I’d be bringing back Patterson from NSW and maybe Sangha from SA to replace Marnus. Not sure who’s really there as an opener yet…happy to run with Renshaw as an opener, but, like everyone else, get Head back to 5.
Kellaway and Peake need another year or two…suspect Connolly is a white ball sort of guy. It’s the year for Harry Dixon to settle in as an opener for the Vics.
I agree, but the issue is, we don’t have another opener that is pushing down the door, let alone 2 of them.
Also have to say, its great to see England getting on the ■■■■ and getting put in handcuffs with the culture cancer of Stokes showing the way, I get why they had a curfew and they have a massive issue with alcohol and there inability to stay out of trouble.
This Is pertinent.
Trav will tell everyone he is happy to open but the reality is the selectors have basically begged him to open for this reason.
He will cop it because just loves playing tests and will bat wherever he is needed
I know it goes against the aussie mantra of replacing one opener at a time but I’d go:
Kellaway
Renshaw
Smith
Green
Head
Peake
Carey.
I’d be rotating Richardson/Morris (body willing), Beardman, Murphy/Rocci and Vidler for a test here and there amongst the Big 4. Much like Essendon, I want them playing/learning off the best rather than whatever we can throw together from the cupboard of 25-30 year old bowlers.
I wouldn’t want Smith at 3, he will be batting within 5 overs 9 times out 10 with 2 new openers..
I would also prefer Renshaw at 3.
Love the idea of Peake at 6
Peake is 19, no first class hundred, averaging 26. He’s got talent for sure, but let’s give him one more year in shield cricket to see what he can do.
I like that top 7 though.
Only 5 left-handers in the top 7 plus Starc and Hazelwood.
Don’t mind the changes in SS, but still need to acknowledge that poor batting practices are also contributing to short test matches.
When Steve Smith states that Shield pitches in recent years are difficult to bat on, then he may have a point. he does know a little about batting.
Smith has taken catches like that
Wajahatullah Wasti c. M.Waugh b McGrath 1 (14)
Great catch, but have seen better.
Alan Dale springs to mind
John Dyson
Steve Smith
M. Waugh in a OD as well
Taylor vs WI (S Waugh bowling)
And that’s just aussie catches, not including any from NZ or some Jonty Rhodes specials
Phil simmons took a cracker against us in a WS final at the SCG. Maybe 1999?
Zoe Goss?
Richie Benaud, Lords test 1956, gully, caught Colin Cowdrey. Fair dinkum unbelievable (Bobby).
Ball doing plenty at Lord’s right now. Pakistan 3/30 in response to Englands 290. Josh Tongue 2/5 from 4 overs.
They were a number of gully fieldsmen in Australia - sixties to eighties - who’d catch anything going through the gully.
Ashley Mallett, Bruce Yardley and Victorian and Essendon all-rounder, John Swanson
But what was Benaud’s catch like in 56? Assume you were there 
Hurtful but I do have real memories of the 1960-61 West Indies tour.