TOPIC:

The Australian team for the first test in Perth is probably going to be the same as the 5th test at the Oval in the ashes series apart from Lyons expected return.

There are some interesting short to long term questions for the selectors though based on the PMs XI team selected for the game against the tourists the week prior to the 1st test

Prime Minister's XI squad to play Pakistan: Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster

With Warner retiring after this series the race is on for the opening spot and all 3 candidates are playing in this game( Harris, Bancroft, Renshaw)

Jury is also out on the keepers role. Inglis hasn't been picked for this game which indicates to me that he is not far behind the incumbent Carey who is under pressure to perform early in the series.

Mitch Marsh appears to be a lock in for the number 6 spot so Cam Green will probably need to cool his heels in the Big Bash unless there is an injury issue.

The other thing I noticed about the PM squad is the absence of Lance Morris. I am wondering if maybe they are considering unleashing him on a fast Perth track in the first test. Joel Paris is also unlucky not to be in the PMs game as he has been a standout in the Shield competition this year 

love to see Lance get his cap along with Inglis
but you get the feeling it'll be just the same old 

Always been harder to get out than get in the Aust 11. Starc was Aust player of the series v Eng from memory.....Cummins is skipper and Hazlewood until injured is always first off the rank.....the likes of Richardson and Morris need to stay fit for longer periods. Lyon replaces Murphy, Carey will get first crack as keeper. The top 5 pick themselves, whilst Marsh edges out Green for the time being.

Pakistan won't be easy beats, Babar always makes runs v Aust and the fast boys are more than decent....might need a couple of losses or injuries before that Aust 11 changes TBH.

Khawaja, Green and Carey all had good hit outs in the most recent shield games. None of the candidates to replace Warner did much, I'm wondering why Head is still in India playing in a meaningless T20 series when the first test is only 10 days away. Surely it would have been better for him to have a hit up in club cricket in Adelaide rather than this slap and giggle stuff in the sub continent.
If Pakistan bring their A game they will be a test for Australia, they have a solid batting unit led by Babar and some serious pace. If they get beaten in the first test, they may revert to arguing amongst themselves which is what has happened in other tours.
Australia will probably not stray from their Ashes XI during this series ( barring injury of course) but they may start looking at future players in the West Indies tests later in the summer. So guys like Morris, Richardson, McAndrew, Steketee and Webster may find themselves being selected in these tests

Head still being in India playing a completely meaningless T20 comp just over a week away from the 1st Test starting in Australia for the Summer pretty much sums up the management at CA from the dopey pommy ceo through to Bailey & Ronald McDonald!
All of the likely 1st Test squad should have been on the first plane home the day after the World Cup to get some Sheffield Shield  red ball cricket play in but sadly not these days!

the bowling heavy squad selected says they think the drop-in pitch will be a raging seamer 
even Lyon may not play
Morris odd on to get his cap at home in an all out pace attack
 

Considering the way Head bats in all forms of cricket- only one way, not sure all the concern about Head playing no red ball cricket before the test series. Pretty sure on the GABBA green top v SA, Head batted like it was a white ball game. But agree Smith should of gone home straight after the ODi final as he looked cooked in the ODI WC.

Pakistan will be a decent test for Aust, Babar always makes runs v Starc et al and Afridi is a very good bowler. But with the WTC and ODI WC on their resumes, I have no doubt the R&P show will keep on keeping on, infuriating the Langerette's, as R&P bumble along, relying on, apparently plenty of luck and good fortune for their success....or should I say..... successes.

What do people think about Mitchell Johnsons comments about Warner?  My reaction was that he went a little bit too far in his criticism. Sure question his place in the team which a lot of people have been doing in the light of his very ordinary test record over the last couple of years but to dredge up the Sand paper gate issue yet again when Warner has well and truly been punished for his part in that is a little bit over the top IMHO.

I think given that Johnson is writing opinion pieces for that "reputable" rag the West Australian, he has been told to be controversial along the lines of Kane Cornes in the AFL.
 

when I read a bit of the opinion piece I first thought how accurate he was
within hours most of the media comments were on Johnson's side
one of the selectors fumbled something about performances but for a long while there weren't any
in the end it's just an opinion from an ex-cricketer

mikeh wrote:

What do people think about Mitchell Johnsons comments about Warner?  My reaction was that he went a little bit too far in his criticism. Sure question his place in the team which a lot of people have been doing in the light of his very ordinary test record over the last couple of years but to dredge up the Sand paper gate issue yet again when Warner has well and truly been punished for his part in that is a little bit over the top IMHO.

I think given that Johnson is writing opinion pieces for that "reputable" rag the West Australian, he has been told to be controversial along the lines of Kane Cornes in the AFL.


 

Yes, Mike.  It's starting to get a bit tasty now with other former players like Haddin weighing in.  I know which one I'd support between Johnno and Warner if push comes to shove which I might add, Warner is pretty good at going by previous run in's he's had with de Kock and Joe Root.  In all fairness to Warner though, their surnames were probably an untimely reminder of his missus' chequered past.