Australia v West Indies, 1st Test, Perth, 30 November - 4 December, 2022

Aus 13 man squad for the upcoming West Indies 2 Test series has been named.

Aus squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

I don't really agree with going back to Marcus Harris (he'll possibly carry the drinks along with Boland) but he has had a strong start to the Aus domestic season. Shirley it's time to blood at least one new opener. Who's next in line?

'Rex' (Henry) Hunt from SA I woodathunk.

Yeah, a prospect, Nerkles.

Shame about Puke. He looked to have the goods, but head knocks have stuffed his Test career.

have another look at Renshaw?

What’s happened to the Sandman?

Bancroft is overrated and underperformed when given his Test shot. File marked NTPFAA.

Whiteman and Bancroft at least have recent form on that wicket.

I'd happily give Whiteman a go, as I believe we need an injection of fresh talent at the top of the order, but not Bancroft.

Bancroft has a fundamental flaw with his defence on off stump and has been and will continue to be found out by top international bowlers, as Phil Hughes and Marcus Harris were.

I'd be delighted to see Whiteman and Henry Hunt making international waves as openers for Aus in the relatively near future.

Whiteman v Bancroft ...

It’s an interesting comparison. Their first class averages are virtually identical (Bancroft’s brought down a tad by his Test stats), neither bowl usefully, both can keep well enough to have been a first choice keeper at State level, Bancroft is slightly younger (not 30 yet), Bancroft fields brilliantly in close (don’t know about Sam W ... embee??). If either of them keep making big runs they will have to be looked at by the NSP. I’d like to see more runs from Hunt. Tim Ward is the other opener in excellent form. Renshaw has faded as an opener although he’s still v young. Burns is gone and hopefully has had his file marked. Not sure what’s happened to Daniel Hughes but perhaps his chance has gone too.

I would be interested to know a little more about Tim Ward. Would anyone who has seen him bat be able comment about his technique? Are there any glaring weaknesses? He is only 24 so if he was able to secure a place in the test team, he could have a long career. Hunt aged 25 is in a similar boat. At the moment, Ward's First Class record reads 956 runs @ 43.45.

Any thoughts of wildcard options i.e. people who don’t normally open at FC/state level?

WideWally wrote:I would be interested to know a little more about Tim Ward. Would anyone who has seen him bat be able comment about his technique? Are there any glaring weaknesses? He is only 24 so if he was able to secure a place in the test team, he could have a long career. Hunt aged 25 is in a similar boat. At the moment, Ward's First Class record reads 956 runs @ 43.45.

Have not seen him but ... he’s an ex-Dubber, and I note that he’s made runs on a variety of wickets around the country over the last 12 months and (based on his current innings, 90* off 71 in the hopes of setting up a declaration), he can’t be a complete crab.

beamer wrote:Any thoughts of wildcard options i.e. people who don’t normally open at FC/state level?

Khawaja, Renshaw. Neither are currently opening regularly for the Billies.

Whiteman ...make sheethead happy...

He should go into business with Makybe Diva's driver.... sunscreen-neck-shunning, Apartheid-favoring Hard Knocks graduates would stampede to support a gig called Whiteman Boss

WI 9/424 & 4/114

drew with NSW/ACT nonames 4/426



batsmen got a good hitout vs nothing bowlers

bowlers couldnt get a wicket vs nothing batsmen

Renshaw and Harris made a few runs in the PM XI pink ball match today.

The Aust XI is pretty much an Aust A team but depressingly, the only player in the side to average over 40 in FC cricket is Aaron Hardie who is a WA all rounder.

That's a far cry from these Aust A sides back in the 90s:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-australia-1994-95-61706/australian-xi-vs-england-xi-452834/full-scorecard

https://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/WI_IN_AUS/WI_AUS-XI_15-18NOV1996.html

JGK wrote:Renshaw and Harris made a few runs in the PM XI pink ball match today.

The Aust XI is pretty much an Aust A team but depressingly, the only player in the side to average over 40 in FC cricket is Aaron Hardie who is a WA all rounder.

That's a far cry from these Aust A sides back in the 90s:

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-australia-1994-95-61706/australian-xi-vs-england-xi-452834/full-scorecard

https://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1996-97/WI_IN_AUS/WI_AUS-XI_15-18NOV1996.html

WI doing OK in the Albo match. Todd Murphy looks ok. Certainly outbowled Agar.

Heard snippets of BNLG bleating on some poddy. The bloke lacks any form of personal insight and really seems as thick as a brick.

It is clear he is unemployable in cricket.  

But not by Channel 7 who have retained him as a commentator. The Oz players have indicated they will refuse to speak to him if he tries to interview them.

The final straw for me was the Renshaw incident. But who knows how many other incidents happened during his reign.

Heard recorded highlights on SEN. Hard to argue with his labelling of un-named sources as 'cowards'.
Seems we still haven't quite eradicated 'apparently' from the language.
Chunderpile Jnr looks solid. Cricket's latest Harry Potter impersonator also did well. A few signs over the course of this match that this Windies outfit might not be quite as crapola as some in its recent history.

Fred Nerk wrote:Heard recorded highlights on SEN. Hard to argue with his labelling of un-named sources as 'cowards'.
Seems we still haven't quite eradicated 'apparently' from the language.
Chunderpile Jnr looks solid. Cricket's latest Harry Potter impersonator also did well. A few signs over the course of this match that this Windies outfit might not be quite as crapola as some in its recent history.

Lol re Murphy and Potter. Still young but shows promise.

Those of us who enjoy a spoonerism will refer to him as Mod Turfy.

Aus XI has been named:

Ooze
GCS
Shrapnel
Smudge
Blowie
Snot
Mariah
2nd (c)
Koo
Elmer
Purple

anyone with half a brain could have named that XI once we announced the squad

Yes indeed, Nath.