The Ashes: (England tour of Australia)

[Deleted member 46200]

Why play Smith at 3 when he’s done so well as 4?

Maybe to give Bancroft some support... ! I feel good things are to come from him otherwise if he can't get a decent start Renshaw will walk back in.

I take it as totally useless posting on your AMA thread so can I ask admin to close it... ?[DOUBLEPOST=1514891022][/DOUBLEPOST]

If pitch was the only reason why Cook managed to score a double, then why couldn't the rest score one too? Does skill play no part in that at all?

Touche, I have always thought this not as if Australia were not bothering they were going all out for Five nil white wash... We'll played Cook.

 

[Markkkkk]

I take it as totally useless posting on your AMA thread so can I ask admin to close it... ?

I won’t tell you again, I’ve said countless times now that I’m sure I answered them as another user asked it before you did.

So no the AMA won’t be closed but if someone can test your reading skills that would be a much bigger help

 

[Jalen]

If pitch was the only reason why Cook managed to score a double, then why couldn't the rest score one too? Does skill play no part in that at all?

Cook deserved the hundred, he played well. I'm still thinking how many he would've scored if we had starc in the attack instead of bird. Also the drop catch of cook by smith on 66 played a big part in the game

 

[Velocity]

Batting seems too weak in the team. Shaun Marsh is a half-decent option (at times) to have at number 5 or 6 but not 4. Maxwell might not be ready for the number 5 spot. Should've brought back Handscomb who performed well against South Africa/Pakistan/India and then faltered in a couple games. He could be Australia's long-term number 4/5. Worth sticking with Khawaja for the time being too.

I agree with this. Usman Khawaja despite playing at home he still isn't at his best, with only a few half centuries. Bancroft looked good in Brisbane, but doesn't seem very comfortable against the short ball and a bit scratchy as well. Shaun Marsh looks okay but yeah, keep him down at 5/6. Renshaw needs to be brought back, as well and Handscomb. Even though Shaun did well, I can't help wonder if Australia are too reliant on Smith and Warner. The media and many people have overlooked the fact that the Australian middle order obviously has problems. This team will not win in South Africa even if Smithy scores tons of runs.

 

[A55MAN]

I agree with this. Usman Khawaja despite playing at home he still isn't at his best, with only a few half centuries. Bancroft looked good in Brisbane, but doesn't seem very comfortable against the short ball and a bit scratchy as well. Shaun Marsh looks okay but yeah, keep him down at 5/6. Renshaw needs to be brought back, as well and Handscomb. Even though Shaun did well, I can't help wonder if Australia are too reliant on Smith and Warner. The media and many people have overlooked the fact that the Australian middle order obviously has problems. This team will not win in South Africa even if Smithy scores tons of runs.

Renshaw just looks technically better against the new ball then what Bancroft does.
Shaun Marsh is iffy but probably still the best choice.
Batting looks a BIG worry if / when Smith fails. Especially if Warner does too.
Khawaja look's very lazy right now. Not sure what is going on with him.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

We're (you're)) playing the poms, you mean the batting is weak because they have all got banjos to bat with... ? Keep it as it is show faith in Bancroft anyone needs to come in bring Renshaw back.

Bancroft definitely needs to be persisted with. He's a big talent who can be world-class one day. Would be nice to have a top 3 of Warner, Renshaw and Bancroft followed by Smith, Handscomb and an all-rounder sometime in the future. The top 5 will be able to survive and thrive anywhere around the world.

As an aside, can't help but lament the lack of patience from both Australia and England. Stoneman/Vince in danger despite playing admirably in testing conditions, same with Bancroft. People need to understand that players can't average 45+ in every series, especially on these pitches or against Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins in the case of English batsmen.

 

[A55MAN]

If Starc is ever out again, I'd rather see Jason Behrendorff as his replacement. Bird for Hazlewood/Cummins for me.
Plus Jon Holland or Mitch Swepson I'd rather see ahead of Ashton Agar. Better spinners.

 

[A55MAN]

Bancroft definitely needs to be persisted with. He's a big talent who can be world-class one day. Would be nice to have a top 3 of Warner, Renshaw and Bancroft followed by Smith, Handscomb and an all-rounder sometime in the future. The top 5 will be able to survive and thrive anywhere around the world.

As an aside, can't help but lament the lack of patience from both Australia and England. Stoneman/Vince in danger despite playing admirably in testing conditions, same with Bancroft. People need to understand that players can't average 45+ in every series, especially on these pitches or against Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins in the case of English batsmen.

I agree with Stoneman, strongly disagree with Vince.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

If Starc is ever out again, I'd rather see Jason Behrendorff as his replacement. Bird for Hazlewood/Cummins for me.
Plus Jon Holland or Mitch Swepson I'd rather see ahead of Ashton Agar. Better spinners.

Behrendoff hasn't played in ages. The lack of genuinely quick bowlers (beyond the main 4) who're ready for international cricket is a bit of a worry for Australia. Richardson has pretty decent pace but is nowhere near ready to face top sides. Swepson would be something of a project too, but one worth pursuing perhaps. Holland isn't good enough.

 

[A55MAN]

Behrendoff hasn't played in ages. The lack of genuinely quick bowlers (beyond the main 4) who're ready for international cricket is a bit of a worry for Australia. Richardson has pretty decent pace but is nowhere near ready to face top sides. Swepson would be something of a project too, but one worth pursuing perhaps. Holland isn't good enough.

I disagree a bit. I think Bird and Sayers are good enough. Pattinson if he can get his body right too. I think Boland and Coulter-Nile too could do a job. Plus obviously a fan of Behrendorff who I see is out for a while though. I think the problem is injuries with them. Starc, Pattinson, Cummins, Coulter-Nile, Behrendorff are hardly reliable.

I think Jon Holland is massively under rated. He is easily our most consistent domestic spinner.

 

[Deleted member 46200]

I won’t tell you again, I’ve said countless times now that I’m sure I answered them as another user asked it before you did.

So no the AMA won’t be closed but if someone can test your reading skills that would be a much bigger help

If you don't want to answer them then fine don't put me on ignore! But you haven't answered them or not tagged me to read through... Are you embarrassed?[/Quote]

Bancroft definitely needs to be persisted with. He's a big talent who can be world-class one day. Would be nice to have a top 3 of Warner, Renshaw and Bancroft followed by Smith, Handscomb and an all-rounder sometime in the future. The top 5 will be able to survive and thrive anywhere around the world.

As an aside, can't help but lament the lack of patience from both Australia and England. Stoneman/Vince in danger despite playing admirably in testing conditions, same with Bancroft. People need to understand that players can't average 45+ in every series, especially on these pitches or against Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins in the case of English batsmen.

I am with you on that he has talent and has shown it in Shield matches would be good to have good healthy competition for places. I have stated that if Smith is getting the runs and is unstoppable then blood new talent as this will take the pressure off and give them freedom and confidence to stay at the crease. I do like Matty but Bancroft is our boy, although from the posh side of town.

 

[blockerdave]

Captains don't do what Root just did.

Boundaries from prior 2 balls, one that was nearly a drag on so he'd had an escape that should have focused him, new ball just taken, 3 overs left in the day, out to a poor shot.

And then of course we don't put in a nightwatchman and lose YJB. With our tail that means we will struggle to make 300.

He needs to be put on a serious warning - do that again and he is out.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

He needs to be put on a serious warning - do that again and he is out.

Root or Bairstow? Not a lot of alternatives for either tbh..

Cummins looks more and more impressive with every passing day. With Starc not at 100% (hell, he's hardly at 75%), Pat stood up exceptionally well. Hazlewood has been alright without being at his best too. Wish Pattinson was available to replace Starc, he'd provide a completely new dimension to the pace attack.

 

[ParkedTheBus]

I disagree a bit. I think Bird and Sayers are good enough. Pattinson if he can get his body right too. I think Boland and Coulter-Nile too could do a job. Plus obviously a fan of Behrendorff who I see is out for a while though. I think the problem is injuries with them. Starc, Pattinson, Cummins, Coulter-Nile, Behrendorff are hardly reliable.

I think Jon Holland is massively under rated. He is easily our most consistent domestic spinner.

Both Bird and Sayers provide control but not express pace. On dull pitches, 5 km/h can make a big difference. Boland is an interesting shout, looked a bit out of his depth last he played for the national team but has improved a lot since then. Don't think NCL's body is made for test cricket, he's nearly 30 and has played just 37 first-class games in over seven seasons. Massive shame because he could've been an extremely good bowler.

As you say, injuries are the biggest issues. When 5 out of the top 8 fast bowlers are injury-prone, it can lead to big trouble in the future. Imagine a crunch series where all the big bowlers pull out.

 

[Dutch]

Captains don't do what Root just did.

Boundaries from prior 2 balls, one that was nearly a drag on so he'd had an escape that should have focused him, new ball just taken, 3 overs left in the day, out to a poor shot.

And then of course we don't put in a nightwatchman and lose YJB. With our tail that means we will struggle to make 300.

He needs to be put on a serious warning - do that again and he is out.

And that thumping of the grass with hus bat: such a stupid thing to do everytime. What a throw away