1st Test: Australia v West Indies @ Adelaide Oval Jan 17-19, 2024

[Mr Angry]

Meet West Indies' new names: the seven uncapped players in Australia

ESPNcricinfo runs through the new-look West Indies squad, with some insights from Ian Bishop

www.espncricinfo.com

Blood players

 

[Fangs]

Also gives us options moving forward on a turning deck with Marsh and Green able to bowl, although I think Green is a better bowler yet March did the job against the Pakis. This allows us to drop a quick and play 2 spinners and still have 4 quicks.

Marsh bowls at mid 120s yet Green can hit 140 regularly. So many options with this squad.

Gives us a raft of options over in NZ. Both all rounders should do well with the ball over there.

Still have Head's off-spin in the team as well.

 

[JJ]

Would be really interesting to know more about Steve Smith's thinking here - he's so good, he'll be fine, but I wonder of he's just searching for something to rediscover his super-human form? Is he just a bit bored, or over thinking things? His form has dipped, but hardly to a level where it's a selection issue etc, he's still a world-class bat

 

[Twizzle]

 

[King-Gutho94]

Would be really interesting to know more about Steve Smith's thinking here - he's so good, he'll be fine, but I wonder of he's just searching for something to rediscover his super-human form? Is he just a bit bored, or over thinking things? His form has dipped, but hardly to a level where it's a selection issue etc, he's still a world-class bat

A bit of everything i reckon.

He has parraylsed himself into fear of getting out and getting bogged down at 4. In fact he hasnt been the same since Marnus pushed him down to 4 from number 3.

He did say on the radio the other day the older he gets the more nervous he is getting waiting in the changerooms to Bat.

And he probably wants a new challenge like he probably has nothing left to prove externally why not give the opener role a crack and take one for the team. No one else is putting there hand up.

And lets be honest i think the thought of Marcus Harris opening the batting for Australia even has the aussie players worried.

 

[King hit]

Has smith ever opened the batting before ever? He is much better suited to a no 3 or 4 batsmen

 

[Bazal]

Look I don't specifically like it but I will say, there might be something to be said for an overthinking autistic genius like Smith getting out there from ball one and that it might relax him a bit.

He was super good at 3, better than he has been at 4 IMO especially recently. Not a huge leap from 3 to opening.

 

[Fangs]

The overthinking now starts when the opposition is 8 or 9 wickets down (Or maybe Smith does that already?).

Captain again in the ODI series. You might see a different player with that added responsibility.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Lets face it, when Smith batted at 3 with the likes of Harris in the team or Warner outside Australia he was coming in the first over anyway most of the time.

 

[hineyrulz]

Smith needs a shrink more than anything IMO.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Smith needs a shrink more than anything IMO.

They"ve already got 57 on the coaching staff.

 

[Bazal]

They"ve already got 57 on the coaching staff.

Yeah but how many standard sports shrinks deal with symptoms like "shadow batting in his room at 2am while the missus tries to sleep in a huff cos she wanted to play a very different game"

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Smith needs a shrink more than anything IMO.

Nah thinking and thinking about thinking is his problem, just needs a Davey brain and he’ll rival Bradman

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Ball-tampering scandal not behind Bancroft's Test omission, selectors say

George Bailey rejects any suggestion Cameron Bancroft's Test absence is political, telling the opener the ball-tampering scandal is completely in the past.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Twizzle]

Has smith ever opened the batting before ever? He is much better suited to a no 3 or 4 batsmen

the difference between openeing and batting at 3 is one ball

 

[Twizzle]

Look I don't specifically like it but I will say, there might be something to be said for an overthinking autistic genius like Smith getting out there from ball one and that it might relax him a bit.

He was super good at 3, better than he has been at 4 IMO especially recently. Not a huge leap from 3 to opening.

agree

its gives him less time in the sheds to over analyze everything, could work out OK for him

 

[isaiah]

View attachment 83105

On crucinfo, in tonight’s comments, they have a poll that leaves out harris and renshaw. Renshaw was a special for me. Won it in the p.m’s game batsmen-off

 

[Chins get the wins]

Smiffy opening is f**king exciting. I'll back the best since Bradman (and current number 3 world rated test batsman despite being in a slump @Pippen94 ) to do very f**king well

 

[Pippen94]

Smiffy opening is f**king exciting. I'll back the best since Bradman (and current number 3 world rated test batsman despite being in a slump @Pippen94 ) to do very f**king well

..against one of the worst teams to ever visit our shores..

 

[Chins get the wins]

..against one of the worst teams to ever visit our shores..

No that's his current icc test ranking sweetie