Third Test Australia v India - January 7th to 11th - SCG (at this stage)

[bornadog]

Cricket Australia has confirmed the third Vodafone Test will be played in Sydney as scheduled, with the final match to follow in Brisbane.


Surely Burns gets dropped and maybe even Head. Warner and Pucovski to come in? I would probably prefer Harris to open with Warner and Wade dropped down the order.

[GVGjr]

BAD, it does looks like Burns and Head for Warner and Pucovski with Wade sliding down the order
Given our batting performances we do need to find a stronger number 5 so I don't mind the suggestion of Harris to the top of the order

I know its a very small sample size but if there were a couple of in form batsman I'd even consider dropping Green for this test bringing him back for the 4th Test. His innings yesterday wasn't bad though
It's not like our front line bowlers have been worked into the ground with the two tests finishing early

[bulldogsthru&thru]

18 new local cases in NSW. CA is kidding itself by going ahead with the test.

[bornadog]

18 new local cases in NSW. CA is kidding itself by going ahead with the test.

Also, how do the players get to Brisbane if Borders are shut?

[GVGjr]

Also, how do the players get to Brisbane if Borders are shut?

They needed to make the 3rd test at the Gabba and the 4th in Sydney if not again at the MCG

[bornadog]

BAD, it does looks like Burns and Head for Warner and Pucovski with Wade sliding down the order
Given our batting performances we do need to find a stronger number 5 so I don't mind the suggestion of Harris to the top of the order

I know its a very small sample size but if there were a couple of in form batsman I'd even consider dropping Green for this test bringing him back for the 4th Test. His innings yesterday wasn't bad though
It's not like our front line bowlers have been worked into the ground with the two tests finishing early

Official Squad:

Australia Test squad:

Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Head still there at this stage, but whether he is picked we will see.

[GVGjr]

Official Squad:

Australia Test squad:

Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

Head still there at this stage, but whether he is picked we will see.

I have some questions
I wonder if Henriques is an outside chance to replace either Head or Green?
Is 6 quick bowlers necessary? I don't think Abbott is of a test cricket standard
Will we stick with our preferred left and right hand batsman at the top of the order?

[bornadog]

Will Pucovski has been presented with his Baggy Green by Andrew McDonald

[bornadog]

Australia have won the toss and will bat first

[bornadog]

Australia XI: David Warner, Will Pucovski, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (c, wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood


India XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (c), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini

[Axe Man]

Great opportunity for Pukovski to open with the experience of Warner and aside from Bumrah, against not the most threatening fast ball attack going around. Hopefully he can get a few runs and most importantly not cop any hits to the helmet.

Really need to make +300 in the first innings.

[bornadog]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO

Warner gone for 5

[comrade]

Puc already looks more at home than Burns did.

[whythelongface]

Puc already looks more at home than Burns did.

Absolutely. Looking very comfortable. He already looks like the opener we have been crying out for.

[Axe Man]

Puc already looks more at home than Burns did.

Montgomery would have looked more at home than Joe has at the crease this summer.