01-27-2019, 01:29 AM
To my way of thinking, Starc is trying too hard and is out of form. I'd give him a rest, then get him to play in the Shield for a while. He can find some form and confidence, maybe even some rhythm, and certainly a good dose of fun. A refreshed and in-form Starc is a weapon to use in the Ashes. But the one we have toiling away at the moment is not getting anywhere for anyone.
At the moment there are some quicks going around: Boland, Tremaine and a number of others. I would give one of them an opportunity. The Manuka pitch has a history of being a road, unlike the 'Gabba, which is the most 'Australian friendly' pitch we have. Other states could really learn from the 'Gabba, especially the MCG and the SCG, whose pitches have been albatrosses around our necks.
I would also drop Khawaja: he hasn't been able to get himself into any form this summer. He went from injury to test cricket (because we needed him badly), and it didn't work. His timing touch and aggressive instincts are not there. He also needs a week or 2 rest, and a good period of Shield cricket to get him prepared for England.
If he can't find form, then I wouldn't take him: English conditions do not favour a batsman who is struggling, as the ball moves around more.
Warner and Smith have to come into the side on talent, but both are under injury clouds at the moment. That doesn't help our Ashes preparation at all. A half fit Smith might be better than a half fit Khawaja, but it won't help anyone in England.
I would give Pucovski a game, a taste of what he will be facing for the next decade. He can't do any worse than Khawaja has, nor Marsh before him. I think he should go to England, even though I can't see him in the team as a permanent fixture yet.
There are a few guys, like Wade, who have put their hands up. It is probably too late for them to get into the team at the moment, but with a possible 17 man squad for England, there are places there for guys who perform.
NB: The bouncy pitch in the Caribbean showed that even a good looking English team can be smashed on the right sort of pitches. The various ground trusts need to note that and prepare pitches that suit us. Like the 'Gabba, which is a drop in pitch. If they can get it right, then so can the rest. Providing pitches that suit the opposition is the WRONG way of going about things. Other countries doctor their pitches, especially in Asia. Turn-about is fair play!
NB: The guy who did the 'Gabba did the pitch at Cairns for the test match there. The pitch for the test there wasn't perfect, but it had similar characteristics to what we want. If Cairns can do it, the rest certainly can!
At the moment there are some quicks going around: Boland, Tremaine and a number of others. I would give one of them an opportunity. The Manuka pitch has a history of being a road, unlike the 'Gabba, which is the most 'Australian friendly' pitch we have. Other states could really learn from the 'Gabba, especially the MCG and the SCG, whose pitches have been albatrosses around our necks.
I would also drop Khawaja: he hasn't been able to get himself into any form this summer. He went from injury to test cricket (because we needed him badly), and it didn't work. His timing touch and aggressive instincts are not there. He also needs a week or 2 rest, and a good period of Shield cricket to get him prepared for England.
If he can't find form, then I wouldn't take him: English conditions do not favour a batsman who is struggling, as the ball moves around more.
Warner and Smith have to come into the side on talent, but both are under injury clouds at the moment. That doesn't help our Ashes preparation at all. A half fit Smith might be better than a half fit Khawaja, but it won't help anyone in England.
I would give Pucovski a game, a taste of what he will be facing for the next decade. He can't do any worse than Khawaja has, nor Marsh before him. I think he should go to England, even though I can't see him in the team as a permanent fixture yet.
There are a few guys, like Wade, who have put their hands up. It is probably too late for them to get into the team at the moment, but with a possible 17 man squad for England, there are places there for guys who perform.
NB: The bouncy pitch in the Caribbean showed that even a good looking English team can be smashed on the right sort of pitches. The various ground trusts need to note that and prepare pitches that suit us. Like the 'Gabba, which is a drop in pitch. If they can get it right, then so can the rest. Providing pitches that suit the opposition is the WRONG way of going about things. Other countries doctor their pitches, especially in Asia. Turn-about is fair play!
NB: The guy who did the 'Gabba did the pitch at Cairns for the test match there. The pitch for the test there wasn't perfect, but it had similar characteristics to what we want. If Cairns can do it, the rest certainly can!
Live Long and Prosper!