I don’t hold out high hopes for Marnus, l fear this tour will not end well for him. By continuing to show faith in him and our aging list, the selectors are only delaying the inevitable. New blood is needed for the future but alack of imagination by those in charge means we are only going to see more of the same.
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In the squad, fine. I guess.
He shouldn’t be in the first test XI, though. Inglis has been touted a future captain, so throw him in at three and see what he’s made of.
I’m not expecting to win this series. South Africa play disciplined cricket, they’ll beat us on that alone.
Not often we complain that a NSW player hasn’t been selected in the Australian squad, but Kurtis Patterson is very unlucky to not make either the Australia or Australia A squads
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Inglis isn’t a top 5 bat IMO. Would fail dismally.
There was a rumour a little while back that CA had reached out to Mitch Marsh to comeback for South Africa and bat 3. Trav has confirmed that but obviously nothing has eventuated from it
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Lol. As much as I really like Mitch Marsh as a character and love some of his swashbuckling performances - mainly in white ball cricket - if THAT doesn’t tell you that there are some serious issues with the state of batting depth in the country right now then nothing does. Holy ■■■■.
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I also don’t get if batting depth is that dire, why haven’t we put Kellaway or Peake into the test squad.
Ok, fine, their shield numbers aren’t great. But they are still clearly the best young batting options in the country. Give them a sniff and see if they can make the grade. At worst they walk away knowing what the next level up looks like.
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Head
Renshaw
Smith
Green
Connolly
Carey
Webster
Starc
Cummins
Lyon
Hazlewood
Not ideal. I’d prefer Carey at 7 and we blood Connolly at 6 with another inform Bat (??) at 5.
Wow…we struggled with our batting against Bangladesh and you propose a team with only three specialist batsmen to go against SA in SA???
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I’m going off the announced squad, the only specialist batter I’ve left out is Lab. Inglis, Webster and Neser to a lesser extent are all-rounders.
Take your objections up with the selectors.
I reckon I have a better chance of convincing you than the blockheads who currently make up the selection panel. 
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That is an indictment on the selectors. Laughable.
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This series against South Africa’s attack at their home? Geez, I’d probably pick another opportunity.
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I just read Dizzy’s interview regarding his time as Pakistan coach- what a shocker! I get it’s a completely different part of the world and they operate in ways we dont understand - but this is cricket. Do the Paki’s not want success?
“The 51-year old, Gillespie, was scathing in his assessment of Javed, a former Pakistani fast bowler who was appointed to the selection committee in October 2024 and immediately triggered a push towards an all-spin bowling Test attack midway through a home series against England.”
This was after Dizzy was appointed to improve their fast bowling.
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They don’t need to be eased in. Not when our batting is so haphazard.
We really are relying on Smith to do his thing, hope Green continues his form from the home series, and that Head pulls something out. The rest (and it’s a bit harsh on Carey, I guess) would be a bonus.
You can pretty safely lump either of them in with the rest and give them some experience.
Terrible Idea
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My half priced kayo is running out next week, that squad is giving me zero pause in cancelling it fully.
This seems a likely lineup if they drop Marnus. As @Aceman said I don’t think Inglis is a top 5 batsman. He’s the backup keeper.
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I think green at 3, Smith at 4
I’m not shifting Green from five. He started to look good there. That’s his spot for now. And Smith cannot be moved from four. He’s arguably the best bat in test cricket when in that spot.
I think it’s too bad if number three doesn’t exactly suit whoever might replace Marnus. That’s the opening in the batting line up. Either make it work or someone else will get a go.
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