The much-awaited Malegan Ashes is set to kick off from 23rd November, and one of the talking points ahead of the series is the Australian team selection. There have been some surprising exclusions which have left many former cricketers in splits as they were not convinced with the selector’s pick and was unhappy with skipper Steven Smith. Peter Nevill who was a frontrunner to make the Ashes squad was left out in favour of Tim Paine who has been named in the Test squad after a gap of 7 years.
Meanwhile, the southpaw, Shaun Marsh made his 8th return to the national team after making his international debut back in 2011. Marsh who tends to face the new ball in domestic cricket has been picked to counter the 2nd new ball at the No 6 position. Fast bowler Chadd Sayers was also drafted in the 13 man squad for the opening Test in Brisbane.
Former Aussie leg-spinner Stuart MacGill who spend the majority of his heydays under the shadow of Shane Warne was visibly upset with Peter Nevill’s exclusion as the wicket-keeper for the opening Ashes Test. Many former Aussie cricketers including the likes of Steve Waugh, Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist backed Nevill to be part of the squad.
MacGill expressed his disappointment in multiple tweets.
“How about we pick a player who can do the job he’s selected for. Forget Ferry McFerryface, let’s vote on the idiots that pick the Australian cricket team. If Nevill isn’t being selected because he doesn’t score enough runs then perhaps the Australian captain should remember the day he was first selected for an Ashes series.”
https://twitter.com/scgmacgill/status/931104194055905280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crictracker.com%2Fformer-australian-spinner-calls-selectors-idiots%2F
https://twitter.com/scgmacgill/status/931112178433777665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.crictracker.com%2Fformer-australian-spinner-calls-selectors-idiots%2F
Meanwhile, Gilchrist said that he is comfortable with the squad while explosive batsman Chris Lynn too urged all and sundry to support the Australian team for the all-important series. Former Aussie all-rounder Tom Moody said that when the summer comes around then tend to overcomplicate things.
“I understand selection can be challenging but for some reason, we seem to over complicate it when the summer comes around,” said Moody.