The Ashes 2019

[Senor Moto Gadili]

Burns and Harris vying for that opening spot. Burns as a RH has an advantage but... 3 dropped slips catches in the last two innings will definitely not help his cause.

Crash Craddock reckons Bancroft will open with Warner .... that'll give the Poms more to boo at. I would go with Harris. Need to pick your two best openers. If they are both lefties, so be it.
Matthew Wade hit on the elbow and retired hurt last night. Hopefully he's ok and can play in the Australia v Australia A game.

[Lightning McQueen]

Carey would replace Paine if he wasnt picked.
Wades selection is a separate issue. If hes in the top six bats then he should get a berth regardless od whether Carey or Paine keeps.
Would they select Carey AND Wade as specialist bats? Absolutely not

Carey is not in the same batting calibre as Wade of late, there would have to be 10 in line before him I'd imagine.

I don't think his keeping is that superior when you weigh up the keeper/batsman ratio/importance.

FWIW, I think he's more value than Paine but I think he sits behind Wade despite his sloppy glovework, it's a redundant argument though as you can't really drop a captain after a series win.

[Lightning McQueen]

Burns and Harris vying for that opening spot. Burns as a RH has an advantage but... 3 dropped slips catches in the last two innings will definitely not help his cause.

Crash Craddock reckons Bancroft will open with Warner .... that'll give the Poms more to boo at. I would go with Harris. Need to pick your two best openers. If they are both lefties, so be it.
Matthew Wade hit on the elbow and retired hurt last night. Hopefully he's ok and can play in the Australia v Australia A game.

No shit, if they play Bancroft I will not watch.

[Senor Moto Gadili]

Burns and Harris vying for that opening spot. Burns as a RH has an advantage but... 3 dropped slips catches in the last two innings will definitely not help his cause.

Crash Craddock reckons Bancroft will open with Warner .... that'll give the Poms more to boo at. I would go with Harris. Need to pick your two best openers. If they are both lefties, so be it.
Matthew Wade hit on the elbow and retired hurt last night. Hopefully he's ok and can play in the Australia v Australia A game.

No shit, if they play Bancroft I will not watch.

Hang on, so you'll watch it if Warner and Smith play, but not if Bancroft plays? Like Warner and Smith, he has served his time. He's currently captaining Durham and has made 1,000+ runs at an average of more than 50. If the selectors think he's the best option to open with Warner then I won't have a problem with it. Personally I think Harris would be the front runner.

[northerner]

Carey would replace Paine if he wasnt picked.
Wades selection is a separate issue. If hes in the top six bats then he should get a berth regardless od whether Carey or Paine keeps.
Would they select Carey AND Wade as specialist bats? Absolutely not

Carey is not in the same batting calibre as Wade of late, there would have to be 10 in line before him I'd imagine.

I don't think his keeping is that superior when you weigh up the keeper/batsman ratio/importance.

FWIW, I think he's more value than Paine but I think he sits behind Wade despite his sloppy glovework, it's a redundant argument though as you can't really drop a captain after a series win.

On keeping ability I rank Paine as best followed by Carey then Wade. As batsmen it goes in opposite order. You are right though.. Paine will be retained and I dont think either Wade or Carey will get selected in the XI with Wade ahead of Carey as a Specialist Bat.

Harris gets a 50 whilst Burns doesn't get to double figures... firming up that opening role I suspect.

[Lightning McQueen]

Hang on, so you'll watch it if Warner and Smith play, but not if Bancroft plays? Like Warner and Smith, he has served his time. He's currently captaining Durham and has made 1,000+ runs at an average of more than 50. If the selectors think he's the best option to open with Warner then I won't have a problem with it. Personally I think Harris would be the front runner.

I begrudgingly accept they've selected Warner but he had a lot more credits in the account prior I guess, I don't really wish him well though and would prefer him not in the side.

Smith is in a total different pond to the other two, he was very remorseful and accepted that he shouldn't have turned a blind eye and let it happen, he accepted responsibility and would've learnt from it, I doubt the other two would've.

To me, Bancroft is just an absolute f****** idiot, seriously, how the hell do you think you're not going to get caught, he may aswell of taken a cheeses grater out there, he was already renown for this sort of shit.

His reactions after being spotted were embarrassing too.

[Jim05]

Doesn’t matter who we pick. Bancroft, Harris and Burns all will be walking wickets over there

[Senor Moto Gadili]

Hang on, so you'll watch it if Warner and Smith play, but not if Bancroft plays? Like Warner and Smith, he has served his time. He's currently captaining Durham and has made 1,000+ runs at an average of more than 50. If the selectors think he's the best option to open with Warner then I won't have a problem with it. Personally I think Harris would be the front runner.

I begrudgingly accept they've selected Warner but he had a lot more credits in the account prior I guess, I don't really wish him well though and would prefer him not in the side.

Smith is in a total different pond to the other two, he was very remorseful and accepted that he shouldn't have turned a blind eye and let it happen, he accepted responsibility and would've learnt from it, I doubt the other two would've.

To me, Bancroft is just an absolute f****** idiot, seriously, how the hell do you think you're not going to get caught, he may aswell of taken a cheeses grater out there, he was already renown for this sort of shit.

His reactions after being spotted were embarrassing too.

Fair enough. I think most people share your view on Smith, but I thought they had the opposite view of Warner and Bancroft. I thought the perception of Warner was that he had consistently crossed the line with his on field bullying tactics and was the instigator of the sandpaper plot, which was the final straw. First time I have seen someone refer to him having credits. Banfield had only just started his career and was obviously pretty naive and stupid to do what he did. I thought most people were far more forgiving of Bancroft. I'm happy to move on as all three have served their time and if they play good cricket and keep thir noses clean, I'm happy to support them.

[RB]

Banfield had only just started his career and was obviously pretty naive and stupid to do what he did.

He'd only just started his test career, but had been playing professionally for a number of years and he was 24 or 25 at the time of Sandpapergate, not 18 or 19.

I think the suspensions were harsh but fair, but they've served their time and if they're good enough to make the team, they should play.

If that cheat Mike Atherton mentions the sandpaper incident I hope any Australians in the commentary box remind him of his own playing days.

[northerner]

A draw against for the Aussie A team against the Lions with Harris and Head the big winners in terms of performances to push their cases along with Curran for the locals.
No bowler has really shown enough to push for selection with Hollands 0 for 81 on a 4th day being a major disappointment from our second spinner.

[whufc]

A draw against for the Aussie A team against the Lions with Harris and Head the big winners in terms of performances to push their cases along with Curran for the locals.
No bowler has really shown enough to push for selection with Hollands 0 for 81 on a 4th day being a major disappointment from our second spinner.

We will be interesting to see what the selectors do with Trav. IF Khawaja is fit then I think the Trav, Patterson and Wade are fighting out two batting spots. (Personally I don't think Khawaja should be an automatic pick but he most likely is)

Patterson has only played 2 tests hitting a 100 in his last one, would be unlucky to be dropped.

Wade is the first batsmen in a long time to absolutely smash the door down with a weight of runs.

Trav is probably the inform bat on this tour so far but has had a couple of chances already and has been renowned for some awful dismissals but has talent to burn and is a potential future captain.

[Jim05]

A draw against for the Aussie A team against the Lions with Harris and Head the big winners in terms of performances to push their cases along with Curran for the locals.
No bowler has really shown enough to push for selection with Hollands 0 for 81 on a 4th day being a major disappointment from our second spinner.

We will be interesting to see what the selectors do with Trav. IF Khawaja is fit then I think the Trav, Patterson and Wade are fighting out two batting spots. (Personally I don't think Khawaja should be an automatic pick but he most likely is)

Patterson has only played 2 tests hitting a 100 in his last one, would be unlucky to be dropped.

Wade is the first batsmen in a long time to absolutely smash the door down with a weight of runs.

Trav is probably the inform bat on this tour so far but has had a couple of chances already and has been renowned for some awful dismissals but has talent to burn and is a potential future captain.

Trav will be a certain starter. Don’t think his place in England has ever been in doubt

[Lightning McQueen]

Fair enough. I think most people share your view on Smith, but I thought they had the opposite view of Warner and Bancroft. I thought the perception of Warner was that he had consistently crossed the line with his on field bullying tactics and was the instigator of the sandpaper plot, which was the final straw. First time I have seen someone refer to him having credits. Banfield had only just started his career and was obviously pretty naive and stupid to do what he did. I thought most people were far more forgiving of Bancroft. I'm happy to move on as all three have served their time and if they play good cricket and keep thir noses clean, I'm happy to support them.

Mate, like him or not, he has been outstanding with the bat and has answered every challenge along the way, he was pigeon-holed as a short game player, the way he went and worked on his longer game was exceptional integrity.

He is by far and away our best option to open the batting, you can throw a blanket over the rest of the contenders, whoever bats at 3 will practically be opening anyway.

I like your take on it though, so far Warner has just worried about his cricket and not the rest of the bullshit he has going on, we're a critical lot and no matter how much good you do, most only remember the shit, hopefully he regains the love from his countrymen and finishes his career how he started it.

[Lightning McQueen]

Trav will be a certain starter. Don’t think his place in England has ever been in doubt

Our last test team.

M.Harris
J.Burns
U.Khawaja
M.Labuschagne
T.Head
K.Patterson
T.Paine
P.Cummins
M.Starc
J.Richardson
N.Lyon

At a rough guess, only 5 of them will be playing the first test in our summer against Pakistan.

[whufc]

Trav will be a certain starter. Don’t think his place in England has ever been in doubt

Our last test team.

M.Harris
J.Burns
U.Khawaja
M.Labuschagne
T.Head
K.Patterson
T.Paine
P.Cummins
M.Starc
J.Richardson
N.Lyon

At a rough guess, only 5 of them will be playing the first test in our summer against Pakistan.

1 of Harris/Burns
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Lyon

Are you thinking Khawaja wont be fit, or do you have missing out.

[Lightning McQueen]

Trav will be a certain starter. Don’t think his place in England has ever been in doubt

Our last test team.

M.Harris
J.Burns
U.Khawaja
M.Labuschagne
T.Head
K.Patterson
T.Paine
P.Cummins
M.Starc
J.Richardson
N.Lyon

At a rough guess, only 5 of them will be playing the first test in our summer against Pakistan.

1 of Harris/Burns
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Lyon

Are you thinking Khawaja wont be fit, or do you have missing out.

Paine wont be there by then, Smith will assume captaincy again, Head will still be around if they keep him at 5 or 6.

[whufc]

Smith cant can he.

Would be huge change of face from CA, highly doubt they would swallow their pride and do that.

[Lightning McQueen]

Smith cant can he.

Would be huge change of face from CA, highly doubt they would swallow their pride and do that.

A 600 run Ashes series that we lose in and what can you say? No one else is beating down the door for it and no one else is experienced enough to take the role, Paine only got it by default, he'd have to have been the most least experienced Australian test captain since David Gregory.

[heater31]

Smith cant can he.

Would be huge change of face from CA, highly doubt they would swallow their pride and do that.

A 600 run Ashes series that we lose in and what can you say? No one else is beating down the door for it and no one else is experienced enough to take the role, Paine only got it by default, he'd have to have been the most least experienced Australian test captain since David Gregory.

Smith can't captain until March 2020. Don't think it is a given that he will get it back either.

Paine already 34 and keepers over 35 sometimes fall off a cliff with their skills. Its why Gilchrist pulled the pin, he felt he was slipping but nobody else had picked up on it yet.

[Lightning McQueen]

Smith cant can he.

Would be huge change of face from CA, highly doubt they would swallow their pride and do that.

A 600 run Ashes series that we lose in and what can you say? No one else is beating down the door for it and no one else is experienced enough to take the role, Paine only got it by default, he'd have to have been the most least experienced Australian test captain since David Gregory.

Smith can't captain until March 2020. Don't think it is a given that he will get it back either.

Paine already 34 and keepers over 35 sometimes fall off a cliff with their skills. Its why Gilchrist pulled the pin, he felt he was slipping but nobody else had picked up on it yet.

Was that one of the conditions?

Honestly, I spent years teaching younger lads how to captain whilst still playing and coaching in the A's, when push comes to shove, Paine may have the C next to his name but I bet Smith is calling the shots.