New captain.

[Timbo]

Well, who'd have thought this would be a post on Monday morning - or even halfway through this most recent test?

Smith and Warner's positions are obviously untenable and they could conceivably be banned for extended periods in any case. The remains of the leadership group - Starc, Haze and Lyon - are also obviously out. Paine is the right interim option, but where do we go long term?

Paine - Right choice for now, but the fact is he was viewed as an intermediate length keeping choice until Carey was ready. What a rise though, he'll be Prime Minister in six months at this rate.

Khawaja - The only long-term current shield captain in the side. But not rating a mention despite his captaincy creds. Position questionable, but you'd have to think with Smith and Warner gone he's safe for the foreseeable future.

Cummins - Natural leader, but the fact is Australia doesn't pick fast bowlers as captains - Ray Lindwall in 1956 remains the only example.

The brothers Darsh - Neither of them are set in the Australian setup enough to really command the gig, despite what the brown nosed gnome thinks. Thankfully I think this incident will set back his coaching prospects given how close to Lehmann he is. Also it seems like Mitch Marsh is the preferred skipper of the two, and he's very young - you have the same issue there as Smith.

Specialist - Bailey, Ferguson, Nevill could all play as calm 'old head' captains and bat at 6. Australia hasn't done a Brearley/Germon since the 50's outside of WSC before but it could be time for it.

Personally, I'm leaning towards the specialist. Bring back Bailey and slot him at 6, make it clear that it's leadership we're in need of as much as his batting. We've always said you have to command your place as a batsman first and a captain second, but for the first time in a long time I think the reverse is true. If we're not going to go with the specialist, I'd keep Paine - but would the selectors really go for a keeper/captain long term?

 

[JJ]

Who's the best captain in Shield cricket? Who would have the respect of the team?

If Lehmann is staying then the whole thing might be a waste of time - the environment clearly needs leadership... someone like a Border, Simpson, or even Steve Waugh overseeing the operation would I imagine ensure a change in culture - retaining the aggression but reiterating the legacy and the standards expected

 

[Twizzle]

It wont be a bowler, Paine may remain as skipper for now but he is nearing retirement age.

I guess that leaves levers as he is WA coach and we may just end up with the little garden gnome as our coach after this.

Another option is Head, good cricketer and skipper.

 

[Bazal]

Paine for the next test

Travis Head for the next series.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Wade. Wadey. The nugget. The Wadester. The Big Dropinski.

Or Tim Paine.

 

[hineyrulz]

I think we all know who has to make a return.


It’s Dirk Whellam time!!!

 

[hineyrulz]

Paine for the next test

Travis Head for the next series.

That’s the way I would go as well Baz, I can’t see it happening but I think he should of been in the test side a while ago.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

I'd like to see Cummins with the VC next to his name.

 

[Fufu Andronez]

It wont be a bowler, Paine may remain as skipper for now but he is nearing retirement age.

I guess that leaves levers as he is WA coach and we may just end up with the little garden gnome as our coach after this.

Another option is Head, good cricketer and skipper.

Why not a bowler?

Garry could probably do it, the most secure selection in the team at the moment

 

[herbert henry1908]

George Bailey turns 36 this year.

I’d say Paine has as much cricket in him, which is to say 1-2 years. No point going with bailey unless he’s performing with the bat.

So if we’re picking from the next crop I’d have to say Cummins after Paine.

 

[JJ]

Cam White?

 

[Mr Angry]

Paine.

 

[Mr Angry]

Cam White?

you are having too much fun ya bastard.

 

[JW]

I agree with the idea of selecting someone like Bailey, though I'd prefer we exhausted our other options first. Paine should certainly take the captains job for the last test and if not the appointed the "long term" skipper thereafter, he should be given the VC job till his time is up at Test level.

Outside that, Uzz is really the only batting option - which I'd be barely comfortable with at moment - or Patty, who I'd rather take VC duties at most.

It's really slim pickings these days, but I guess that's why Smith got the gig in the first place.

A decent team man/skipper in the Shield will have to be a serious consideration. As others have suggested, Travis Head.

 

[Mr Spock!]

Finch

 

[TheParraboy]

Id keep Smith

There has been a huge over reaction IMO

Smith got caught, he is paying for it. The guy made a silly and stupid mistake. He deserves a chance IMO

What will happen is I feel is that he will get the captaincy sack due to the outcry.
In that case has to be Paine, he can continue on for another 12 months, in that time we can look to groom someone for the long term. At the moment a handful of guys will have their name mentioned, just not Michael Clarke please

 

[Bazal]

Id keep Smith

There has been a huge over reaction IMO

Smith got caught, he is paying for it. The guy made a silly and stupid mistake. He deserves this chance IMO

What will happen is I feel is that he will get the captaincy sack due to the outcry.
In that case has to be Paine, he can continue on for another 12 months, in that time we can look to groom groom someone for the long term. At the moment a handful of guys will have their name mentioned, just not Michael Clarke please

Overreaction? The bloke has admitted, in doing what he did, to being so utterly clueless and insipid as a captain that he felt he had to cheat, because we had zero ideas or inspiration.

f**k him. His captaincy is utterly untenable and I for one will be reluctant to even watch the side if he keeps it.

 

[Eelectrica]

I can't agree with Smith being captain again. I think he's better off without the captaincy anyway.
He should definitely be back in the side as a player though, if he wants to do that.

We need a replacement for Khawaja, and SMarsh can't be long for the team either.
Groom their replacements for the captaincy job, Paine keeps the job until they're ready, or he suffers a horrible form slump. Hopefully that happens later than sooner.

Either way, we've got some pain to look forward to over the next few years. Pun not intended.

 

[AusKnightRKO]

I’d honestly go with Michael Clarke, we are going to absolutely get belted in our next series, if Smith, Warner and Bancroft are all suspended.

He won’t care about the backlash, it won’t tarnish his legacy and career, and maybe his back will have come good after a few years out of the game.

Also i feel Boof will probably move on, Punter probably gets the top job, and having someone like Clarke as a bridge for a year could be good.

 

[mozza91]

We need someone with high morals, upstanding character with an unselfish attitude. Shane Warne believing he fits all criteria has nominated himself for the role.