Australia v Pakistan, 1st Test, Perth, December 14-18, 2023

For this match, at Optus Stadium ( RIP the WACA, sniff) I hope/think our selectors may show some courage. They’re going to have to show courage or imagination, if not both.  My twelve … bit of horses for courses here … Khawaja and Lyon could yet struggle to be fit. I actually prefer Hazlewood to Cummins for getting final seamer’s spot but Cummins is the New Koala.

Khawaja or anyone but Despicable Dave
Bancroft
Labuschagne
Head
Smith
M Marsh
Inglis or Pierson
Starc
Morris
Neser
Cummins
Lyon or Murphy

I don't think Murphy has figured out Perth pitches

A team of 12? Not sure that will be needed to beat Pakistan in a Test at home

The XI will be:

GCS
Ooze
Marnus
Smudge
Blowie
Snot
Mariah
2nd
Koo
Elmer
Purple

Snot will need some mental health work if he is to play

beamer wrote:A team of 12? Not sure that will be needed to beat Pakistan in a Test at home

It’s a squad of 12. Obviously.

Seriously, why choose Warner when you know:

a) he’s shit
b) he’s only there for two more games, max


Choosing him at all would be craven cowardice and transparently concede that the commercial media run the team. He needs to GAGF.

Couldn't agree more, Mrbucket.

But I stated that this is what the team willl "be" not what I "want".

Have been out of it - is Warner still in the running? No retirement plans/ announcements in the offing?

he wants to finish in Sydney

skully wrote:Couldn't agree more, Mrbucket.

But I stated that this is what the team willl "be" not what I "want".

I can only express a hope that you’re wrong whilst I fear you may be right. I hope by December that a selectorial spine has been established but the panel may prove themselves again to be an inert and aimless morass of jellyfish floating on a tide of Dubber sentimentality and entitlement. As Sybil memorably said in The Builders episode (of O’Reilly), more organised creatures have been noted floating near the bottom of ponds, or running around farmyards with their heads cut off.

I just do not get the continued selection of Warner. It is a complete mystery.

horace wrote:I just do not get the continued selection of Warner. It is a complete mystery.

He has a sense of entitlement which is being indulged.

horace wrote:I just do not get the continued selection of Warner. It is a complete mystery.

They're buying his silence.

JGK wrote:

horace wrote:I just do not get the continued selection of Warner. It is a complete mystery.

They're buying his silence.

It is the only explanation. Dreadful if true.

Six weeks to go.

Fancy waiting until mid Dec for a Test match in Aus.

probably more interest in this thread than the paying public will give

A fair call, Nath.

Will be interesting to see what the Perth crowds are like.

skully wrote:Fancy waiting until mid Dec for a Test match in Aus.

I blame India

skully wrote:
Will be interesting to see what the Perth crowds are like.

at least they're not starting it on a Wednesday this time

skully wrote:A fair call, Nath.

Will be interesting to see what the Perth crowds are like.

Hopefully there will be decent crowds and the pitch is not dialled in to be a road.

I am a bit pessimistic about the future of Tests in Perth.

I think they’ll be OK. It’s sad to have lost the WACA … with my brother and another mate I spent much of the 1979-80 Eng v Oz Test there, reclining on the grass with a succession of beers in hand. Sadly the alum bat incident occurred on a day - perhaps the only day of that Test - that I was not present. A famous England 99, being a thwarted century, was one of the highlights. Geoff Dymock also bowled magnificently and took 6-38. From memory he got Peter Wiley with an absolute beauty.

lardbucket wrote:I think they’ll be OK. It’s sad to have lost the WACA … with my brother and another mate I spent much of the 1979-80 Eng v Oz Test there, reclining on the grass with a succession of beers in hand.  Sadly the alum bat incident occurred on a day - perhaps the only day of that Test - that I was not present. A famous England 99, being a thwarted century, was one of the highlights. Geoff Dymock also bowled magnificently and took 6-38. From memory he got Peter Wiley with an absolute beauty.  

Was that Gabba Dan??

But it sounded the goodest of times.

No ... I said 'a mate'.