Interesting thoughts on Patterson, Baggers. I guess Victoria didn't score 450 on the same deck, didn't win by an innings and 107 runs and Harris didn't score 250 on that deck, but that is the difference in perception. By the same argument Jack Edwards did score 34 in the first innings but you seem critical of his performance. Nick Larkin did score 75 runs in the match but in all honesty I think he is struggling. Patterson is the best of a bad bunch but I think Lehmann's performance following his previous game performance against NSW shows he's in pretty good nick currently.

After 2 rounds with positions up for grabs in the Australian side we have some standout performances with the bat averaging over 45
Harris (276) Pucovski (243) Wade (119.5) Lehmann (110) S Marsh (89) Cooper (74.66) Doolan (51.75) Heazlett (47.66) Cartwright (46.66)

So though there has been discussion about poor innings and sides being bowled out under 200, there are some good quality batsmen managing to score runs, so there are many options available for selectors. Throw Khawaja and Finch in as certain starters there are the makings of a decent batting line up.

For the bowlers Green and Bell have been standouts along with Bolland and Tremain managing to bowl sides out to give the Vics 2 outrights (might as well award the Victorians the shield now as they look head and shoulders above the rest).

Interesting thoughts on the ABC radio yesterday, suggesting that if Australia play well in the upcoming series against India, Warner and Smith may not be selected to tour England as they have no form or games prior to the tour to justify their selection. 

But that has been the case for a long time now in regards to the U17 and U19, but we have produced legends of the game recently, such as Hayden Langer Ponting, Gilchrist etc, why has it changed now.

If we want to go ever back further. AB was a pugilist with an eye like a dead fish tho not a great technician, same with Hayden and Gilchrist. Ponting was suss outside the off stump early in his innings and was a walking LB even up till retirement. For mine Steve Waugh was the most technically proficient of our greats. He worked his bum off after he went 20 Tests without a ton. Went onto be the bloke you most want with you in the trenches. Wish he was the Aussie batting coach.

Ever heard of scoreboard pressure Mike. Patterson batted under that the whole match. He is by far the best of a bad lot. All he needs to complete his game is coverting. Five 100s from 54 matches is not good. But in his defence he has passed 50..thirty times. Lehmann has passed fifty 18 times from 39 games. They both share a @41 average. Patterson has the more solid technique and is the best cover driver I have seen since Greg Chappell..

 Bird, Copeland, Tremain and Boland lead the bowlers.. with Green and Bell close behind. Copeland has shouldered the Blues attack for several years. Has 300 plus FC wickets. Can think of worse bowlers that have played international cricket.

There is also a push by the players union to have the remainded of their ban lifted so they can play in India series. Yes have Smith back but leave the attack dog in his kennel.

My point is Baggers that I don't think there is a problem with the U17 and U19 comp as it stands currently, it hasn't really changed over the years yet we have produced great players from that system. It is totally the mental attitude of the youth.

When we talk about weaknesses in a batsman, Steve Waugh is one to prove that there are ways around these weaknesses that may not be technically correct but effective. Steve Waugh against the short ball was a problem for him, and I don't think the coaching manuals say "let it hit you". That comes from what you talk about "pride in wearing the baggy green". Guts and determination. Something missing in our youth. Hayden wasn't a technical player as such but worked his butt off in the nets to find a way around his weaknesses, practice makes perfect, and is arguably the best opening batsmen Australia has produced in his ability to score runs regardless of his inefficiencies. Another thing missing in the youth willingness to work hard.

When I look at Sangha, Edwards, McSweeney etc they have to do time progressing through the ranks, it works out some of their problems. Futures is a step up from Grade cricket and in McSweeney's case he has spent a bit of time in Futures scoring at least one century that I remember, and his promotion to shield you could say was a success being able to last 179 balls on a seaming wicket against a very good pace attack from Tasmania, shows he has something. In Edwards and Sangha's case I don't believe they have played that much Futures, especially Sangha, and I know there hasn't been any innings of note from either. Sangha's work up in the media is all based on grade cricket performances and has been going on for a couple of years now, these players need to sort out their deficiencies before promotion, and they are there, otherwise the quality shield bowlers are going to destroy their potential very quickly. Great example is Handscomb, it didn't take long for the international bowlers to work him out. Smith when he first started was bad and demoting him back to Shield cricket did wonders for him. In Edwards case his initial motion is strange, but he has manged to put together some runs, but Kepler Wessels had a strange style as well.

There is also a push by the players union to have the remainded of their ban lifted so they can play in India series. Yes have Smith back but leave the attack dog in his kennel.

Shaun Marsh has made runs again in the Shield.

At 35, surely he has had his time as a test payer and has failed to do the job adequately after many opportunities.

Why do Blues keep picking loser O'Keefe.

He was a test bowler not long ago with some reasonable returns in Asia.

SOK has never been a Test standard bowler imho. He bowled nude darts when he first came into the scene yonks ago and still bowls same. He has, in his defence, always had accuracy as his major asset.

SOK has never been a Test standard bowler imho. He bowled nude darts when he first came into the scene yonks ago and still bowls same. He has, in his defence, always had accuracy as his major asset.

Ditto. But he is an all time CA pet...so will  be picked for First Test.

Marsh has played 34 Tests for a batting average of 35 at 35 years of age.

If he has an average that has improved in the last few years with more consistent performances,  one could  understand why he continues to be selected .

In the recent Shield game, his opposition, Tasmania, were saying he was a quality player who was a tough opponent. In this particular  game he delivered and was decisive in the outcome. I still think he has a FC average of only 39 though.

Paddles have you had a chance to cast any eye over any emerging talent in the Oz red ball domestic scene? If so who do you see as our most promising batsmen and bowlers? 

Haha. I am interested in Pope and Lehmann Jnr. 

Bertus is being talked of from grade cricket levels. That Polish kid has temporarily retired.

But to be totally honest - lately I have been following the fortunes of Bailey, White, Ferguson: the wrinklies - to see who Australia could use for a year to fill in some Smith and Warner holes. :-) So more or less - I'm totally on the same page as you :-)

Warne doesn't like him, but he has had qualified success in Asia on turning wickets.

DC. Can you tell me why the Shield is played more often in working hours rather than the weekend?  Is CA afraid some people may just support it. Andrew Symonds said CA is trying to undermine the integrity of the Shield. Reckon he has it spot on. The entire CA board should be axed and rebuilt with people that want to advance our game not bring it to its knees.

Haha. I am interested in Pope and Lehmann Jnr. 

Bertus is being talked of from grade cricket levels. That Polish kid has temporarily retired.

But to be totally honest - lately I have been following the fortunes of Bailey, White, Ferguson: the wrinklies - to see who Australia could use for a year to fill in some Smith and Warner holes. :-) So more or less - I'm totally on the same page as you :-)

I've hardly see  him bowl, but Tasmanian paceman Gabe Bell is young, and has had a lot of early success.