Australia v England, 1st Test, Brisbane, 23-27 November, 2017

Only 15 days until that magic first ball of the Test summer.

Will the series be a long one for England, or Australia?

looking forward to it ... hope the rain doesn't fall into the box

I'm very jealous.

Even that small gloat was probably unforgivable. Apologies.

The current form XI for Aus:

Bancroft/Little Rhino
GCS
Ooze
Tweek
Wank
NoShow/Fergie/Little Boof
Weed/Nifty/Bancroft (if not opening)
Koo
2nd
Elmer
Purple

a long series ...for the fans

we are missing an opener , a number 6 and a keeper and our bowlers are injury prone

the poms have started overworking their medical room already

Yep I see Fatty Finn has headed back. While gcspoc is considered a lock, should this be the case? Apparently * Boof left a NSP discussion when the others wanted to discuss Mini Boof.

Good article on Bancroft

"Bancroft, 24, dedicates himself to a daily meditation routine — and his mental-strength was on display against New South Wales as he kept for two days and faced 354 deliveries at the crease.

It is testament to his application and powers of concentration, something Australia's delicate middle-order desperately needs.

Bancroft is now averaging a remarkable 118.75 in his last three first-class games.

His latest performance in this game proves he can bat and bat well against a Test-calibre attack, but that is something the Australian selectors have always suspected.
...
But Bancroft is already a better gloveman than Wade, a far superior batsman based on current output and — at the age of 24 — could be a long-term solution for selectors.

When Starc bowls Australia's first delivery of the Ashes campaign at the Gabba, Bancroft should be the man waiting behind the stumps to receive it."

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I wholeheartedly agree. It's time for an "Ian Healy" type selection for the longer term. Put Bancroft at 7 to stiffen up the lower middle order.

koo purple 2nd and tweety pulled from next round of shield games

Prolly sensible.

Looks like Tweet will be 12th.

embee wrote:koo purple 2nd and tweety pulled from next round of shield games

Conspiracy to stop NSW winning the shield.

Didn't Purple miss the first game?

JGK wrote:Conspiracy to stop NSW winning the shield.

Never fear, Reeks is here!!!

skully wrote:Prolly sensible.

Looks like Tweet will be 12th.

Aye. Always the bridesmaid.

Big Dog wrote:

skully wrote:Prolly sensible.

Looks like Tweet will be 12th.

Aye. Always the bridesmaid.

He should play ahead of Purple.

Embee, does Bancroft keep in Perth cricket? Would rather have Sneaky don the gloves than Bangers and certainly ahead of Weed or Snivel.

My team for the Test would look like-

Harris
Renshaw
Uber K
Seasick - c
Sneaky Pete - vc and keeper
Mini Bb
No Show
Second
Koo
Elmer
Tweetie

gcspoc 12th
Purple in the squad

Stacks the batting, debuts two players in a team needing new blood. Of course this my team and it wont happen.

Bangers keeps occasionally because the second string Willeton keeper can bat

When wrongkey got pushed out and became a snoozie the keeping position was between Whiteman and Bancroft ...the loser had to get his place in the team as a batsman

Whiteman was considered the better keeper (by a beesdick) so Bangers concentrated on batting

Whiteman 'Pained' his figure winning the last Big Bash and hasnt played since
The wozzies are trying to play 4 quicks and a spinner and play all the 'candidates' for the number 6 spot so Inglis got pushed out

So it could be another Healy situation if they pick him
He would work hard on his keeping and would become very good/great in time

I dont see him as vocal player ( but I'll ask)

Went to a good school

Cheers A.

Ta Embee. So do the wozzie media think Mitch Marsh is a chance?

Or are they barracking for Bog or Donkey?

i actually think they favour stoinis ...strangely

I'd actually take Stoinis over NoShow, but fear he may be as useless as the Vomit at Test level.

Perhaps commonsense will prevail at the NSP table and a real batsman will be chosen for the no. 6 spot.

skully wrote:I'd actually take Stoinis over NoShow, but fear he may be as useless as the Vomit at Test level.

Perhaps commonsense will prevail at the NSP table and a real batsman will be chosen for the no. 6 spot.

Why are people Stoll talking about maxwell?

People? I can only see horrie clinging to Maxwell.

The farming papers.

lardbucket wrote:People? I can only see horrie clinging to Maxwell.

Hmmm... Rust is abizzaro and unfounded slur. I am no fan of noshow, notwithstanding he scored a ton v the Bannies.....still barfing for Bailey or Reeks FFS Cde Lardy?

How many tons has Steak Knives scored or Bailey for that matter?

Even Embee does not barrack so bizarrely..... Must be a high lead content in the Lonny water that Lardy consumes nowadays