2018 Tour of South Africa

[Greystache]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

Lol the English press being on English players sides

Absoloutely, when they're winning. When they're losing not so much. Not sure you've seen much from the UK by the sounds of it.

Still much better than the Australian press which hates Australia when they lose and hates them more when they win.

[Flamethrower]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

I see Michael Clarke has put his hand up to return to the Australian Cricket team if needed.
My guess is the CA will be interested.

Someone needs to ask Katich for his opinion on this.

[Topdog]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

Absoloutely, when they're winning. When they're losing not so much. Not sure you've seen much from the UK by the sounds of it.

Still much better than the Australian press which hates Australia when they lose and hates them more when they win.

They have a history of bringing down players in all sports but it is definately intensified in English football

[Topdog]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

I see operation thrown Warner under the bus has started. Predictable 8 months before it started

[GVGjr]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

I see operation thrown Warner under the bus has started. Predictable 8 months before it started

It certainly seems that way. The thing is though I don't know how Bancroft can be selected again for Australia given he didn't display the strength to say no.
Smith can no longer lead Australia given he also didn't have the strength to steer the ship when he knew players under his charge were doing the wrong thing. He will be allowed to play for Australia because he is a star player. It doesn't make it right but I think that is how it will play out.

I think Warner will struggle to get selected again. He's out of favor with many of the players and unless they all accept him back the locker room won't be functional.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

It certainly seems that way. The thing is though I don't know how Bancroft can be selected again for Australia given he didn't display the strength to say no.
Smith can no longer lead Australia given he also didn't have the strength to steer the ship when he knew players under his charge were doing the wrong thing. He will be allowed to play for Australia because he is a star player. It doesn't make it right but I think that is how it will play out.

I think Warner will struggle to get selected again. He's out of favor with many of the players and unless they all accept him back the locker room won't be functional.

To be fair, Bancroft has had 14 innings and averages 30 at a strike rate of 45 with no centuries. He also shouldn't play because he's underperformed compared to others given that opening chance.

As for Smith & Warner, when they've served their punishment then to my view of the concept of punishment, they should be allowed to play if both their form warrants it and the coach signs off on the culture side of things. But I agree with you and topdog, Warner from recent statements looks like he's going to be the fall guy despite there not really being a need to have a fall guy anymore.

[Twodogs]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

For some reason Cricket Australia still feels the need to continue with the self flagellation. I agree that Bancroft shouldn't play again because he's not very good and despite the fact I have never particularly liked Dave Warner he's had enough and it's time to stop with the crap we are putting him through.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

For some reason Cricket Australia still feels the need to continue with the self flagellation. I agree that Bancroft shouldn't play again because he's not very good and despite the fact I have never particularly liked Dave Warner he's had enough and it's time to stop with the crap we are putting him through.

The problem with Warner is that the 4 bowlers still arent happy with him for organising for the ball to be tampered. Team harmony will play a large part in who gets selected. Warner desperately needs to mend fences with his former teammates. Re Bancroft, I think he will struggle to be picked more about that he is a poor decision maker than his form. He knew what he was doing was wrong but did it anyway because he was easily led.
If Warner wins over his NSW teammates then he is just a couple of decent scores away from a recall.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

Both Slater & Ponting: They've buried Warner. It's disappointing and was not necessary. Makes it harder for Warner to ever get back.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

Both Slater & Ponting: They've buried Warner. It's disappointing and was not necessary. Makes it harder for Warner to ever get back.

I think the public will side with Warner a bit more than he probably otherwise deserves. It's evident to most now that he has been thrown under the bus in interviews that unearthed nothing new and failed to ask the right questions.

Why wasn't a question asked if we tampered with the ball in previous tests?
Does the Australian team believe other teams tamper with the ball?

I could probably list another 6 questions that should have been asked.

Basically we learned nothing new.

Both Bancroft and Smith should have just fessed up that the buck stopped with them and that they have learned a harsh lesson not to accept bad behaviour or better still not done an interview. These aren't impressionable 16yo kids being led into something bad so they can't blame others.

[Twodogs]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

I think the public will side with Warner a bit more than he probably otherwise deserves. It's evident to most now that he has been thrown under the bus in interviews that unearthed nothing new and failed to ask the right questions.

Why wasn't a question asked if we tampered with the ball in previous tests?
Does the Australian team believe other teams tamper with the ball?

I could probably list another 6 questions that should have been asked.

Basically we learned nothing new.

Both Bancroft and Smith should have just fessed up that the buck stopped with them and that they have learned a harsh lesson not to accept bad behaviour or better still not done an interview. These aren't impressionable 16yo kids being led into something bad so they can't blame others.

Its patently obvious that other teams tamper with the ball . We should have pointed that out and told the rest of the test playing nations to go and *!*!*!*! themselves with a large stick.

We were played for mugs and the worst of it is we fell over ourselves to let it happen. What we should have done is point out ALL the times that other teams did it too. I never liked Smith or Warner but there is such a thing as consistency and they were hung out to dry.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

Trio to be 'welcomed back with open arms'

Once they have served their time, can't see why they can't be considered for future matches.

Meanwhile, Smith has been cleared to play T20 in Bangladesh

[GVGjr]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

Trio to be 'welcomed back with open arms'

Once they have served their time, can't see why they can't be considered for future matches.

Meanwhile, Smith has been cleared to play T20 in Bangladesh

I'm nearly of the impression that we would be better off without the 3 of them as test cricketers.
All 3 have an appalling lack of common sense and 2 of them haven't quite accepted that they're responsible for their actions.

[jeemak]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

I'm nearly of the impression that we would be better off without the 3 of them as test cricketers.
All 3 have an appalling lack of common sense and 2 of them haven't quite accepted that they're responsible for their actions.

I think that's going a bit far, but would definitely keep them all away from leadership positions beyond 2020.

[Twodogs]

Re: 2018 Tour of South Africa

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44539299

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-27/du-plessis-fine-for-ball-tampering/5048138

"But Faf du Plessis, Smith's opposite number has been done twice (for ball-tampering); 'Mintgate' in Australia (in 2016) and shining the ball on the zip (against Pakistan in 2013)."

I repeat, we have been played for mugs. EVERY test playing nation has been caught interfering with the ball and to call Australia out for it is the height of hypocrisy.