Hey fellas have been thinking about starting a sport related blog but realised that I definitely don't have the technical know how to even attempt to start something like that. I have, however written a brief preview of tomorrow's Test and a little blurb about each member of our 11 that I intended to be my 1st post of said blog. Have a look and feel free to let me know what you think?
The night before the 1st Test of the summer is normally one of my favourite times of the year. Excitement and anticipation are flying through the air like a Pat Cummins thunderbolt.
The truly horrifying gap between footy and cricket season finally ends. No more pretending that I have non sporting related hobbies. No more feigning interest in irrelevant things like friends and family.
Tomorrow is the day when summer truly starts. The day where one of sport’s greatest rivalries adds yet another enthralling chapter. The day where my already waning productivity in the workplace comes to a complete halt.
It’s been the exact same feeling every summer for as long as I can remember, yet for some reason this summer is different. I must admit that I’ve felt quite indifferent towards this great sport at times over the last 8 and a bit months.
The events of March 24th 2018 still cast a grey cloud over our once great cricket team. Sweeping changes have been made and we will soon see what, if any changes they bring to the teams attitude and perception from afar.
Personally I couldn’t give a Continental whether we are loved, hated, admired or laughed at. For me it’s solely about effort and to a far lesser degree the result.
Thought I’d run a quick eye over our likely starting 11 and give my thoughts on each of them and what they can do for us over the next few months.
1- Marcus Harris – This guy has quite the story. Not rated by his coach at Western Australia he decided to head east and try his luck. Not that rare a predicament to be fair but the fact that the same coach is now leading him at International level is lolworthy. He’s proved in the past that he can perform on the big stage with a Man of the Match effort in the 2014/15 Sheffield Shield Final and the 250 not out earlier this summer which put him right up the pecking order ahead of more fancied rivals. I’m predicting him to do a solid job, provided he stops challenging Alfie to an arm wrestle every 5 minutes.
2- Aaron Finch – The portly short form specialist performed admirably in the recent ill fated Test matches in the UAE but questions remain over his ability facing genuine quality pace bowling. Fortunately we are playing India so he’ll be sweet.
3- Usman Khawaja – Not the best week for Uzi. I mean what the f**k is doing with that story about his brother? Coming off possibly his best Test dig in the First Test against Pakistan and an injury that forced him out of the 2nd innings of the following Test, he’s been a bit short of quality time in the middle so he may take a while to fire. But if Australia are to be competitive we’ll need huge runs from him. I think he’ll deliver
4- Shaun Marsh – Much maligned unfairly so at times. Coming off some good Shield and ODI form he’ll need to continue it in a top 6 that is inexperienced at this level and more prone to a collapse then me after a dozen schooners and 2 or 3 VCR’s. His record reads 34 Tests for 6 100’s and 9 50’s. Very admirable numbers but troubles getting his feet moving at the start the start of an innings has caused him problems. He also has an above average amount of single figure scores for a player of his ability. A make or break series for the 35 year old.
5- Travis Head – I’m a fan of Head. Get it? Lolz. He has a pretty solid technique and can be a pretty impressive stroke player when he gets settled. Struggled in the UAE at times but I was impressed that he continued to play his natural attacking game even when the scores weren’t coming. No doubt he’ll be under a lot of pressure but if he can get a good score early I think he’ll have a coming of age series and consolidate his spot long term. The fact he’s a solid bowling option will be very beneficial for the side too.
6- Peter Handscomb – So many questions over his technique which was admired when he scored runs a couple of summers back and has seemingly been criticised ever since. Coming in off the back of some decent Shield form he’s obviously done something to impress Langer who has chosen him ahead of Vice Captain and illegitimate son Mitch Marsh.
7- Tim Paine – Has taken over as skipper at a bloody tough time and has done a pretty solid job in my opinion. He’s spotted a couple of wanky clichés here and there but has mostly been honest. We will get to see a bit more of him as a tactician now we’re back on home soil. Definitely needs to score more runs but a solid gloveman and our best leader at this stage. How he uses his bowlers and sets his fields may very well be the difference.
8- Pat Cummins – Big fan of this bloke. A genuinely quick bowler who keeps his pace and accuracy up from his first ball of the day until the last. Will likely bowl first change coming in after a dangerous but at times erratic Mitchell Starc, so he’ll be required to take regular wickets as well as keep it tight. Also happens to have one the best batting techniques in the 11 and really wouldn’t look out of place up the order, Add to that he’s a very athletic fielder for a quick and you’ve got a bloody handy cricketer. No I don’t have a crush, he does have beautiful eyes though.
9- Mitchell Starc – So quick and dangerous. Hasn’t found the level of consistency at Test level that he should and will need to step up if our Top 6 continues to struggle. Has the capabilities to be a pack leader and a World Class quick just needs to do it regularly. Has the best yorker in the game and shouldn’t be afraid to use it more often. Will definitely pick up wickets and trouble the Indians, who may struggle against his pace and the bounce of the wickets (well the bounce the pitches would have if they weren’t crappy lifeless drop ins. Don’t get me started on that!). Starc has to have a big series if we are to win. If he does a much needed deal with Clearasil could be on the cards. Low blow. Sorry
10 – Josh Hazlewood – You know what you’ll get from Haze. Accuracy, movement both ways at genuine pace . Can and will bowl a long spell and not let up. He’s a captain’s dream like Ryan Harris and Glenn McGrath before him. Along with Starc we’ll need a huge performance from him with the new ball if we’re to be competitive. Has talked about the dominance of Kohli in the press recently and will need to be the man to take him down. Overall he’s our best bowler and I’m more than confident he’ll show why.
11 – Nathan Lyon – Has improved out of sight over the last 18 months. Went from being a solid but far too negative offie to one of the best and most dependable bowlers in world cricket. Has outshined more fancied opponents over this time as well. He’ll be bowling to some great players of spin on wickets that won’t offer him much at all especially early on, so his accuracy and ability to snare a key wicket will be invaluable. Is also a handy fielder and seems like a bit of a funster as well. Seriously those club photos of him drink in hand being a total pest are some of cricket’s greatest images. Keep it up son!