TOPIC:

BC wrote: Warner in to open with Burns. Head out and Wade drops down the batting order. Green will keep his place surely after just one test and also if the MCG turns into a road like it usually does after day 1 they'll need his bowling to give the 3 quicks a break....so Warner in, Head out and Wade to bat at #5.

That would be the way I would go on selection as well BC.
Head needs a kick up the Khyber, his soft dismissals when the heat is on are becoming all too familiar.
On another aside is Labuschagne's form a bit of a worry?
He obviously has some credits in the bank from his incredible 2019 but gee so far this summer he has been a shadow of that form, he had more lives than Wile E Coyote in the first innings!

On another note, I wonder what Cricket Australia are thinking about the new year Sydney test and if they have any plan B should things get worse over the next few weeks. The obvious alternative would be Optus stadium but that would need a reshuffle of the BBL fixtures as there as Perth is hosting a number of these games in the early part of January.

How good would it be to have a New Year Test at Perth Stadium Mike?
Knowing CA though they would do anything within their power to stop WA getting a big Test in a huge public holiday timeslot!
Even if it means playing in front of absolutely no one at the SCG they will do anything to appease their beloved NSW!
So much for being the Gold Standard state or should that now be reduced/downgraded to Ruby Standard?!?!

BH, Labuschagne looked like he was in a hurry in both innings in Adelaide, just needs to get back to his grinding approach from previous years....perhaps his sky rocket success has gone to his head some what, who knows.....Burns will play, though once India didn't get that early break through, the pressure went off Burns, especially after the dinner break and the runs eventually flowed.....which is obviously what JL hoped for....law averages I guess means you will succeed eventually....can't see Head getting dropped just yet, over the past 2 years I think in terms of runs and averages he must be top 2-3 for Aust top 6 batsmen. Wade is a sticking a point, gritty, combative and chirpy just how JL likes them, definitely not good enough technique wise to be a successful test batsmen....Green really needs to stay in, at 200 cm plus, bats for long periods and bowls at 140 + clicks, he is the X factor Aust needs, just needs exposure to show his class, like he has done for WA these past 12 months....plus as you guys say, at the MCG a 5th bowler is needed to share the load.....Would really love for JL to go for the jugular v India after that 2nd innings capitulation, Kohli gone and Shami now out and a junior bowler to come in....play Warner, play Pucovski and keep Green....because in all honesty come the Ashes next year majority of Aussie fans would rather see those boys in over Burns and Wade....keep them on the fringes as short term depth options, but they certainly aren't the future....could be a golden period of success for Aust with Pucovski, Labuschagne, Smith and Green in the top 6, with Hazlewood, Starc, Pattinson, Cummins and Lyon in the bowling attack....

Beasley Hutton wrote:

Ti Em wrote:

Beasley Hutton wrote: I see Warner is already in Melbourne so you would expect he will go close to being available for Boxing Day, I just hope Green keeps his place and either Head or Wade go out, Head for yet another very soft dismissal would be my choice atm!
I think they will keep Pucovski out for the short term with his constant concussion issues.

Green should hold his spot especially with his bowling. Wadey is popular amongst the group so just make him 12th man. Bring Patto in for the MCG test to keep the Victorians happy and drop one of the NSW quicks to make way for him. I would also bring Handscomb in for Head and Harris for Burns.

Why stop there TE why not bring in- Julien Wiener, Dav Whatmore, Jeff Moss, Richie Robinson, Ian Callen, Jim Higgs and a host of other ordinary Vics in to keep the Sictorians happy on BD!

Yes like your thinking there mate - don't forget Gee specialist Ian Harvey. Knows that place like the back of his hand.

mikeh wrote: On another note, I wonder what Cricket Australia are thinking about the new year Sydney test and if they have any plan B should things get worse over the next few weeks. The obvious alternative would be Optus stadium but that would need a reshuffle of the BBL fixtures as there as Perth is hosting a number of these games in the early part of January.

I can't see that happening Mike. I believe they're looking at playing an additional test at either the MCG or Brissy with the MCG as favourite if Sydney drops out

Looks like Pucovski has already been ruled out as he is still suffering the concussion symptoms from his last hit about a good few weeks ago.
I am now starting to think we may never see this precocious talent at Test level, Test fast bowlers will know he has a weakness against the short ball and you can guarantee he will be absolutely peppered with them, one blow to the head will put him out of business for the rest of the match and more than likely series.
A real shame and we hope he can get over his head issues but it is unfortunately not looking good for the young fella.

If the SCG Test can’t go ahead they should play it at Optus and the 2 BBL fixtures that clash get played at the WACA.

The Scorchers are only scheduled to play in 1 of the 2 games that would clash with the Test.

Beasley Hutton wrote: Looks like Pucovski has already been ruled out as he is still suffering the concussion symptoms from his last hit about a good few weeks ago.
I am now starting to think we may never see this precocious talent at Test level, Test fast bowlers will know he has a weakness against the short ball and you can guarantee he will be absolutely peppered with them, one blow to the head will put him out of business for the rest of the match and more than likely series.
A real shame and we hope he can get over his head issues but it is unfortunately not looking good for the young fella.

this was the only concern wasn't it mate - getting continual pitch time game after game could help with the flaw by just being out there but the lad is out again
Gotta pull the trigger some time though

Apparently Warner hasn't come up so we're going in with an unchanged team.