Reckon you know your cricket do you? Well, here’s your chance to prove it.
This is a competition (and who doesn’t like a competition) to correctly name the eleven Australian players to be chosen for the first Test at Edgbaston next Thursday. You can even split infinitives if you wish.
The simplest and most transparent way of entering will be to reply to this post providing eleven names in batting order and nominating a twelfth man.
The winner will be the entrant who names the correct eleven or the most correct players in the event nobody gets the whole eleven.
If a tie breaker is required, it will be the one with the correct batting order. This includes who takes strike being listed first, so get your openers in order.
If a further tie breaker is required, it will be the one who correctly names the twelfth man.
If a further tie breaker is required, it will be the contestant who buys me the most grog at a mutually agreed lunch at Percy’s. [Whatever happened to a countback of most boundaries scored? Or, more appropriately, are there any boundaries as to how many beers you can be bought for, Roger? – Ed.]
The competition closes the nanosecond the team is announced. The winner will be announced shortly afterwards.
The decision of the judge (ah, that would be me) will be final. No correspondence will be entered into – unless I feel like it.
So go to it folks. One helpful word of warning though. This might not be quite as easy as it looks.
And to kick it off here is my selection:
Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Wade
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Pattinson
Lyon
Labuschange (12th)
Good luck!
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you really enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE
About Roger Lowrey
Roger Lowrey is a Geelong based writer who lists his special interests as reading, writing, horse racing, Roman history and AEC electoral boundaries. Some of his friends think he is a little eccentric.
Roger, good one. I reckon this one could go to the third level of tie-break, so name your price!
I think it will be:
Bancroft
Warner
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Wade
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Pattinson
Lyon
Labuschagne.
But how stiff are Joe Burns and Kutis Patterson after scoring tons in the last Test we played? On the other side of the coin, how bloody lucky is Mitch Marsh? As a northerner, I’m happy to see Michael Neser get the chance to be in this environment for six weeks.
Warner
Harris
Bancroft
Smith
Head
Wade
Paine
Neser
Pattinson
Cummins
Hazelwood
Lyon
12rh Starc
Lab u Shayne remains an enigma. He scored a mountain of runs in County cricket, albeit Division 2. Also did Ok in the recent intraclub game which seemed to carry a lot of weight.
I am a huge Bangers fan and I think JL is too He bats long and he gets the nod at three ahead of Usman.
I am picking Neser on the basis that we need some kind of allrounder. Starc misses out but at least his partner had a good Ashes series. I feel Patto is injury-prone so the door is open for Starcy later on.
Sorry too many players so will omit Hazelwood from the 11 and make him 11th instead of Starc
Warner
Bancroft
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Wade
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Lyon
Hazlewood
Labuschagne 12th man
SHOULD be the team but wont be.
WARNER
BANCROFT
KHAWAJA
SMITH
HEAD
LABUSCHAGNE
PAINE
CUMMINS
SIDDLE
LYON
HAZLEWOOD
HARRIS 12th
Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Labuschagne
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon
Siddle (12th man)
JTH and CB – See you both have “Labuschange” in your side. Genuine all-rounder? Bring him on to bowl some wrongun’s when you want a change of ends?
If only John Arlott and Bob Cunis were still alive to see their legacy preserved.
Basically concur with Ian Hauser’s selection. Think you could pick any of Starc, Hazlewood, Neser and Siddle for the third quick. Pattinson must play.
The team will be:
Warner
Harris
Khawaja
Smith
Head
Labuschagne
Paine
Cummins
Pattinson
Lyon
Hazlewood
Starc (12th)
But Siddle makes a very compelling case to play ahead of Hazlewood.
High time that the three NSW bath-water drinking quicks were broken up.
Good point PB. Amended.
Second hardest name to spell in world sport. Behind Collarjazzknee.
Smokie – it’s catching.
[Amended too – Ed]
Oh NO JTH!
now we will have everyone in sport writing out the hardest names to spell in sport!
Phil D – you are barred!
Hope Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan will be umpiring.
Then again Mr MXYZPTK (Superman’s imp foe from the 5th dimension) could turn up as one of the umpires.
Think about the confusion this little imp could cause with his interpretations. The only way to get rid of him is to convince him to say his name backwards IE KTPZYXM.