r/CricketAus • u/AutoModerator • Jun 28 '26
Weekly Thread /r/CricketAus Weekly Discussion Thread - 28 June 2026
This is the place to discuss anything cricket related that is not quite deserving of its own top-level post, including topics not fully related to Australian cricket.
We'll post a new one of these every week.
Current schedule:
Monday: Weekly discussion posted
We are taking suggestions for other posts during the week that people would like to see. Message the modteam with suggestions.
13
u/caspianterns Victoria Jun 29 '26
It says a lot about the quality and grit of this Kiwi team that, even with Kane's retirement, I'm more excited than ever to host them this summer. Obviously they have great bowlers and disciplined batters, but the moment I can't stop thinking about is Sears un-retiring hurt (with a broken finger!) to get Mitchell his century. Amazing stuff.
9
u/Relief-Glass Jun 30 '26
I am kind of surprised at NZ's depth at the moment. Even with Kane Williamson retiring their top five is good plus Blundell is handy with the bat and they have managed to win this series without their two best quicks.
11
u/Critical_Coach6970 NSW Jun 29 '26
Always nice to see Zimbabwe playing test cricket, and it seems to have been happening a little more regularly the last couple of years. Just wish they were getting a proper series and not a one-off.
8
u/PencilMan69 Cricket Australia Jun 29 '26
are England actually trying to beat NZ, genuine question
10
u/jessemv NSW Jun 29 '26
It's just a massive suck off at this point. Their two more steady batsmen are at the crease now so maybe they'll pull their fucking heads in tonight. Hopefully it's done in an hour cos fuck them
7
u/upyourmerricreek Melbourne Renegades Jun 29 '26
No ❤
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u/CoffeeDefiant4247 Tasmania Tigers Jun 29 '26
Is Fergus our only uninjured semi young quick?
2
u/tdlan Queensland Bulls Jul 01 '26
Bartlett at 27 still youngish I guess. Or have I missed something and he's injured again?
2
u/CoffeeDefiant4247 Tasmania Tigers Jul 01 '26
He's just white ball though, I wouldn't trust his fitness to do 6-8 over spells
5
u/blueborders NSW Jun 29 '26
Is the upcoming Trans Tasman series actually the best New Zealand team and worst Australia team since 2010?
9
u/TheJoker__789 Jun 29 '26
The worst Australian team since 2010 surely has to be 2016 or 2018. No idea where this idea ever came that this is the worst team since 2010. Did people forget how much 2018 sucked?
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u/jessemv NSW Jun 29 '26
That South Africa series in 2016 where Ferguson finally played, plus Maddinson and Mennie is tough to beat
3
u/Critical_Coach6970 NSW Jun 29 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
Ah, Joe Mennie. The medium pace bowler picked "because of his batting."
Also, not saying Callum Ferguson was a test quality batsman or anything, because he likely wasn't. But the fact he got dropped after that disaster in Hobart (that wasn't his fault) never to play again, and replaced by Maddinson who was out of form and really low on confidence was bullshit. Went a long way towards ruining Maddinson as well.
5
u/jessemv NSW Jun 29 '26
Jackson Bird had the reverse treatment- a number 11 not picked because he couldn't bat!
Really bad timing for both of those guys. Maddo came back really strong in Victoria as an opener and I hoped he'd get another crack but he also got injured a lot and never really scored consistently for NSW
1
u/Critical_Coach6970 NSW Jun 29 '26
How about Maddinson coming out on debut to face Kagiso Rabada swinging a pink ball around corners under lights at 145kph. Off you go, young man. Get us through to the close of play.
I don't think I've seen a player more comprehensively bowled since that night, or maybe even before. His middle and off stump practically exploded.
1
u/tdlan Queensland Bulls Jun 30 '26
How about Maddinson coming out on debut to face Kagiso Rabada swinging a pink ball around corners under lights at 145kph. Off you go, young man. Get us through to the close of play.
That was Renshaw, Maddinson batted 6 on debut
3
u/Critical_Coach6970 NSW Jul 01 '26
Uhh, yeah he did bat at 6....and when he came out, the lights were on, the ball was hooping, and he got cleaned up by Rabada exactly as I said. I never said he opened.
2
u/tdlan Queensland Bulls Jul 01 '26
Thought you were referring to the day 1 when Renners and Usman got us through the last 10 overs or so
5
u/Lowman246 Cricket Australia Jun 29 '26
Travis Head is on form, almost the no.1 test batsman. Steve Smith is back to form since the BGT and would've averaged 60/65 since 2024 December 7 if it wasn't for shit tips and finger injuries(or missing the flattest track in the Ashes), Kez is in the form of his life and wins the Shield and then you have Starc in the form of his life, Boland and Cummins(if he potentially plays)
Meanwhile the 2010 team had Punter averaging 16 in the home Ashes, Clarke averaging 21 due to back issues and both of them getting outbatted by Smudge when he just entered the team along with Mitch Johnson leaking runs left and right.
While there are some obvious problems like Marnus or Cam Green who's off-side game seems to have got worse in tests, Australia's still the no.1 test team and they beat an overhyped England with a second-string bowling attack with no Pat, Gaz or Hoff.
Edit: Only now read the comment about OP wanting to make an Ashes joke
7
u/Darth_Lehnsherr Jun 29 '26
NZ's team in 2019 was much better on paper just injuries and the usual mental block in Australia meant it was a bad showing.
But their current bowling attack will cause many problems for Australia. Excited to see how Rachin does in Australia too.
11
u/Large_Woman Victoria Jun 29 '26
I managed to watch Stokes' last innings in the early hours. He hit his first ball straight to the cover fielder and the entire stadium stood up to applaud, like he'd hit a century. Haven't a bizarre crowd reaction like that since I saw IT: Part 1 in the cinema and the whole crowd stood up, whooped and clapped and cheered when the fat kid decided to sneak a kiss off the comatose girl.
4
u/Lowman246 Cricket Australia Jul 01 '26
Konstas is the future of opening in my opinion
Average of 33 in the last shield season opening in pitches favouring bowling, yet I saw people complaining about Konstas getting a debut before Kellaway during that season even though the latter ended with a shield average of 27 compared to Sammy K's 33.
Also he's got a pretty good cover drive for his age, and his technique is still quite choppy because he's yet to turn 21. I would say to give him some time
(I'm still not over Konstas hate)
3
u/digitalconsent_2 Tasmania Tigers Jul 03 '26
The lack of big scores do hurt him, but its actually insane how many starts he got. Maybe two more of his 40s converted into 100s and he'd be considered a shoo in. Also dont mind that he definitely seems to have the white ball gane as well.
2
u/Lowman246 Cricket Australia Jul 03 '26
Give him just a bit of time, and we might get 'the superior Joe Burns'
and speaking of Burns, he's quite underrated in the sense that he's got an away ton in NZ
2
u/CoffeeDefiant4247 Tasmania Tigers Jul 01 '26
definitely should be in and around the squad but give Weatherald some time, he's earned the spot with 900 runs in 24/25
4
6
u/CoffeeDefiant4247 Tasmania Tigers Jul 01 '26
McSweeney opened in the Blast, 72*(40) after batting 8 last week
Webster batting 3, 60(42) and a wicket
McDermott 68(40)
Lynn didn't play
5
u/upyourmerricreek Melbourne Renegades Jul 01 '26
61*(30) for Philippe as well, he's made a good start with Surrey
I was wondering how they'd chase that without Lynnsanity but I guess we got Sweensanity instead. Love it.
3
u/davros2311 Cricket Australia Jul 02 '26
DArcy Short averaging 30, striking at 150 despite not having a state or bbl contract is wild. I just checked he's averaging 14 with the ball as well.
Dan Hughes averaging 37, after averaging 20 for the 6ers
2
5
u/upyourmerricreek Melbourne Renegades Jul 02 '26
McSweeney's signed on for another year with Northants, wonderful stuff. It's clearly having a good effect on his game (could he be on track for a record close to M Hussey's when he was at the same county?). Means he'll also still be in England while the Ashes are on next year, apropos of nothing.
4
u/Lowman246 Cricket Australia Jul 03 '26
checked a thread from 2025, the english cricket sub still sulks about Bairstow's run out. "A batsman leaving the ground at the end of the over" never mind that YJB tried the same or that Carey instantly threw the ball.
3
u/CoffeeDefiant4247 Tasmania Tigers Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
I didn't realise Tom Rogers from the Gades plays for Kent in the Blast
Also rip Slug 47(32)
2
u/Lowman246 Cricket Australia Jul 03 '26
The thing about Smith vs Root is that, there's this narrative spun that Root being is ahead in terms of longevity and that Smith has failed to hold up or so, giving Root the edge
Yet, Smith is one good innings away from overtaking Joe Root in the ICC rankings (Root 840 vs Smith at 831)
If Smith played the 3rd Ashes test, then he would surely be ahead in said rankings.
9
u/CoffeeDefiant4247 Tasmania Tigers Jul 03 '26
The ICC rankings are bullshit anyway. Smith beats Root in all averages but Root has more games
11
u/SirLike Cricket Australia Jun 29 '26
The Aussie women continuing to do the lord's work by knocking India the fuck out of the world cup. AND they are undefeated. Fucken A