Loved watching McSweeney today and he has my vote but I am not sure yet if he is the ideal foil for Uzzie K. Not in favour of recalling either CamBan or MarcH - both still seem to have techniques that may not hold water in Tests. The manner in which CamBan falls over towards off with his top half and then plays around his front pad or plays at balls he can leave outside off is very concerning.
Beau Webster looked very good with the bat as did Ferg O'Neill with his ability to get late movement with an oldish ball.
As you say, people love run rates, it’s fashionable for many to laugh at Boycott but as you rightly surmise Pete, if you can outlast the seamers there’s plenty of runs to harvest.
Over the course of a long series, that principle is even more important.
It will be interesting to see which way they go - IMHO an ideal opening pair is a goer and a stayer, we had the goer in Warner and the stayer in Uzzie. I don't think we need to be too concerned at this stage which way they go for the vacant spot, as the other spot will be open pretty darn soon given that Khawaja will turn 38 during the series. The candidates can play a longer game if they have to - Konstas has got plenty of time to impress, but I think McSweeney is in the box seat for the current spot.
Watched a fair bit of it today on the live stream. Was spicy off the seam in the first session with a bit of variable bounce. Eased off during the rest of the day. Overall, seemed like a decent track.
McSweeney is a no brainer
It’s looking that way at the moment. Summed up the situation today and adapted.
Of course it’s not about one innings but here is a 25 year old with a good technique, temperament and leadership capacity.
Loved watching McSweeney today and he has my vote but I am not sure yet if he is the ideal foil for Uzzie K. Not in favour of recalling either CamBan or MarcH - both still seem to have techniques that may not hold water in Tests. The manner in which CamBan falls over towards off with his top half and then plays around his front pad or plays at balls he can leave outside off is very concerning.
Beau Webster looked very good with the bat as did Ferg O'Neill with his ability to get late movement with an oldish ball.
Summed it up perfectly Pete! Nathan McS is showing he has the game and temperament for real cricket.Tests!
Great update and perspective.
As you say, people love run rates, it’s fashionable for many to laugh at Boycott but as you rightly surmise Pete, if you can outlast the seamers there’s plenty of runs to harvest.
Over the course of a long series, that principle is even more important.
Said principle, I’d argue, is even more so relevant over these series which are both long (many tests) and short (not many weeks).
They should just bat Todd Murphy at #1 has no fear and plenty of conviction 🤗
It will be interesting to see which way they go - IMHO an ideal opening pair is a goer and a stayer, we had the goer in Warner and the stayer in Uzzie. I don't think we need to be too concerned at this stage which way they go for the vacant spot, as the other spot will be open pretty darn soon given that Khawaja will turn 38 during the series. The candidates can play a longer game if they have to - Konstas has got plenty of time to impress, but I think McSweeney is in the box seat for the current spot.
Tell us a little bit more about the Mackay pitch, is it playing as it traditionally does?
Watched a fair bit of it today on the live stream. Was spicy off the seam in the first session with a bit of variable bounce. Eased off during the rest of the day. Overall, seemed like a decent track.