Test squad for Pakistan series

[whythelongface]

squad to face Pakistan in UAE next month. Siddle has been recalled. Some debutants including Finch. Our cricket stocks appear quite weak atm.

SQUAD: Tim Paine (Tasmania), Ashton Agar (WA) Brendan Doggett (Queensland), Aaron Finch (Victoria), Travis Head (South Australia), Jon Holland (Vic) Usman Khawaja (Queensland), Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland), Nathan Lyon (NSW) Mitchell Marsh (WA), Shaun Marsh (WA), Michael Neser (Queensland), Matthew Renshaw (Queensland), Peter Siddle (Vic), Mitchell Starc (NSW)

[Bornadog]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

No Maxwell

[hujsh]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

All the quicks injured?

[whythelongface]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

Hazelwood and Cummins are. Not sure about Bird - probably not selected.

[GVGjr]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

All the quicks injured?

Yep, no Cummins or Hazelwood but I'm surprised with Siddle's recall.

Doggett and Finch should not be there in my opinion
Labuschagne is a good bat pad fielder so that might help him

I think it was down to Maxwell or Travis Head and I think the selectors got that right

Handscomb misses despite being a good fieldsman and part time keeper because he just hasn't made enough runs.
Joe Burns also misses probably because the selectors want Finch in the test team.

I haven't looked but was Finch's Shield form good enough to even warrant consideration?

[GVGjr]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

Hazelwood and Cummins are. Not sure about Bird - probably not selected.

I think Bird is also carrying an injury

[hujsh]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

I assume Pattinson is as well if Siddle's getting a go.

[GVGjr]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

I assume Pattinson is as well if Siddle's getting a go.

I think I read he is a chance to start playing again at the end of the year.

[ledge]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

A new era starting it seems , would be interesting if The three banned would get in on form, smith and Warner have struggled in the lower grade competitions.

[Mantis]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

A new era starting it seems , would be interesting if The three banned would get in on form, smith and Warner have struggled in the lower grade competitions.

What relevance is T20 to test selection anyway.

I must be completely out of touch with 1st class cricket in Aus as I've never heard of Doggett or Labuschagne.

GVGjr - I read on twitter that Finch has averaged 49 across the last 4 shield seasons, but didn't see any data to confirm. If correct he probably serves a chance given the lack of international experience in the batting line-up.

[Ozza]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

Think Finch is a good selection at this point in time, with all the circumstances - his leadership, his versatility in the batting line up and being one of our few good players of spin - I can definitely understand it.

[GVGjr]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

What relevance is T20 to test selection anyway.

I must be completely out of touch with 1st class cricket in Aus as I've never heard of Doggett or Labuschagne.

GVGjr - I read on twitter that Finch has averaged 49 across the last 4 shield seasons, but didn't see any data to confirm. If correct he probably serves a chance given the lack of international experience in the batting line-up.

I haven't checked either but from memory he hasn't made a spot his own. I think his leadership might be worth as much as any runs he might make.

I must have a closer look at his selection

I'm just surprised that they drop Burns for Finch. Why not select Finch for the last test?

[Axe Man]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

Siddle's last shield season was ordinary but he has been in great form in England:

The 2017-18 Sheffield Shield campaign brought an underwhelming 24 wickets at 39.66, but he has just completed a productive stint with Essex where his 37 wickets at 16.40 have sealed his comeback.

If you want someone to run in all day and hit the spot on a lifeless pitch for quicks then I guess Siddle is your man.

Finch with 494 runs last shield season @ 35.28 and 77 in 2 recent matches for Surrey @ 25.66 certainly isn't getting a game on recent first class form. Suspect he is being selected for experience and leadership as much as anything else with the hope good touch in the English 20/20 comp will translate into some test runs. I have my doubts.

[lemmon]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

Seems like it's been largely picked from the recent Aus A series in India where Handscomb struggled.

Really odd squad and I feel for Maxwell. He was going to play in England but CA told him to rest up for the Aus A India tour, he then wasn't selected on that tour because he had suitable subcontinent experience, and now he hasn't been selected at all?

Siddle averaged 39 with the ball in the recent Shield season and was bowling first change behind Tremain and Boland and why has Doggett jumped ahead of Jhye Richardson as the other attacking quick?

Neser is a good shield cricketer but not sure he's more than that and I don't get why he's jumped ahead of Chris Tremain who took 50 first class wickets last year and has a career average of 23 with the ball.

Labuschagne is just an odd pick. I think he's a talent, but he struggles with spin and averaged 24 on the Aus A tour. If age doesn't matter, where's Callum Ferguson? Good player of spin and hit 700 runs at 48 last season.

Finch I think is horses for courses and wanting an experienced head at the top of the order...even though he's been playing his first class cricket in the middle order for the last 3 years.

[Topdog]

Re: Test squad for Pakistan series

Gee Maxwell has been handled very poorly.