Australia beat West Indies by 9 wickets in the first Test

[Convict]

Only ten hours away.

Australia looked very rusty in the warmup match though Shaun Marsh scored a century opening the batting and Hazlewood bowled well.

Seems that sanity has prevailed and Australia will go in with three quicks and only the one allrounder.

After a Sheffield Shield season where he scored 1358 runs at an average of over 100, Adam Voges is set to make his test debut. He is 35 but he should be able to play for a few more years and could play an important role supporting Steve Smith in a likely transition phase with Rogers, Clarke, Watson and Haddin all likely to move on in the very near future.

Chris Rogers will miss through concussion which means that Shaun Marsh will be a makeshift opener and Steve Smith will become the 13th man since Ricky Ponting to bat at number 3 for Australia.

For the West Indies the post Chanderpaul era will start with Dowrich set to make his test debut.

Likely West Indian Team

#   Player         Age FClass   Bat Bwl  Mat  Runs  HS   Ave   100 50  Wkt  BBI    Ave   5i 10m  Ct  St
1.  KC Brathwaite   22 Barbados RHB OS    20  1325  212  36.80   4  6    1  1/43   61.00  0   0   8   0
2.  SD Hope         21 Barbados RHB ---    1    14    9   7.00   0  0    -  -/--   --.--  -   -   1   0
3.  DM Bravo        26 Trinidad LHB RMF   35  2548  218  43.18   6 11    0  -/--   --.--  0   0  37   0
4.  MN Samuels      34 Jamaica  RHB OS    58  3476  260  35.83   7 21   39  4/13   58.71  0   0  24   0
5.  J Blackwood     23 Jamaica  RHB OS     8   554  112* 50.36   1  4    2  2/14   49.00  0   0   7   0
6.  SO Dowrich      23 Barbados RHB ---    -   ---  ---  --.--   -  -    -  -/--   --.--  -   -   -   -
7.  D Ramdin+*      30 Trinidad RHB ---   67   2648 166  26.74   4 13    -  -/--   --.--  -   - 190   9
8.  JO Holder       23 Barbados RHB RMF    6    264 103* 29.33   1  1   13  3/15   34.46  0   0   5   0
9.  JE Taylor       30 Jamaica  RHB RF    39    772 106  14.56   1  1  114  5/11   34.35  3   0   7   0
10. ST Gabriel      27 Trinidad RHB RFM   13     44  20*  4.88   0  0   31  3/10   34.93  0   0   8   0
11. V Permaul       25 Guyana   RHB SLA    5     75  20  10.71   0  0   16  3/32   36.31  0   0   2   0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. D Bishoo        29 Guyana   LHB LS    12    188  30  15.66   0  0   44  5/90   40.70  1   0   8   0
13. R Chandrika     25 Guyana   RHB OS     -    ---  --  --.--   -  -   --  -/--   --.--  -   -   -   -
14. KAJ Roach       26 Barbados RHB RF    31    360  41   9.23   0  0  118  6/48   27.12  6   1   8   0

Likely Australian Team

#   Player         Age FClass   Bat Bwl  Mat  Runs  HS   Ave   100 50  Wkt  BBI    Ave   5i 10m  Ct  St
1.  DA Warner       28 NSW      LHB LS    36  3133  180  48.20  12 13    4  2/45   56.75  0   0  27   0
2.  SE Marsh        31 WA       LHB SLA   12   747  148  35.57   2  3    -  -/--   --.--  -   -   8   0
3.  SPD Smith       26 NSW      RHB LS    26  2304  192  52.36   8 10   14  3/18   54.14  0   0  23   0
4.  MJ Clarke*      34 NSW      RHB SLA  108  8432  329* 50.79  28 27   31  6/9    37.93  2   0 125   0
5.  AC Voges        35 WA       RHB SLA    -   ---  ---  --.--   -  -    -  -/--   --.--  -   -   -   -
6.  SR Watson       33 NSW      RHB RFM   56  3646  176  35.74   4 24   74  6/33   33.09  3   0  42   0
7.  BJ Haddin+      37 NSW      RHB ---   63  3207  169  33.75   4 18    -  -/--   --.--  -   - 251   7
8.  MG Johnson      33 WA       LHB LF    64  1868  123* 23.06   1 10  283  8/61   27.84 12   3  24   0
9.  MA Starc        25 NSW      LHB LF    15   485   99  30.31   0  4   50  6/154  35.44  2   0   6   0
10. NM Lyon         27 NSW      RHB OS    39   380   30* 14.61   0  0  138  7/94   35.63  7   1  17   0
11. JR Hazlewood    24 NSW      LHB RFM    3    32   32* --.--   0  0   12  5/68   29.33  1   0   2   0
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Fawad Ahmed     33 VIC      RHB LS     -    --   --  --.--   -  -   --  -/--   --.--  -   -   -   -
13. MR Marsh        23 WA       RHB RM     4   262   87  37.42   0  1    1  1/14  164.00  0   0   2   0
14. PM Nevill       29 NSW      RHB ---    -   ---   --  --.--   -  -   --  -/--   --.--  -   -   -   -
15. CJL Rogers      37 VIC      LHB LS    20  1535  119  39.35   4 11    -  -/--   --.--  -   -   -   -
16. PM Siddle       30 VIC      RHB RFM   56   973   51  14.30   0  2  192  6/54   30.45  8   0  16   0

Really should be the West Indies vs NSW and WA

 

[Laal]

Is Ryan Harris sitting out this tour? Or, is he done?

 

[Convict]

Is Ryan Harris sitting out this tour? Or, is he done?

He's sitting out the tour so he'll be fully fit for the entire Ashes tour (he's doing the same program he did in 2013) and for the birth of his kid. The Ashes will probably be his last series.

He plays for Queensland so he'd ruin the NSW and WA cleansweep.

 

[kingusama92]

Ryan Harris is such a beast. Can't wait for him to come back for the Ashes.

 

[Random Aussie]

Voges hmmmmm

 

[Convict]

Voges hmmmmm

The alternative is literally playing Mitch Marsh and Shane Watson with Shaun Marsh opening the batting, Steve Smith batting at number 3 (too high up the order) and Michael Clarke on the verge of breaking down with back and hamstring injuries.

 

[Convict]

Ryan Harris is such a beast. Can't wait for him to come back for the Ashes.

 

[Random Aussie]

The alternative is literally playing Mitch Marsh and Shane Watson with Shaun Marsh opening the batting, Steve Smith batting at number 3 (too high up the order) and Michael Clarke on the verge of breaking down with back and hamstring injuries.

Still too many West Australians for my liking either way.

 

[Convict]

Still too many West Australians for my liking either way.

Reflection of the weakness of the Victorian and South Australian systems.

New South Wales is carrying the whole country.

Victoria's inability to produce batsmen is a serious issue for Australian cricket.

 

[Pantani]

I've got to stay up all night to do an assignment for uni, so I have a good excuse to stick cricinfo on and follow the whole day's play . Hoping for a good, entertaining series.

I would be tempted to swap Watson for Mitchell Marsh, so that Fawad Ahmed can fit into the team ahead of one of the seamers.

 

[Convict]

I've got to stay up all night to do an assignment for uni, so I have a good excuse to stick cricinfo on and follow the whole day's play . Hoping for a good, entertaining series.

I would be tempted to swap Watson for Mitchell Marsh, so that Fawad Ahmed can fit into the team ahead of one of the seamers.

I'd take Starc over Ahmed any day.

If Ahmed were going to play he needed to have a good tour match. He didn't.

 

[Random Aussie]

Reflection of the weakness of the Victorian and South Australian systems.

New South Wales is carrying the whole country.

Victoria's inability to produce batsmen is a serious issue for Australian cricket.

Victoria have unfortunately prioritised domestic wins over developing talent for quite a while now.

 

[Convict]

Victoria have unfortunately prioritised domestic wins over developing talent for quite a while now.

I do wonder if that's been forced by the lack of batting talent coming through the system.

I mean that fact that someone like Stoinis got a run does suggest that Victoria will play young players if they're good enough. But of course Stoinis is a product of the WA youth system.

Victorian junior cricket seems to be producing a lot of players with deficient techniques like Aaron Finch, previous hyped whiz kid Michael Kill, Glenn Maxwell and the more recent hyped whiz kid Alex Keath.

Maxwell can still become a quality test player but he's certainly not a shinning example of developing players with good technique and temperament.

 

[Captain_Obvious]

India won WC in 2011 at home.
Played IPL a week later.
Toured WI for a 3 match test series with senior players rested.
(Won the series)
Toured England for a test series.Got whitewashed



Australia won the WC in 2015 at home.
Played IPL a week later.
Touring WI for a 3 match test series with senior players rested.
(Probably will win the series)
Touring England for Ashes.....

 

[Convict]

India won WC in 2011 at home.
Played IPL a week later.
Toured WI for a 3 match test series with senior players rested.
(Won the series)
Toured England for a test series.Got whitewashed



Australia won the WC in 2015 at home.
Played IPL a week later.
Touring WI for a 3 match test series with senior players rested.
(Probably will win the series)
Touring England for Ashes.....

But we're only playing two tests in the West Indies

 

[Captain_Obvious]

But we're only playing two tests in the West Indies

sorry

but you get what i mean.

 

[Markhor]

Why have West Indies picked Hope and Chandrika ? Both have mediocre records in FC cricket, with Chandrika himself averaging a meagre 25.

West Indies showed more spirit against England than they have in Tests for years plus their bowling attack is looking a lot sharper. Their new ball bowlers were getting some good swing during the England series and got England out for some cheap scores. I like the look of Blackwood and Brathwaite.

Thankfully Suleiman Benn has finally dropped, wonder if they'll go with both Bishoo and Permaul if the pitch is going to be a raging turner.

 

[majiz]

I think WI will win this test because they willl be well warmed-up from England series and aus are horrific against spin. Aus will probably win 2nd test though

 

[Boxer]

lovely sight

 

[Convict]

Voges is confirmed to be making his debut.

Test cap handed to him by Brendan Julian of all people

 

[Neferpitou]

Looking forward to Starc. Let's see if he can translate ODI form into tests. I have my doubts.

 

[Convict]

Starc has been a quality limited overs cricketer for years

 

[Neferpitou]

Starc has been a quality limited overs cricketer for years

Yeah I know but he's never peaked like this before. Seems more confident and bowled well in the last India test.

 

[Mamoon]

Starc is too good a bowler not to come good in Tests eventually, maybe now, few months later or next year, but he will come good. People had the same concerns with Boult in ODIs, was averaging 47 at one point and now he's one of the best in the world in that format.

With Harris probably retiring this year and Johnson slowly but surely running out of gas and will probably not be able to replicate his last year heroics again, Starc will have to carry their bowling in the future. The likes of Cummins, Pattinson etc. have too many injury woes and I don't think Hazlewood is that good.

 

[Convict]

I'm really not sure why you don't rate Hazlewood

 

[Stallion__]

Will be interesting to see Starc in whites.

 

[Neferpitou]

Who is this lame commie? C'mon Windies, you can do better than that.

 

[MarkCooper]

This is a very low key game. Empty stadium. Commies so boring and quiet they might be on prozac.

 

[Neferpitou]

Shai looks a good backfoot player.

 

[Markhor]

Hazlewood looks class, 6ft 5, gets that awkward bounce and good line and length so far.

 

[Pantani]

Tuk tuk Bravo in

 

[Convict]

Hazlewood looks class, 6ft 5, gets that awkward bounce and good line and length so far.

Should actually open the bowling with Ryan Harris in the Ashes

 

[Markhor]

Lovely off drive from Hope but man that outfield is slow, it looks like a vegetable patch in some parts.

 

[Markhor]

Oh we have a hit. Nasty blow to Bravo, hope he's OK.

 

[UpInTheAir]

Bravo looks good when he's in flow.

 

[Pantani]

Runs flowing freely.

 

[honeybadger]

Starc is a liability with the red ball.

 

[Juansar_07]

Braithwaite's Wicket - Hazlewood.

Spoiler

 

[Neferpitou]

Starc is a liability with the red ball.

Lmao, let him settle in. This isn't Pakistan.

 

[MarkCooper]

Windies have been watching New Zealand smash it about!

 

[f.b.m]

Mitchell Starc was more economical in the IPL.

 

[Markhor]

Starc yet to get his line right so far.

 

[honeybadger]

Lmao, let him settle in. This isn't Pakistan.

He has FC avg of 30+ and List A Avg < 20.

 

[Markhor]

Sharp take from Clarke, that was a decent delivery from Lyon, just got the ball to spin away from Bravo and West Indies lose a wicket just when the going was getting good.

 

[Pantani]

Important wicket, West Indies were starting to get on top.

 

[Markhor]

Dowrich in at 4 ? Surprising, thought Samuels or Blackwood would be in first.

 

[Pantani]

Hope has got some really nice shots in his locker.

 

[zabalestmsm]

Test cricket is different. U just cant select a player in Test team in one go based on his limited overs cricket form. Instead a player must be told to play FC cricket and improve his FC bowling average. Bring it to at least 25 and only then u will deserve selection in Test team and that too on merit.

 

[Chrish]

Just started watching.. What do folks make of pitch so far?

 

[f.b.m]

I expect Mitchell Johnson's cutters to take a few wickets on this pitch.

 

[Markhor]

Jesus Christ, Hope set off for a suicide single and just got back in.

This is the problem with West Indies - there's always moments where they'll commit hara-kiri.

 

[Juansar_07]

Bravo Wicket - Lyon.2 down.

Spoiler

 

[Convict]

Johnno! and SOS!

WA! WA!

 

[honeybadger]

Hope gone. (no pun intended)

 

[Juansar_07]

Windies looses Hope - Johnson

Spoiler

 

[Chrish]

I seriously like this Hazelwood kid!

Starc not really having it atm

 

[Justcrazy]

Starc is much better bowler in shorter formats

 

[Pantani]

I reckon West Indies would feel a lot better right now if Chanderpaul was the next man in.

 

[Justcrazy]

WI need a partnership here , need a solid partnership here to lift them. First innings total is crucial.

 

[Chrish]

Needs another better spinner. Nathan Lyon is just too boring to watch!

 

[Neferpitou]

I reckon West Indies would feel a lot better right now if Chanderpaul was the next man in.

Not really, he was past it. Last 5 tests, he'd been a walking wicket. WICB decided enough is enough.

 

[Justcrazy]

I reckon West Indies would feel a lot better right now if Chanderpaul was the next man in.

He should have played , considering this was against Australia.

 

[Pantani]

Not really, he was past it. Last 5 tests, he'd been a walking wicket. WICB decided enough is enough.

Just as a psychological thing, if nothing else. Australia look at the scoresheet and see they still have one big wicket to take. West Indies can look at it and feel a little more confident knowing he has the capability to save the day. Even if he doesn't deliver, his presence would have made a difference.

 

[Justcrazy]

last over before lunch

 

[Justcrazy]

85 / 3

Lunch .

 

[Pantani]

The morning belongs to Australia, West Indies have some work to do if they want to cross 300.

 

[Neferpitou]

Match in balance. I reckon this is a 300-350 wicket.

 

[Pantani]

Blackwood is in at 4/85.

West Indies are in trouble, they could get rolled for 150.

 

[Convict]

Hazlewood is going to be very good in the Ashes

 

[Convict]

Very good wicket by Hazlewood.

Bowled exactly to his plan and set up Blackwood perfectly.

And a good catch by Clarke.

 

[Abhilash93]

Hazlewood is the future.

Overshadowed Johnson/Starc in the India series too.

 

[Convict]

Samuels out now.

Should roll the Windies here

 

[honeybadger]

Sam the Slayer falls. 91/6. Windies in big trouble.

 

[Convict]

Hazlewood is the future.

Overshadowed Johnson/Starc in the India series too.

I remember that 5-6 years ago when all of Pattinson, Starc, Hazlewood etc were coming through - all the hype and talk was about Hazlewood.

 

[shaz619]

 

[Abhilash93]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION], Why did he take so long to get the baggy green compared to say Patto?
That's not to say that Pattinson is not talented.

 

[Convict]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION], Why did he take so long to get the baggy green compared to say Patto?
That's not to say that Pattinson is not talented.

Injuries and not really forcing the selectors to select him.

He was always on the fringes though and developed quite nicely with NSW.

In fact having a few completed shield seasons under his belt actually leaves him ahead of Starc and Pattinson in terms of development.

 

[Pantani]

[MENTION=132373]Convict[/MENTION], Why did he take so long to get the baggy green compared to say Patto?
That's not to say that Pattinson is not talented.

Possibly because he isn't as fast as Pattinson, Cummins, etc.

 

[Convict]

Possibly because he isn't as fast as Pattinson, Cummins, etc.

Nah.
Hazlewood made his ODI debut back in 2010 or 2011.

In Ponting's last test he was the backup quick in the squad but didn't get to play and that was back in 2012

 

[Pantani]

Holder and Ramdin need to hit some boundaries now. West Indies need runs.