ON a day when many stars failed, George Bailey delivered as selector Mark Waugh says another batsman’s spot will be discussed following failures.
THE all-important final round of Sheffield Shield matches began on Monday with a host of players looking to send one final message to Test selectors ahead of the Ashes.
Unfortunately the message has been a poor one for many Test hopefuls, including wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and opening batsmen Matthew Renshaw and Shaun Marsh while Glenn Maxwell also failed to put the runs on the board.
Wade, the incumbent Test keeper, appears to be gone after an unconvincing innings of five runs from 42 balls for Tasmania before he was bowled by Peter Siddle.
Renshaw continued a run of low scores by falling for 16 against a depleted NSW bowling attack.
Mark Waugh admitted Renshaw’s position will be discussed at Wednesday’s selection meeting, but said the Queenslander is “a good chance” to play the First Test.
“I’m saying it would have been nice for him to score a few more runs in this season so far,” Waugh told news.com.au at Triple M’s Ashes coverage launch.
“His record for Australia is very, very good. He’s batted in some tough conditions. And he’s played well. He played well last summer.
“He’s got a good chance of playing. It’s more the six and seven where there is a few more, not question marks, but more options in those two spots.”
VICTORIA vs TASMANIA
Matthew Wade’s Ashes hopes have been left in tatters after he was dismissed for another low score during Tasmania’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria.
The incumbent Test wicketkeeper was on five when he played a pull shot to a Peter Siddle delivery which he bottom-edged onto his stumps just after lunch on day one at the MCG.
Wade, who has averaged 20 since his Test recall last summer, is facing a tough task to retain his spot when the Ashes squad is named on Friday.
George Bailey played a lone hand for Tasmania scoring a century and has put his name in contention for an Ashes berth as the surprise bolter for the number six spot.
Tasmania were all out for 172 in only 63.1 overs, Bailey accounted for 61 per cent of the sides total runs scored.
Matthew Wade out for 5 after scores of 1, 6, 9, 17. Not the batsman he was 2012 when he made Test debut #SheffieldShield
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) November 13, 2017
that's a solid 100 at the MCG from george bailey, who played in all five ashes tests last time England was here …
— Russell Gould (@gouldyheraldsun) November 13, 2017
George Bailey has never lost an #Ashes test. Something to think about for a man whose first class form in the last two or three seasons has been outstanding #SheffieldShield
— Andrew Johnston (@ARJ7X) November 13, 2017
It seems nobody wants to claim the number six spot for the upcoming first test as Glenn Maxwell has now also failed with his shot at putting a big score on the board.
Coming to the crease earlier than expected, Maxwell edged a lazy shot to the slips cordon after only managing four runs.
Maxwell nicks off for 4! Nobody wants the no. 6 spot #SheffieldShield
— Ryan Rothschild (@rothy_judd) November 13, 2017
George Bailey makes a century on the same day Glenn Maxwell departs for four. The intrigue around who bats at #6 in Brisbane continues… #SheffieldShield
— Laurence Rosen (@LaurenceRosen) November 13, 2017
QUEENSLAND vs NSW
Test opener Matt Renshaw again fell cheaply early on the opening day of Queensland’s top-of-the-table Sheffield Shield clash with a depleted NSW in Brisbane.
At lunch on Monday, the Bulls wee battling at 4-72 with Usman Khawaja on 31 not out at Allan Border Field as the Blues rested their Test pace trio Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Renshaw fell for just 16, missing a chance to alleviate pressure on his Test spot before the Australian squad is named on Friday for next week’s Ashes opener at the Gabba.
The Bulls opener finally ran out of luck and has now made just 69 Shield runs at 13.80 this summer.
Renshaw out for 16. And a couple of anxious moments within his short stay at the crease. He's genuinely on the edge.
— Adam White (@White_Adam) November 13, 2017
Renshaw was given out caught behind by wicketkeeper Peter Nevill off ex-Test seamer Trent Copeland (2-12) in just the 12th over.
Renshaw was unhappy with the decision, standing his ground before trudging off. His innings lasted 38 balls and included two fours.
The tall left-hander failed to capitalise on NSW resting their Test speedsters. Renshaw got off the mark with a leading edge for four off Doug Bollinger (2-25) on just the third ball of the match.
He also played and missed several times and survived a confident Bollinger LBW shout on 11.
Test batsman Khawaja looked untroubled in his unbeaten knock of 78 as the Queensland side were all out for 183.
NSW gloveman Nevill — reportedly in line to replace incumbent Test ‘keeper Matthew Wade for the Ashes opener — nabbed three catches.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA vs SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Shaun Marsh failed to apply any pressure on Matt Renshaw by failing in Western Australia’s first dig against South Australia in Perth.
Marsh was bowled by Joe Mennie for 17 to leave the hosts 1/32 and see fellow opener and Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft joined by Hilton Cartwright at the crease.
Bancroft caught the selectors eye with scores of 76 not out and 86 against NSW earlier this month.
“Cameron’s two innings were really good against a Test bowling attack,” Waugh told news.com.au. “That’s the sort of performance as far as me being a selector that is really good. That sort of innings definitely puts you high in the order.”
Another batter in contention for the number six spot in the upcoming Ashes, Cartwright joined a long list of failures at the crease registering only 35 runs after facing 76 deliveries.
Online Source News.com.au.
