2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan at Melbourne on Dec 26-30, 2016

[Timbo]

Shane Warne: 'I don't see O'Keefe as a test cricketer, he's a much better white ball spinner'

O'Keefe:

First class cricket: 213 wickets @ 23
List-A cricket: 29 wickets @ 55

Shut the f**k up you geniused plastic merkin.

 

[Bazal]

If you can't come up with a better replacement it doesn't matter how shit you think he is.

You can't say there's no one better if you're not willing to try the other options....

 

[Pete Cash]

I dont know how anyone can argue that lyon hasnt been shit this summer. Obviously he has bowled well this innings so far.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Plastic face knows f**k all about Australian cricket. He spends most of his time in London rooting cheap tarts and only comes to Australia to bore us shitless in the test series.

 

[JJ]

Shane Warne: 'I don't see O'Keefe as a test cricketer, he's a much better white ball spinner'

O'Keefe:

First class cricket: 213 wickets @ 23
List-A cricket: 29 wickets @ 55
.

Do you use white balls in first class cricket in Australia??

They should just stop the BS and make him selecting given he seems to get his way anyway

 

[Bazal]

In 117 bowling innings, Nathan Lyon has 7 five wicket hauls and 8 four wicket hauls.

That's really poor for a frontline spinner, you can't really argue otherwise. He has good days like all players (and Pakistan have contributed to their own downfall here too) but honestly he's a mediocre bowler and it's pretty impossible to make a case otherwise.

 

[Bazal]

Haha now Chappell is calling hypothetical situations ridiculous and getting fired up...

 

[Timbo]

In all seriousness, Warne's comments there highlight one of the major issues that still exists in Australian cricket.

Warne mentioned names like Zampa and Swepson, saying 'throw them in and see what happens'.

The problem is, the selectors either listen to, or agree with Warne when it comes to selection strategy.

We are f**king obsessed with a magic bullet scenario. Picking a player out of nowhere and then hoping they are the next Warne or Ponting. We seem to have completely forgotten the fact that for every Warne or Ponting who was picked as a kid and turned out to be a prodigy, there were also guys like Hussey, Haddin, MacGill, Hayden, Harris, Katich, etc who flogged themselves for years in the shield to prove how good they are at the highest level.

It's f**king bonkers that apparently O'Keefe's years of success - and it has been constant, unrelenting success - in the shield is being held against him because he's not some young upstart leggie with 12 wickets but a fizzing wrong 'un.

 

[Tommy Smith]

In 117 bowling innings, Nathan Lyon has 7 five wicket hauls and 8 four wicket hauls.

That's really poor for a frontline spinner, you can't really argue otherwise. He has good days like all players (and Pakistan have contributed to their own downfall here too) but honestly he's a mediocre bowler and it's pretty impossible to make a case otherwise.

Nah he's awesome and he should be an automatic selection for the Ashes.

As should Wade.

It's in Australia so we'll need all the help we can get on these pitches so pick a few plods, please!

 

[JJ]

What's Beer up to? Warne not still pushing that barrow?

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Nathan Lyon v Liam Dawson should be an ashes bowl off for the ages.

Unless England go for the might of Gareth Batty.

 

[Pete Cash]

Hahah if bill goes off that early in bed his wife cant be happy

 

[Bazal]

In all seriousness, Warne's comments there highlight one of the major issues that still exists in Australian cricket.

Warne mentioned names like Zampa and Swepson, saying 'throw them in and see what happens'.

The problem is, the selectors either listen to, or agree with Warne when it comes to selection strategy.

We are f**king obsessed with a magic bullet scenario. Picking a player out of nowhere and then hoping they are the next Warne or Ponting. We seem to have completely forgotten the fact that for every Warne or Ponting who was picked as a kid and turned out to be a prodigy, there were also guys like Hussey, Haddin, MacGill, Hayden, Harris, Katich, etc who flogged themselves for years in the shield to prove how good they are at the highest level.

It's f**king bonkers that apparently O'Keefe's years of success - and it has been constant, unrelenting success - in the shield is being held against him because he's not some young upstart leggie with 12 wickets but a fizzing wrong 'un.

I think sometimes there's a case for giving someone a go and seeing what happens, but no one mentioned has the talent to really be saying that about. O'Keefe has been the best spinner in Australia for most of his career...maybe he's a dick, but these guys are fking professional sportsmen so suck it up IMO

 

[Bazal]

Nathan Lyon v Liam Dawson should be an ashes bowl off for the ages.

Unless England go for the might of Gareth Batty.

Let's not forget Adil Rashid and the sheer brilliance of Moeen Ali....

 

[Timbo]

I think sometimes there's a case for giving someone a go and seeing what happens, but no one mentioned has the talent to really be saying that about. O'Keefe has been the best spinner in Australia for most of his career...maybe he's a dick, but these guys are fking professional sportsmen so suck it up IMO

Oh, I agree - but the thing is they should have to clearly be head and shoulders above the rest to get the gig at that age in my opinion.

Zampa averages 50 in FC and Swepson has started well but has been just solid. O'Keefe has been the best spinner in Australia for nearly a decade and he's played three test matches.

 

[umina panther]

f**king teammates partners is more than being a bit of a dick

 

[Bazal]

f**king teammates partners is more than being a bit of a dick

Didn't stop them picking a certain wilder variety of human

 

[Sphagnum]

f**k. Thought it was going over the top. Huge wicket.

 

[umina panther]

Haze you sexy bugger

 

[Hutty1986]

Haaaaze you beauuuuty!