Maxwell clearly has his card marked as never to play again. It’s disgraceful really that because he doesn’t fit the mould he misses out. His shield record last year combined with making a century in India had to make him one of the first picked in this squad.
Tim Paine has to be the luckiest player in living memory. Shouldn’t be in the team let alone captain.
Marnus Labuschagne didn’t realise he was in contention. Maybe we’re going down the route of the English and hoping for the saffas to contribute to our batting line up.
Amazed that Maxwell wasn’t selected by Australia. One of the best players of spin in the country and he doesn’t get picked. Must of really ticked someone off at some point along the line
Aaron finch in tests? Does he even play shield cricket?
Maxwell should be near enough to a lock whenever we tour the sub-continent, and especially now given we have no Warner or Smith. That batting line-up is the worst in living memory for me. I know we were ■■■■ in the mid-80s but at least we had Border. Who’s the best bat in that lot? Khawaja probably has the best record, but he’s a lion at home and a lamb away. I don’t trust the Marsh brothers any further than I could throw them. Renshaw has promise. Big opportunity for Aaron Finch. He’s been on fire for Surrey in the T20s but only played 2 County Championship games, so is that really cause for a Test call-up? It makes Maxwell’s omission look more puzzling…
Herald-Sun reporting Finch will open. I know he opens in the white ball stuff but he’s definitely not a Test opener IMO. Would be better off coming in at 5 or 6.
They’re playing Pakistan in the UAE. Rare to see bats win games there, let alone through quick scoring. The unpredictable bounce invariably leads to slow, hard graft against spin from both ends.
Oh well. Saves the Vics the awkward conversation when they have to drop him again.
Confidence is huge for spinners. If the bats believe that ball might do something unexpected, they’ll treat it totally differently than if they think they’ve got you covered.