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It should be a cracker of a contest. I always get a bit sucked in by what South Africa could be, but that bowling line-up is excellent and can't be counted out.
There are a few selection calls for Australia -
-Is it Marnus v Konstas - It sounds like this is the decision at the top, Marnus struggled playing County Div 2 but do you lean into experience for a one-off contest? I think they'll go for experience and pick Marnus here, he has opened 15 times in First Class cricket (including in the UK), so it's not quite Nathan McSweeney.
-Green is in - by the sounds of things, he'll play as a batter. He's fresh off 3 tons for Gloucestershire, but I don't think you can discount how rubbish Division Two County Championship is...in one game the opposition had long-time Premier Cricket stalwart and very occasional Victorian cricketer, 34-year old Ian Holland, opening the bowling. It's not good stuff, but runs are runs. The question will be, where does he bat?
-Will Beau Webster keep his spot - It sounds like they don't think they'll need an all-rounder for a one-off Test and are weighing up the extra batting. I could see all of Konstas, Marnus and Green playing, with Webster the unlucky man
-Boland or Hazlewood - It feels like the selectors will play Hazlewood. He was one of the best bowlers in the IPL and he's fresh. If they go Hazlewood, are they compelled to play Webster as insurance? They have to consider the possibility that he doesn't get through five days.
-They love Inglis - He is absolutely in contention for the 6 spot if they decide to open Marnus and bat Green at 3. He was great in Sri Lanka, one of the players of the IPL and selectors love him - I think he's every chance to play.
I haven't watched much of South Africa, but for mine, they need their attack to roll us quickly in the first innings and get ahead of the game. Rabada is frighteningly good, Marco Jansen is slippery and Maharaj is a much-improved player. We'll target Bavuma, he's always been vulnerable to shorter bowling and quality pace - I think we'll go really hard at the captain.
There are a few selection calls for Australia -
-Is it Marnus v Konstas - It sounds like this is the decision at the top, Marnus struggled playing County Div 2 but do you lean into experience for a one-off contest? I think they'll go for experience and pick Marnus here, he has opened 15 times in First Class cricket (including in the UK), so it's not quite Nathan McSweeney.
-Green is in - by the sounds of things, he'll play as a batter. He's fresh off 3 tons for Gloucestershire, but I don't think you can discount how rubbish Division Two County Championship is...in one game the opposition had long-time Premier Cricket stalwart and very occasional Victorian cricketer, 34-year old Ian Holland, opening the bowling. It's not good stuff, but runs are runs. The question will be, where does he bat?
-Will Beau Webster keep his spot - It sounds like they don't think they'll need an all-rounder for a one-off Test and are weighing up the extra batting. I could see all of Konstas, Marnus and Green playing, with Webster the unlucky man
-Boland or Hazlewood - It feels like the selectors will play Hazlewood. He was one of the best bowlers in the IPL and he's fresh. If they go Hazlewood, are they compelled to play Webster as insurance? They have to consider the possibility that he doesn't get through five days.
-They love Inglis - He is absolutely in contention for the 6 spot if they decide to open Marnus and bat Green at 3. He was great in Sri Lanka, one of the players of the IPL and selectors love him - I think he's every chance to play.
I haven't watched much of South Africa, but for mine, they need their attack to roll us quickly in the first innings and get ahead of the game. Rabada is frighteningly good, Marco Jansen is slippery and Maharaj is a much-improved player. We'll target Bavuma, he's always been vulnerable to shorter bowling and quality pace - I think we'll go really hard at the captain.
then that. Oh dear
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