SA Footy

Aerie wrote:The XI they pick will be interesting for the WTC Final and West Indies Tour.

A lot may come down to the form of players playing for the rest of the Shield season and any players lucky enough to get County stints.

Certainly the players that played this summer for the first time, in particular, McSweeney, Konstas, Webster and Inglis have put their cases forward. Green should be available, but as a batsman only. Then there is the choice of Boland and Hazlewood. Do they stick with Labuschagne?

I'll go early with my WTC Final XI

Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Green
Head
Webster
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

I think they'll go the old fashioned "pick the best 6 batsmen" and shuffle the order, with a long term view that Green will bat number 4 and Smith, back in form, shuffles up to 3. They'll stick with experience and open with Labuschagne in the WTC Final, but if he doesn't score runs in the next two Tests, they'll replace with another opener.

Additional squad members:

Boland
Bartlett
Kuhnemann
Konstas
Inglis

*Renshaw is my smokey to be picked if he can get a couple more centuries between now and selection, with in Shield or County cricket.
*Webster looks really solid at 6. Bowling handy - in particular I think they'd like him as a spin option in India with his height. He looks to complement Head and Carey well. I think he's picked himself for the WTC Final.

Aerie wrote:The XI they pick will be interesting for the WTC Final and West Indies Tour.

A lot may come down to the form of players playing for the rest of the Shield season and any players lucky enough to get County stints.

Certainly the players that played this summer for the first time, in particular, McSweeney, Konstas, Webster and Inglis have put their cases forward. Green should be available, but as a batsman only. Then there is the choice of Boland and Hazlewood. Do they stick with Labuschagne?

I'll go early with my WTC Final XI

Khawaja
Labuschagne
Smith
Green
Head
Webster
Carey
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood

I think they'll go the old fashioned "pick the best 6 batsmen" and shuffle the order, with a long term view that Green will bat number 4 and Smith, back in form, shuffles up to 3. They'll stick with experience and open with Labuschagne in the WTC Final, but if he doesn't score runs in the next two Tests, they'll replace with another opener.

Additional squad members:

Boland
Bartlett
Kuhnemann
Konstas
Inglis

*Renshaw is my smokey to be picked if he can get a couple more centuries between now and selection, with in Shield or County cricket.
*Webster looks really solid at 6. Bowling handy - in particular I think they'd like him as a spin option in India with his height. He looks to complement Head and Carey well. I think he's picked himself for the WTC Final.

whufc wrote:Cant see Ronny wanting to many changes from the side that beat India.

I thought i read an article that said Konstas was sent back to play shield because the expectation was that he will back in the side for the WTC Final. Obviously on the proviso he goes back to the shield and scores some runs.

Labuschagne to get a horse for courses selection in England. Averages 40 which is probably about par over there.

Guessing they will play Hazelwood if fit, it seems clear he is the number 1 choice ahead of Boland and any others in the pecking order. Especially with Webster who can get through 10-15 overs an innings if needed.

1. Khawaja
2. Konstas (could change though if shield performances arent great)
3. Labuschagne
4. Smith
5. Head
6. Webster
7. Carey
8. Cummins
9. Starc
10. Lyon
11. Hazelwood

wenchbarwer wrote:I think Marnus is the new Davey Warner. Plenty calling out for his head, but he survives the nuclear winter like a cockroach.

Lightning McQueen wrote:

wenchbarwer wrote:I think Marnus is the new Davey Warner. Plenty calling out for his head, but he survives the nuclear winter like a cockroach.

The difference being that Warner was still the best option for his role.

RB wrote:It's warm in Melbourne ATM, but mid-March it often gets a bit chilly in the evening. Not sure why they have to go with a day-nighter.

RB wrote:Not sure why they have to go with a day-nighter.

RB wrote:It's warm in Melbourne ATM, but mid-March it often gets a bit chilly in the evening. Not sure why they have to go with a day-nighter.

The Bedge wrote:

RB wrote:Not sure why they have to go with a day-nighter.

C'mon.. surely you jest?

Day-nighter = increased chance of crowds over all days + higher tv ratings = more money

Spargo wrote:Joel Wilson finally sacked from the ICC elite umpires list

Jim05 wrote:

Spargo wrote:Joel Wilson finally sacked from the ICC elite umpires list

Bet he didn’t see that dismissal either