View Full Version : Worthless Century to Carlisle
Carlisle scored a hundred for Zimbabwe today, but I guess it doesn't really count as it was just against a second rate Australian attack that's missing it's top four bowlers.
Or does that sort of thing only count when it's an Australian getting the achievement?
Bomber Spirit
17 Oct 2003, 20:41
I was out at the game today, and I thought Carlisle was great. Zimmy were 3/45 at one stage and could so easily have capitulated if it wasn't for his knock. It may not have been the fastest cricket ever, but he kept his head and applied himself well, and also played some very good shots.
The bowling attack was depleted, but I don't think that should take anything away from Carlisle. Batted very well and got Zimbabwe to a competitive score.
But Hogg is surely playing in his last Test match. What a hack - started off with a rank long hop and it never improved. Also dropped a catch. If Warne & MacGill are ever both out of a Test in future I'd give Hauritz a game rather than Hogg - he just wasn't up to it.
Also pathetic was the crowd. I know today was a work day, October is too early and there'll be another Test later in the summer; but a crowd of 5,000 was pathetic. And it didn't feel like a Test - with no crowd looking across the ground to the hill and the O'Reilly it felt more like a Shield game.
I was at the WACA last week and thought Matt Hayden was great, but apparently his innings was nothing special because it was only against Zimbabwe.
wagstaff
17 Oct 2003, 20:49
Originally posted by scmods
Carlisle scored a hundred for Zimbabwe today, but I guess it doesn't really count as it was just against a second rate Australian attack that's missing it's top four bowlers.
Or does that sort of thing only count when it's an Australian getting the achievement?
Fair point, although Australia's attack today relatively speaking was significantly better then Zimbabwe's in the 1st Test.
And the crowd was very disappointing, even considering all the factors like the weather, the opposition and the date it's been held in. I thought 10-15 000 would've been the crowd, as there have been great crowds to the SCG in recent years.
Bomber Spirit
17 Oct 2003, 21:13
Hayden 380. To the knockers of his performance, read the scoreboard and weep.
Even against dud lineups it's still a great achievement. Otherwise, why didn't everyone else in world cricket also do it?
I was just wondering what everyone felt that today's showing by Zimbabwe said about Australia's bowling reserves.
It's a pretty weaky Zimbabwe side & they've done pretty well today but has it shown up the quality of Australian bowling behind the big 3 of McGrath, Gillespie & Warne?
We all know that Australia have had great depth in batting over the last 10 years with a number of players who would have been succesful Test players had they not had to fight their way past the succesful incumbants, but despite having one of the best bowling attacks in history those knocking on the door never looked that strong.
Is it right to be concerned or not?
Unwritten_Law
18 Oct 2003, 02:49
Probably.
Batting stocks are OK, bowling is a little thin. Who knows who will pop up out of nowhere, just look at McGrath v the Windies. I think it is safe to assume a small trough in results, less wins - more draws, but who wouldn't when you effectively lose the best spinner of all time, one of Australia's best ever pacemen and a player that could have been anything if not for injury.