Australia vs England 25/26

[GVGjr]

Some news from Code Sports
Australia coach Andrew McDonald flags Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis as Ashes wildcards
Australia is considering fighting fire with fire in the Ashes, with coach Andrew McDonald floating Mitch Marsh as a potential mid-series bolter to take down England’s Bazball.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald has conceded it will be a “squeeze” for Pat Cummins to play the first Ashes Test and that the skipper runs the risk of other injury if he is hurried back.
McDonald meanwhile espoused the virtues of Josh Inglis as a potential mid-series circuit-breaker in a potential bid to fight England’s Bazball tactics with Aussie fire.
McDonald remains upbeat about Cummins’ general trajectory as he recovers from a back stress injury, and would likely have a definitive answer about the superstar paceman’s availability by the end of next week.
However while he would not completely draw a line through Cummins’ name for the first Test beginning in Perth on November 21, McDonald acknowledged that the skipper’s runway was narrow.

“Pat’s had a positive week this week,” McDonald told Code Sports on Friday.
“We’ve added some more variables into his training, and it’ll really be where he lands at the end of next week, just in terms of what it looks like for the first Test match. We haven’t got ourselves past the first Test match, and what the extended summer looks like at this stage.”
McDonald accepted that trying to expedite Cummins’ return would leave him vulnerable to other soft-tissue injuries.

“I think the biggest concern once he gets handed back over to us on the back of his recent injury will be making sure that we’re mitigating against any other things that can go wrong.
“And I’m mindful not to get caught up in sort of the medical area. But yeah, there’ll be a risk associated with a shortened prep around soft tissue injuries.
“It’s going to kind of squeeze now. So we’re still hopeful for the first Test and then, is it realistic? Is it unrealistic? I think we’re in a better position at the end of next week to really be able to deliver some information of substance and give you a guide on what it looks like for the first Test.”

The availability of the captain is the most pressing selection issue ahead of the Ashes, but it is far from the only one.
The national selection panel remains on track to name its squad for the first Test following the third Sheffield Shield round at the end of the month.

While Marnus Labuschagne is in the box seat for a recall after his outstanding start to the domestic season, the exact composition of the top six remains up in the air, with Beau Webster vulnerable to losing his spot at No.6 given Cameron Green’s return to bowl.
McDonald would not rule out moving Steve Smith up to No.3 as part of a reshuffle but highlighted how well Smith and Head had batted together at four and five respectively over the past year.

“The way they complement each other, and then the ability to get hundreds, I think you ask yourself the question, and then you debate what it looks like. And we’ve always been open to making the decision when we need to make it. And we’ve sort of got that pencilled down for Shield game three. So there’s a lot more information to come. There’ll be a discussion around Cameron Green as an all-rounder at three, or does he need to slide down? And then we’ve got the debate around who should open, and is it an opener, and Marnus at No. 3, or is it Marnus opening? And yeah, so all the things that have been debated, we’ll be asking ourselves those questions.”

McDonald said white-ball gloveman Inglis, who played three Tests earlier this year, should not be discounted, while even a recall for Mitch Marsh was not beyond the realms of possibility at some stage in the series.
The coach said that Inglis could potentially be shifted up the order if the stars aligned, but that would not be a likely starting position.

“(Inglis has) been a part of squads as mainly the backup keeper, but also the backup batter, so he’s really close and he’s in a conversation. If there was to be a moving part, it was to be a sort of form slump from someone, then he’d definitely been that conversation,” McDonald said.

“I think you probably set him up for success in the middle order. And would we have a discussion around if there were to be moving parts higher up the order and get back into that sort of best six batters, and if he was part of the best six batters, and we didn’t want to move anyone else, could he go up?

“Yeah, I think there’s a version of that, and I think other coaches domestically have supported that has been a possibility. We think Josh is an exceptional player in all formats. So yeah, would he be able to handle that? Yes.”

[Bornadog]

Pat Cummins will be a big loss - at least for the first test. Hope he can overcome his injuries

[GVGjr]

I agree BAD, Cummins would be a massive loss for us.
We've done a mighty job of keeping our 3 front line quick bowlers on the park over the last few years with some terrific support from Boland when needed
I'm not sure who would be genuine candidates to replace Cummins but I don't feel like we are flush with options. Boland and Neser might be considered.
Even Marnus as an opening batsman doesn't seem right, I'd rather him at the number 3 or even 5.

[Bornadog]

I agree BAD, Cummins would be a massive loss for us.
We've done a mighty job of keeping our 3 front line quick bowlers on the park over the last few years with some terrific support from Boland when needed
I'm not sure why would be genuine candidates to replace Cummins but I don't feel like we are flush with options.
Even Marnus as an opening batsman doesn't seem right, I'd rather him at the number 3 or even 5.

I tend to agree on Marnus. We just haven't found a consistent opener in the past year or so. Ashes are going to be very interesting.

[GVGjr]

McDonald talks up Marsh and Inglis

Australian coach Andrew McDonald has conceded it will be a “squeeze” for Pat Cummins to play the first Ashes Test and that the skipper runs the risk of other injury if he is hurried back.
McDonald meanwhile espoused the virtues of Josh Inglis as a potential mid-series circuit-breaker in a potential bid to fight England’s Bazball tactics with Aussie fire.
McDonald remains upbeat about Cummins’ general trajectory as he recovers from a back stress injury, and would likely have a definitive answer about the superstar paceman’s availability by the end of next week.
However while he would not completely draw a line through Cummins’ name for the first Test beginning in Perth on November 21, McDonald acknowledged that the skipper’s runway was narrow.

“Pat’s had a positive week this week,” McDonald told Code Sports on Friday.
“We’ve added some more variables into his training, and it’ll really be where he lands at the end of next week, just in terms of what it looks like for the first Test match. We haven’t got ourselves past the first Test match, and what the extended summer looks like at this stage.”

McDonald accepted that trying to expedite Cummins’ return would leave him vulnerable to other soft-tissue injuries.

“I think the biggest concern once he gets handed back over to us on the back of his recent injury will be making sure that we’re mitigating against any other things that can go wrong.
“And I’m mindful not to get caught up in sort of the medical area. But yeah, there’ll be a risk associated with a shortened prep around soft tissue injuries.
“It’s going to kind of squeeze now. So we’re still hopeful for the first Test and then, is it realistic? Is it unrealistic? I think we’re in a better position at the end of next week to really be able to deliver some information of substance and give you a guide on what it looks like for the first Test.”

The availability of the captain is the most pressing selection issue ahead of the Ashes, but it is far from the only one.

The national selection panel remains on track to name its squad for the first Test following the third Sheffield Shield round at the end of the month.
While Marnus Labuschagne is in the box seat for a recall after his outstanding start to the domestic season, the exact composition of the top six remains up in the air, with Beau Webster vulnerable to losing his spot at No.6 given Cameron Green’s return to bowl.

McDonald would not rule out moving Steve Smith up to No.3 as part of a reshuffle but highlighted how well Smith and Head had batted together at four and five respectively over the past year.

“The way they complement each other, and then the ability to get hundreds, I think you ask yourself the question, and then you debate what it looks like. And we’ve always been open to making the decision when we need to make it. And we’ve sort of got that pencilled down for Shield game three. So there’s a lot more information to come. There’ll be a discussion around Cameron Green as an all-rounder at three, or does he need to slide down? And then we’ve got the debate around who should open, and is it an opener, and Marnus at No. 3, or is it Marnus opening? And yeah, so all the things that have been debated, we’ll be asking ourselves those questions.”

McDonald said white-ball gloveman Inglis, who played three Tests earlier this year, should not be discounted, while even a recall for Mitch Marsh was not beyond the realms of possibility at some stage in the series.
The coach said that Inglis could potentially be shifted up the order if the stars aligned, but that would not be a likely starting position.

“(Inglis has) been a part of squads as mainly the backup keeper, but also the backup batter, so he’s really close and he’s in a conversation. If there was to be a moving part, it was to be a sort of form slump from someone, then he’d definitely been that conversation,” McDonald said.
“I think you probably set him up for success in the middle order. And would we have a discussion around if there were to be moving parts higher up the order and get back into that sort of best six batters, and if he was part of the best six batters, and we didn’t want to move anyone else, could he go up?

“Yeah, I think there’s a version of that, and I think other coaches domestically have supported that has been a possibility. We think Josh is an exceptional player in all formats. So yeah, would he be able to handle that? Yes.”

[GVGjr]

I wonder why Henry Hunt is not in the conversation for a test openers spot?
I know he has probably never had a break out season like Renshaw had but he has a good technique and is really solid in the field.

Marnus as an opener is a bit of a risk from my perspective. I'd prefer him at 3
Ussie needs some luck and I'm not sure Konstas is ready.

Is Hunt at least in line with Renshaw?

[GVGjr]

George Bailey provides insight into Australian Ashes selection, Cameron Green injury latest
Australian selector George Bailey says he has no issues with Marnus Labuschagne shifting from No.3 for Queensland to open in the Ashes. Plus, the latest on Cam Green’s injury.

George Bailey has endorsed Marnus Labuschagne’s readiness to open the batting this summer if required as the Australian selection chair sought to play down concerns around Cameron Green’s fitness.

On a day that veteran opener Usman Khawaja fell for a duck in the Sheffield Shield, Bailey spoke of how pleased he had been by Labuschagne’s strong start to the domestic season and was adamant that the Queensland captain could partner Khawaja in the Perth Test next month should it be in the interests of team balance.

Bailey was also optimistic about Pat Cummins’ progression in his back recovery, while confirming that Steve Smith would again captain the Aussie Test side should Cummins be unavailable, as will almost certainly be the case for the series opener beginning on November 21.

While Labuschagne was lbw to Jordan Buckingham for 18 in the Bulls’ run chase against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, the former world No. 1 ranked Test batter’s otherwise barnstorming start to the domestic season has all but ensured he will regain his place for the first Test.

The only decision left to be made on that front is whether Labuschagne opens - as he did in his most recent Test at Lord’s in June - or bats in his usual position at No. 3. That largely hinges on whether Beau Webster holds his position in the side alongside fellow all-rounder Green, or whether a specialist opener like Jake Weatherald is preferred.

Bailey said Labuschagne was a viable option as opener.

“He absolutely could. I’ve got no doubt about that. I think he’s got a skill set that can,” Bailey told ABC radio.
“I don’t think that’s unique. I think there’s plenty of guys that bat in the top three around the country that could shift from three to the top or from the top to three.
“I don’t think there’s a massive change in the way that he would approach that or play. But whether he does whether he needs to, that’s a different question.”

Speaking later in the day in Perth, Bailey elaborated on Labuschagne’s return to form.
“I really like the innings (his first innings) in Adelaide. I like the intent, I like the movement, like the way he built the partnerships worked,” Bailey said.
“It’s a nice bowling attack South Australia have got so yeah, he’s been nice.

“We know he’s a quality player. We know there’s a hell of a lot of class there. There’s not 11 Test centuries and Test average of what he has.

“So, to see what we’re seeing.
“But I don’t think you need to be Einstein to work out that with the challenge that he was given when he was left out in the West Indies, he’s responded really strongly, hasn’t he?”

Labuschagne will join the Australian squad for the first one-day international in Perth on Sunday, having replaced Green, who has been withdrawn from the series with side soreness.
However Bailey said Green would be fit enough to bowl in two Sheffield Shield matches he will play in before the first Test, in Perth.
“I don’t want to use the word setback, but it wasn’t the plan,” Bailey said.
“The plan would have been that he was going to play, that he would have played a couple (of ODIs).

“He wasn’t going to bowl in these one-day games, he would have been playing purely as a batter.
“But I don’t think it’s a setback in terms of it’s not changing his oShield preparation, or my understanding his availability for what we expect to come.
“The way he swings the cricket bat and white ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively.
“I’m not across what overs there’ll be in that, but the plan will remain, and that should provide pretty good time that he’d be in a good place to be ready to bowl (in the first Test).”

Bailey acknowledged on the ABC that having Green available to bowl would be “advantageous.”
Webster is meanwhile due to return from his ankle injury in Tasmania’s next Shield match against Victoria.
Bailey added that captain Cummins was tracking nicely albeit without significant detail.

“I actually have no further update on that from what I think the last time Pat spoke and that it’s progressing. He’s building up…the more he’s done over the last few days, the more optimistic he’s become but I actually don’t know if he’s bowled a ball.“

Bailey also confirmed that Matt Renshaw will make his ODI debut on Sunday.
Khawaja was caught behind off Buckingham, the veteran’s first failure after a steady start to the domestic season. But a half-century from Angus Lovell broke the back in a chase of 139 for the Bulls.

Meanwhile in Hobart, Tasmania won a thriller against Western Australia by three runs.
Scott Boland has also dodged sanction over his eyebrow raising celebration following the dismissal of Ollie Davies at Junction Oval on Friday.

[FrediKanoute]

I am worried about Khawaja, whoever opens with him and number 3.

Am less worried about Boland/Nessar covering Cummins. yes he is a loss, but the batting is where this series will be won or lost

[GVGjr]

Greg Chappell says Matt Renshaw should open in first Ashes Test, wants Travis Head to be captain. Read Here
Aussie great Greg Chappell has urged selectors not to use Marnus Labuschagne as an opener during the Ashes, earmarking a surprise choice to partner Usman Khawaja.

Australian cricket legend Greg Chappell has declared the time for experimenting with Marnus Labuschagne is over, arguing for Matt Renshaw to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja to start the Ashes.
Chappell meanwhile said that Travis Head should captain Australia in the likelihood that Pat Cummins is unavailable for much if not all of the Ashes, albeit conceding that selectors were likely to stick with Steve Smith in such a situation.

Speaking on Wednesday as he launched his new book The Chappell Chronicles by Wilkinson Publishing, Chappell reiterated that Cameron Green should bat down the order, but accepted that picking the West Australian in an XI without Beau Webster was a risky proposition given Green is returning from a long-term back injury and experienced side soreness last week.
“It is a risk in that if you think that fourth pace bowler is necessary, you could well be without Green on the afternoon of the first day,” Chappell said.

“I don’t think they’re going to take him in if (there’s) risk. All I can say is that I’ve read from the chairman of selectors, is that it’s very minor, and they just didn’t want to take any risk.
“I think he’s a generational player, as a batsman, as an all-rounder, but I don’t think you want him bowling a lot of overs. And if he’s bowling overs, you don’t want him batting at three because you pull up stiff.”

Chappell’s clear preference is for Labuschagne to return to his spot at No.3, having been trialled at the top in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa at Lord’s, and that a specialist opener should bat alongside Khawaja. Green batted at first drop in the ensuing series against the West Indies, with Sam Konstas partnering with Khawaja.

“It still would feel like an experiment to me if you sent Marnus out to open the batting. I don’t think it’s time for experimenting,” Chappell said.
Despite Renshaw’s relatively middling recent record in first-class cricket, Chappell advocated for the Queenslander to be brought back into the Test fold for his first appearance since 2023, having recently been called up to Australia’s one-day squad.
Chappell would rather Renshaw than Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald, despite the left-hander’s excellent past 15 months against the red ball.

“It seems that Khawaja is a lock for the first Test. So then, you know, finding someone synergistic to bat with Khawaja, I would go with Renshaw. I think he’s played a bit of Test cricket, so he’s not a novice,” Chappell said.
“I think Weatherald coming into his first Test match is, you know, that’s asking a fair bit, as they did of Konstas last Boxing Day.”
Smith will captain in the almost certain eventuality that

Cummins misses part of if not the whole of the series because of his back injury.
But Chappell would instead opt for the younger Head, who is also a vice-captain of the side alongside Smith.
“I would go with Head, knowing that you’ve got Smith there to support him,” Chappell said.
“It’s a great opportunity to give him that experience. If you think he’s your next long-term captain, getting in there while he’s got Smith around to give him that support.”

[GVGjr]

Chappell has it right, Marnus as an opener is more of an experiment than a solution.
I get that it potentially causes issues with Green and Webster but locking away the top order should be the priority

There are a few players vying for the opening spots with Khawaja, Weatherald and Renshaw in the mix.,
The rest should be
Labuschagne
Smith
Head
Green
Carey

[Dogs 24/7]

I feel for Webster if he misses out. He's been a rock

[lemmon]

Chappell saying that he 'doesn't think it's time for experimentation', then saying Head should captain while Cummins is out, is a pretty rare opinion. Comparing a 19-year-old Konstas, who had a handful of first-class games, to a 30-year-old Weatherald with 5000 first-class runs is equally rare.

I love Renshaw, but he's averaged 25 and 29 in his last two Shield seasons. Can't be picking him based on that. Probably no surprise that Greg Chappell was a selector when Renshaw was picked for his Test debut - I reckon that might have a little bit to do with this take.

Not sure Chapps' views should be making too many headlines at this stage, to be honest.

[Jasper]

Chappell saying that he 'doesn't think it's time for experimentation', then saying Head should captain while Cummins is out, is a pretty rare opinion. Comparing a 19-year-old Konstas, who had a handful of first-class games, to a 30-year-old Weatherald with 5000 first-class runs is equally rare.

I love Renshaw, but he's averaged 25 and 29 in his last two Shield seasons. Can't be picking him based on that. Probably no surprise that Greg Chappell was a selector when Renshaw was picked for his Test debut - I reckon that might have a little bit to do with this take.

Not sure Chapps' views should be making too many headlines at this stage, to be honest.

I don't get it with Renshaw who hasn't delivered on his ability.
I don't like Marnus as an opener because his best batting spot is 3, 4 or even 5. With the players we have he supports the team best at 3.

[Sedat]

I have this nagging feeling that Australia are going to get mugged in the Ashes series - for a long time now the lower order batting and the bowlers have spared the consistent failures from our top order. I've lost count of the number of times in the last couple of years we have been 5 wickets down for under 100 and get saved by the lower order and then the bowlers. Cummins out all summer is a big loss - he is a crucial partnership-breaker who always steps up to change the course of a match when it is desperately needed, and he makes tough runs down the order.

With Cummins out, the uncertainty in our batting line-up, and England being relatively settled, it feels like this summer will be a perfect storm of failure.

[GVGjr]

I have this nagging feeling that Australia are going to get mugged in the Ashes series - for a long time now the lower order batting and the bowlers have spared the consistent failures from our top order. I've lost count of the number of times in the last couple of years we have been 5 wickets down for under 100 and get saved by the lower order and then the bowlers. Cummins out all summer is a big loss - he is a crucial partnership-breaker who always steps up to change the course of a match when it is desperately needed, and he makes tough runs down the order.

With Cummins out, the uncertainty in our batting line-up, and England being relatively settled, it feels like this summer will be a perfect storm of failure.

Good call. A lot of our success has not just been from the wickets the 4 bowlers have taken but also about the handy and often timely runs they have made.
Cummins in particular is a bigger loss than just his bowling and captaincy. Those runs and partnerships they contribute to are not easily replaced.

Getting the top order has to be the priority but we are going to miss Cummins a lot if it's for more than one test.