5th Test: Australia v India @ SCG Jan 3-7, 2025

[Marshall_magic]

Nesser will be 36yo

Id put in Spencer Johnson or Xavier Bartlett in there

Inglis for Carey might be on the cards as well

Didn’t realise he was that old. I rate Bartlett highly so I could see him sneaking in there. As mentioned by others O’Neill is also an option as is Jacky Boy.

I get the sense some bowlers and batsmen get dubbed as red/white ballers exclusively, which I think will happen to Johnson.

 

[undertaker]

75.2 overs bowled today out of possible 87.2 overs (factoring in the innings change). Those who paid $100-150+ per ticket were cheated.

Absolutely pathetic that the additional hour beyond the normal 30 minute time extension post-stumps is only activated due to weather delays or if a result is possible (in which case, an additional 8 overs is allowed), and doesn't factor in delays due to injuries and the myriad of examples regarding time-wasting that goes on these days.

Seriously, the ICC either needs to change the playing conditions to allow every chance of getting a full days' play (even if it meant going beyond 6pm today) and/or really clamp down and heavily penalise slow-over rates and blatant time-wasting from either the batting or fielding side.

 

[undertaker]

Didn’t realise he was that old. I rate Bartlett highly so I could see him sneaking in there. As mentioned by others O’Neill is also an option as is Jacky Boy.

I get the sense some bowlers and batsmen get dubbed as red/white ballers exclusively, which I think will happen to Johnson.

Although it was with the white-ball, I was very impressed with Bartlett's ODI performances vs Windies earlier this year. Bowled with very good swing.

 

[undertaker]

Nesser will be 36yo

Id put in Spencer Johnson or Xavier Bartlett in there

Inglis for Carey might be on the cards as well

Neser is to the Millenials what Andy Bichel was to the Gen X-ers.

Just like how Bichel's career overlapped with McGrath/Gillespie/Lee/Kasprowicz, unfortunately for Neser, his career overlapped with Starc/Cummins/Hazlewood.

You know that Neser is way down the pecking order in the national selector's minds when he didn't get selected to play in the final test at The Oval in the 2023 Ashes despite his form with bat and ball. One of either Starc or Hazlewood (since Cummins is the captain, hence is an automatic selection) had to make way for Neser, and the selectors were reluctant to make the change.

 

[TheParraboy]

Although it was with the white-ball, I was very impressed with Bartlett's ODI performances vs Windies earlier this year. Bowled with very good swing

Averages under 26.00 per wicket in red ball , and is a tidy batsman

Wouldnt hurt to take him on the West Indies tour mid year

 

[undertaker]

Don’t disagree, I think we were prime to lose 3-4 after the ashes ala 06/07,

By the end of the 2009 Ashes, Hussey/Ponting/Clarke were the only 3 remaining members from the 2006/07 Ashes triumph that were going around in the Australian Test XI.

9 of the 12 who played in the 2006/07 Ashes were GORRRRRRRRRNE during that approximately 2 1/2 year interval:

By the end of 2006/07 Ashes: Martyn/Warne/McGrath/Langer
By the end of 2007/08 BGT: Gilchrist
By the end of 2008/09 summer: Lee/Symonds/Hayden
By the end of 2009 Ashes: Clark

That's A LOT of experience that was lost within a short period of time. Of the combined 766 tests played between those 9 retirees, 441 of those tests were from Martyn/Warne/McGrath/Langer alone.

I know he is not well-liked as a person by many people for various reasons, but as time goes on, I do have a lot more respect for what Michael Clarke achieved during his captaincy (2011-15). He didn't have the depth of talent (especially the back-up talent in the 2nd tier) that Ponting had during 2004-10, yet managed to clean-sweep India 4-0 and England 5-0 with the squads he had to work with.

My biggest concern is that due to gross mismanagement from the national selectors (i.e not making the tough decisions to move underperforming players on and then the subsequent postponing of slowly blooding youth into the setup, starting with allowing Warner to have a farewell test series last summer), there is a strong possibility of a mass retirement of players in the current list of CA contracted players between the 2025/26 Ashes and 2027 Ashes tour.

 

[TheParraboy]

 

[Mr. Shaman]

New bottle of Scotch cracked open and ready for some match threading while following on cricinfo because f**k England.

 

[Bazal]

New bottle of Scotch cracked open and ready for some match threading while following on cricinfo because f**k England.

What are ya drinking ya filthy fugitive

 

[Mr. Shaman]

What are ya drinking ya filthy fugitive

Glenfiddich 15

 

[Chins get the wins]

Glenfiddich 15

You should pair that with a bag and watch the full day's play

 

[Red&BlackBear]

I have been one of Usman’s biggest fans since he first debuted and generally thought alot of his droppings out of the test side were at time unjust.

However he just isn’t seeing the ball like he used to be (when he last got called back into the side anyways/latest incarnation) and his feet movement has all but gone.

I haven’t been left as dejected at someone getting out like I was yesterday when he got out last ball. Borderline annoyed at him to be honest.

I’m sure he is there to be an experienced, elder statement in the side but to save this side from having 3/4 retirements in one hit - it’s best he step aside after this test to give someone else a crack and the necessary game experience to be ready for the next ashes. At this rate Ussie will get found out in England and it just won’t be pretty.

I don’t think there is anyone else who is a genuine option (or at least knocking the on the door to be an irresistible selection) but it might be time to take a punt on a slightly more stoic left handed opener to be Tango to Konsta’s attacking right handed Cash.

Of course Ussie could come out and make 100 in the second innings etc but don’t think that’ll change the overall sentiments there.

Thoughts?

 

[The Mad Hatter]

I’ve never had so much fun than reading posts on socials about Sammy Boy. He has triggered so many people. Am loving seeing Aussie Karen’s and the male equivalent , saying kid should stay in his box. Lol.

 

[mozza91]

The Phil Hughes stuff from the Indian fans is beyond the pale.
Makes you want to hammer the pricks even more.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

The Phil Hughes stuff from the Indian fans is beyond the pale.
Makes you want to hammer the pricks even more.

What did they say?

 

[hineyrulz]

Glenfiddich 15

The cheap stuff.

 

[mozza91]

What did they say?

 

[Twizzle]

I have been one of Usman’s biggest fans since he first debuted and generally thought alot of his droppings out of the test side were at time unjust.

However he just isn’t seeing the ball like he used to be (when he last got called back into the side anyways/latest incarnation) and his feet movement has all but gone.

I haven’t been left as dejected at someone getting out like I was yesterday when he got out last ball. Borderline annoyed at him to be honest.

I’m sure he is there to be an experienced, elder statement in the side but to save this side from having 3/4 retirements in one hit - it’s best he step aside after this test to give someone else a crack and the necessary game experience to be ready for the next ashes. At this rate Ussie will get found out in England and it just won’t be pretty.

I don’t think there is anyone else who is a genuine option (or at least knocking the on the door to be an irresistible selection) but it might be time to take a punt on a slightly more stoic left handed opener to be Tango to Konsta’s attacking right handed Cash.

Of course Ussie could come out and make 100 in the second innings etc but don’t think that’ll change the overall sentiments there.

Thoughts?

he's getting feet of clay which comes with age, he seems to reach out with the hands and play from the back foot while right arm bowlers bowl across him, he looks like a walking wicket when he reaches out like that

 

[Twizzle]

Some people want to adopt Slug and we haven't seen him bat yet.

I was very impressed with his second spell and obviously Cummins was as well. Good movement and bounce even at Marsh's pace, and he has a decent set of mits on him, can take a catch.

 

[Chins get the wins]

People blaming Konstas because Usman can't bat anymore are hilarious. The pearl clutching media are embarrassing. Bagging an 19 year old because he isn't a pussy.