Anyone for cricket?

[Macca 16,971]

Squad for WI tour:

NSW

Michael Clarke

Steve Smith

Brad Haddin

Josh Hazlewood

Nathan Lyon

Peter Nevill

Mitchell Starc

David Warner

Shane Watson

QLD

Ryan Harris

VIC

Fawad Ahmed

Chris Rogers

Peter Siddle

WA

Mitchell Johnson

Shaun Marsh

Mitchell Marsh

Adam Voges

Tas and SA not represented.

Harris was named with an * next to his name, and is apparently not going. Not sure why he was named in the squad, then...

Lots of the usual bitching and moaning on facebook and stuff about NSW being over-represented, but it's pretty hard to name anyone from the squad who doesn't belong there. Everyone has their opinion on Watson, but he's obviously still well in favour with the selectors. There are even a few other NSW players whose cases could be pressed, such as Pat Cummins. Peter Siddle is lucky to be in the squad IMO.

Good to see Adam Voges selected as a reward for good form. Players being overlooked for being too old despite great form is hopefully a thing of the past. Hopefully they've learned something from Chris Rogers being overlooked for many years.

Anyone know where James Pattinson is at? He took 0/131 in the Shield final and only bowled 5.5 overs in the second innings. Injured again? His brittleness has to be a worry, although we seem pretty well covered for talented quicks at this stage.

Really pleased that Fawad Ahmed is in the squad. He is far and away the best spin bowler in the country IMO.

I've changed my tune to a degree on older players ... too many of them are having their better years in their 30's (one could argue that Johnson, Clarke, Harris, Rogers, Haddin et al are all playing as well as they've ever played - hell, even Watto might do a 'negative split' )

Good summary anyway Nasher and I wish Voges and Ahmed all the best - they've fully deserved their call up's. Siddle too - that '7 for' haul against South Australia late in the season would have helped - he's a good 3rd seamer who can slot into his role with ease (it looks to me to be a play safe move by the selectors - in case of injury to any of the favoured 4 other quicks)

I like the fact that we've picked a reserve keeper for 'both' tours as well - haven't seen a lot of Nevill but he's been around for a time.

Am I right in saying that we only play 2 tests against the Windies? It's such a shame that this once great match-up has been reduced to Australia only touring for 2 tests. It should be 3 tests regardless.

All the same, it looks a very good squad to me.

[Chelly 810]

I thought Voges was gone myself and would have gone for one of the younger up and comers but let's see how he goes on tour.

[45HG 1,539]

No more Chanderpaul!

Surely not! And surely not before playing Australia!

[Clintosaurus 7,849]

Nice work by Punter to coach the Mumbai Indians to the IPL title. I'm sure there is a role for him in the Australian setup or he could always help out at the Hobart Hurricanes. Looking forward to Sangakkara putting on the Purple this summer.

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

No more Chanderpaul!

Surely not! And surely not before playing Australia!

A tragedy for this thread which started with Shiv stonewalling against the Aussies.

We finally get him out

[Macca 16,971]

Adam Voges set for Australian Test debut as Fawad Ahmed's chances drift

Voges might well have all but given up on winning a spot in the country's most prestigious side, but with a blistering season in the Sheffield Shield he claimed a seat on this tour and is now only hours away from collecting a belated baggy green cap.

Voges is expected to provide back-up spin to Lyon, along with the part-time leg-spin of Steve Smith while Clarke, who took five wickets in the second innings in Australia's last visit here, is another option.

What is also clear is that with Rogers sidelined there will be a new opener and that is likely to be Shaun Marsh ... Marsh was the obvious choice to replace Rogers ... His hundred in the tour match in Antigua last week - made as an opener - was the perfect audition.

Almost lost in the mix was the not insignificant naming of Smith's appointment as Australia's new Test No.3, confirmed by captain Michael Clarke.

... Clarke said. "Nothing was confirmed until we got on tour, so once he arrived I spoke to him and made it very clear where I wanted him to bat, and he's very comfortable to bat there."

Australia (likely): David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke ©, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

West Indies (likely): Kraigg Brathwaite, Rajindra Chandrika, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Shai Hope, Jerome Blackwood, Denesh Ramdin ©, Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor, Shannon Gabriel, Veerasammy Permaul.

The above teams haven't been confirmed but the Aussie team that is listed by the journo (Chris Barrett) seems the most logical eleven.

Watson in the all-rounders spot at no.6 is a good move and the move of Smith to no.3 seemed an inevitable one given his rapid rise as a batsman. Fawad Ahmed can count himself a little unlucky as the wicket might take spin.

The match starts at around midnight tonight.

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

Based on the Windies batting performance in the first innings, I'm wondering about the opening post to this thread. Chanderpaul would have surely lasted a bit longer than some of their current line up?

[jazza 1,323]

First catch of clarkes ,good as you will see at first slip.

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

Adam Voges becomes the oldest man to score a test century on debut - congrats

[Grapeviney 9,721]

The commentary last night and the news today have all compared Bishoo's dismissal of Haddin to Warne's 'ball of the century'.

It was a great ball, but it's not in the realm of the Warne delivery.

We're a good chance to sew this up tonight.

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

All sewn up thanks to me.

Woke up just in time to see the Windies lose their fourth wicket and from there they were skittled out by the Aussie attack. Deficit of 47 wiped out in no time for the loss of Warner.

Big win to NSW Australia.

[daisycutter 29,616]

it's amazing how influential tail-ender partnerships have been for australia over the last 3 or so years

[Axis of Bob 11,812]

What is also influential is our ability to polish off the tail quickly. It

Mitch Starc + New ball + Tailenders = Carnage

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

What is also influential is our ability to polish off the tail quickly. It

Mitch Starc + New ball + Tailenders = Carnage

I agree that it was Starc who ripped them apart in the end but it's a weak tail and credit is due to the entire bowling attack and the fielding.

It's interesting that the West Indies' 7th wicket fell off the last ball of a Nathan Lyon over - the 80th of their second innings. The new ball was taken immediately and Johnson bowled a maiden to Holder. The new man Taylor was watching this rather uncomfortably from the bowler's end and was out lbw to Starc first ball of the next. I don't think he could get off the ground quickly enough. A couple of overs later and it was all over with Starc taking consecutive wickets off his last two balls.

I think there's always been some controversy about this but am I right in saying that Starc is on a hat trick even though his next over is in a different test?

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Two selection dilemmas coming up. The first is batting - Rogers will return either for this Test or the first Ashes Test. Surely Voges can't be dropped, even if he fails in the second Test (especially given he's played a lot of English county cricket), so the pressure now turns to Marsh and Watson. I suspect Rogers will miss this next Test to be right for Cardiff, so I think the worse performer out of Marsh and Watson will find themselves on the outs in the Ashes. Watson may need to take wickets to keep his batting spot.

The second is bowling - Harris will come back for the Ashes and with Johnson, that's two pacemen's spots taken. At the moment Hazlewood looks likely to get the nod for the third but it's nice knowing we have Starc keeping the pressure on and ready to come in if/when we have to rotate the bowlers through the five Tests.

I agree that it was Starc who ripped them apart in the end but it's a weak tail and credit is due to the entire bowling attack and the fielding.

To be fair, Starc was destroying tailenders all summer and through the World Cup. He's grown quite good at it - he swings it, he keeps his pace up, and he bowls it full.

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

Surprised nobody's commented on the current test where Steve Smith compiled 199 of the Aussie total of 399.

Starc came on to bowl in the second over of the Windies innings and missed his hat trick but still got his wicket with the fourth ball of the over - Chandrika caught behind for a duck. They are currently 6/119 with Lyon 3fer.

[jazza 1,323]

Surprised nobody's commented on the current test where Steve Smith compiled 199 of the Aussie total of 399.

Starc came on to bowl in the second over of the Windies innings and missed his hat trick but still got his wicket with the fourth ball of the over - Chandrika caught behind for a duck. They are currently 6/119 with Lyon 3fer.

Watto to get 5 tests in england,back to his blazing best.

The outside off stump good length ball has him in all sorts of trouble against an U19 west indies attack.

Also dropping sitters at first slip will no doubt push him into the ashes series with form and favour.

If he could just get his reviews back on track.

Edited June 12, 2015 by jazza

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Neither Watson nor Marsh made runs in the first innings to cement their spot over the returning Rogers.

We might not need a huge amount in the second dig - Marsh bats higher up so more likely to get one more crack.

[Macca 16,971]

Smith's batting average went up from 51.86 to 55.06 after his mammoth innings and I'm tipping he'll end up averaging over 60 for his entire career. Apart from "The Don" only 4 players have averaged over 60 in Test cricket ... Highest Career Batting Averages* His confidence at the crease is amazing and he's in top, top form - I can't see why he can't keep getting better.

For the first Test in England you'd reckon that Rogers will come in for Shaun Marsh whilst Mitch Marsh may be preferred for Watson ... I can't see the selectors not picking either Mitch Marsh or Watson for balance (especially if Starc & Johnson both play)

Harris might have to sit out for a bit too - Hazlewood is in fine form.

*minimum 15 innings

.

Edited June 17, 2015 by Macca

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

Neither Watson nor Marsh made runs in the first innings to cement their spot over the returning Rogers.

We might not need a huge amount in the second dig - Marsh bats higher up so more likely to get one more crack.

Do you think we would enforce the follow on if we had the chance? Can't see it myself.

[Whispering_Jack 30,147]

Wow. Starc has just turned Clarke's declaration into a touch of genius 2/1 after the first over.

[Macca 16,971]

The aggressive declaration make sense when considering the strength of the opposition. There isn't any rain forecast so it could be supposed that we wanted to have a crack at them late on the 3rd day - so far, it's worked.

All the same, the wicket is taking a bit of spin and all our fast bowlers are in good form - they might get to 250 and one of their batsman might get stuck in. All our bowlers would be itching to get their hands on the ball.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

I love Clarke's captaincy, it's great for the game and for the team too.

That DRS decision was pretty baffling - watching it live it looked as plumb as it gets, and to not even be 'umpire's call' on the stumps was a huge surprise.

I wonder if Marsh's innings was enough to hold his spot over Rogers? He's the simple option, opener for opener, but I'd prefer him batting at 6 to Watson I think.

The bowling selection dilemma is getting worse it seems - both Hazlewood and Starc have done some lovely things this tour so dropping one for Harris is going to be harsh.

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Right, well, Harris has retired.

What a pity. Loved his bowling and a staple of our recent wins has been Harris' ability to swing the ball early and often and create huge problems for opposition batsmen.

Clearly now we start with Johnson, Hazlewood and Starc, and Siddle may well make a surprising appearance this tour. Cummins brought in to replace Harris, so there is depth in our reserves at least.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Sad way for Rhino to bow out. Was looking forward to watching him, Hadds & Rogers walk off arm in arm after The Oval test celebrating a series win as all three retire at the one time.

The XI for the first test will be interesting. My prediction:

Rogers (can't go past his experience in England)

Warner

Smith

Clarke

S. Marsh (Voges very stiff)

Watson (will be his final test series, so they'll give him first crack)

+Haddin

Johnson

Starc

Lyon

Hazlewood

Voges and Mitch Marsh knocking on the door!