Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

As a Victorian , would hope Harris gets another go. the times i have seen him get out shows a technical flaw with his batting , which may not standup in test cricket. He has also got himself out when set . In test cricket there are fewer bad balls and bad technique can be found out .

Bancroft is probably the best candidate based on form .

Has Harris actually improved? He's had a fair crack at playing for Australia and hasn't established himself. Renshaw looked good in the early days with some impressive innings. I think Smith moving to the top of the order with Green coming in at 4 or 5 probably solves the problem in the short term.

[jeemak]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Having Green open was too much for people to stomach so they've gone to Smith opening to justify Green being added as the second all rounder, which is genuine nirvana for selectors.

[Bornadog]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

What are your thoughts on this comment from Steve Smith?

Steve Smith told ABC Grandstand he's "pretty keen" to replace David Warner as opener.

Until that comment it was a bit of a race in 4 for Renshaw, Bancroft and Harris as the front runners and support for Cam Green.
The theory was that on Harris scored at the rate that our selectors want from an opener. That wouldn't be a consideration if they end up moving Smith too the top of the order.

Not sure why they have it in for Bancroft. Smith should stay where he is and so should Marcus.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Not sure why they have it in for Bancroft. Smith should stay where he is and so should Marcus.

The theory on why Bancroft might not really be in the picture is that with Khawaja being a slow scorer Bancroft isn't going to keep the scoreboard ticking over enough. We apparently like openers who display a positive scoring intent. Of course they won't consider Smith's slow scoring as a problem though.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Who will replace David Warner? The stats that say Steve Smith's the man

Steve Smith wants to be Australia’s next Test opener. But, if that’s not enough to convince you, there's a small mountain of evidence that says he’s the man for the job, writes Robert Craddock.

If Steve Smith was allowed to do a video presentation of why he should be Australia’s next opener he would win the job in the canter.

Smith could start by addressing selectors George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and Andrew McDonald with a key message.

“Do you know gentleman I have found that when I was batting at three in Tests and a wicket fell early the challenge of it all seemed to electrify my senses and bring something special out of me.’’

At this point he would switch on the projector and back up his words with stone cold facts on the overhead transparency.

The little stats package on the screen would reveal that when Smith batted in Tests and a wicket or two fell inside the first two overs bringing Smith to the crease early he averaged a whopping 106 in six innings.

he six times Steve Smith has been called upon in the first two overs of an Australian innings
199 v West Indies: Kingston, June 2015
With Dave Warner dismissed for a third ball duck, Smith scored 199 runs and had three strong partnerships in the first innings for a man of the match performance.

6 v England: Nottingham, August 2015
This was Australia's lowest Ashes moment - all out for 60 as Stuart Broad's 8/125 ripped the tourists apart. Smith came in after Chris Rogers departed for a three-ball duck. Smith started strongly, a two and then boundary, before he edged Broad to third slip.

48 not out v South Africa: Hobart, November 2016
With Australia reeling at 2-2 after just 2 overs, Smith was the lone steady hand and only batter to reach double figures as the Aussies crumbled for just 85 runs on day one.

109 v India: Pune, February 2017
With Warner gone for 10 after an eventful first over, Smith's topscore of 109 runs as batsmen around him made starts but couldn't convert proved crucial as Australia won by 333 runs.

111 v India: Dharamsala, March 2017
With Matt Renshaw dismissed in the second over, Smith joined David Warner for a 134-run partnership but with Australia crumbling for just 137 in the second innings it wasn't enough as Australia lost the Test by eight wickets.

58 v Bangladesh: Chattogram, September 2017
Coming in with Australia 1-5 after nine balls, Smith and Warner steadied the innings with a 93-run partnership before Smith was bowled by Taijul Islam. Australia won by 7 wickets.



SMITH'S AVERAGES WHEN ARRIVING AFTER...
1-2 overs: 6 innings; 3x100s; 1x50; 531 runs @ 106.2
3-5 overs: 18 innings; 2x100s; 4x50; 726 runs @ 42.7
6-10 overs: 23 innings; 4x100s; 7x50s; 1452 runs @ 66

0-5 overs: 24 inns; 5x100s; 5x50s; 1257 @ 57.13
0-10 overs: 47 inns; 9x100s; 12x50s; 2709 runs @ 61.56

When he has come in inside the first five overs, batting at either No.3 or No.4, he has 1257 runs at 57 and when called to the crease between overs six to 10 he has four centuries and an average of 66.

In his 17 Test matches batting No.3 for Australia, Smith averaged 67.07. When broken down further, he scored 1183 runs at 69.5 when called upon in the first 10 overs and 561 at 62.33 when brought to the crease after that point.

In the 47 innings he has come to the crease for Australia inside the first 10 overs he has scored nine centuries, 12 half centuries and just the one duck.

“The stats don’t lie,’’ Smith could say to the panel.

“Everyone writes that I am often at my best when things are tough and the game sort of comes back to the pace I like. It’s true.

“I have done some of my best work in Tests when I am a glorified opener. And the thing is, I want to do this job.’’

And that, perhaps, is the most significant point of all.

If Smith had no interest in opening we would not even dream about writing this story because, as he enters the final few years of his career, he has every right to stay where he is at number four.

But the fact that he wants to move up to opener – Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head don’t – is hugely significant. Australia needs Smith to stay around for two more years to be the link man between generations.

He is playing like a man who could do with a fresh challenge. To ignore his plea to open is to risk hastening a retirement which could come too soon for Australia’s best interests.

That Test cricket is inherently such a conservative game is partly the reason why there is such strong opposition to Smith opening among past players.

It’s a shame. He could do it well and the beautiful bonus would be that Cameron Green could slot into the team in the position he craves – number four.

Smith has been a stunning successful Test batsman but at the moment he is stagnating with his returns well below their best.

In an interview with Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket he spoke about how he gets more nervous now mulling over innings that he used to in his youth when he just went out and batted.

The way to combat this would be to send him in early. Give him a fresh challenge by throwing him in the path of Jasprit Bumrah next summer.

Electrify those senses again

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

What a career by Warner and it was fitting that he played a good role in his final test.
Pakistan have plenty of ability just need to find another quality player or two.

I've watched a lot of Pakistan touring sides, and whilst many have had more champion players, I don't think this side is too far away from being a very good side.

I wish Shan Masood was maybe 3 or 4 years younger, as I really think he's the type of leader that has the ability to get the best out of this group. I know he's got flaws in his own game, but I really hope he can play well for 2 or 3 years and build this team.
Aamer Jamal is a clear talent as is Shaheen. If Naseem Shah can continue to develop they've got a very dangerous 3 prong attack

I was really looking forward to seeing their leggie Abrar Ahmed play, a real shame he was unable to get on the park, he's a wicket taker.

I also think Pakiston have got to stick with Rizwan behind the stumps. He's a competent keeper, but his batting a couple of times this series was almost the difference. He just needs to add a bit more temperance to his game - understand the moments better and he can be just as explosive as Pant is for India.

As I said I've seen a lot of touring Pakistan sides going back to 83-84 with a lot of champion players, but lacking the champion team element.
If Shan can have some stability and longevity in the role, I think it's well within their capability to foster the culture that creates that champion team element; the missing ingredient to those touring teams over the years.

[Sedat]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

The theory on why Bancroft might not really be in the picture is that with Khawaja being a slow scorer Bancroft isn't going to keep the scoreboard ticking over enough. We apparently like openers who display a positive scoring intent. Of course they won't consider Smith's slow scoring as a problem though.

I reckon I've got a better chance of getting the openers slot than Bancroft, and I haven't worn the whites for over 20 years.

Bancroft's interview a couple of years ago asserting that the bowlers must have know about the sandpaper tactics will never be forgiven or forgotten by the bowlers in question, even though Bancroft is most likely 100% correct. When you question the senior Australian cricket mafia, you are forever exiled from national calculations.

[Happy Days]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

I reckon I've got a better chance of getting the openers slot than Bancroft, and I haven't worn the whites for over 20 years.

Bancroft's interview a couple of years ago asserting that the bowlers must have know about the sandpaper tactics will never be forgiven or forgotten by the bowlers in question, even though Bancroft is most likely 100% correct. When you question the senior Australian cricket mafia, you are forever exiled from national calculations.

This is my read too. Feel like they will go to serious lengths to never pick him.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

I reckon I've got a better chance of getting the openers slot than Bancroft, and I haven't worn the whites for over 20 years.

Bancroft's interview a couple of years ago asserting that the bowlers must have know about the sandpaper tactics will never be forgiven or forgotten by the bowlers in question, even though Bancroft is most likely 100% correct. When you question the senior Australian cricket mafia, you are forever exiled from national calculations.

Do you think the Bowlers weren't aware of what was happening? Bowlers tend to hold the fielders to account for managing the condition of the cricket ball. There is a fair chance they knew what was happening

[Sedat]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Do you think the Bowlers weren't aware of what was happening? Bowlers tend to hold the fielders to account for managing the condition of the cricket ball. There is a fair chance they knew what was happening

Hell yes they knew. So did all the coaching staff at the time. It defies all credibility and logic that 3 top order batsmen solely orchestrated an entire bowling-specific tactic.

It is not fair on Bancroft but he's no chance of getting a game with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood all still very much key players (one is captain no less) in the current test team.

[jeemak]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Great bunch of blokes leaving a young guy, and two senior team mates in the lurch.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Hell yes they knew. So did all the coaching staff at the time. It defies all credibility and logic that 3 top order batsmen solely orchestrated an entire bowling-specific tactic.

It is not fair on Bancroft but he's no chance of getting a game with Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood all still very much key players (one is captain no less) in the current test team.

Add Andrew 'Dont Rock the Boat' McDonald to that group.
We certainly have rules for some and not others, Warner anointed Harris as his replacement and yet was critical of past players making comments on who should be in and out of the side. Jee's right, this group hung Bancroft out to dry.

[jeemak]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Add Andrew 'Dont Rock the Boat' McDonald to that group.
We certainly have rules for some and not others, Warner anointed Harris as his replacement and yet was critical of past players making comments on who should be in and out of the side. Jee's right, this group hung Bancroft out to dry.

I find your position on this guy interesting. Do you genuinely think he's the wrong man for the job? Or would you just like him to be a bit firmer in areas around player disciplines on field (mainly that bats)?

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

I find your position on this guy interesting. Do you genuinely think he's the wrong man for the job? Or would you just like him to be a bit firmer in areas around player disciplines on field (mainly that bats)?

He's a good coach, I think his record more than supports that, but he isn't the leader to make hard decisions and that's just not him.
He saw what happened to Langer and the players and has doubled down on the don't rock the boat coaching approach and will support the core group no matter what. If the senior players in the group really don't want Bancroft in, as Sedat believes, then I doubt McDonald would push hard to have him in even if he thought he was the best option.

[mighty_west]

Re: Australia v Pakistan Tests Summer 23/24

Going over the past few seasons Bancroft has the best average and really should be next in line, Harris has had chances and i don't think he's gone back and improved and same with Renshaw, but it does become a bit awkward as mentioned with Bancroft saying what he did in the media.

Whilst i'm not a fan of non openers being promoted just to fill a spot i'm kind of warming to Smith being trialed, he just looks like he needs the new challenge and is a good enough bat to adjust, it get's Green into the side to have that extra fast bowling option too.

Whether you like him or hate him, Warner's book when it get's released will be quite an interesting read, can't see him holding back with the Sandpaper gate drama.

With Pakistan, really enjoyed watching them play even though all games ended in 4 days, their attitude was spot on, such a respectful bunch too, think quite a few of them would love to play on our pitches more regularly, well maybe not Babar, he and Afridi were very disappointing, and the catching.........oh dear.