South Africa v Australia, 4th Test, Johannesburg, 30 March - 3 April, 2018

Is Langoustine 'Marvellous Marnis' who bats no 3 for Qld?

lardbucket wrote:Agree that only Cummins and Paine came away with their reputations enhanced. I am concerned that Cummins is at risk of injury if he continues to carry his recent load. Lyon and Starc are the only other players who deserve ‘automatic’ selection going forward.

I would be selecting Agar, and pushing him, Starc, and Cummins yo play all-round roles. I think we have to face up to the probability that OP will never be back.

I expect Doran, Gabe Bell, and Tom Rogers to figure in selection discussions over the next 12-24 months. Bowling prospects look OK but I’m not sure where our next 1-6 are coming from.

Crash mentioned these guys last night.

The real dilemma for the selectors is the batting as none, bar Paine really stood up and replacements are thin on the ground.

The powerstation was disappointing given his recent exploits and how he's been lauded, but Cummins excelled again in SA.

Interesting though how much the selectors were praised for picking the Marsh sisters given their performances over our summer. In reality though they made runs on flat pitches against a largely pop gun attack. Mitch or Michelle if you like is surely too inconsistent anyway for a number six bat. Ussie needs to come under much greater scrutiny, but the techniques of Renshaw and Burns looked a bit flawed too. Handy certainly is exposed against pace, even if he looks accomplished against spin.

This was the first time since the doomed 1970 test against the same opposition that we didn't register a ton, while nine of the top ten scores were made by SA batsmen,

Cape Town was probably the nadir but this was the tour from hell.

1970 does not count.

This was the worst ever series defeat against any official Test playing nation in my memory.

I don't give a shyte about extenuating circumstances. Yes in the last test we had two Billies with jet lag, the Sneak who hadn't played a game for a month and Bog and Hollow Man (and we all know their efforts in pressure situations), but really there was no excuse.

The fact a tosser like Faffhead made a ton is an indictment on our batsmen.

lardbucket wrote:Agree that only Cummins and Paine came away with their reputations enhanced. I am concerned that Cummins is at risk of injury if he continues to carry his recent load. Lyon and Starc are the only other players who deserve ‘automatic’ selection going forward.

I would be selecting Agar, and pushing him, Starc, and Cummins yo play all-round roles. I think we have to face up to the probability that OP will never be back.

I expect Doran, Gabe Bell, and Tom Rogers to figure in selection discussions over the next 12-24 months. Bowling prospects look OK but I’m not sure where our next 1-6 are coming from.

Wow. Even by your remarkable standards that is a stand out post. Agar!!!!.... Why not not Bird, Rain Man and Doolan?

When's the next test?

Bradman wrote:When's the next test?

This morning it was reported as October.  We have the limited overs series against the poms in June.

We tackle the might of the Zimbots and Banglas in the long format.

That might restore the reputation of the Marsh sisters enough for them to face India.

In fact the press will be extolling the virtues of the selectors for the Shaun Marsh reputation after his stellar series against the minnows.

Last time he faced the Indians at home he couldn't make a run though.

horace wrote:

lardbucket wrote:Agree that only Cummins and Paine came away with their reputations enhanced. I am concerned that Cummins is at risk of injury if he continues to carry his recent load. Lyon and Starc are the only other players who deserve ‘automatic’ selection going forward.

I would be selecting Agar, and pushing him, Starc, and Cummins yo play all-round roles. I think we have to face up to the probability that OP will never be back.

I expect Doran, Gabe Bell, and Tom Rogers to figure in selection discussions over the next 12-24 months. Bowling prospects look OK but I’m not sure where our next 1-6 are coming from.

Wow. Even by your remarkable standards that is a stand out post. Agar!!!!.... Why not not Bird, Rain Man and Doolan?

Surely the word 'Agar' is the only bit you have a problem with?

I fear your irrational hatred of all things Wozzie has blinded you to some possibilities. I think Agar could be a future high quality Test batsman who bowls well as second spinner on suitable wickets. Could be wrong but he has a few years on his side to achieve it.

oh well. Good luck to you. Keep jabbing healthy tonics...Might help help eventually.

lardbucket wrote:

horace wrote:

lardbucket wrote:Agree that only Cummins and Paine came away with their reputations enhanced. I am concerned that Cummins is at risk of injury if he continues to carry his recent load. Lyon and Starc are the only other players who deserve ‘automatic’ selection going forward.

I would be selecting Agar, and pushing him, Starc, and Cummins yo play all-round roles. I think we have to face up to the probability that OP will never be back.

I expect Doran, Gabe Bell, and Tom Rogers to figure in selection discussions over the next 12-24 months. Bowling prospects look OK but I’m not sure where our next 1-6 are coming from.

Wow. Even by your remarkable standards that is a stand out post. Agar!!!!.... Why not not Bird, Rain Man and Doolan?

I fear your irrational hatred of all things

Fixed

Was only trying to inject a bit of rational discussion.

Sadly perpetually half full and perpetually half empty don't often see eye to eye.

:-(

horrie isnt half empty 

he's been running on fumes for a long time

Jackson Browne?

BTW read today that SA took all 200 wickets on offer during their summer of test cricket. That is perhaps unusual.

horace wrote:If he keeps his spot, it is time for Haze to be first change. Cummins must have first use of the ball. If OP is fit and in form he plays ahead of Haze.

Cummins must take the new ball. He can actually swing it at pace.

Ima did ok but is just a solid good ordinary player. Every other other player beyond the three suspended lost ground.

fwiw, I do not believe we can ever play again home town ftbs like UK, the promising Bog and his pea hearted brother or technically challenged players like Monty or the Sneak.

I'd like to see Boof jnr, Head, Wildebeest, No Show, Doran, Langoustine and Wrench ordered to play county cricket on the basis they will never be selected to play for their State let alone Oz.

Really? Is his neck on the block? I didn't think he had a great series in terms of wickets but I saw a few spells where he was on the money. Anyway surely he's proved his worth more than enough to overcome an average/poor series. I wouldn't screw with that attack at all - it's the only strong suit you've got. Just got to ride out the occasional trough.

The only thing to perhaps look at is as you suggest Cummins with the new ball - he is some bowler that guy.

Khawaja - as an oppo fan I'm always happy to see his name on the list at 3, or anywhere for that matter - but then I see his average is 42-43 and think 'shit I didn't think he was anywhere near that good'. Go back 30 years or so and that puts him on a level with Gower and back then he was the kind of guy that whilst flaky you know could also be devastating.

As for the rest, Paine aside, they come across as non-entities, wannabes and never will bes.

Bowled ok without much luck. He seems to do better at home than away. He keeps it tight enough but does not do enough with the new ball. Cummins can swing the new ball. I thought Paine may have changed things up in this last Test be he opted not too on this issue.

horace wrote:Bowled ok without much luck. He seems to do better at home than away. He keeps it tight enough but does not do enough with the new ball. Cummins can swing the new ball. I thought Paine may have changed things up in this last Test be he opted not too on this issue.

Paine was hamstrung by the selection of Sayers.

Prolly. Dolly is a new ball bowler.

It would have been interesting to throw Richardson into the mix in that last game, even if it meant resting Hazlewood.