With the Fantasy Ashes competition firmly in mind, I take a look ahead at the first round of the Shield. I will keep you updated as to when the comp opens online @BBLFantasy.
NSW v Tasmania @ Blacktown, Sydney
NSW: Michael Clarke ( Captain ), Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Trent Copeland, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Henry, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Steve O’Keefe, Steve Smith, Gurinder Sandhu, David Warner
TAS: Tim Paine (c) , Alex Doolan (vc) , Luke Butterworth , Ed Cowan , Ben Dunk , Andrew Fekete , Evan Gulbis , Ben Hilfenhaus , Sam Rainbird , Clive Rose , Jordan Silk , Jon Wells
Ashes certainty: Michael Clarke, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith
In the mix: David Warner, Ed Cowan, Alex Doolan
Great news for Aussie fans with Michael Clarke given the all-clear to play in the Sheffield Shield opener. If fit for Brisbane, you’d have to say he’s a lock for your Fantasy Ashes side. Steve Smith is also one to watch: his form in the Ryobi Cup has been solid, and his confidence after The Oval test match (138*) back in August. We also know that Michael Clarke is willing to throw him the ball, great news if he’s a ‘batsman’ in the fantasy game.
Don’t forget to monitor the form of two genuine first test candidates: David Warner and Ed Cowan. Warner of course blasted three centuries including a record 197, and Cowan was determined at best, scoring 189 runs over six innings. One thing the selectors won’t forget is his impressive hundred (136) against the rampant South African attack in the corresponding test match last season.
NSW: Michael Clarke ( Captain ), Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Trent Copeland, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Henry, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Steve O’Keefe, Steve Smith, Gurinder Sandhu, David Warner
TAS: Tim Paine (c) , Alex Doolan (vc) , Luke Butterworth , Ed Cowan , Ben Dunk , Andrew Fekete , Evan Gulbis , Ben Hilfenhaus , Sam Rainbird , Clive Rose , Jordan Silk , Jon Wells
Ashes certainty: Michael Clarke, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith
In the mix: David Warner, Ed Cowan, Alex Doolan
Great news for Aussie fans with Michael Clarke given the all-clear to play in the Sheffield Shield opener. If fit for Brisbane, you’d have to say he’s a lock for your Fantasy Ashes side. Steve Smith is also one to watch: his form in the Ryobi Cup has been solid, and his confidence after The Oval test match (138*) back in August. We also know that Michael Clarke is willing to throw him the ball, great news if he’s a ‘batsman’ in the fantasy game.
Don’t forget to monitor the form of two genuine first test candidates: David Warner and Ed Cowan. Warner of course blasted three centuries including a record 197, and Cowan was determined at best, scoring 189 runs over six innings. One thing the selectors won’t forget is his impressive hundred (136) against the rampant South African attack in the corresponding test match last season.
Victoria v Western Australia @ Melbourne
VIC: Matthew Wade (C), Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Jon Holland, John Hastings, Peter Handscomb, Dave Hussey, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle & Cameron White
WA: Shaun Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Will Bosisto, Hilton Cartwright, Michael Hogan, Jaron Morgan, Marcus North, Nathan Rimmington, John Rogers, Sam Whiteman.
Ashes certainty: Peter Siddle, Chris Rogers
In the mix: Matthew Wade, Shaun Marsh, Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed
In my opinion there are two Brisbane certainties from this match, opener Chris Rogers and paceman Peter Siddle. Anyone else hoping for a repeat of Siddle’s Brisbane heroics last time England were here? As far as the best of the rest go, it seems unlikely that Matt Wade could beat Brad Haddin for the keepers’ job with such a short turn-around, but cricket is a funny game.
Shaun Marsh is such a talent, and in my opinion there’s no better batsman to watch when in form. Does he have the temperament to play test cricket though? His century on debut in Sri Lanka says he does, and I for one hope he makes a return to the test side. It won’t be this summer though. Will Agar or Ahmed push themselves ahead of Lyon in the pecking order? If they do, it should only be on the back of six consecutive five wicket hauls. Lyon’s last four test matches have been very good, and the selectors should show some faith.
VIC: Matthew Wade (C), Fawad Ahmed, Scott Boland, Dan Christian, Jon Holland, John Hastings, Peter Handscomb, Dave Hussey, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle & Cameron White
WA: Shaun Marsh (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Will Bosisto, Hilton Cartwright, Michael Hogan, Jaron Morgan, Marcus North, Nathan Rimmington, John Rogers, Sam Whiteman.
Ashes certainty: Peter Siddle, Chris Rogers
In the mix: Matthew Wade, Shaun Marsh, Ashton Agar, Fawad Ahmed
In my opinion there are two Brisbane certainties from this match, opener Chris Rogers and paceman Peter Siddle. Anyone else hoping for a repeat of Siddle’s Brisbane heroics last time England were here? As far as the best of the rest go, it seems unlikely that Matt Wade could beat Brad Haddin for the keepers’ job with such a short turn-around, but cricket is a funny game.
Shaun Marsh is such a talent, and in my opinion there’s no better batsman to watch when in form. Does he have the temperament to play test cricket though? His century on debut in Sri Lanka says he does, and I for one hope he makes a return to the test side. It won’t be this summer though. Will Agar or Ahmed push themselves ahead of Lyon in the pecking order? If they do, it should only be on the back of six consecutive five wicket hauls. Lyon’s last four test matches have been very good, and the selectors should show some faith.
South Australia v Queensland @ Adelaide SA: Johan Botha (c), Tom Cooper, Peter George, Travis Head, Michael Klinger, Tim Ludeman, Joe Mennie, Elliot Opie, Chadd Sayers, James Smith, Sam Raphael, Adam Zampa QLD: James Hopes(c), Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Luke Feldman, Peter Forrest, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Usman Khawaja, Greg Moller, Nathan Reardon | |
Ashes certainty: Ryan Harris
In the mix: Michael Klinger, Ben Cutting, Usman Khawaja
Harris was exceptional in England, and his 24 wickets nearly wrestled Australia back into the series. Let’s hope he stays fit for a debut at his new home ground, Brisbane.
South Australia have not offered many players of international quality of late, but Michael Klinger could not be knocking the door down any harder for an opportunity. Strong Shield form will have him on the cusp. Usman Khawaja had a tough time in England with an absolute howler of a decision against him at Manchester, and was ultimately dropped. He showed he can perform on the big stage against good bowlers though, with a crisp hundred in the Ryobi Cup final. Ben Cutting too showed he could push James Faulkner for the all-rounders’ spot, but needs to be more consistent with the ball.
The ODI squad returns from India on 4th November, meaning those players (namely Bailey, Hughes, Faulkner, Johnson, Watson, Voges, Haddin) looking to play at Brisbane will be available for the second round of the Sheffield Shield.
WA Chairman's XI v English XI
A day after the Sheffield Shield gets underway; the English tourists will take on a Western Australian Invitational XI which is made up of the following:
Western Australia Chairman's XI: Michael Beer (c), James Allenby, Burt Cockley, Matt Dixon, Ryan Duffield, Marcus Harris, Chris Lynn, Mitch Marsh, Luke Towers, Tom Triffitt, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye.
It’s worth not forgetting that around half of your Fantasy Ashes side will be made up of English players, so monitoring their form is pretty crucial too.
Tim Bresnan is unavailable for the first test through injury, meaning that Steve Finn, Chris Tremlett and Boyd Rankin will compete amongst each other to play along-side Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Their competition will be fascinating. Their batting is pretty settled however, with Bell, Cook and Pietersen being the main threats once again. Everyone Down Under will be praying the poor form of Trott, Prior and whoever they put at six continues.
If you enjoyed this post, please hit the social buttons below! Also leave a comment, I love a bit of test selection debate. Cheers!
In the mix: Michael Klinger, Ben Cutting, Usman Khawaja
Harris was exceptional in England, and his 24 wickets nearly wrestled Australia back into the series. Let’s hope he stays fit for a debut at his new home ground, Brisbane.
South Australia have not offered many players of international quality of late, but Michael Klinger could not be knocking the door down any harder for an opportunity. Strong Shield form will have him on the cusp. Usman Khawaja had a tough time in England with an absolute howler of a decision against him at Manchester, and was ultimately dropped. He showed he can perform on the big stage against good bowlers though, with a crisp hundred in the Ryobi Cup final. Ben Cutting too showed he could push James Faulkner for the all-rounders’ spot, but needs to be more consistent with the ball.
The ODI squad returns from India on 4th November, meaning those players (namely Bailey, Hughes, Faulkner, Johnson, Watson, Voges, Haddin) looking to play at Brisbane will be available for the second round of the Sheffield Shield.
WA Chairman's XI v English XI
A day after the Sheffield Shield gets underway; the English tourists will take on a Western Australian Invitational XI which is made up of the following:
Western Australia Chairman's XI: Michael Beer (c), James Allenby, Burt Cockley, Matt Dixon, Ryan Duffield, Marcus Harris, Chris Lynn, Mitch Marsh, Luke Towers, Tom Triffitt, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye.
It’s worth not forgetting that around half of your Fantasy Ashes side will be made up of English players, so monitoring their form is pretty crucial too.
Tim Bresnan is unavailable for the first test through injury, meaning that Steve Finn, Chris Tremlett and Boyd Rankin will compete amongst each other to play along-side Stuart Broad and James Anderson. Their competition will be fascinating. Their batting is pretty settled however, with Bell, Cook and Pietersen being the main threats once again. Everyone Down Under will be praying the poor form of Trott, Prior and whoever they put at six continues.
If you enjoyed this post, please hit the social buttons below! Also leave a comment, I love a bit of test selection debate. Cheers!