The Ashes 2017/2018

[Booney]

I'm lost for words on the Marsh and Paine selections....

A little email trail I'm in looked at our first Test side, before that got worked out I questioned the selectors.....Hohns, Chappell....please.

[stan]

Staggered this morning.

Bancroft seems reasonable. But Marsh amd Paine....

Good to see Sayers in the 13 man squad. Must be tempting to have a look at him up in Brisbane. Always a damp start to the series.

[Corona Man]

Marsh.... staggering... how many chances for this bloke?

[The Dark Knight]

The selectors picked Marsh because they feel we need a left handed spud to mirror Gary Ballance- pretty simple really....

[The Bedge]

ABSOLUTELY LIVID!! Ropeable! Disgusted!! Angered!!

Cricket Australia you ******* suck!

[Lightning McQueen]

ABSOLUTELY LIVID!! Ropeable! Disgusted!! Angered!!

Cricket Australia you ******* suck!

I hope we lose.

[The Bedge]

REMEMBER this?

Surely the game is mature enough not to allow the winding back of numbers on an odometer because of the history tied to family lines?

It comes from a column written no more than three days ago.

Well, sorry Australian cricket, but it seems you own the maturity levels of a prepubescent teenager yet to make the transition from the kid-sized protector stolen from the primary school kit bag, to one of those all-encompassing, hair-sanitising, Kooka spaceships.

On this occasion, age 34 and following the ageist approach to Ed Cowan and his non-selection in NSW through the “Captain’s Call” of Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh’ reselection has to be impacted by the special qualities of Papa Swampy’s snags, showcased at his famous BBQs, sponsored by the red wines of the Margaret River, when the CA boys are in town?

And perhaps the very public campaign of a current Australian coach helped a little too.

How else do you explain eight re-selections into the Test team? That is a level of support we all crave.

But eight seems like the type of number that comes from obsession, not logic.

And to put it simply, obsession over logic is a poor foundation from which to pick your best team; particularly when that process of obsession/favouritism/inequality has opened you up to a law suit led by Denis Denuto, who is the frontrunner to represent Ed Cowan in a trial of age discrimination.

The selection of Marsh is about more than the selection of a No.6 for Australia. It’s deeper than the subjective nature of cricket selection. It is more than silly conspiracy theories regarding family ties and the old man’s special snags.

One player, whose statistics stack up against any in the country, had his aspirations and hope for progression killed because of his age, while another, of equal age, continues on with his aspirational flame of progression and hope burning bright.

Not only is it confusing and contradictory; it seems like something that just is not legal in the ways of the modern world. I’ve no doubt that in time, we will see this ageist approach to denying a player’s progression being fought in the courts.

As for the other selections you can definitely see the logic behind the decisions; but not the way in which they impacted Shield cricket and one team’s push for a rare victory.

The selection of Cameron Bancroft to open the batting in place of Matt Renshaw is pretty cut and dried.

Bancroft’s case was undeniable and did not require pampering from multiple-hat-wearing State/CA coaches or past greats.

The run slinging cowboy from WA had scored the runs. Simple.

Not just three Shaun Marsh fifties; try 228*.

And once dismissed for 162 against the very attack that will lead Australia into this Ashes campaign: Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Lyon.

That attack is fierce, well balanced and described by many as ‘frightening’. They are the toughest runs scored this summer.

The bad news for Matt Renshaw came when Justin Langer threw him from the 16th floor then forced his head in a lion’s jaw!! The little scrapper got his man.

Definitely not helping — perhaps more than Langer’s involvement — was when Bancroft was not selected as the keeper.

Bancroft’s style of play — YES, HE IS A TURTLE!! – would have been viewed as the non-traditional approach to the No.6 spot; where batting flow is required to be the leader of partnerships in support of the tail

Speaking of the tail, it now starts at 7, if Tim Paine’s shield record over the last 3 years is to be taken note of.

Since his departure from the test arena, in 2010, Paine has averaged just 24 in Shield cricket.

Moving backward three seasons:

16-17: 26.00

15-16: 6.85

14-15: 17.76

That’s an average of 16.87 across the last three seasons.

Both Pat Cummins (26) and Mitch Starc (24) average more over their first-class careers.

Most concerning is the fact that Tim has not made a first class hundred since 2006, which came by way of a double hundred, and has kept wicket in only three Shield games in the last two seasons.

And it makes you wonder, with those stats backing up his selection case, and the fact he wasn’t taking the gloves, how on earth did Tasmania pick him ahead of those promising youngsters who are statistically better players and are in desperate need of exposure to first class cricket for their own development?

Tassie boys club back in town? Or is this a CA directive: pick him, and make sure he bats!!??

Again, the good news is that the logic is clear from the CA selectors.

Given the lack of runs from any keepers in the race for the Gabba — bar Bancroft who is obviously perceived as still too raw at test level for backstop — the selectors have picked the man they believe to be the best keeper.

And no-one can argue with that. Tim has always been touted as the cleanest keeper in the country.

It is just a shame that a Dirk Nannes thunderbolt shattered a finger during an exhibition game at the Gabba all those years ago; because Paine was on the rise. And you feel that this is the opportunity he was worthy of eight years ago.

For Tasmania, the selection of their golden-haired boy is a terrific story. But what they wouldn’t give to be spat at in the face, or to win. Win something. Anything!!

That opportunity came only days ago v Victoria when their young bowling group dismantled the Vics for 144 in the first innings. And then piled on big runs to build a healthy lead.

With rain forecast for day four, Captain George Bailey was keenest to declare and let his bowlers loose before the rain would take away any opportunity for a rare Tasmanian win.

But the message was clear. Coach Adam Griffith wanted to hedge his bets on showcasing Paine to the CA selectors and that elusive win as a secondary; a win that would kick start what has been a miserable few years for Tasmania.

Meantime, with the lead ballooning to 435 (not chased since 1931 at the MCG) and Paine creeping his way to 71*, the Victorians stood in the field bemused to the point of humour by the delay of the declaration; knowing that rain was on the way and that ultimately, their first innings collapse would be saved by Tasmania’s push of Paine.

At 5-100 at the end of day four, you feel that Tasmania were just one extra session away from cleaning up the Victorian tail, which they did in record time in the first innings.

All the while, Matty Wade watched on as his Test match career was being buried by his teammate, through a clear push from his coach.

That is all levels of awkward; for everyone involved; especially Painey, who I know would have wanted the best thing for the team.

It is sad, you know. Shield Cricket is now just another pawn in the chess board of the code.

The best teams aren’t picked, the games are manufactured as glorified practice for Test aspirants and while there is no I in the “One Team” mantra rolled out by Cricket Australia, there is an I in Shield.

And while the relevance in that is cryptic, it makes me a sad panda.

[norwood8]

Hopefully great reward for Chadd in Adelaide.

[Booney]

2017/18 Shield season :

Callum Ferguson 0, 36, 4, 182, 33, 88 @57
Nick Marsh 11, 63, 2, 91, 17, 52 @ 39

Would anyone be upset if Ferg got another go?

[Coach Bombay]

It's been 4044 days since Paine last scored a first class hundred. Just let that sink in...

Sayers deserves it more than PC but the love of 150+ seamers will see PC get the 3rd spot.

[the milky bar kid]

2017/18 Shield season :

Callum Ferguson 0, 36, 4, 182, 33, 88 @57
Nick Marsh 11, 63, 2, 91, 17, 52 @ 39

Would anyone be upset if Ferg got another go?

Yes, WHUFC

[The Bedge]

To be fair, I did call Bancroft 3wks ago, and Paine 2wks ago..

Cricket Australia, easier to read than a kids picture book.

[The Bedge]

I'm still angry about the squad.. I don't think i'll get over this one quickly!

[rocketeer]

ABSOLUTELY LIVID!! Ropeable! Disgusted!! Angered!!

Cricket Australia you ******* suck!

I hope we lose.

On the surface saying you hope we lose an Ashes Test, seems like a ridiculous comment, but it's far less ridiculous than picking SMarsh.

I was thinking maybe I should hope he scores a pair but we win but then they'll trot out the line of not wanting to upset a winning team for the second Test.

[The Bedge]

Dear Cricket Australia,

I can handle losing.

I don't give a damn about tight defensives, impeccable techniques, endless potential.. I care about rewarding players who have done hard yards and have put performances on the board.

I want to see guys represent our country who have become household names through shield cricket. I want to be proud to see mountains of runs and piles of wickets result in a baggy green.

I want to cheer and support players who have endlessly destroyed the Redbacks over summers or are Redbacks who have done the same to others.

Pick the players who deserve it - if they fail or we lose, then stiff shit, we will live with it and we will move on and be satisfied that they're tried and tested.

Stop handling out token selections and free rides.

Sincerely,
The Bedge

[Lightning McQueen]

ABSOLUTELY LIVID!! Ropeable! Disgusted!! Angered!!

Cricket Australia you ******* suck!

I hope we lose.

On the surface saying you hope we lose an Ashes Test, seems like a ridiculous comment, but it's far less ridiculous than picking SMarsh.

I was thinking maybe I should hope he scores a pair but we win but then they'll trot out the line of not wanting to upset a winning team for the second Test.

So be it, I'm sick of seeing players gifted a spot in the team, I'd rather lose a few games short term to f*** these selectors off once and for all and get a new breed of selection processes in long term.

Our decline on the test arena is relative to our poor selection's in recent times, I wont even be watching, I do hope that Bancroft tons up though, a player selected because of current form, a rarity in today's game.

[Tony Clifton]

Cummins will make way for Sayers in Adelaide I reckon.

They'll be mindful of managing Cummins through the summer, he was sent home early from the sub continent, left out ( as all the quicks were ) of the last Shield round. He's being closely monitored.

Imagine the crowd reaction when Chadd takes his first wicket!

[FlyingHigh]

Surely Shaun Marsh doesn't get a bowlers spot before Sayers.

[Lightning McQueen]

David Warner (vc)
Cameron Bancroft
Usman Khawaja
Steve Smith (c)
Peter Handscomb
Shaun Marsh
Tim Paine (wk)
Mitchell Starc
Pat Cummins
Nathan Lyon
Josh Hazlewood

Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

One of the weakest middle orders I've seen for a while, having said that, you watch Marsh get a ton and cement his spot for until his next injury.

[bennymacca]

It's been 4044 days since Paine last scored a first class hundred. Just let that sink in...

Sayers deserves it more than PC but the love of 150+ seamers will see PC get the 3rd spot.

Darren Lehmann has scored a first class hundred more recently that Tim Paine


I think Bancroft is fair enough. Paine I can almost stomach. Almost.

But marsh?!?!?

If they wanna pick a 34 year old Cowan and ferg are both much better options.

Hell even Maxwell averaged 37 in his stint on the subcontinent and has gone ok in the shield.

I just cannot fathom picking marsh again. It makes zero sense