1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

[bulldogtragic]

Under two weeks to go. Hopefully a traditional Gabba wicket and good weather await. Both teams with in form quicks and a batsman from each in a ridiculous form line.

So what's the set up for bowling selection: Lyon, Starc, Johnson, Hazlewood or Pattinson?
WK: Neville
Bats: Smith & Warner are locks. Voges? Khawaja? Burns? Bancroft? Cowan? Shaun Marsh?
All Rounder: Do we need one? If so, Mitch Marsh.

Got to say I'm really looking forward to a challenging series on home turf.

[lemmon]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

I'd say you can lock in the following spots based on what we've seen from selectors:

Warner
-
-
Smith
Voges
M. Marsh
Nevill
Johnson
-
-
Lyon

I think it was pretty telling Hazlewood was meant to be rested from the Bangladesh tour, when he's healthy I think the selectors have him as a lock as they do with Johnson.

It leaves the last seamers spot to one of Starc or Siddle with Pattinson trailing in behind. I like Patto but he hasn't played decent first class cricket in more than 12 months, you'd be picking him off a good Matador Cup but the problem is, Starc had an excellent one. Starc is in the best form of the three but can you play him and Johnson in the same side? I don't think his Ashes was good enough to say you could, nor do I think he has done enough to usurp Johnson in Australian conditions. All signs point to the selectors wanting to reward Siddle after what he did at The Oval but he's underdone. All three have question marks and you could argue for any of them but I think they'll go with Siddle for the sake of continuity more than anything else.

The final decision will be fitting four of S.Marsh, Khawaja, Burns and Bancroft into two spots. Realistically you could choose any of the four to open or bat 3 but I think it is probably down to:

Bancroft V Burns to open with Warner and
Khawaja V S. Marsh to bat 3

There really isn't much to split the four but Burns and Khawaja hitting tons in the tour game may have just swung things their way which I'm happy with as they are the two I'd pick. The experience in Queensland may sway the selectors also.

So in summary I think we'll be looking at:
Burns
Warner
Khawaja
Smith
Voges
M.Marsh
Nevill
Johnson
Siddle
Hazlewood
Lyon

Just for discussion, my side would be:
Warner
Burns
Smith
Khawaja
Lynn or Handscomb
Nevill
Faulkner
Johnson
Pattinson
Hazlewood
Lyon

[GVGjr]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

This is how I think we will line up

Warner
Burns
S.Marsh
Smith
Voges
M.Marsh
Neville
Johnson
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon
Siddle

This is how I would have them lining up
Warner
Bancroft
Burns
Smith
Voges
Henriques
Neville
Johnson
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon
Fekete

I like the idea of Bancroft batting with Warner as it gives us the lefty righty combination plus Bancroft is a patient batsman much like Rogers was and he is also a sensational fieldsman.
S.Marsh is too inconsistent for mine and Khawaja poor in the field so I'd lean towards Burns.

M.Marsh has been in poor form and the bat and I think we need an all-rounder who's a bit more consistent at getting runs. It won't happen but I'd go with Henriques.

[Ozza]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Looking forward to this series. New look Aussie side against what has become a fairly capable NZ team.
I'm going to head over for the first day in the Adelaide test, and will go to at least a day, maybe 2 in Melbourne.

[GVGjr]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Is there any merit in playing 6 batsmen in the first test and not having the all-rounder?

[lemmon]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Is there any merit in playing 6 batsmen in the first test and not having the all-rounder?

It depends on the attack for mine. If we are set on playing Johnson and Starc together we need a genuine fifth bowling option to soak up overs and bowl to straight fields when the opposition get on top.

If the attack is something closer to Hazlewood, Siddle and Johnson/Starc I think we can definitely get away with it and blood someone like a Handscomb at 6. Voges and Smith are fine for 8 overs an innings and Lyon is a genuinely good first innings spinner.

[Twodogs]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Does Finch's double hundred change anything?

[GVGjr]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Does Finch's double hundred change anything?

In terms of test calculations? Not at all, he needs to perform for Victoria and doesn't. I'd have 30 cricketers ahead of him and he wouldn't get into an Australian A side on form.

[Axe Man]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Some talk of Klinger finally getting a call up after a double ton and of course mountains of runs at first class level over the years.

Could he be another success like Chris Rogers for 2 or 3 years?

[GVGjr]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

The Australian squad has been announced

The squad: Smith (c), Warner (vc), Burns, Hazlewood, Khawaja, Johnson, Lyon, MMarsh, Nevill, Starc, Siddle, Voges

Bancroft misses out.

[Greystache]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Does Finch's double hundred change anything?

It could lead to greater opportunities to play Shield cricket for Victoria. He didn't have a case for selection prior to now. He averages high 20's in FC cricket.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Siddle 12th man perhaps. I think the more experience for Starc & Hazlewood bowling together at test match level is worth more than what Siddle offers, with no offence towards him.

[whythelongface]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Deleted post

[Bornadog]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

The Australian squad has been announced

The squad: Smith (c), Warner (vc), Burns, Hazlewood, Khawaja, Johnson, Lyon, MMarsh, Nevill, Starc, Siddle, Voges

Bancroft misses out.

I am not sold on Khawaja, continually disappoints after getting a good start.

[Sedat]

Re: 1st Test Match, Vs New Zealand - 5 Nov 2015

Does Finch's double hundred change anything?

Even with the 288no included from this match, his 1st class average is a pitiful 32

Wouldn't read too much into the NZ bowling performance - Southee bowled 3 overs and Boult didn't play. Mark Craig is a very limited spinner (every NZ spinner except Vettori has been limited in talent) but he won't be much of a factor at the Gabba anyway.