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One warm-up down and one to go, there were some interesting results from a good hit out and win in Kent (not least from future England test star Daniel Bell-Drummond, remember the name).
Johnson was the pick of the bowlers and is certain to be selected while Harris is well short of a gallop and may be the man to miss for Starc and Hazlewood who were both rested. Ahmed bowled himself out of any Agar-esque meteoric rise and Lyon is a certainty. Siddle was solid but with these pace stocks that's not enough and looks to have slipped into 'good squad man' range.
On the bowling side, unless Harris picks up a bag in the final game it looks like we'll be going - Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon
On the batting side there are two key battles for the second openers position and for the spot at number 6. Rogers made 80 odd but was overshadowed by Shaun Marsh's century. Is it telling that Shaun Marsh has been rested from the second tour game while Rogers is playing or should it be interpreted that Rogers is the preferred option and they want to give the best combination a hit out? I'd say that's virtually a dead heat at the moment and could go either way.
Finally Watson made a solid second innings 80 as the side went for quick runs but was again outdone by a Marsh, as Mitch slapped his way to a century from 90 odd balls. I am concerned we haven't yet seen Marsh build an innings and all his runs seem to come when we hunt a declaration but it looks like he's striking them well. Watson didn't bowl while Marsh put together 17 handy overs and picked up two wickets. Watson has been told he must bowl to be selected and the final warm-up will be the final audition for both. I think Marsh may be ahead by a nose at this stage.
So with one warm-still to be played I think we are looking at:
Warner (lock)
Rogers/Marsh (50/50)
Smith (lock)
Clarke (lock)
Voges (lock)
Marsh/Watson (Maybe Marsh ahead by a nose, will come down to final tour game)
Johnson (lock)
Starc (lock - unless Harris picks up a bag)
Hazlewood (lock - unless Harris picks up a bag)
Lyon (lock)
Johnson was the pick of the bowlers and is certain to be selected while Harris is well short of a gallop and may be the man to miss for Starc and Hazlewood who were both rested. Ahmed bowled himself out of any Agar-esque meteoric rise and Lyon is a certainty. Siddle was solid but with these pace stocks that's not enough and looks to have slipped into 'good squad man' range.
On the bowling side, unless Harris picks up a bag in the final game it looks like we'll be going - Johnson, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon
On the batting side there are two key battles for the second openers position and for the spot at number 6. Rogers made 80 odd but was overshadowed by Shaun Marsh's century. Is it telling that Shaun Marsh has been rested from the second tour game while Rogers is playing or should it be interpreted that Rogers is the preferred option and they want to give the best combination a hit out? I'd say that's virtually a dead heat at the moment and could go either way.
Finally Watson made a solid second innings 80 as the side went for quick runs but was again outdone by a Marsh, as Mitch slapped his way to a century from 90 odd balls. I am concerned we haven't yet seen Marsh build an innings and all his runs seem to come when we hunt a declaration but it looks like he's striking them well. Watson didn't bowl while Marsh put together 17 handy overs and picked up two wickets. Watson has been told he must bowl to be selected and the final warm-up will be the final audition for both. I think Marsh may be ahead by a nose at this stage.
So with one warm-still to be played I think we are looking at:
Warner (lock)
Rogers/Marsh (50/50)
Smith (lock)
Clarke (lock)
Voges (lock)
Marsh/Watson (Maybe Marsh ahead by a nose, will come down to final tour game)
Johnson (lock)
Starc (lock - unless Harris picks up a bag)
Hazlewood (lock - unless Harris picks up a bag)
Lyon (lock)
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