The Ashes 25/26

[PatowalongaPirate]

1st Test November 21st - 25th, Optus Stadium, Perth.

Australia's first Test Ashes squad

Steve Smith (captain)
Sean Abbott
Scott Boland
Alex Carey (wk)
Brendan Doggett
Cameron Green
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Josh Inglis
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Nathan Lyon
Mitch Starc
Jake Weatherald
Beau Webster

England's Ashes squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue, Mark Wood.

[Booney]

No Sam "Success" Konstas?

[am Bays]

He'll get there eventually, I believe, but he's needs another 12-24 months learning his batting craft with respect to what works for him (like every batsman has done for Australia bar Bradman)

Marnus said it best the other day when asked about him 1st class cricket is hard and you need to learn what works for you and how to adapt to bowling plans designed to challenge you.

Lucky we've got people in the squad like Smith and Webster (his first inning knock of 50 when he came in at 4/39 he gets out was arguably the key moment of that test ) Carey and his 99 agaisnt the Kiwis in Christchurch in feb 2024 who can seize the key moments

Lets not even mention Boland's 2 wickets in the Indian 2nd dig when they were effectively 0/50 in a low scoring test match...

[Booney]

Quite enjoyed some of what Labuschagne said, spoke about how it's easy to work on things when things are working for you but when things aren't working for you it's hard to know what to work on. Batting well in the middle means you just crack on in the nets, keep pushing forward but when the middle is falling to pieces what do you need to be doing in the nets?

It does make sense...

[am Bays]

Quite enjoyed some of what Labuschagne said, spoke about how it's easy to work on things when things are working for you but when things aren't working for you it's hard to know what to work on. Batting well in the middle means you just crack on in the nets, keep pushing forward but when the middle is falling to pieces what do you need to be doing in the nets?

It does make sense...

I know who would've thought the tried and true method of developing a batting style by working your game out in the middle over 30-40 firsts class matches wouldn't apply to Konstas?

[locky801]

Abbott keeps getting selected

[Aerie]

Khawaja
? (Weatherald or Marnus)
? (Marnus or Green)
Smith
Head
? (Webster or Green)
Carey
Starc
Boland
Lyon
Hazlewood

I’m not sure Weatherald is up to it, but I like the idea of having an aggressive opener and if he’s in form
It might pay off. Marnus I’d put straight back to 3. I’d select Green over Webster, because he’s a better cricketer. Webster’s done well to make this selection difficult.

[Lightning McQueen]

Khawaja
? (Weatherald or Marnus)
? (Marnus or Green)
Smith
Head
? (Webster or Green)
Carey
Starc
Boland
Lyon
Hazlewood

I’m not sure Weatherald is up to it, but I like the idea of having an aggressive opener and if he’s in form
It might pay off. Marnus I’d put straight back to 3. I’d select Green over Webster, because he’s a better cricketer. Webster’s done well to make this selection difficult.

I'm on team Weathers, we've gotta reward consistency in the spots to where we need to fill.

[Booney]

Khawaja
? (Weatherald or Marnus)
? (Marnus or Green)
Smith
Head
? (Webster or Green)
Carey
Starc
Boland
Lyon
Hazlewood

I’m not sure Weatherald is up to it, but I like the idea of having an aggressive opener and if he’s in form
It might pay off. Marnus I’d put straight back to 3. I’d select Green over Webster, because he’s a better cricketer. Webster’s done well to make this selection difficult.

I'm on team Weathers, we've gotta reward consistency in the spots to where we need to fill.

In a time of transition this is exactly the SOP we shoudl adopt, sadly, history suggests Australian selectors don't like doing this as they much prefer going back to the well.

[locky801]

Seems Ben Stokes is a little worried

https://www.betootaadvocate.com/england ... hes-squad/

[Lightning McQueen]

Khawaja
? (Weatherald or Marnus)
? (Marnus or Green)
Smith
Head
? (Webster or Green)
Carey
Starc
Boland
Lyon
Hazlewood

I’m not sure Weatherald is up to it, but I like the idea of having an aggressive opener and if he’s in form
It might pay off. Marnus I’d put straight back to 3. I’d select Green over Webster, because he’s a better cricketer. Webster’s done well to make this selection difficult.

I'm on team Weathers, we've gotta reward consistency in the spots to where we need to fill.

In a time of transition this is exactly the SOP we shoudl adopt, sadly, history suggests Australian selectors don't like doing this as they much prefer going back to the well.

We're more likely to think outside the square and bat someone in a spot that they're not used of.

Although improving Cam Green hasn't nailed the #3 spot and despite not liking the guy Marnus must be rewarded that role with Weathers to open.

If Green isn't going to bowl I think Nikki should get the nod ahead of him.

[shoe boy]

Nikki?

[am Bays]

Webster

[carey]

Does Abbott have photos?

He must.

[Armchair expert]

Hazlewood out of first test

[Jim05]

Hazlewood out of first test

Shocked I tell you

So much for Captain Pat’s “chipper” spin on it the other day.
Neser into squad but surely Doggett gets the call up.
2 Indigenous test players in the lineup for the first time

[locky801]

Hazlewood out of first test

Sensible call

[The Dark Knight]

Hazlewood out of first test

Sensible call

Yes but FFS has looked unreal before the injury.

[Booney]

Get the feeling they'll err on the side of the bowling strength and play Green and Webster now.

Khawaja
Labushagne
Green
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Starc
Boland
Doggett
Lyon

[Lightning McQueen]

Get the feeling they'll err on the side of the bowling strength and play Green and Webster now.

Khawaja
Labushagne
Green
Smith
Head
Webster
Carey
Starc
Boland
Doggett
Lyon

That looks horrible, I hope they don't. I feel as though runs will win this test and we will be happy with escaping with a draw.

Surely they cannot try the Marnus opening experiment again, I'll refuse to have any interest if we they do, despite my dislike for him and me wanting him out of the side, he has responded well to my criticism and earnt his spot back.

Lyon's record in Australia against quality opposition has been relatively poor, he has the odd good game but I think we can cover him through Marnus, Head and Webster. Having either Webster or Carey at 8 means we bat deep.