Almanac Cricket: Testing Times?

 

The Footy Almanac’s esteemed International Cricket Correspondent, Citrus Bob Utber

 

FATHER TIME CATCHING UP

 

At Lord’s Father Time always blows the right way but here in Australia he looks stagnant as he prepares to lift the bails, well one is already in his hands but that is certainly not the case in Australia.

 

Here in Australia he seems to have decided, with the help of the Australian selectors, that the replaced bail should be set back in its groove.

 

Such is the case for the selection of the Oz team for the first Test in Perth later this month against India that not even Donald J Trump would know who is going to open with the ancient Mariner Uz Khawaja . Will SPD say “we are in trouble, leave it with me”. His B2 Marnus might also say the same thing.  After all they are joined at the hip.

 

Selectors rarely look at social media especially those that run with the hounds so that august body’s current choice of SA captain Nathan McSweeney might not be their choice.  He is opening in Melbourne but has never opened for SA.

 

The triumvirate of Harris, Bancroft and Konstas have not done anything to enhance their prospects.

 

So it looks like Australia will make no surprises and Father Time will be ever grateful  and the batting line up looks like being 37, 25, 30, 35, 31 & 33(wk.) and the bowling line up  31, 31, 32, 37.

 

Wait a minute they are still one short?  Anyone out there under 30 who might like to join McSweeney?

 

Answer:  No!

 

Will Mitch Marsh (33) or the unlucky Michael Gertges Neser (34) take that final spot unless, unless the selectors  pick Aaron Hardie  but he is only 25 and so his chances are minimal and he was also born in England.

 

So  my statical mind has the batting age at 32.2 and the bowling quartet at 32.9. overall 32.5.  My recollection says that Bradman’s 1948 first test team in England was an average age of 31.1.

 

Something I normally don’t take any notice of but I guess over the years most Australian team would be round about an average age of 31.5

 

Talking of age I will have the pen poised for the forthcoming series against India and , of course , we are looking for some of the younger brigade to take up the cudgel as well.  I will be at the ground reporting back to The Almanac with an end-of-day summary within ten minutes of each day’s play ending.

 

If you are young, anything under 85, and love writing cricket this is your big chance.  Just get in touch with the editors.

 

Who will win the series?  If it is anything like the last series then India will win but I foresee a closer 25 days with Australia nudging out the ‘old Indians’  3 matches to 1.

 

Let us hope we see some new fresh young in the Australian team after the second Test, if not earlier.

 

 

More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.

 

 

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