Ashes Talk

[Bazal]

WeatherBald should absolutely open. Enough trying to manufacture openers.

His form has been strong and he's got a few years while other younger openers come through if he does well enough

 

[Bazal]

Who does Sean Abbott have photos of?

Him being in a test squad over O'Neill is mind-blowing, really.

And I don't think he's half as bad as the socials do

 

[hineyrulz]

Just from what they did here, the Poms look woefully underprepared with the bat... not sure they have much prep time?

Don't need prep time with Bazball and moral victories.

 

[TheParraboy]

Who does Sean Abbott have photos of?

wtf is he doing there ?? cover for Slug or green ? LOL

 

[Fangs]

Not sure about Abbott either. Peculiar pick.

Last shield season 3 matches but healthy stats. 20 wickets at 22 with a couple 5 wicket hauls. Only the one shield match this season.

There are a host of other bowlers taking plenty of wickets. A number of them are just younger as well. Even go a home town pick and go with Lance Morris or Matt Kelly as a back up bowler.

 

[Chins]

Not sure about Abbott either. Peculiar pick.

Last shield season 3 matches but healthy stats. 20 wickets at 22 with a couple 5 wicket hauls. Only the one shield match this season.

There are a host of other bowlers taking plenty of wickets. A number of them are just younger as well. Even go a home town pick and go with Lance Morris or Matt Kelly as a back up bowler.

They probably want our real pace replacements to keep fighting it out

 

[TheParraboy]

Not sure about Abbott either. Peculiar pick.

Last shield season 3 matches but healthy stats. 20 wickets at 22 with a couple 5 wicket hauls. Only the one shield match this season.

There are a host of other bowlers taking plenty of wickets. A number of them are just younger as well. Even go a home town pick and go with Lance Morris or Matt Kelly as a back up bowler.

Morris gone for the season

Fergus Oneill deserves squad experience, him and Doggett been the form pace bowlers outside the test guys, probably throw in Nesser there too but he is getting on, turning 36 in March

 

[Fangs]

Morris gone for the season

Fergus Oneill deserves squad experience, him and Doggett been the form pace bowlers outside the test guys, probably throw in Nesser there too but he is getting on, turning 36 in March

Fergie is right up there.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/bowling-most-wickets-career/sheffield-shield-2025-26-17419

Plenty of names at the top there all 30 and under.

 

[yobbo84]

As much as I'm a fan of Green, I'm picking Webster at 6

 

[Chins]

As much as I'm a fan of Green, I'm picking Webster at 6

Thats sweet Green is our 3

 

[mozza91]

Missed to WI tests? Green did well on some very dodgy pitches.
He's the best young bat in Australia

180 runs at 30 isn’t exactly solidifying your spot. You’re right about the tough conditions though but the Windies attack is Shamar Joseph and a bunch of grade cricketers.

I just don’t think he can bat at 3 or 4 and be expected to be a 3rd change bowler. 6 suits him best.

 

[Twizzle]

Abbott has been soloid in ODIs and I reckon that has a bit to do with why he was picked, all that experience at international level, however I agree with others here in that Dogget and O'Neill would make better test bowlers.

For the same reason I think they'll pick Manus as he has experience at test level. I don't think Green or Webster should be dropped, so Smith at 3 and Head at 4 and he rest pick themselves.

I guess if the Boat get injured, we just pick another spinner whether he's in the squad or not.

 

[Twizzle]

They do look a bit alike

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Who does Sean Abbott have photos of?

He’s got that killer instinct.

 

[Fangs]

I assume we are all pretty certain that Khawaja will retire end of the series.

But do we think any others will go? Some of these guys turning over to 39 soon:

Khawaja - 39 (December 2025)
Starc - 36 (January 2026)
Boland - 37 (April 2026)
Lyon - 38 (November 2025)
Smith - 37 (June 2026)
Carey - 35 (August 2026)
Hazelwood - 35 (January 2026)

Remember its the Ashes. No better time to retire than after trouncing England at home.

Lyon should book a flight to Turkey IMO.

My smokey to retire is Haze. 5th test SCG when we are already up 4-0. Perfect way to sign off.

 

[TheParraboy]

After the ashes...

We have 1 home test late July v Afghanistan 2026

3 away tests v SA in Sept/Oct 2026

Then 4 tests at home next summer v kiwis 26/27

5 away tests v India from late January 2027


Cant see how Khawaja makes runs first two tests and survive the series,

unless of course we give poms a couple of thumping's in the opening two tests, then he will be carried..

If we are 4-0 up, even 3-0, Be a good time to start blooding players (we wont though) , though who is gonna be happy sitting out MCG or SCG tests

 

[Fangs]

After the ashes...

We have 1 home test late July v Afghanistan 2026

3 away tests v SA in Sept/Oct 2026

I'd be curious to know how the test stalwarts feel about that SA tour.

Smith and co keen to return to Capetown?

 

[TheParraboy]

I'd be curious to know how the test stalwarts feel about that SA tour.

Smith and co keen to return to Capetown?

Probably copped more shit in the ashes than we will in SA tbh...

Not that I want Paddy to be out injured, but be full circle in a way if Smith captained a winning series there

 

[Twizzle]

We have 1 home test late July v Afghanistan 2026

Ideal test to blood some newbies.

 

[Bazal]

Ideal test to blood some newbies.

I'd almost have nothing but newbies tbh. Maybe Head as captain and Green as a younger fella stay, WeatherBald too if he's in through the Ashes. Otherwise get 7 or 8 of the next fellas in there.