A likely Ashes squad

[GVGjr]

I'd really like to hear which players we think will be selected for the Ashes tour?
I'm assuming there will be a squad of 16.

Which 16 players do you think will be selected?

[FrediKanoute]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

That's a tough question. Is it who should be selected or is it who will be selected?

Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Lambushche
Wade
Stoinis/Maxwell

Paine
McDermott

Starc
Hazelwood
Cummins
Siddle
Lyon
Behrendorf

[Axe Man]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

That's a tough question. Is it who should be selected or is it who will be selected?

Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Lambushche
Wade
Stoinis/Maxwell

Paine
McDermott

Starc
Hazelwood
Cummins
Siddle
Lyon
Behrendorf

McDermott? First time I've seen his name mentioned for test cricket. Since Wade keeps for Tassie (in the absence of Paine) I can't see how McDermott could possibly be selected as a keeper? His batting record in shield is also poor.

I would hope to see Pattinson in the squad if he can stay fit and a second spinner must be selected as a backup for Lyon. Who are the contenders - Agar, Holland, Swepson, Ahmed?

[GVGjr]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

This is the team I think they might go with

Warner, Harris, Khawaja, Smith, Head, Handscomb, Labuschagne and Maxwell,
Paine
Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Pattinson, Richardson, Lyon and Swepson

[The Doctor]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

My team

Burns, Harris, Smith, Head, Wade, Hughes, Labuschagne

Paine, Carey

Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Boland, Tremain, Lyon, Fawad


next in line batsman J.Lehmann, K.Patterson

next in line bowlers Bird, Richardson, Worrall

[FrediKanoute]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

McDermott? First time I've seen his name mentioned for test cricket. Since Wade keeps for Tassie (in the absence of Paine) I can't see how McDermott could possibly be selected as a keeper? His batting record in shield is also poor.

I would hope to see Pattinson in the squad if he can stay fit and a second spinner must be selected as a backup for Lyon. Who are the contenders - Agar, Holland, Swepson, Ahmed?

Logic is that Wade goes as a batsman or he doesn't go

McDermott as the back up keeper

What's the point in taking a 2nd spinner if they aren't up to it? England isn't going to be spinner friendly so if Lyon can't get the job done none of the others indicated will. If you really want a 2nd spinner take Maxwell

Finally on handscomb, the guy has serious technique issues. Anderson will make him his bunny. He does not have the tecnique to play test cricket.

Finally, finally, do I think the selectors will pick this squad? No. They will play safe, probably take a Marsh etc

[Axe Man]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Logic is that Wade goes as a batsman or he doesn't go

McDermott as the back up keeper

What's the point in taking a 2nd spinner if they aren't up to it? England isn't going to be spinner friendly so if Lyon can't get the job done none of the others indicated will. If you really want a 2nd spinner take Maxwell

Finally on handscomb, the guy has serious technique issues. Anderson will make him his bunny. He does not have the tecnique to play test cricket.

Finally, finally, do I think the selectors will pick this squad? No. They will play safe, probably take a Marsh etc

McDermott never keeps so it would be like selecting Handscomb as the backup keeper. If Wade is selected as a batsman only or overlooked then Carey will be the backup keeper.

The second spinner is there in case of injury to Lyon. They always take a second spinner.

[Bornadog]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

My team

Burns, Harris, Smith, Head, Wade, Hughes, Labuschagne

Paine, Carey

Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Boland, Tremain, Lyon, Fawad


next in line batsman J.Lehmann, K.Patterson

next in line bowlers Bird, Richardson, Worrall

No Warner.

[Mofra]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Jhye Richardson or James Pattinson surely have to be part of the touring party, just to keep Starc honest.
Siddle needs to come in too - English wickets will need consistent line and length, of which Starc can't do and Hazlewood can do but didn't as he tired during the India series.

Who gets the gig as a second spinner? Agar?
Glad people are naming Wade. Even if he didn't keep he's making runs at shield level which is more than we can say for most batsmen.

[Axe Man]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Agree with this. Use Wade as a batting option and backup keeper if required rather than waste a spot in the squad on Carey.

Matthew Wade could force his way into the Australian team for World Cup and Ashes

Matthew Wade has emerged as the sleeper in Australia’s Ashes and World Cup plans.

The Tasmanian is in career best form this season and is the clubhouse leader at the halfway point of the Sheffield Shield competition with 571 runs at an average of 63.44.

Although it remains virtually unthinkable that Wade would ever play as a Test wicketkeeper again, the 31-year-old has performed so convincingly with the blade he’s made himself flexible enough to be picked as a top six batsman in the same vein as England’s Jos Buttler.

Alex Carey is the current one-day keeper and frontrunner to take the gloves at the World Cup, but The Daily Telegraph understands Wade is far from out of the frame.

Wade is averaging 31.66 for the Hobart Hurricanes this BBL season and selectors are well aware what he could offer the Australian lower order.

Carey is the logical back-up keeper to be picked for the 17-man Ashes squad given he would be the most likely next cab off the rank if captain Tim Paine suffered an injury.

The South Australian is also considered a strong enough character to one day captain his country.

However, there is a theory that Australia may need to think outside the square a little when it comes to the reserve keeper position.

Carey is the logical back-up keeper to be picked for the 17-man Ashes squad given he would be the most likely next cab off the rank if captain Tim Paine suffered an injury.

The South Australian is also considered a strong enough character to one day captain his country.

However, there is a theory that Australia may need to think outside the square a little when it comes to the reserve keeper position.

If something did happen to Paine, chances are selectors could still react quickly enough to get Carey on a plane, but in the case of an emergency Wade has played 22 Tests and would be more than capable of assuming the gloves.

However, his primary role in the squad could be as an extra batting option at No.5 or No.6, who is also capable of sending down the occasional sneaky over of medium pace.

Wade was overlooked for the ODI side to face India and it’s unknown whether his name will be read out in the Test squad to face Sri Lanka announced today.

However, he is a player that selectors are watching closely and because of his experience, he’s not someone that needs a trial – Wade could simply be picked if that was the desire when the time comes for the World Cup and Ashes squads to take shape.

Wade has been a strong leader for Tasmania and Hobart this season and would add experience to a very green Australian outfit.

The climate and atmosphere of Australian cricket has changed drastically since Wade last played an international match in 2017, and he may need to curb his reputation for feisty on-field sledging if picked.

[lemmon]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

My team and squad would be along the lines of:

Harris/Renshaw (Play them both against Sri Lanka and make it a bat off. I like Renshaw in English conditions)
Warner
Khawaja
Smith
Burns
Head
Paine
Starc (pending form)
Cummins
Hazlewood
Lyon

Squad members: Renshaw/Harris, Kurtis Patterson, Stoinis, Wade, Jhye Richardson, Tremain, Fawad.

I don't really get the recent love for Labuschagne and I wouldn't be taking him on tour. I can't see his leg spin being particularly effective in England, and I think a grinder like Patterson would bring more to a brittle batting lineup. Wade comes as reserve bat/break in case of emergency keeper...even though I never want to see him keep for Australia again.

Stoinis is your all-round option in case of flat pitches. He doesn't have the runs on the board, but no one does.

I'm a huge fan of Jhye Richardson and would love to see him against Sri Lanka. I think his skiddiness and that wicked bumper brings some variation to our attack. I also think Tremain would thrive in England - he's quite similar to Stuart Broad in that he's a taller quick who does a lot off the seam but doesn't really utilise his height.

Fawad comes for variety, he's still the best wrist spinner in the country and we don't want to end up with a purely developmental player in case something happens to Lyon...ala Mason Crane and Scott Borthwick.

[GVGjr]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

It's been about 3 weeks since the thread was started and I think a few things have changed.

James Pattinson woukd be regarded as an unlikely selection and would now be behind J. Richardson, Siddle and Tremain.
Renshaw seems unlikely and there has to be question marks on Burns, Handscomb and maybe Khawaja.
Wade is in genuine contention as the reserve keeper and as a batsman.
Stoinis might be the all rounder on the tour

There is no clear 2nd spin bowling option.

Have I missed any?

[The Doctor]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

I think Khawaja has to go. As the most senior batsman he has been the most disappointing player of the summer.

28, 8, 5, 72, 21, 33, 27, 4*, 11,0

209 runs in 9 innings @ 26 ave. His 1st innings ave for the summer is 18

thats just not good enough. He has shown a lack of grit and leadership for an experienced test batsman.

Just a quick update to add in the 0 from the 1st innings of the 2nd test

209 runs in 10 innings @ 21 ave. First innings ave is 15

He has lost all form and can't go to England surely

[Bornadog]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

Just a quick update to add in the 0 from the 1st innings of the 2nd test

209 runs in 10 innings @ 21 ave. First innings ave is 15

He has lost all form and can't go to England surely

Must agree with this.

[GVGjr]

Re: A likely Ashes squad

This highly talented youngster can't be rushed

Pucovski leaves Test squad

Will Pucovski has been released from Australia's Test squad in Canberra, with Cricket Australia (CA) medical staff citing concerns over his wellbeing as the reason for his exit.

Pucovski spent time out of the game in the first half of the JLT Sheffield Shield season with a stress-related mental health issue, but returned in Victoria's final match before the KFC Big Bash break and was subsequently picked for the Test squad to take on Sri Lanka.

"Will Pucovski has been released from the Men's Test squad and will return home to Melbourne to continue managing his wellbeing," said team doctor Richard Shaw.

"He reported some challenges over the past few days, and the decision has been made that the best thing for Will"s welfare is for him to return home to Melbourne.

"Will has been proactive in this process and while he has made significant progress, he feels this is the best course of action to get ready to play cricket for Victoria.

"He worked closely with members of his family, Cricket Australia medical staff and Cricket Victoria to reach his decision."

"Will's decision to speak up and continue to ask for assistance in managing his ongoing mental health is extremely positive.

"Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria will continue to support Will, and we kindly ask that Will's privacy is respected so he can continue working towards a return to Premier Cricket and the next round of first-class cricket."

Pucovski, who turns 21 on Saturday, was overlooked for a Test debut against the Sri Lankans in both Brisbane and Canberra.

The highly-regarded batting prodigy's rise had largely come off the back of a marathon 243 for the Vics made last October against the Warriors in Perth, which shot him to prominence among cricket fans around the country.

But it was during that match that Pucovski began battling with a mental health issue.

"It was one of those things where what it looked like from the outside wasn't quite matching up with what it was on the inside … I was more confused than at any other time in my life," Pucovski told Fox Sports.

"I was 64 not out overnight if I remember. I got to the game to have my pre-morning hit in the nets and pulled one of the coaches, Lachie Stevens, aside and said, 'Look mate, this is what I'm going through. I don't really understand what's going on and don't know why it's happening but this is what's happening'.

"It was quite a confronting thing but they were beyond awesome about it … They were just so supportive from the outset.

"I actually look back on it and don't have much of a recollection on the innings, which is rare for me.

"Usually I can remember vividly what I'd done, the innings that I had played or the day's play I'd been through.

"In a weird way it felt as if it was a bit of a cheat code. If I could find a way to do this consistently, obviously without the other things going on, it could bode for some success."

Pucovski, who dominated at under-age level before making his debut for Victoria, has also suffered several concussions during his career that have slowed his progression.

He was hit on the head three times last season having also copped a blow fielding at short leg on his Shield debut in early 2017.

All this after a luckless series of childhood blows that included a sling tackle during a schoolyard football match, a ball ricocheting from an adjoining net during cricket training, and hitting his head on a door in his own house.

None of it prevented him from making history with that epic double-hundred, as he became the first batsman to score a Shield double hundred before turning 21 since Ricky Ponting, and just the ninth overall.

Victoria's next Shield match is scheduled to begin on February 23 against Queensland at Junction Oval.