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Summer of Cricket thread

I see a lot of Warner in Weathers, flashes at widies too often. This time he may have gotten a tiny nick cutting too close to his body, something Warner also did.
He survives.
 
zimbos05 said:
Haha, if only you knew how wrong that statement is.

Ussie scored 232 against Sri Lanka in Jan. Would you say that didn't earn him the right to continue the year? Granted he didn't perform to that standard much throughout, but which opener was putting their hand up and staking a claim? Even looking at Manus's numbers, he should have been dropped much earlier. Trav has been mediocre coming into the Ashes. Inglis has one good innings.

There are so many you could say didn't "earn" their spot, yet they performed when needed. So should we have replaced those places? What about our spin options? Why do they refuse to replace Lyon?

You keep making out like I'm insistent that Ussie should have played every game. I've already said that I thought Ussie should have retired earlier, but it was obvious he wanted to go out in an Ashes series and he earned the right to do so. He hasn't had the best Ashes, but he also hasn't been the worst.

Calling for Green to get back to 100% fitness and to play shield cricket is being proactive. It means I'm interested in his development and performance, as opposed to just continuing to let him play without any form of measure. Constantly picking him regardless is the definition of emotional.
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Only 1 big innings in 2 years.

It was a big score. Usman batted very, very well.

Outside it he has struggled in the last 2 years.

Test batting average of 25 in 2024.

36 average in 2024 - so poor outside the 1 superb double century in SL.

His eyesight is declining and it takes him longer to play himself in.
 
Decentric said:
I don’t like Smith as Captain at all.

Not the right body language. Also, a ball tamperer. Bad look for Captain, but a great senior player with great tactical acumen.

Cummins and Paine have/had terrific body language. Both have used Smith’s tactical brain too.

I’d like Head or Carey as stand in Captain.

Webster now averages 41 with the bat after 8 Tests with five 50s, many played on sticky wickets overseas.

Higher average than Usman, Labu, Weathers, Warner and Green over the last few years. Do the selectors have any concept of simple data and basic maths?
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Smith is the better tactically and Cummins probably a better leader of men. Both have about same 60% win percentage.

Also let's make sure we don't forget that Smith didn't commit any ball tampering...he was only guilty of being the captain at the time and unaware of the actions of his players.
 
onedaywinners... said:
Smith is the better tactically and Cummins probably a better leader of men. Both have about same 60% win percentage.

Also let's make sure we don't forget that Smith didn't commit any ball tampering...he was only guilty of being the captain at the time and unaware of the actions of his players.
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Smith was aware. Didn’t want to know the details of the ball tampering. He was weak not stopping it.

Have inside contacts about this issue. One Aus Test player in partic just could not believe it occurred? He had no idea? Nor did other players.

If I work Usman’s average outside SL double ton in 2025/6 it is appalling. Great batter aged 34-37, but hand eye went after age 38-39, which is quite normal.

Anyway, I salute Usman’s contribution to Aus cricket. I’m delighted he has been vocal when he has.
 
Only 29 runs to win by Aus after the run out hiccup, and, Smith’s surprising early dismissal.

This has been a good Test - and - reached the last day.

Root should have bowled more.
 
Gee the Poms changed their line up.

Jofra, Atkinson and Wood were the big bowling hopes.

In the end it was Tongue and Carse who succeeded.

What a find with Bethell too.
 
Decentric said:
Only 1 big innings in 2 years.

It was a big score. Usman batted very, very well.

Outside it he has struggled in the last 2 years.

Test batting average of 25 in 2024.

36 average in 2024 - so poor outside the 1 superb double century in SL.

His eyesight is declining and it takes him longer to play himself in.
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Come on man. You're being completely unfair. he has some decent contributions in that time. We just saw one in Adelaide. Don't recall Green doing anything significant this series.

The same argument can be made against Cam Green. No significant score in 2 years other than the 174. He averages 23 in 2025 (Didn't play Sri Lanka), and his average in 2024 is helped by the fact he only played 4 matches, and didn't bat in 1 of the innings. So he didn't play against India or Pakistan. So, 1 big score in 2 years.

A similar case could be made for Marnus who last scored a century in 2023.

Instead, you are only attacking Ussie, and lauding Green as the messiah, despite him having been just as poor. No recognition at all for Ussie, which is completely unfair. Ends his test career with a batting average of 43. I think he deserves all the plaudits he gets. He is retiring. Thank you for the service!
 
Decentric said:
Who was your player of the series?

Starc
Head
Carey

Why?
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My take is tho three of the five games had bowler friendly pitches Starc stood up in the absence of his two long time pace bowling buddies when it was most needed. Fair to say he benefited from their absence as they w'd've definitely shared in his massive wicket haul, specially in Perth and Brissie. So really Mitch can thank those two blokes most for his second series gong on the trot..
 
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