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Re: England v Australia, Fourth Ashes Test, Nottingham
I said at the start of the series that I didn't like Smith at 3 and I believe he is better suited to batting at the number 4 or 5 spot.
I'm not sure why we were confident that having our most dominate batsman batting at 3 was going to work. Perhaps it was an acknowledgment that we just didn't have a better or more suitable number 3.
Some of the positives in what has been a poor tour are:
- Losing Harris at the start of the series hurt us but in the longer term the experience both Starc and Hazlewood gained will be a benefit.
- We've made the hard call on Watson and I think we have done the same of the grand old warriors in Haddin and Siddle.
- S.Marsh should now have his card marked and Voges will need a minor miracle to still be in contention for a spot this summer.
- I think Clarke is now very aware that his time as one of the world best batsman is behind him and he might decide to make this summer in Australia his last.
We need to look at freshening up this team particularly with batsman who have good techniques and character. We might suffer some additional pain along the way but it needs to happen. It's over to the likes of Burns, Khawaja, Bancroft, Head and Handscomb to prove they have test match quality grit and consistency with their batting.
It's also time for our selectors to look at the England approach and see what we can follow. How we approach this summer will be a huge statement of if the selectors play it safe or bite the bullet and promote some of our talented youngsters.
I said at the start of the series that I didn't like Smith at 3 and I believe he is better suited to batting at the number 4 or 5 spot.
I'm not sure why we were confident that having our most dominate batsman batting at 3 was going to work. Perhaps it was an acknowledgment that we just didn't have a better or more suitable number 3.
Some of the positives in what has been a poor tour are:
- Losing Harris at the start of the series hurt us but in the longer term the experience both Starc and Hazlewood gained will be a benefit.
- We've made the hard call on Watson and I think we have done the same of the grand old warriors in Haddin and Siddle.
- S.Marsh should now have his card marked and Voges will need a minor miracle to still be in contention for a spot this summer.
- I think Clarke is now very aware that his time as one of the world best batsman is behind him and he might decide to make this summer in Australia his last.
We need to look at freshening up this team particularly with batsman who have good techniques and character. We might suffer some additional pain along the way but it needs to happen. It's over to the likes of Burns, Khawaja, Bancroft, Head and Handscomb to prove they have test match quality grit and consistency with their batting.
It's also time for our selectors to look at the England approach and see what we can follow. How we approach this summer will be a huge statement of if the selectors play it safe or bite the bullet and promote some of our talented youngsters.
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