Australian Cricket Season 2018-2019

[Pushka]

With mixed feelings I am heading over to Adelaide this week, and Perth the week after, to watch the first few days of the two Tests. I'm sure there'll be a crowd of sorts but I wouldn't be surprised if Australia's supporters were in the minority. Geoff Lawson has an interesting article in the Fairfax press https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...truggling-to-stay-afloat-20181201-p50jke.html which includes the following two paragraphs.

"Shaun Marsh is now 35 years old, averages 35 in 34 Tests over seven years and has made just 88 runs in 10 innings since Port Elizabeth in March – numbers that should not get you a green cap in the era of covered pitches. Yet he is almost assured of a starting spot on December 6. Maybe his skinfolds meet the coach’s standards? "
and
"Mitchell Marsh has made one Test 50, no hundreds and averages 17 since the Sydney Test earlier this year. With the ball he has taken five wickets in his past 10 Tests. What part of those numbers can be considered Test quality?"

Fingers crossed at least one of them does something positive as both have had good non-international form in the last few weeks. I've convinced myself that I'm really going to see the current best batsman in the world, Kohli.

Unless something bad goes down Thursday and Friday, I expect a lot of people will attend Saturday. On Sunday MrP is going to the annual ACA function so hope they are still playing then.

 

[CaptJCool]

With mixed feelings I am heading over to Adelaide this week, and Perth the week after, to watch the first few days of the two Tests. I'm sure there'll be a crowd of sorts but I wouldn't be surprised if Australia's supporters were in the minority. Geoff Lawson has an interesting article in the Fairfax press https://www.theage.com.au/sport/cri...truggling-to-stay-afloat-20181201-p50jke.html which includes the following two paragraphs.

"Shaun Marsh is now 35 years old, averages 35 in 34 Tests over seven years and has made just 88 runs in 10 innings since Port Elizabeth in March – numbers that should not get you a green cap in the era of covered pitches. Yet he is almost assured of a starting spot on December 6. Maybe his skinfolds meet the coach’s standards? "
and
"Mitchell Marsh has made one Test 50, no hundreds and averages 17 since the Sydney Test earlier this year. With the ball he has taken five wickets in his past 10 Tests. What part of those numbers can be considered Test quality?"

Fingers crossed at least one of them does something positive as both have had good non-international form in the last few weeks. I've convinced myself that I'm really going to see the current best batsman in the world, Kohli.

turtlemichael. I too am doing the circuit this year... other than Syd where I figured 37,000 seats would be sold out quickly, seeing I’m on FIRE A combination of public and members seating seeing I hold a SACA membership.

From the intel I garnered so far, ads on TV here in Adelaide suggest public is poor. SACA have announced members guest passes are SOLD OUT for the 4th day Sunday. The ODI had 17k along but mostly members. The tests are as you know daytime games so that can affect crowds. I’m assuming Grade cricket is being played on Sat so that will also prune those who may have dropped in for the evening session. And your analysis of the playing personnel is fair enough too (though both Marshes didn’t get bogged in the recent Shiedl game at Adelaide. Through which Shaun scored a century. He’s definitely in the career twilight for Australia’s mindset of international player ages even if Pakistan had two 40yo on their last tour....sighs

But we are also afflicted in Adelaide with a rather dumb transport decision Adelaide Metro - UPDATE - Late night closures for all rail lines where a construction works weekend was moved one weekend to the very same Test match weekend. If you wonder why crowds are down..... in Perth,

Happy to catch-up for a ‘beer’ if that works for you.. PM me and we can go from there

 

[Pushka]

turtlemichael. I too am doing the circuit this year... other than Syd where I figured 37,000 seats would be sold out quickly, seeing I’m on FIRE A combination of public and members seating seeing I hold a SACA membership.

From the intel I garnered so far, ads on TV here in Adelaide suggest public is poor. SACA have announced members guest passes are SOLD OUT for the 4th day Sunday. The ODI had 17k along but mostly members. The tests are as you know daytime games so that can affect crowds. I’m assuming Grade cricket is being played on Sat so that will also prune those who may have dropped in for the evening session. And your analysis of the playing personnel is fair enough too (though both Marshes didn’t get bogged in the recent Shiedl game at Adelaide. Through which Shaun scored a century. He’s definitely in the career twilight for Australia’s mindset of international player ages even if Pakistan had two 40yo on their last tour....sighs

But we are also afflicted in Adelaide with a rather dumb transport decision Adelaide Metro - UPDATE - Late night closures for all rail lines where a construction works weekend was moved one weekend to the very same Test match weekend. If you wonder why crowds are down..... in Perth,

Happy to catch-up for a ‘beer’ if that works for you.. PM me and we can go from there

But how many use the train to get to the cricket? Doesn’t affect us though - we don’t have a train within 10 kms. We just walk a lot.

 

[turtlemichael]

But how many use the train to get to the cricket? Doesn’t affect us though - we don’t have a train within 10 kms. We just walk a lot.

By the crowds heading across the bridge and into the station at the end of the day in the Ashes match, quite a few. No doubt less this time.

 

[Pushka]

By the crowds heading across the bridge and into the station at the end of the day in the Ashes match, quite a few. No doubt less this time.

But that’s the main southerly access to buses, trams and the CBD and not just the trains. There’s no other way across the Torrens at that point.

 

[Rallo]

I catch the train to the Test match each year and plenty of people use it, just another moronic decision by a moronic government.

 

[VPS]

I cancelled my SACA membership in protest and haven't regretted my decision.

I don't think they are going to get good crowds this season.

Regarding the train closure - they have to do it sometime and they are damned if they do it and damned if they don't. I don't think the trains are used as much as the buses

 

[Rallo]

I cancelled my SACA membership in protest and haven't regretted my decision.

I don't think they are going to get good crowds this season.

Regarding the train closure - they have to do it sometime and they are damned if they do it and damned if they don't. I don't think the trains are used as much as the buses

This year will be my last year of membership as there is no value and to be honest I just haven't taken a liking to the team in recent years. The train decision is so poor due to the late notice.

 

[rock86]

Well, didn't see this coming - Langer overruled by his other selectors???

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/mitch-marsh-dropped-for-first-india-test-20181205-p50kcc.html

 

[VPS]

Will be interesting if they need another bowler - 39 in Adelaide tomorrow - hope the Indians are bowling first.

My first test I've missed in about 20 years and still don't regret cancelling my membership in protest about Sandpapergate

 

[turtlemichael]

Well, didn't see this coming - Langer overruled by his other selectors???

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/mitch-marsh-dropped-for-first-india-test-20181205-p50kcc.html

Nor did I see it coming. Both have had reasonable form in the local season so far but Handscomb's is the better without so much incnsistency. Both are very iffy in Tests in recent times. As to bowling, Marsh never takes wickets so he probably will be a loss only in the sense of holding an end.

I'm quite looking forward to the match.

 

[k_sheep]

My second favourite sight, a Marsh carrying the orange slices.

 

[turtlemichael]

My second favourite sight, a Marsh carrying the orange slices.

Is your first favourite sight two Marshes carrying the oranges?

 

[Pushka]

Had lunch today with SACA committee members wife. She has busy days now hosting all the dignatories.

 

[Pushka]

Will be interesting if they need another bowler - 39 in Adelaide tomorrow - hope the Indians are bowling first.

My first test I've missed in about 20 years and still don't regret cancelling my membership in protest about Sandpapergate

We really need India to bat first if the match is going to last more than a couple of days.

 

[Guvner]

With mixed feelings I am heading over to Adelaide this week,

I'm heading over as well, flying out of MEL Friday morning, have member's tickets for Friday and GA tickets for Sat / Sun. Might need a Plan B for Sunday, maybe a winery tour.

 

[VPS]

 

[rock86]

We really need India to bat first if the match is going to last more than a couple of days.

I respectfully disagree, Australia will win this test and win the series.

The Indian batsmen (Kholi aside) are not that crash hot in foreign conditions against a good bowling attack, which our Aussies certainly are. And the Indian bowlers will not have the firepower on our hard wickets. As frail as our batting line-up may be, there's still players in there which actually have very good records in Australian conditions - Khawaja & SMarsh (shock horror I know)

 

[sjk]

Having watched most of the recent ENG—IND series, I have to agree that AUS start as favorites. Not a sure thing, though.

 

[rock86]

Couldn't ask for a better start for the Aussies!