Australia v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Sydney, 3-7 January, 2017

Just remains to be seen how much the selectors will fark around with the side. Madinson & Wade would have to be in doubt however we could still probably win with them. Talk is for an additional spinner so who will make room?

Bringing in Agar as an "all rounder"
http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/australia-v-pakistan-steve-okeefe-to-be-named-in-squad-for-sydney-test/news-story/fe04aab2d257c4003a3b1cf47ce713b5

Blackadder wrote:Bringing in Agar as an "all rounder"
http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/australia-v-pakistan-steve-okeefe-to-be-named-in-squad-for-sydney-test/news-story/fe04aab2d257c4003a3b1cf47ce713b5

Agree about Agar. Utter crap. And we don't need a second spinner for Sydney. The spin friendly SCG wicket is overstated. Smith can fill in as a second spinner. Can't believe they are talking about dropping Bird to make way for SOK. Bird has been our most consistent bowler over the last three tests.

Making up these selection rules as we go...
Agar this Shield season: 4 matches, 115 runs @ 19.16, 16 wickets @ 27.81.

10 of those wickets came in 1 match at the SCG.

The wicket is appearing to spin more, but Test pitches don't always mimic the Shield pitches. I guess they're not concerned about fast bowler workloads, since Sayers has been released from the squad.

Before the second Innings, would've have suggested SOK for Garry now possibly resting Koo if they want to go down the Two spinner route.
As for Agar the 'Orrible , surely Forks or Reeks is ahead of him the all rounder pecking order.

Apparently Madman & Dolly have been dropped from the squad. Fair enough for Madman but Dolly can count himself unlucky. Hoss has been retained. I just hope they don't feel the need to select this very average state player.

From this squad, I would omit Cartwright and O'Keefe.

Starc at 8 is the all-rounder we seek. Perhaps.

lardbucket wrote:From this squad, I would omit Cartwright and O'Keefe.

Starc at 8 is the all-rounder we seek. Perhaps.

You'd play Agar over SOK?

I'd play Maddinson over SOK

JGK wrote:

lardbucket wrote:From this squad, I would omit Cartwright and O'Keefe.

Starc at 8 is the all-rounder we seek. Perhaps.

You'd play Agar over SOK?

Absolutely.

I'd select most of my C Grade Sunday side over SOK.

FMD, what a hotchpotch.

Agree with BA that prior to this arvo's stellar late spell from Koo, he may have been rested for SOK, opening the way for Hoss at no. 6.

But if Koo is not being rested, how can you "drop" him??? Koo has to be a better option than Hoss. So at this stage the logical XI from the squad would be:

GCS
Rick
Ooze
Tweek
Wank
Weed FFS
Koo
SOK/Jelly
Purple
Elmer
Tweet


Seems very ferkin batting-lite to me. Idiot NSP. Perfect chance to bring in Head at 6 squandered*.


* I have absolutely no dramas with Madman being punted. Is Jelly being rewarded for hitting the winning 6 in the Babel, FFS?

Hoss and SOK for Madman and Tweet

or

Orrible for Madman

Ferkin weirdo NSP.

So if, as MB alludes, we assume Hoss replaces Madman then it'll be:

GCS
Rick
Ooze
Tweek
Wank
Hoss
Weed
Koo
Purple
Elmer
SOK/Tweet

Yet Tweet was admirable in his line and length in Melbourne, and much of the time the pick of our bowlers, making him a more logical selection in the XI than SOK.

Agar is the leading spinner in the Shield (with Holland unavailable).

OK, stick him in for SOK.

Thank you. Can SOK be trusted with the drinks?

The NSW Media Mafia will push for SOK to be selected. IMHO we don't need a second spinner for Sydney. Smith is quite capable on a deck that i predict will not spin as much as people think.We just have to hope the NSP can use some common sense.....something that has been in short supply in recent times.

Agar for Maddinson - better batsman, better bowler, better fielder. Ten years younger than the drunkard.

Hilton Cartwright to make Test debut in Sydney while Steve O'Keefe also comes in. Maddinson and Bird out of the XI from Melbourne.

FFS, Bird is the new Bichel. Should be first picked but is always first dropped.

Ridiculous decision if true that Bird was dropped. He loses out in the debate between wa and the spivs.

The only shock is they did not drop Hanscombe,

(waffle, waffle, "we all know he is already on the plane and we thought it sound to give Maddinson another go to see if he can make an unforgettable ton (waffle, waffle).

What has domestic Wozzie footy got to do with this??

?? Figured Denis Commetti would have a view.

Absolute idiotic to drop Bird & play Hoss. Cartwright is the epitome of mediocrity. O'Keefe had to play to keep up the quota of dubbers. The danger is of course that Pakistan will be so demoralized that Australia could win with ME playing & O'Keefe & Cartwright will be hailed as the new future of OZ cricket.

Aye BD. The NSP missed a trick in not blooding a new no. 6 (e.g. Travis Head). Bird has established himself as our ideal first change bowler, i.e. we have the best four bowlers in Aus in our attack now.

The need for another spinner at Sydney is very debatable. If Elmer can't spin us to victory, how is SOK gonna make a difference?

Having said all that, I wish Hoss well and will be barracking for a decent debut.