There is still plenty of life left in this test. I got a chub at stumps. Cummins and Green...here's hoping...
Looking towards 3rd Test...
At the end of the day, Burns won't play in Sydney. I'm guessing Warner will be fit enough to be back.
I don't think that Wade should continue in the opening role - it was only stop-gap anyway - so any one who gets misty eyed for him to stay, really need to reconsider their thought processes. I'll give him a + for tough nugget ness but really, its akin to getting picked for being a 'good bloke'.
You know in JLa La land, Head is out, Wade to 5 and a new opener comes in. I'm guessing Harris gets the nod. Not like there are options in the "bubble". I'd plump for Khawaja but I think his paper's are stamped.
However, I think Warner and Wade is how it will end up. With everyone else in line, unless that knee niggle to Starc is more problematic than sources say.
I personally can live with Lauba and Smith and Head, with Green and bowlers. Gut tells me though, again, Head will be sacrificed.
I really do think that Lauba, Smith and Head (if he plays) should be occasionally called upon to bowl a couple of overs to add a smidgen of variety to the bowling. Even for an over or two.
Agree with some of this...
If purely looking at the next test for mine (not what I think the selectors necessarily might do).
Warner
Harris
Labuschagne
Smith
Wade
Green
Paine
Starc
Lyon
Cummins
Hazlewood
Out
Burns
Head
If Warner isn’t fit... Leave Wade opening with Harris and ...
S Marsh (ohh yes) for Head.
Reasoning..
Burns blatantly all at sea. He doesn’t select himself so I don’t blame him, rather I can’t fathom his selection in the first place.
Head just doesn’t look anywhere near the guy he was of seasons ago. I love watching him play but when he’s in now there’s a real sense of inevitability a ball with his name on it isn’t far away
Wade is a better option in the lower order, but has plugged a gap admirably. There’s not many other batsman I know who’ve been shifted from 6 to open in test matches. Any very little who’ve been successful, especially in only his 2nd test. The only guy who I recall who successfully made a lower order > opening shift was the current coach. Wade has made a decent fist of it but prefer specialist openers in form. Sadly there’s not many though.
Harris was the highest Australian run scorer against India 2 years ago, on debut. He’s scored big runs in shield. It’s a no brainer for me he should be there, and should have been from day 1.
If Warner is still cooked, I’d bring Marsh in to bat 5, and leave Wade opening. Yep it’s not everyone’s cup of tea and would make many LU folk more sour than they are right now.. In the past he’s likely to get single figures as much as triple figures. But if the same applies, I’ll take a guy who is as likely to do either right now and trust him to score big. He’s played tests, scored shield runs, is very experienced and can plug a gap lower in the order. To pick another debutant to sit alongside Green down there right now, especially with Smith in a funk, wouldn’t be wise IMO.
Id have Pucovski on the bench til next summer, due to his head issues, and not having played a game in ages. I’d also have him preferably at 5/6 rather than opening. Marsh sees out this summer and leaves a door open for a Pucovski when he’s right to go.
No doubt others will think differently but that’s what I’d do.
