Australia in the West Indies

[lemmon]

Some big, early news that Cricket Australia have ruled Chris Rogers out of the first test with concussion. He was struck on the helmet in a session and although it's been described as 'mild' it's a CA policy that any concussion automatically rules you out. Good rule for player welfare in my mind.

With Smith expected to bat 3 and Watson at 6 does this mean Mitch Marsh comes into the XI and Watson moves to open or does Shaun Marsh move from 5 to open (where he scored a ton in the tour match) and Voges comes in?

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Shaun Marsh will open and I suspect M.Marsh will come in. Wouldn't mind Voges getting a game though.

Two spin bowlers are likely?

[Happy Days]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Maybe we shouldn't have dropped Joe Burns for no reason?

[Ozza]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Maybe we shouldn't have dropped Joe Burns for no reason?

Here here.

[lemmon]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Looks like it will be Marsh opening and Voges at 5 with Ahmed and M Marsh the unlucky ones:

Warner
S. Marsh
Smith
Clarke
Voges
Watson
Haddin
Johnson
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

If that batting line-up gets in on a flat deck we could see some rapid scoring. Voges and Marsh are the form batsman at the moment, if they fill their boots Rogers may begin his farewell Ashes series as a reserve batsman.

Also Faulkner hit his maiden first class ton overnight in county cricket. Unfortunately his bowling has been less than impressive at first class level. He really needs a year or two off from the IPL or a few series away from the one day side to put some games on the board, he's played 7 first class games since his test debut two years ago which is ridiculous

[Bornadog]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

How do you think Smith will go at three?

[lemmon]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

How do you think Smith will go at three?

I think its the perfect time to figure it out and all indications point to it being a success. He's done it for a while with NSW and was great there during the World Cup. He has the mindset and tempo for it, my big concern is technical - particularly how far his hands get from his body. If that will trouble him anywhere it will be against the new ball in England but if it's ever going to happen the time is now.

He should plunder the runs against the West Indies, their pace attack is mediocre and he devours spin but let's not tick him off at 3 till he manages the away swing of Anderson in overcast conditions.

[lemmon]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Windies win the toss and bat

[Happy Days]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Windies win the toss and bat

Between the second test opener, no Shiv and the 3 keepers that Windies line up looks flaccid as. What's your prognosis lem? Anyone to look out for?

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

West Indies all out for 148 and Australia 1 for 35 off 13 overs. A number of the West Indies batsman got starts.

[SlimPickens]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Most batsmen got starts as Clarke falls for 18

[SlimPickens]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Hopefully Voges can play well. Full toss to get off the mark helps

[lemmon]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

I stayed up for the first session and those figures flatter. The bowling in the first hour was particularly bad, Hazlewood the exception as he was excellent. Johnson sprayed it around like he was pre-Ashes comeback and Starc was his normal inconsistent self at test level. Johnson came back after the first drinks break and was far improved but on that deck and with the bowling the way it was, Windies should have been one down at lunch, three flattered us

[Sedat]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Apparently Australia were extremely sharp in the field and caught everything. Still a very poor first innings by the Windies.

[Twodogs]

Re: Australia in the West Indies

Apparently Australia were extremely sharp in the field and caught everything. Still a very poor first innings by the Windies.

Some really sharp catching. From the highlights it looked like a classic Aussie fielding performance, on their toes and catching everything that came their way. Apart from the bowling how was the fielding in the first session lem? First morning sets the standard for the series.