2nd Test: Australia v India at MCG Dec 26-30 2020

[JJ]

Surely Pucowski has to play if he’s fit? With Green he’s clearly the future, and genuinely a top tier talent

 

[herbert henry1908]

I think Oozie would really struggle against Ashwin with his lazy footwork.

Harris and Warner, 2 left handers ?

There really isn't a lot of options with Burns at least being a right hander but he cant last more than an over to two against Bumrah

Pucovski hasn't played since he got sconned.

The cupboard really is bare.

Bryce Street has potential, but he’s been up and down.

Daniel Solway should move to open for NSW, he opens very successfully in club cricket.

Sam Whiteman had a decent start to his shield season this year.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Surely Pucowski has to play if he’s fit? With Green he’s clearly the future, and genuinely a top tier talent

The third test is almost a month since his concussion, if he can’t recover in a month at this age, I have concerns for his whole career.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Whiteman is probably the guy I’d bring in, I’m not a fan of going back to Harris. Not sure it’s possible with the bubble situation though.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

I think Oozie would really struggle against Ashwin with his lazy footwork.

Harris and Warner, 2 left handers ?

There really isn't a lot of options with Burns at least being a right hander but he cant last more than an over to two against Bumrah

Pucovski hasn't played since he got sconned.

The cupboard really is bare.

Better two left handers who might be able to tough it out over a right/left combo that lasts an over or two.

I get the L / R benefits in moving the bowlers line around but it doesn’t bother the Indian attack right now at all, even despite losing Shami, Yadav and Sharma if you count last tour.

I agree the cupboard is bare for openers. Pucovski has played opener twice in his career and brained it in shield, but as his last innings was a concussion sub, and a month ago without the benefit of shield to get back on the horse... I just couldn’t select him to open even if fit. That we’ve heard next time nothing from or about him since also suggests to me he’s gone to ground. Ie in this case no news seems bad news.

Once Warner is back though I reckon it’ll improve us dramatically. No one has really attacked India with the bat this series to put them off their tactics, more we’ve simply “survived”. Only Wade in the first dig at the MCG took them on, but only lasted for 30 runs.

If Warner can do his usual Australian batting of punching bowlers consistently it could open the door for the remaining batsmen to click into gear, rather than be boxed into a corner.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

All that said I’m intrigued by how this might play out today, it could be over in an hour or we might see the Australian tail drag us off the canvas along with a rookie 6, to give us a fighting chance of rolling India.

We do lead the series 1-0 at the moment so not all is lost. We are also playing the “other” best test nation in the world if you go by rankings. This isn’t a disaster like we’ve previously had.. and would set up a live game in Sydney for the first time in living memory...

But it’d be just our luck if Sydney got shifted, that’d be the real disaster..

 

[hineyrulz]

Harris has massive technical flaws, defends constantly with half the bat and it’s always angled. Everything goes behind point and in the air, he’s been around the Aussie set up for over 3 seasons and hasn’t been rectified.


I ask again WTF has the coach and his staff done to help our players??? Plodcroft was another, he had 9 or 10 months out after Sandpaper gate and he came back and his horrible technique looked even worse. Wtf was he doing???

I remember reading about AB and the first time he played the Windies how he was overawed and what he needed to do to improve his game and to face them again, Steve Waugh worked with Bobby Simpson a whole offseason and totally transformed his game and the way he played the short ball. Katich also did the same with Simpson, both scored a heap of runs and forced their way back into the side. Do our players work hard enough or do they just play on enough roads that they eventually score runs and the glaring issues in their games just get papered over??? India have bowled quite brilliantly both tests and their plans for our players have been first class, just like last time they toured.

 

[TheParraboy]

Bring back Graeme Hick?

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Harris has massive technical flaws, defends constantly with half the bat and it’s always angled. Everything goes behind point and in the air, he’s been around the Aussie set up for over 3 seasons and hasn’t been rectified.


I ask again WTF has the coach and his staff done to help our players??? Plodcroft was another, he had 9 or 10 months out after Sandpaper gate and he came back and his horrible technique looked even worse. Wtf was he doing???

I remember reading about AB and the first time he played the Windies how he was overawed and what he needed to do to improve his game and to face them again, Steve Waugh worked with Bobby Simpson a whole offseason and totally transformed his game and the way he played the short ball. Katich also did the same with Simpson, both scored a heap of runs and forced their way back into the side. Do our players work hard enough or do they just play on enough roads that they eventually score runs and the glaring issues in their games just get papered over??? India have bowled quite brilliantly both tests and their plans for our players have been first class, just like last time they toured.

Well my first thought is that the off-season was destroyed by covid.. pretty much non existent. It could also be why a guy like smith is struggling, 4 months in a bubble who’s a “cricket-aholic” and hasn’t had any other Avenue to release the valve. 4 months without family/friends to take his mind of cricket, even just a little while.. could have him in a mental web of torture.

But maybe being back in the Australian bubble Langer n co have indeed been working with these guys like Harris etc on technique and we just don’t know it. I saw Harris bat at Glenelg with Pucovski for that record and early on WP looks amazing while it took Harris a while to settle. But he battled through the early overs and then tore the attack apart.. outstripping WP for runs. That he got through a tricky early period late in the day then boomed the attack to all parts was impressive. Forget the opposition (which some people bang on about), he was outstanding.

Harris may not be the long term solution or saviour but he’s better than what we have right now. And he may well thrive back in tests after he got bounced from selection in England. There’s other options as well, none are standouts, but to me Harris is the most logical of them all in the absence of Warner, and/or 2nd recognised opener.

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Bring back Graeme Hick?

And Mickey Arthur!

Bit of homework never hurt anyone eh?

 

[TheParraboy]

All that said I’m intrigued by how this might play out today, it could be over in an hour or we might see the Australian tail drag us off the canvas along with a rookie 6, to give us a fighting chance of rolling India.

We do lead the series 1-0 at the moment so not all is lost. We are also playing the “other” best test nation in the world if you go by rankings. This isn’t a disaster like we’ve previously had.. and would set up a live game in Sydney for the first time in living memory...

But it’d be just our luck if Sydney got shifted, that’d be the real disaster..

Problem we face after we lose this test (likely scenario)

India only need a draw or a win in one of the remaining two tests to retain the trophy. Considering the hoola hype we had prior the series how its payback time and India no chance with no Kholi, and particularity how now we have two marquee quality batsmen in the line Marnus and Smith, that werent there 2 years ago. A drawn series or losing the series is very likely. Other than 45 min of rare test match madness in Adelaide, India have owned us in every session across two tests so far. Depressing as an Aussie fan. Last summer it was boring as an Aussie fan lol

 

[The Mad Hatter]

What annoys me is the Test back ups get no game. Even sat out of BBL where they could at least get a bowl or hit.

 

[herbert henry1908]

Problem we face after we lose this test (likely scenario)

India only need a draw or a win in one of the remaining two tests to retain the trophy. Considering the hoola hype we had prior the series how its payback time and India no chance with no Kholi, and particularity how now we have two marquee quality batsmen in the line Marnus and Smith, that werent there 2 years ago. A drawn series or losing the series is very likely. Other than 45 min of rare test match madness in Adelaide, India have owned us in every session across two tests so far. Depressing as an Aussie fan. Last summer it was boring as an Aussie fan lol

Not a draw or a win.

They need 2 draws

A win and a draw

or a win a piece

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Problem we face after we lose this test (likely scenario)

India only need a draw or a win in one of the remaining two tests to retain the trophy. Considering the hoola hype we had prior the series how its payback time and India no chance with no Kholi, and particularity how now we have two marquee quality batsmen in the line Marnus and Smith, that werent there 2 years ago. A drawn series or losing the series is very likely. Other than 45 min of rare test match madness in Adelaide, India have owned us in every session across two tests so far. Depressing as an Aussie fan. Last summer it was boring as an Aussie fan lol

Yep agreed mate. I did have two great days in the members at the SCG for the NZ test but the full strength beers probably had something to do with that..

Funny how a week ago many people were crowing about how India have crumbled and couldn’t come back. Now look at it today. So... it could very well turn on its head again during the 3rd test back our way..

Why I love test cricket..

 

[The Mad Hatter]

A sloppy second...

 

[TheParraboy]

And Mickey Arthur!

Bit of homework never hurt anyone eh?

haha

I have no doubt he was a decent coach

Heard him talking on ABC radio once. We were about to play a test series overseas (I think v india) about 2-3 weeks away. Question was asked "How is the sides preparations"

Gosh he rattled of some dogs balls breakfast response

Was like....
"We are all doing tremendously well. We have a few guys already over there training hard they are doing very well, some guys are back home about to fly out soon, player x is getting over a niggle but will be right in a few days, we have other guys doing well playing county cricket getting last minute practice in..."

Sounded desperate,amatuerish, and like he had no idea what was going on

 

[hineyrulz]

Warne gets out a dictating turds early.

 

[TheParraboy]

Giving Green an easy single first ball of the over

Interesting

Come on Paddy son, pile on a glorious 50 for their disrespect

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

Warne gets out a dictating turds early.

Aaaaand there it is... the first Warne bagging of the day!!

 

[hineyrulz]

Well my first thought is that the off-season was destroyed by covid.. pretty much non existent. It could also be why a guy like smith is struggling, 4 months in a bubble who’s a “cricket-aholic” and hasn’t had any other Avenue to release the valve. 4 months without family/friends to take his mind of cricket, even just a little while.. could have him in a mental web of torture.

But maybe being back in the Australian bubble Langer n co have indeed been working with these guys like Harris etc on technique and we just don’t know it. I saw Harris bat at Glenelg with Pucovski for that record and early on WP looks amazing while it took Harris a while to settle. But he battled through the early overs and then tore the attack apart.. outstripping WP for runs. That he got through a tricky early period late in the day then boomed the attack to all parts was impressive. Forget the opposition (which some people bang on about), he was outstanding.

Harris may not be the long term solution or saviour but he’s better than what we have right now. And he may well thrive back in tests after he got bounced from selection in England. There’s other options as well, none are standouts, but to me Harris is the most logical of them all in the absence of Warner, and/or 2nd recognised opener.

I watched Harris in the A games and he still had the same technical flaws that he has when he first came into the side. Runs on club grounds against Z grade bowlers doesn’t impress me at all.