Aerie wrote:With Manenti and McAndrew in the side, the Redbacks should play another bowler. Preferably Pope.
As usual, the real problem is the batting. Two games at Adelaide Oval and a game at Karen Rolton and none of the top 3, or our number 6 & 7, have scored a half century. Only McSweeney has earned his spot at this stage.
Hunt 88 @ 14 (16 & 2, 26 & 7, 9 & 28)
Smith 101 @ 16 (21 & 4, 11 & 33, 32 & 0)
Drew 82 @ 13 (6 & 1, 29 & 21, 0 & 25)
McSweeney 280 @ 46 (2 & 48, 64 & 100, 41 & 25)
Lehmann 170 @ 28 (115 & 10, 31 & 8, 0 & 6)
Fraser-McGurk 92 @ 23 (37 & 29, 25 & 1, DNP)
Carder 26 @ 13 (DNP, DNP, 21 & 5)
Nielsen 121 @ 20 (2 & 10, 32 & 21, 34 & 22)
There are still three more games (Gabba, WACA and then home vs VIC) before the BBL.
This weekend was the first round of Premier 2-day cricket this season, so there hasn’t been an opportunity for anyone to press for selection with the red ball at this stage. Scott scored a century and Capel 92 on the weekend, but you’d expect they’ll hope some of our batters can turn their form around soon, or it may be back to the drawing board over Christmas.
Top 3 batting is the problem
Hunt has lost all form since being named captain for a few matches
Smith I think has shown he just isn't up to it unfortunately
Drew hasn't continued last years form
None of them are supporting each other so the pressure keeps building.
JFM has shown zero intent in digging in so I think you could open with him and try and put some pressure on the bowlers to get them off their lines. Would also help Hunt with someone else taking away the scoreboard pressure. If it doesn't work then its not any different than whats happening now.
I like your idea of playing Pope and treating Manenti and McAndrew as allrounders