Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

The Steve Smith era gets going on a full time basis in Bangladesh, with 2 Tests. This might just be an interesting little series, with the Bangers putting up a good fight against South Africa. A few changes will be required for the Aussies, I'd like to think that Chris Rogers will play on to the home summer, at least until there is a standout candidate to replace him. The middle order needs some major panel beating, and I'm guessing that a second spinner will be required.

Replacing Clarke won't be as hard as what many think, firstly given that he's been a passenger for the past 12-18 months, and secondly because we have Chris Lynn waiting in the wings. Replacing Chris Rogers (assuming he retires after the Oval) will probably see Shaun Marsh inserted at the top, although how long he lasts there is another matter. Joe Burns could be a possibility to open, given that he opens the batting for Queensland. Assuming that Adam Voges gets the chop, the selectors might pull a surprise and bring back Glenn Maxwell.

Dave Warner
Chris Rogers (or Shaun Marsh, or Joe Burns)
Steve Smith (c)
Chris Lynn
Glenn Maxwell (or Shaun Marsh or Joe Burns)
Peter Nevill
James Faulkner
Mitchell Starc (or Mitchell Johnson)
Josh Hazlewood (or Pat Cummins or Peter Siddle)
Nathan Lyon
Fawad Ahmed (or Steve O'Keefe, who would bat behind James Faulkner)

It's a big tail, but surely they'd last longer than 18.3 overs.

Has it being offically confirmed Rogers will retire after the Oval?

Rogers has said he will, on air in this series. Suggesting that he finds it hard to give so much to international cricket, at the expense of other priorities. He didn't say he'd stop playing domestic cricket. If Rogers really feels that way, it would be a bit unfair to ask him to go on.

Bancroft scored a 150 out of a team total of 320 odd against India A on a slow, low wicket at Chennai recently. Any batsman able to function on slow wickets should be drafted in immediately!!

I'd like to see us give Burns a go in the middle order, he seems to be doing well in India too and was the guy in possession last summer albeit has struggled in county cricket but we are not playing in England for the next 4 years so the next immediate overseas goal has to be subcontinental success with tours of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India over the next 18 months. I actually think Australia have better spin bowling resources than most countries. Fawad Ahmed and Ashton Agar were in the top 4 wicket takers in the Shield last season. O'Keefe has been a consistent performer in FC cricket for ages and both he and Agar have impressed on the India A tour. And of course, there is Lyon. The batting stocks do seem dire though. Time for the selectors to really earn their stripes and punt on a few long term options. Hopefully, we won't see any more short term selections. Smith faces arguably the biggest challenge confronting an Australian captain since Allan Border in the late 80s. He has very little available in terms of an experienced core of players. Even the young fast bowlers, talented though they might be are still all finding their feet at Test level. When your most experienced player is a hot head like Warner, you know you have issues. Hopefully, he can take this team out of the Ashes and re-lead the Baggy Green to an era of domination....

shanks is Australian now ?

can you bat ?

Hope this is being played away out of the monsoon season.

Shanks changes allegiances quicker than Munir Redfa.

Shanky been converted by the Aussie hipster.

Looks like Maxwell will be back soon.

www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/spinner ... ix2f6.html

I hope the "two allrounders" reference isn't a hint that they are gonna retain Twatto. Stoinis is an interesting pick in the ODI squad. Could be an interesting option alongside Mitch Marsh.

Good to see Agar back. Has bowled really well here in India with the A side and had a good FC season. O'Keefe will be the 3rd spinner going by the two "left arm spinners" reference. Ahmed is out.

Sat Oct 3 - Mon Oct 5 09:30 local (03:30 GMT | 04:30 BST)
Bangladesh Cricket Board XI v Australians
Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah

Fri Oct 9 - Tue Oct 13 09:30 local (03:30 GMT | 04:30 BST)
1st Test - Bangladesh v Australia
Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong

Sat Oct 17 - Wed Oct 21 09:30 local (03:30 GMT | 04:30 BST)
2nd Test - Bangladesh v Australia
Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

MJ & Josh Hazlewood will be rested for this series. I'd say that the bowling attack will be; Starc, Siddle, Lyon, one of O'Keefe, Agar or Fawad Ahmed, with Mitch Marsh as the all rounder.

with rogers retired and warner hurt it may mean 2 new openers for this series now and a shoot-out to see who partners warner longer term

Seems Warner won't be on the tour.

broken thumb has ruled him out of the whole tour

The squad has been selected. Adam Voges is VC. Bancroft, Burns, Khawaja, Maxwell, O'Keefe and Fetke all come in.