Australian International Summer

[Brodlach]

Sixth ball of the over was so short and high that Sayers would have needed a cherry picker to hit it

[stampy]

made sure that it didnt get the treatment

[stampy]

mitch marsh brings up his ton, his bowling is tripe

[stampy]

chadd gets himself out

[Brodlach]

Sayers gone trying to slap some runs, WA celebrate like they just got a key wicket

[Brodlach]

chadd gets himself out

Obviously trying for quick runs with some of the "shots" being played

[stampy]

declaration 9/505

[stampy]

chadd gets himself out

Obviously trying for quick runs with some of the "shots" being played

entertaining to watch too, marsh bowling half trackers

[Brodlach]

chadd gets himself out

Obviously trying for quick runs with some of the "shots" being played

entertaining to watch too, marsh bowling half trackers

Was good, Marsh bowled absolute poo

[stampy]

um we are on the wrong thread mate

[stampy]

[Brodlach]

Haha, my fault I wrote the first post

[stampy]

yeah i know!

[The Dark Knight]

Lol good work guys. Mitch Marsh having a good match for WA and finding some decent form in preparation for the first test....

[Aerie]

1st Test vs South Africa starts at the WACA next Thursday.

Interesting selections. Very open field with Burns and Khawaja dropped for Sean Marsh and Henriques for the 3rd Test in Sri Lanka. Marsh hit a century.

The batsman/all rounders:

Warner - century for NSW this match, a certainty
S.Marsh - a century in his last Test and 73 & looking like another century for WA this match
Burns - dropped last Test, 129 for QLD this match and currently on 2*
Khawaja - dropped last Test, 79 for QLD this match
Smith - a century last Test and another century for NSW this match, a certainty
Voges - struggled in SL, 20 & a duck for WA this match, but averages 79 in Test cricket
Henriques & M.Marsh - barely ever perform...

The outsiders for a baggy green:
Ferguson - back from a knee with a century for SA in this match. Besides injury, has dominated SS for the last 3-4 years
Patterson - building his career with a solid season last year, runs early this season with a century this match for NSW

Nevill looks to have the keeping spot - although needs to perform this summer with the bat.

Bowlers:
Starc, Hazelwood and Lyon certainties.

The 3rd pace spot could go to Bird, Sayers, Siddle? Is Mitch Marsh good enough to be the 3rd paceman (I don't think he is good enough to be the 6th batsman).

My team would be:

Warner
S.Marsh
Khawaja
Smith
Voges
Patterson
Nevill
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon
Sayers

Marsh goes ahead of Burns due to a century last Test and good current form at the WACA.

Patterson debuts at number 6.

Mitch Marsh and Henriques need to pile on runs or wickets in the Sheffield Shield to earn their spot - although I get the feeling the real selectors will select Marsh as insurance for the bowlers.

Ferguson needs a few more runs early in the season coming back from injury, but very close. Voges in on his record.

Sayers pips Bird and Siddle due to consistent wickets, recent form at the WACA and the ability to swing the ball.

[whufc]

Agree Sayers should be ahead of Bird and Siddle

Would love to see Patterson given a go at some point, his a gun!!

[am Bays]

Siddle to play into the wind grunt bowler to keep it tight and build pressure. He's a great partnership bowler.

Allows Hazlewood and Starc to attack and be used in bursts.

Word from a news ltd journo mate is that Ferg is in the frame big time for a debut.

it really is between him and Patterson - they only two to average over 40 out of the contenders to come into the side.

My side:

Warner
Burns/Marsh would prefer Burns - he's the future and we need to have a solid opening partnership for the ASHES next year Burns 39.7 ave 1st Class, Marsh 40.2 1st class ave
Khawaja
Smith
Voges
Marsh - have invested too much time into him now but needs runs
Neville - needs runs too
Starc
Siddle
Hazlewood
Lyons

[The Dark Knight]

I don't think there will any surprises with the team selection and we will see the regulars of the last 12 or so months mentioned above all named. Will be interesting to see what they do with Shaun Marsh and Burns and also Khawaja at number 3. If they were to leave Khawaja out and play Shaun Marsh at mumber 3, which I feel the selectors would love to do we are in big strife. Although he's obviously opening for WA in preparation for test cricket which I prefer and he's made runs there so I have no issue with him opening the batting in the test side over Joe Burns. Siddle should play and they will carry Mitch Marsh into the series. We know he can be a very handy cricketer, we've seen glimpses of it and this summer it's about f**king time he shows it and repays the faith the selectors have showed him.

If things go wrong which is more likely to happen on the batting side of things guys like Furguson and Patterson might have a decent chance. Possibly Travis Head and Peter Handscomb aswell as young up-and-comers. Only if one of the quicks get injured Bird or Sayers would be considered IMO. They have to be the next two quicks in line for a call up with probably Behrendorff behind them. Ideally Henriques should never play test cricket again, unless by some miracle he absolutely dominants in the Sheffield Shield this summer. Also if Wade keeps on making handy scores for Victoria that has to put pressure on Nevill if he can't make a run in the test side. Although his wicketkeeping continues to be very good and after all that's his first job.

[hawks21]

Be interesting to see what the selectors do as this test squad will be different to what we take to India and then different again for the ashes.
I'd like to see the selectors pick the 5 batsman they think they will play in the Ashes. If they think that's Trav Head or Handscomb then pick them. If that's Voges then pick him. Settle the batting line up as much as possible for the next 10 test matches before the ashes.
Love Ferg and Sayers to get a game but doubt they will unfortunately, they don't wear Blue!

[Corona Man]

Is the team for the 1st test announced today? Anyone know what time?