[Eddy]

So much for me supporting Pandya. He's not even in the squad.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

So the team for SA test series has been announced. Good to see K L Rahul being dropped and R Sharma to be given an opportunity to open. Saha selected as well as Gill too. This is good selection for a change.

Dropping Rahul is very good, but how is it picking Rohit good? Rohit will bat like Bradman in home tests. And then we won't be able to drop him for at least 2 overseas tours. Rohit has played 27 tests - it's way too many chances. Likewise Rahul.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by carboy

Dropping Rahul is very good, but how is it picking Rohit good? Rohit will bat like Bradman in home tests. And then we won't be able to drop him for at least 2 overseas tours. Rohit has played 27 tests - it's way too many chances. Likewise Rahul.

Looking at the way Rahul is batting, the gamble with Rohit seems a wise one. Remember he wasn't a good ODI batsman untill he was dropped for long, came back to open and now probably one of the best in world cricket.

Not saying he would replicate the same with tests but you never know unless you give him another chance to prove himself.

[am1m]

I think it was time to drop Rahul, but can't help wondering if we're making the same Test mistake with Rohit that England made with Jason Roy.

Anyway, home series should be easier, let's see.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Looking at the way Rahul is batting, the gamble with Rohit seems a wise one.

Why are joining up Rahul's dropping with picking Rohit in spite of me saying I am fine with dropping Rahul? It's possible to drop Rahul & not pick Rohit also. Both actions are not joined at the hip.

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Remember he wasn't a good ODI batsman untill he was dropped for long, came back to open and now probably one of the best in world cricket.

ODIs are played on absolute flat tracks. Tests aren't.

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Not saying he would replicate the same with tests but you never know unless you give him another chance to prove himself.

He has already got 27 chances. And that's more than enough chances. By giving him more chances, you are stealing chances which can be given to people haven't got any chances at all.

[PPS]

Originally Posted by Eddy

So much for me supporting Pandya. He's not even in the squad.

This must be due to the 'workload management' which is the favourite term of the selectors! With 2 T20 World Cup's in the next 2yrs & no decent Seam Bowling All-Rounder in site, perhaps makes sense to keep him fresh by giving adequate breaks in between.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by Eddy

So much for me supporting Pandya. He's not even in the squad.

I expected this. Pandya doesn't fit well on Indian pitches which are slow and low. He is more suited for overseas tests. Also traditionally SA are crap against spin so playing 2 genuine spinners and if needed Vihari can roll his off breaks is a good move.

Gill may not get a chance if Rohit succeeds in the first test. It's a dumb move but on Indian pitches it can work. If Shaw wasn't banned he could have been a runner for openers spot.

[Eddy]

Two genuine spinners will definitely play, with or without Pandya. In fact, now even three might play with Sir Jadeja being a like for like replacement. So Ashwin, Jedeja & Kuldeep play with Bumrah & Ishant / Shami.

Effectively, it's Vihari vs Kuldeep then. Unless Kohli & Co have demoted Ashwin to behind Kuldeep.

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Australia have more better test batsmen but England playing at home will play well even though they don't have a perfect test team. I predict a 2-2 series draw.
It being the first match of the WTC, it'll add a little more importance to the series.

This was my prediction before the tournament and I've nothing more to add
A drawn Ashes series after 47 years!

Aprt from Ashes, i loved how Afghanistan won a T20 against Bangladesh. They were 40-4 in 5 overs and 60-4 after 10 overs. But then Nabi propelled them to a solid 164-6. Then the bowling made sure Bangladesh were bundled out well short of it.

[NPV]

Finally the law of averages seemed to have caught up with Steve Smith just when he seemed invincible, he could not play another long innings at the crease to get Australia out of trouble in the final test. But credit to England, though their batting in this series was a bit shaky, they came good when it mattered in the 2 tests that they won. Overall, a good Ashes series

[redCherry]

Originally Posted by carboy

Dropping Rahul is very good, but how is it picking Rohit good? Rohit will bat like Bradman in home tests. And then we won't be able to drop him for at least 2 overseas tours

That's exactly how I am feeling too. No surprise dropping Rahul, but replacing him with Rohit? ....Rohit has proved enough times that he's not the same player in red-ball cricket, but the selectors still persist with him. Most probably he's gonna score in these home tests, and like you mentioned, he can't be dropped for away series, because he would have scored enough at home by then. In case he fails in this series, may be selectors will bring in Shikhar Dhawan too

[VWAllstar]

What would be your Best XI in Test Cricket from the current playing members?

Interesting will be know the Captains, Wicket-keepers and Coaches.

My XI

H Nichols
D Karunaratne
K Williamson
S Smith (C)
V Kohli
B Stokes
Q de Kock (WK)
R Jadeja
P Cummins
K Rabada
J Bhumrah

12th Man: Shakib
Coach: T Moody

[swissknife]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

What would be your Best XI in Test Cricket from the current playing members?

Interesting will be know the Captains, Wicket-keepers and Coaches.

My XI

H Nichols
D Karunaratne
K Williamson
S Smith (C)
V Kohli
B Stokes
Q de Kock (WK)
R Jadeja
P Cummins
K Rabada
J Bhumrah

12th Man: Shakib
Coach: T Moody

No room for Jofra Archer? Jadeja as the lone spinner? Hmmm

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by swissknife

No room for Jofra Archer? Jadeja as the lone spinner? Hmmm

Archer is just a series old now. With such quality fast bowlers, Jadeja will do a good job. May be for subcontinent, swap Stokes with Shakib.

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Do we have good pace bowlers who are good to play their maiden test match?

I would have liked to see Navdeep Saini and Mohammad Siraj being tried, but our selectors do not have a long term vision it seems.