1st Test: Australia v New Zealand at Brisbane on Nov 5-9, 2015

[TheParraboy]

Smith is easily a better 4 or 5 than a 3. Look at his shots in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Ashes tests for evidence why.

Averages over 71 batting at no3

over 47.00 even if you take out the double ton

 

[Pete Cash]

The top order isn't going to be exposed to a moving ball in Australia like they are in England.

 

[lockyno1]

Averages over 71 batting at no3

over 47.00 even if you take out the double ton

Scored nothing when the ball moved. Not a number 3 yet. He might, but I do feel he is perfectly suited to 4. Similarly ABDV doesn't bat 3. Both are genuine middle order bats

 

[chigurh]

Until Burns and Usman prove something at this level, I don't mind going to conservative route and batting Smith at four.

 

[JJ]

Smith is easily a better 4 or 5 than a 3. Look at his shots in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Ashes tests for evidence why.

Ahh, that old chest nut :lol:

 

[Red Bear]

I only really see the Gabba test as being a potential draw due to all the storms and rain about (although that may just spice the wicket up).

Australias odds are way too short given that 5 of the top 7 have...29 tests between them. I generally think th ebowlers will do quite well in Australia, Starcs starting to bowl with a little more consistency, not convinced the two left handers is the best option though and also this Marsh is fortunate to be there.

Test 1 a decent chance of being draw, Aus should win in perth, either a good chance in Adelaide, a lot of that will depend on who lines up bowling with a new ball in the evening session. NZ's best chance of winning a series in my lifetime though.

Really looking forward to it.

 

[Twizzle]

We never had an issue with playing Pidge, Bing and Dizzy together, thats 3 right arm bowlers

What the problem with 2 lefties ?

Pick your best 3 quicks imo

 

[Pete Cash]

Scored nothing when the ball moved. Not a number 3 yet. He might, but I do feel he is perfectly suited to 4. Similarly ABDV doesn't bat 3. Both are genuine middle order bats

The whole top order got exposed you plum. I guess Rogers and Warner aren't opening batsmen either. Australians don't play a swinging ball well...because they never play against one.

 

[TheParraboy]

We never had an issue with playing Pidge, Bing and Dizzy together, thats 3 right arm bowlers

What the problem with 2 lefties ?

Pick your best 3 quicks imo

Are both Notch and Starc in our top 3 fast bowlers at...test level?

Id go for Johnson, Hazlewood and either Siddle or Pattinson

Siddle has performed better at test level than Starc, is also a lot more economical

 

[TheParraboy]

Scored nothing when the ball moved. Not a number 3 yet. He might, but I do feel he is perfectly suited to 4. Similarly ABDV doesn't bat 3. Both are genuine middle order bats

AB doesn't bat at 3 cause he doesnt need to when he has had the likes of Smith, Du Plessis, Amla and Kallis in front of him for most of his career

I think 3 or 4 for Smith would be fine with me

 

[Twizzle]

Are both Notch and Starc in our top 3 fast bowlers at...test level?

Id go for Johnson, Hazlewood and either Siddle or Pattinson

Siddle has performed better at test level than Starc, is also a lot more economical

Siddle is too slow and doesn't penetrate, he went OK in his last Ashes test but the pitch suited the bowlers and made him look good imo.

On the flat decks here he would be run fodder especially at his pace.

Notch on the decline, will never be the bowler he was imo. Starc with the pink ball would be first one picked for mine. I rate Haze pretty highly but he was disappointing in the Ashes but he's young and a hot prospect and I like him here in Australian decks.

I also rate Pattinson pretty highly but he is not ready for test cricket yet after a long spell, hopefully some time this summer.

Starc, Haze then Notch would be my pick but Marsh has been talking up Siddle which worries me.

 

[Twizzle]

Are we doing a fantasy cricket thingy ?

 

[mozza91]

Australia will win comfortably. Khawaja will get a big hundred in the first dig.

 

[JW]

Sids has been named 12th.

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/pete...ralia-new-zealand-first-test-gabba/2015-11-04

 

[hineyrulz]

Sanity prevails!!

I spied Taylor having a coffee with cricket guru and genius John Buchanan in the city on Monday, and Buck was doing all the talking :lol: can't be good for your thought process.

 

[Twizzle]

Some of those mugshots are a bit scarey.

Haze gets his chance here so he needs to take it.

 

[TiggaPlease]

Heads up that Optus mobile customers get the cricket australia live pass for free with unmetered data for most plans:

http://www.optus.com.au/shop/entertainment/cricket?SID=con:hme:ca:bb:2up2:capass:none#nitty

I won't be getting any work done for the next couple of days...

 

[Ibleedblue]

Bit disappointed that Siddle isn't playing he did great service in his last test match and has a very good record at the gabba but I like Hazelwood though.

Look at the Victorians complaining about NSW bias of facebook lolz

 

[TheParraboy]

Are we doing a fantasy cricket thingy ?

I couldn't find one, well one of the ones I usually set up.
If anyone wants to set one up, or get me to set one up, happy to do it (no indian overeas ones please ,lol)

Just PM me and ill get it going tonight, though its kinda short notice now

 

[Rabbits20]

No Shaun Marsh is very good!!!!!!

Time for Khawaja, Burns and M.Marsh to step up with the bat.