Australian International Summer 2024/25

[Lightning McQueen]

The teams results in recent years has earnt the right blokes to get a longer run but for mine Labuschagne has to be dropped to set a standard for performance.

I dont think you can throw in a young guy against the quality of Bumrah, thats a death sentence as we saw for McSweeney.

I would be going:

1. Khawaja
2. Head
3. McSweeney
4. Smith
5. Marsh
6. Konstas
7. Carey
8. Starc
9. Cummins
10. Lyon
11. Hazelwood

The interesting two is Hilton Cartwright.....averaging 61 this season with 1 hundred and 2 50's. Has a career average of 37 which is as good as most these days.

The other one is Kurtis Patterson....4 innings this season averaging 81 with 4 x 50's. Has hit a test match ton.

Both are 32 years old though.

I don't get the fascination of Travis opening, he has been one of our two most consistent performers over the past 3-4 years batting at 5, why f*** with something that works most of the time.

We can't continue to wallpaper our problems, we need to take the hit and develop an opener, at least by facing Bumrah as an opener early in your career it will strengthen your skillset against anyone else that you come up against.

Marnus absolutely dazzled us when he came on the scene, Smith was already brilliant, them two together in their prime were a pure delight to watch (apart from the idiosyncrasies) but unfortunately I think their expiry dates have approached, well Marnus' has anyway IMO.

We need a changing of the guard, we need to be hard-nosed again, we're not broken, just bent, I think the lack of test cricket over the past 10 months has hurt us as well as the poor preparation, I have faith in us bouncing back.

FWIW, I think the pink ball test is a farce, there is a huge advantage to the team that can enable the opposition to face the new ball during the early evening.

I don't disagree but also if you are looking at 100% being all in to win this series there is not a single guy in the country who is capable of doing the job this series.

I really hope McSweeney makes it but lets not kid ourselves he was all at sea and could barely get the ball of the square. Fingers crossed he can find a way in the next few tests, really hoping he can.

Anyone else we place in there is a lamb to the slaughter and we might as well just start 2/0.

A bit like how our number threes used to start at number six and then move up weve had a fair bit of luck in recent times starting blokes in the middle order and turning them into openers. Khawaja, Watson, Langer, Katich all come to mind.

I'd rather be 2/10 with Trav yet to bat than 2/10 with him already dismissed.

These are all just opinions and assumptions of course, there's no right or wrong as everything is a hypothetical, I'm conservative and don't like changing what apparently works.

[The Bedge]

I think the lack of test cricket over the past 10 months has hurt us as well as the poor preparation, I have faith in us bouncing back.

This is what makes me wild.. I heard on the radio yesterday, the squad were all given the freedom to choose how they wanted to prepare for the test summer - whether it be club cricket, shield cricket, white ball cricket or rest.

Only Carey and Khawaja took up the offer.

It's apparently also why against Pakistan we fielded such a novice side.

We had 3 or 4 Shield games before the 1st test, plus the India A matches - ideal preparation and lead up for the first time in a very long time.. and instead most of our blokes decided time off was more important.

[The Bedge]

I really hope McSweeney makes it but lets not kid ourselves he was all at sea and could barely get the ball of the square.

**** you're rough sometimes.

2nd innings wasn't great - but one shot through bit lower, a fraction unlucky I think. Bloke faced 13 balls and 4 balls and you're saying he could barely hit off the square - what the **** are you expecting facing the new rock against a premier fast bowling attack on debut?

[mighty_tiger_79]

I really hope McSweeney makes it but lets not kid ourselves he was all at sea and could barely get the ball of the square.

**** you're rough sometimes.

2nd innings wasn't great - but one shot through bit lower, a fraction unlucky I think. Bloke faced 13 balls and 4 balls and you're saying he could barely hit off the square - what the **** are you expecting facing the new rock against a premier fast bowling attack on debut?

Expected a ton on debut

[The Bedge]

I actually can't see the Aussies making any changes to be honest. The only potential change would be to drop Labuschagne, and I think they'd bring Harris in to open if that were the case, with McSweeney dropping to #3.

There just isn't anyone banging the door down for a look - no one has been super consistent - even young Kontas has failed since his twin 100s.

Reality is the top 7 are better than any potential replacements.

I wouldn't be against bringing Jhye Richardson in if he's fit and leave out Nathan Lyon given pink ball tends to favor the quicks.. and Richardson can get it hooping at serious pace.. but that would never happen.

[gazzamagoo]

I really hope McSweeney makes it but lets not kid ourselves he was all at sea and could barely get the ball of the square.

**** you're rough sometimes.

2nd innings wasn't great - but one shot through bit lower, a fraction unlucky I think. Bloke faced 13 balls and 4 balls and you're saying he could barely hit off the square - what the **** are you expecting facing the new rock against a premier fast bowling attack on debut?

That sounds like he's not good enough.
Plenty of Aussies in the past have come out & made 50's/100's on debut,
but what's the option?
Leave him in & hope he gets it together sooner than later?
Drop him & pick who?

[The Bedge]

That sounds like he's not good enough.
Plenty of Aussies in the past have come out & made 50's/100's on debut,
but what's the option?
Leave him in & hope he gets it together sooner than later?
Drop him & pick who?

As opening batsman?

Actually only 24 Aussies in history have scored 50+ opening on debut.. in recent times:

2009 - Phil Hughes
2011 - Ed Cowan
2017 - Cam Bancroft
2018 - Aaron Finch
2021 - Will Pucovski

[gazzamagoo]

That sounds like he's not good enough.
Plenty of Aussies in the past have come out & made 50's/100's on debut,
but what's the option?
Leave him in & hope he gets it together sooner than later?
Drop him & pick who?

As opening batsman?

Actually only 24 Aussies in history have scored 50+ opening on debut.. in recent times:

2009 - Phil Hughes
2011 - Ed Cowan
2017 - Cam Bancroft
2018 - Aaron Finch
2021 - Will Pucovski

I'd be happy if he hung around for a couple of hours & made 20 or 30.

[Eagles2014]

I think the lack of test cricket over the past 10 months has hurt us as well as the poor preparation, I have faith in us bouncing back.

This is what makes me wild.. I heard on the radio yesterday, the squad were all given the freedom to choose how they wanted to prepare for the test summer - whether it be club cricket, shield cricket, white ball cricket or rest.

Only Carey and Khawaja took up the offer.

It's apparently also why against Pakistan we fielded such a novice side.

We had 3 or 4 Shield games before the 1st test, plus the India A matches - ideal preparation and lead up for the first time in a very long time.. and instead most of our blokes decided time off was more important.

Should have been taken out of the players hands, this is just crazy.

Justin Langer would have made them play the first three Shield games, but then Patty and the boys would have chucked the dummies out their cots and got the coach sacked.

Getting paid huge money, should be made to play these games as we have now seen the result, will be 2-0 down and be all over before they find their form!

[whufc]

I really hope McSweeney makes it but lets not kid ourselves he was all at sea and could barely get the ball of the square.

**** you're rough sometimes.

2nd innings wasn't great - but one shot through bit lower, a fraction unlucky I think. Bloke faced 13 balls and 4 balls and you're saying he could barely hit off the square - what the **** are you expecting facing the new rock against a premier fast bowling attack on debut?

Not saying he cant make and i really want him to.

But even he would admit it was a bloody tough debut......scored 10 runs in the two innings, 1 x 4 runs was an edge to the through the slips for four. 1 x 2 runs was an outside edge through gully and point for two. Played a really nice leg glance for four.

Faced a total of 17 balls, was out twice and had two other large lbw shouts as well.

I'm sure McSweeney is over the moon to get a chance at test level but we are setting the bloke up for failure.

He doesn't even open for his state side. Has never played any other form of international cricket before and we are expecting to go up against arguably the best opening bowler in recent history on what is going to be some pretty pace friendly pitches. Good luck if he has to go into bat at dusk at AO, no tougher gig in world cricket at the moment.

I just think we need to give the bloke a chance and at least bat him at 3 and in a perfect world it would have been nice to introduce him at 6.

Hes in great form but his career shield average is a modest 38 so its not like his head and shoulders above shield level yet we are giving him the toughest job in world cricket.

I would get Head to the top, at least he has proven he can score runs as an opener at international level. I know test cricket is the toughest but his performed in the high pressure of a world cup final against these exact bowlers.

[The Bedge]

My annoyance is you seem to zero in on easy targets when it's convenient for you - you shit can Head every time he fails to score 50+, you tear shreds off Carey if he ever makes a mistake with gloves or bat... and now it's McSweeney on debut.

Yeah he averages 38 in Shield from 35 games - but you're leaving out the first couple of years playing for QLD after coming back from U19's where he struggled to score runs.

Last year he averaged 40, this year he's averaging 90.. he scored runs for Aus A against NZ, he scored runs for Aus A against India.. his recent form in shield over last 2.5yrs has been good.

No he didn't have the best debut test, but I think the blowtorch should be more applied to the likes of Smith, Labuschagne, Khawaja - even Marsh.

2x 100's in 2024 from the Aussie bats.

When was the last 100 Labuschagne scored? July 2023 in the Ashes?
When was the last 100 Smith scored? Same year, same series in the Ashes?
When was the last 100 Khawaja scored? Pakistan last year 2023

[The Bedge]

Ah **** the test team anyway.. big bash will be here soon

[locky801]

Ah **** the test team anyway.. big bash will be here soon

yay early to bed for me in that case

[whufc]

My annoyance is you seem to zero in on easy targets when it's convenient for you - you shit can Head every time he fails to score 50+, you tear shreds off Carey if he ever makes a mistake with gloves or bat... and now it's McSweeney on debut.

Yeah he averages 38 in Shield from 35 games - but you're leaving out the first couple of years playing for QLD after coming back from U19's where he struggled to score runs.

Last year he averaged 40, this year he's averaging 90.. he scored runs for Aus A against NZ, he scored runs for Aus A against India.. his recent form in shield over last 2.5yrs has been good.

No he didn't have the best debut test, but I think the blowtorch should be more applied to the likes of Smith, Labuschagne, Khawaja - even Marsh.

2x 100's in 2024 from the Aussie bats.

When was the last 100 Labuschagne scored? July 2023 in the Ashes?
When was the last 100 Smith scored? Same year, same series in the Ashes?
When was the last 100 Khawaja scored? Pakistan last year 2023

100% agree with that.

I just want us to give the young bloke a chance to succeed. Throwing him in the deep end, in a position he doesn't bat against the highest quality bowlers we will face whilst Labuschagne gets a free pass is bloody annoying.

When we were at our best the experienced solid players did the hard yards whilst the new blokes were able to come in at 5 and 6. It was a proven formula for success. I know times are completely different but how good was it for Ponting to debut batting at 6 against what was probably the 5th/6th/7th best attack in the world (Sri Lanka). Compare that to McSweeneys debut and what chance are we giving him.

Like i mentioned prior even Langer, Watson, Khawaja, Katich, all got to learn their test craft down the order before moving up.

[am Bays]

Hayden 1st test v Donald and Fanie, 2nd test v Walsh and Ambrose
Langer 1st test 1st drop v Walsh and Ambrose
Renshaw go open against Rabada and Vilander et al in a pink ball test

We dont always moddy coddle our debutants

[Lightning McQueen]

Hayden 1st test v Donald and Fanie, 2nd test v Walsh and Ambrose
Langer 1st test 1st drop v Walsh and Ambrose
Renshaw go open against Rabada and Vilander et al in a pink ball test

We dont always moddy coddle our debutants

Haydos got lucky in his 3rd test when Ambrose was injured.

[wenchbarwer]

I'll never forget Hayden shouldering arms to Ambrose

[Armchair expert]

Maybe nothing maybe something

Matt Short batting at 3 for Victoria currently 50*

Usually he bats in the middle order in FC matches

[tigerpie]

I really hope McSweeney makes it but lets not kid ourselves he was all at sea and could barely get the ball of the square.

**** you're rough sometimes.

2nd innings wasn't great - but one shot through bit lower, a fraction unlucky I think. Bloke faced 13 balls and 4 balls and you're saying he could barely hit off the square - what the **** are you expecting facing the new rock against a premier fast bowling attack on debut?

Along with that he's had about as good a prep as you can get yet still struggled.
That tells you how well India bowled to their plans not how poor a bat the bloke is.
As much as it may sting they bowled better than we did on that pitch.
Oh and had some good fortune.

As for the tail wagging the dog with players given options (which I think stinks) some of them think they have a lot of cricket in 2025 (ashes etc) so need the rest.
Again soft as butter and entitled attitudes.

For me, if you are available and fit, you play grade and Sheffield shield as a mandatory lead up to our summer.
If you are a bowler and you break down in December or January so he it.

[Lightning McQueen]

I really hope McSweeney makes it but lets not kid ourselves he was all at sea and could barely get the ball of the square.

**** you're rough sometimes.

2nd innings wasn't great - but one shot through bit lower, a fraction unlucky I think. Bloke faced 13 balls and 4 balls and you're saying he could barely hit off the square - what the **** are you expecting facing the new rock against a premier fast bowling attack on debut?

Along with that he's had about as good a prep as you can get yet still struggled.
That tells you how well India bowled to their plans not how poor a bat the bloke is.
As much as it may sting they bowled better than we did on that pitch.
Oh and had some good fortune.

As for the tail wagging the dog with players given options (which I think stinks) some of them think they have a lot of cricket in 2025 (ashes etc) so need the rest.
Again soft as butter and entitled attitudes.

For me, if you are available and fit, you play grade and Sheffield shield as a mandatory lead up to our summer.
If you are a bowler and you break down in December or January so he it.

Pretty sure they have a 10 month rest from international duties from Feb to November next year, I could be wrong though.