coming in at the top, while Coulter-Nile replaced Richardson.

This time Australia lost the toss and were told to bowl first.

Sri Lanka started awfully with Aviska Fernando getting a golden globe, pinned LBW by a Starc inswinger. The two Kusals consolidated until Perera was pinned LBW by Stoinis in the 10th. Mathews failed, nicking to Smith at slip for 7 off Stoinis' next over. Dananjaya went the same way off Zampa, leaving Sri Lanka 4/94 in the 19th. Maxwell then pinned Thirimanne LBW for 10. A 70 run partnership between Karunaratne and Mendis followed, with Mendis bringing up his ton off Zampa in the 37th, and Karunaratne bowled by Maxwell the next over. Thisara made a run a ball 18 before he was LBW to Starc, before Jeevan pounded a quick 38. SL made 8/307.



Australia needed a much better start this game. What they got was Carey going 4 6 W. Finch made a quick 31 before Udana clean bowled him. Ferguson made 21 but was then run out by Steve Smith, before Shaun Marsh failed. Smith made a fluent 59 before he edged behind. 148 was needed from 100. Maxwell became the fourth batsman this game to make a start and then get out when he was bowled for 46. Stoinis was the fifth, although he had to go hard and that was what cost him his wicket. Australia fell 47 runs short with work to be done.



Questions have been raised about Australia's batting tactics and depth.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia play Afghanistan
Australia lost the toss and an out of form order were put in to bat by Afghanistan.
Lineup: Warner, Finch, Smith, Ferguson, Carey, Maxwell, Stoinis, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Kane Richardson, Zampa.

Finch was first out, LBW Alam for 15 (27). Smith failed, bowled Naib for 2 (11). Warner played well but nicked to slip off Naib for 30 (40). Ferguson was then dropped off Rashid, would have been 4/56 if that was the case. Ferguson and Carey played the long game, making 55 and 61 respectively, and falling in the 41st adn 42nd respectively. After Maxwell scored a quick 25 and Stoinis failed, Coulternile took 26 from the 49th over. Coulternile wasn't as successful against Naib and that left 247 as the target.


The Afghans were agressive early, by the time Shahzad nicked behind in the fifth, the score was 42. Cummins bowled Rahmat for 1 the next over, and then in the 10th, bowled Hazratullah for 27. Stanikzai nicked off Coulternile for 8, then Najibullah was caught and bowled Stoinis for 9. Shahidi and Nabi counterattacked, meaning Australia had to bowl them out. Shahidi was dropped off Cummins, and just as the game was getting to Afghanistan, Nabi holed out to long off off NCN. Naib nicked off later that over, then Shahidi off Cummins' final over for a great 78. The last two partnerships only needed 49 at 3 an over. Mujeeb was LBW to NCN, then Alam was bowled. Australia pulled the win out of the fire.

NCN's 5-18 was acclaimed, as was the Aussie pace bowling, but both the batting and Zampa were criticised. However, the controversial selection of Ferguson came off.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia demolish West Indies
Australia, after winning the Afghanistan match, next came up against the Windies. The only change was Mitch Starc returning for Zampa.
Lineup: Warner, Finch, Smith, Ferguson, Carey, Maxwell, Stoinis, Coulter-Nile, Starc, Cummins, Kane Richardson.

Having been put in, Australia's openers survived 6.4 overs until Warner was yorked by Holder for 23. Holder made another breakthrough in the 15th, trapping Finch in front for 36. However, he had already bowled eight overs at this point. With Holder bowled out, Smith and Ferguson settled in. Ferguson eventually edged Roach for 44. Carey got a harsh decision in the 44th, out LBW for 25 to one that may have pitched outisde leg. Smith brought up his ton in the 46th and edged one two overs later, although not before taking 20 off said Gabriel over. Stoinis was run out for a diamond duck, and Australia finished on 6/281.


The Windies were dealt a hammer blow in the third over when Gayle chipped back to Starc for 14. Hope was sent back the next over when Cummins trapped him LBW for 8. Hetmyer and Bravo tried to establish a partnership, but Hetmyer went in the 8th over, nicking to gully. Lewis then went the next Cummins over, flicking to square leg. Pooran hit two sixes, then nicked NCN to second slip, leaving WI 5/70. Two balls later, Bravo got out in identical fashion to Lewis. The next over, Richardson trapped Russell LBW. Cummins was expensive when recalled but he got the wicket of Holder LBW. Roach then holed out to deep square from Richardson, before Shannon Gabriel nicked one from Cummins. WI were all out for 105.

A better all round performance from Australia, can they keep it up in their next game against India?

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia on top form
Australia played a unchanged team against India, although both openers' place in the team was rumoured to be under threat. They won the toss and chose to bowl.

They got the dream start too. Starc pinned Dhawan with his second delivery. Sharma then nicked behind in the fourth over for one. Rahul made a five ball duck, bowled later that over. Then Kohli nicked to slip for 15 in the 7th. India were in trouble at 4/25. Jadhav and Dhoni stabilised, then Jadhav was dropped in the gully on 22 off NCN's first over. Dhoni was removed the next over though, LBW to NCN in his next over. Richardson, who had to that point been loose, then pinned Jadhav LBW. Pandya nicked behind for 13 in the 18th over with India 7/80, only three runs better than WI were. Kumar was dismissed in the same way the next delivery. Kuldeep negotiated the hat trick ball, and him and Jadeja began to survive. He was dropped three overs later off Cummins at mid wicket. Jadeja scored an outrageous six over the keeper off Cummins, then Kuldeep was finally caught off Starc for 19 off 57. Bumrah was then LBW from Starc's next over, meaning the Aussies had to chase 127.


The message from Draper would have been not to do anything stupid, and the openers heeded that. Warner was first to go, for 44 from 89, which was slow but necessary. Finch finished off on 65* from 88 while Smith stayed in to the end too.


A complete performance for Australia saw more credit go to coach Draper in the post-game, but the coach instead deflected the praise to his players.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia can't contain Pakistan
Australia took on Pakistan at . Once again, the Aussies were unchanged. They put Pakistan in to bat after winning the toss.

Fakhar and Imam got Pakistan off to a good start, taking 25 from the first 3. Then Imam was run out with Fakhar pushing a single to short fine leg. That brought the world's best ranked batsman, Babar, to the crease and he and Fakhar looked to push on. Babar was looking good until Kane Richardson came on. He beat the bat with his first delivery, then yorked Babar with his second. Sohail looked sketchy but Fakhar kept pushing on. Sohail seemed to have the measure of Stoinis, hitting him for three boundaries, but Stoinis bounced back and got him to hit one straight up going for a fourth. Malik proved to be a good partner, though, and Fakhar brought up his ton in the 28th over. It took the reintroduction of Starc to get a wicket, Malik holing out to long on for a solid 59. Zaman finally fell four overs later for a brilliant 111*. Cummins knocked over Hafeez for 19, then just as Sarfaraz was beginning to go he chipped the expensive Richardson to square leg. Starc had Shadab nick for 19, then bowled Imad with his next over. Hasan was dismissed with the fourth last ball of the innings, leaving Australia with a real test- 352 to win.


Warner went hard early, then nicked to gully for 23 in the 5th over. Finch nicked behind for 26, then Ferguson and Smith consolidated. Imad got one through Ferguson for 23 in the 18th, then removed Carey the same way the next delivery. Smith and Maxwell played well as a pair from there, before Smith nicked behind for 57 in the 34th over, with 180 needed from 103. Stoinis made this task even harder by never getting set, out bowled by Shadab for 9 from 29. Maxwell was forced to go hard, and he was eventually stumped for 59. The tail offered little and Australia were bowled out for 222 in the 48th.


While much of the blame was put down to sheer brilliance from Fakhar and Imad, the defeat opened questions to how Australia play spin, particularily with Imad taking 5/37.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia get revenge on Sri Lanka
Australia, fresh off their loss to Pakistan, faced a strong opponent in Sri Lanka who since they had defeated Australia in the warmups had only lost once, a close game to the Kiwis. Shaun Marsh was recalled for the flagging Warner, and he got first use of the pitch with Australia winning the toss and batting.

Marsh made batting look very easy early on. On his return to the side, he brought up his ton in the 42nd over. He then nicked one trying to up the run rate, but it was clear it was a special 106. Maxwell was sent out at 3, and immediately chipped straight back to Udana. Finch brought up his own ton in the 47th and was eventually bowled by Udana for 116. Australia finished on 4/274 as Ferguson was dismissed from the last ball of the innings.


Australia, already having dismissed Aviska for a duck in the warmups, this time got him to nick one on 8 in the first over. The Kusals played completely differently; Mendis was extremely aggressive while Perera struggled and eventually nicked to slip for 5 (18). Mendis slowed down after this, and then nicked Richardson to gully in the 12th over. Dhananjaya didn't last long, producing a simple catch for Carey, and Karunarantne departed for single digits too. Stoinis then yorked Mathews for 18, and three overs later Udana was LBW Starc for 13. Sri Lanka were in serious trouble at 7/112. Vandersay didn't get this and was LBW two balls later. Stoinis missed a chance for a second wicket when Marsh put down Thisara at square leg, then Starc got his 4th (and third LBW in a row) in Lakmal. Malinga was bowled and a comprehensive victory achieved.
i forgot the screenshot, they were all out for 130

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Bangladesh pull an upset
Australia kept the same formula for the game against Bangladesh. They also won, and batted.

Finch and Marsh didn't quite get going early and Finch nicked for 2 in the fourth over. Maxwell was sent out at 3 to increase the rate, but nicked Mustafizur behind for 6. Marsh was out for 15 in the 9th over, leaving Australia 3/27. Ferguson was then LBW, and Smith caught at slip by a hanger from Rahim. This left Australia 5.56, Mustafizur taking 4 of the wickets. To make matters worse, Stoinis was then run out. Coulternile was LBW several overs later, leaving a now set Carey to hang around with the tail. Carey was bowled in the 42nd for 34, and Australia finished on 8/147.


To win, Australia would need to take early wickets. Starc did that, with Sarkar chipping back to Starc for 4. Nothing much else was forthcoming though. Tamim and Mithun played world class innings and Bangladesh got home.
Capture didn't take, Tamim got 77 (61) and Mithun 61 (63).
Pressure now goes back onto coach Draper to make the right selections with Maxwell, Ferguson and Stoinis all under pressure.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia claim bragging rights
Australia made two changes for their England rematch. Warner came into the middle order for Ferguson, and the Richardsons swapped as Kane was rested. Australia lost their first toss in 4 and were asked to bowl.

Starc was extremely expensive early with Jonny Bairstow doing a ton of finding the boundary. However, Roy didn't and he nicked Cummins for 2 in the fourth over. Bairstow went the same way the next over, and while Root and Vince made a small partnership, a classic catch was taken by Finch at short mid wicket off the bowling of Jhye Richardson to leave England 3/55. Vince and Morgan then got moving. They were severe on Maxwell in particular. Unfortunately this also broke the partnership as Morgan missed a slog sweep and was LBW for a run a ball 50. Jhye then got rid of Stokes for nine, edging to Carey. Vince and Buttler put together another partnership before Vince was bowled by NCN for 79. Ali departed the same way the very next delivery. Woakes survived the hat trick ball, but not a LBW shout the next NCN over. Rashid provided Buttler good support until Buttler was LBW for 57 in the 47th over. Late hitting from Rashid got them to 6/285.


Shaun Marsh played stably while Aaron Finch went hell-for-leather early on. Finch's approach paid dividends; by the time Marsh flicked one back to Stokes, the score was 98 from 9.5 overs and Finch was 69 from 34. This allowed Dave Warner to play his way back into form, and Finch to bring up the ton in the 22nd over. Finch was finally dismissed for 154 from 105 balls, LBW to Woakes with 43 still to get. Warner also didn't see it through, top edging to third man, but by this point 17 were needed from 12 overs. This also allowed Stoinis to get valuable crease time, and he hit the winning runs.
why won't Ashes Cricket captures work
Thoughts now turn for Australia to an Antipodean derby against NZ.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia win in incredible finish
One change for Australia's Antipodean clash: the rested Kane Richardson replaces Jhye. Williamson won the toss and sent the Aussies in.

Finch and Marsh tried to reprise their roles from last game and they did get Australia off to a good start. This time though it was Finch out early- he went for 32 in the 7th over, nicking Boult behind. Marsh and Warner then put on a century together. Marsh's innings ended on 57 when he missed a straight one from Southee, and Steve Smith came to the wicket. Warner brought up his hundred in the 39th over, and then accelerated. Smith nicked behind for 68 in the 49th over, before Stoinis got a duck, and Australia finished on 4/305.

Warner's actual finish score: 130 (125)

The Kiwis couldn't afford to lose early wickets. Latham flicked Starc straight to square leg in the first over. Nicholls at the other end went hard, taking 20 from a Cummins over. Him and Williamson put on 168 until he was plumb LBW to Starc for 99. Taylor nicked Stoinis three overs later for a scratchy four. Williamson brought up his century with three fours off Richardson, then chipped to cover. After a quickfire partnership between Munro and Guptill put the Kiwis firmly ahead, Cummins returned and yorked Munro. Then with 40 needed off 11 overs, Starc returned and did the same to Guptill. De Grandhomme got out three balls later for one. Cummins got Southee first ball, chipping to Maxwell at mid wicket. The game had turned. Neither Starc nor Cummins could take a wicket in their next over but NCN did, bowling Henry. Boult and Neesham, now set, had to get 19. The next delivery was nicked and Carey held on. The Aussies had completely turned the game around since Munro's dismissal and won the game by 18 runs.

Qualification for the next round was now all but certain for the Aussies.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia fall short in massive chase
The Richardsons changed again for a grudge match with South Africa, but more unexpectedly, Cal Ferguson came in at Stoinis' expense. Now Maxwell had to bowl 10 overs. This may have been a factor in South Africa batting first after they won the toss.

South Africa got off to a slow start but Australia couldn't get a wicket and Amla upped the ante. He got a brilliant 93. But as soon as Cummins tried to angle the ball in, he was clean bowled. Du Plessis then nicked Maxwell to slip for 10. De Kock kept going and did reach a brilliant century, but then nicked next ball to slip. Markram was dismissed the same way the next over. Starc then dropped Miller in a C+B chance, before picking up Van der Dussen with his final ball of the innings. Morris and Miller hit out. One Cummins over was taken for 20, before Jhye Richardson broke through in the final over, getting Morris LBW for 26. Pretorius then nicked his first ball to Carey. No hattrick was forthcoming with Andile getting a three but Miller went next ball, LBW. South Africa finished on 8/376.


Finch and Marsh had to go early from the start. And they did. Finch played absolutely magnificently, smashing a good attack all around the park. Marsh was the perfect foil, hitting gaps and running hard as well as striking a few blows himself. By the time Morris bowled Marsh for 68, the rate was down to 6.6. Finch missed a slower ball from Andile a few overs later and was out for 135 from 92, an innings of the World Cup. Smith and Warner now came together. They struggled together and Smith was eventually run out for 15. Warner and Maxwell upped the rate until Warner was yorked for 52. Carey was bowled for 12, and Ferguson LBW for 14. Starc got three boundaries, leaving the requirement 31 from 12. They couldn't quite get there; a brave fight to a massive total fell just 16 runs short.


Australia's semi will be against New Zealand.

 

[ddrap14]

World Cup Roundup: Australia fall
Ahead of the semi final with New Zealand, Aussie selectors chose to recall Marcus Stoinis over Callum Ferguson. This gave another bowling option should it be needed. Australia were sent in by Williamson for the second time in the tournament, the Kiwis clearly forgetting what happened last time.

Marsh got out early, LBW Boult for 12. De Grandhomme's first ball in the 10th over knocked over Warner. Then, the big wicket; Aaron Finch, who had played brilliantly once again, nicked Boult to Latham for 39. Smith and Maxwell played well together until Smith holed out to deep cover off the dangerous de Grandhomme. Maxwell dominated from then until he holed out to long on of Neesham for 48. The priorly out of form Stoinis put together a handy 30, and Carey 37, but ultimately the Aussies fell a bit short of where they wanted to be.
the scorecard would not screengrab, make do with this


Australia once again needed early poles. Latham once again provided, LBW Starc for 5 in the seventh over. However, more importantly, Williamson only lasted two deliveries before suffering the same fate. Nicholls played well again before edging NCN to Carey, leaving NZ 3/58 and not out of the woods. Taylor and Guptill, though, combined to great effect, putting on 84 runs before Stoinis pinned Taylor. Unfortunately, the Guptill-Munro partnership could not be breached this time, and the Kiwis progressed to their second ever final. Guptill finished on 114* from 83 runs and got the MOTM.

Australia are disappointed with being knocked out, but not unhappy with coach Draper's performance.

As a footnote, India thumped New Zealand in the final, thanks to Rohit 134 and Yuzvi 4/57.

 

[ddrap14]

Ashes Squad Announced, Copeland Gets Call
The squad for the Ashes in England has been announced. The big surprises are Steve O'Keeffe travelling as a backup spinner and Trent Copeland, a domestic stalwart, getting the call as a backup seamer. Many think, however, that they are a batsman light.
i accidentally hit continue, i was meaning to drop coulternile for a batsman

Test Squad:
Tim Paine (C)
Joe Burns
Trent Copeland
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Patric Cummins
Peter Handscomb
Marcus Harris
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Usman Khawaja
Nathan Lyon
Steve O'Keeffe
Jhye Richardson
Peter Siddle
Steve Smith
Mitch Starc
Matt Wade
David Warner