5/1068

[R00StaR]

Rather than completely changing the rules of cricket why don't we just make pitches a bit more sporting rather than being obsessed by them lasting for 5 days.

Yeah maybe that can sort it without games being over in 2.5 days. But then interest in test cricket has been on the decline, they speak of having a test championship or something to give tests more credibility. Im a long term fan, so im happy how it is, but i understand times are changing.

The IPod gen like results and excitement, any dull periods, dead rubbers = no no. Just take this test for example, i fear should we lose which is highly likely then much of the Ashes gloss for the summer maybe lost since it would be extremely difficult for us to win there. Win 2 of 3 and not lose one. This isnt to say great cricket wont be played, the purists will soak it up of course.

So if a test comp comes in, then how do we keep things as fair, games not won on the toss of a coin, flat wickets destroying a teams chances. This is why i suggest the change, flat wickets would no longer make boring cricket simply more runs scored. Anyway its very unlikely suggestion, im just throwing a left feilder out there as these wickets are increasing becoming a problem as is interest in test cricket.

 

[Papa Juggs]

Why did Doherty get another run?

These selectors are a disgrace.

I was thinking for sure he'd be the first one on the chopping block after the first test.

Just not good enough. We need to be playing George, he's been in better form than Doherty so I have no idea why one is hyped and the other is a reject.

 

[krisholio14]

Anderson still had serious question marks surrounding his ability to take wickets outside of england.

he's starting to answer those questions so good luck to him.

But to say there should have been no doubts about his wicket taking ability outside of england(or more specifically in Australia) is hindsight bias at it's best(or worst as it were)

There are doubts about most bowlers when they are overseas.

Anderson's record away from England hasn't been too bad over the last couple of years. Doodle has already mentioned his dramatically improved mental approach, along with that his bowling has gone to another level. He's really worked on his line and length in the last couple of years, and it's paying off. In the past if it wasn't swinging he wouldn't put his head down and toil. He'd drop his bundle and start throwing pies. You'll find a few posts of me bagging him on a few previous threads over the years. You will not find me making the same comments these days.

James Anderson would walk into the Australian squad right now quite easily. And I assure you, once upon a time I would have let you write your own ticket on me ever being able to say that. But here we are.

So you can stop saying 'The Poms aren't that good, their bowling attack is no better than ours'. Australia's attack stinks right now, and James Anderson has easily been the pick of the bowlers from both sides. If the Australian attack had bowled with the same controlled aggression, line and length and movement in the air and off the seam, they might not have found themselves at 5/1068.

 

[lemon chicken]

So you can stop saying 'The Poms aren't that good, their bowling attack is no better than ours'. Australia's attack stinks right now, and James Anderson has easily been the pick of the bowlers from both sides. If the Australian attack had bowled with the same controlled aggression, line and length and movement in the air and off the seam, they might not have found themselves at 5/1068.

If anyone thinks that Stuart Broad is better than any of our pace bowlers they must have rocks in their head.

Harris V Anderson
Bollinger V Broad
Siddle V Finn
Doherty V Swann
Watson V Collingwood
North V Pietersen

The english attack is Swann and Anderson. It is not 500 runs a test better.
​

 

[Tazwegian]

He may be having a better series but i wouldnt say he is a much better bowler than any of our openers overall. Our 2nd and 3rd pace bowlers are easily better than Broad and Finn.

Hmm. Not sure I agree. I would say Broad and Finn are as good as Harris, Siddle and Bollinger. Furthermore, they have more test experience (except Finn). Anderson is a better bowler than anyone we have. His stats don't show it, but if he was Australian, he would be our spearhead, no doubt.

Our batsmen need some work too. It seems that if Ponting gets out cheaply, they all fall over. Ponting getting out cheaply is something that has been happening too often recently, as he gets old. So, I think we need some new blood in all departments.

Bring on Khawa, get Johnson back in form, and get in O'Keefe, and maybe we can be competitive.

 

[breeno]

If anyone thinks that Stuart Broad is better than any of our pace bowlers they must have rocks in their head.

Harris V Anderson
Bollinger V Broad
Siddle V Finn
Doherty V Swann
Watson V Collingwood
North V Pietersen

The english attack is Swann and Anderson. It is not 500 runs a test better.
​

Finn is a much better bowler than Siddle.

 

[LifeSpan-Void]

I wonder if these were the kinds of discussions English fans were having with each other in 1989.

 

[i_hate_scams]

what is our best attack to take 20 wickets atm? including all rounders?

i'll have a stab

Johnson
Kezja
Harris
Copeland
Watson
White (as a batsman)

 

[lemon chicken]

Finn is a much better bowler than Siddle.

Siddle would have a better average too if we played 4 test series' against Bangladesh.

 

[breeno]

Siddle would have a better average too if we played 4 test series' against Bangladesh.

He also dominated Pakistan.

You can't honestly tell me you'd prefer to have Siddle in your side over Finn.

 

[lemon chicken]

He also dominated Pakistan.

You can't honestly tell me you'd prefer to have Siddle in your side over Finn.

I dont think its that clear cut.

Pakistan and Bangers, his ave will be close to 30 after this series.

 

[linda]

Surely Finnis doing ok for someone with so little experience .Like Broad he is actually being given the oppotunity to learn whilst playing at the highest level .He has also added 3-4 mph in the last year

 

[Doodlesweaver]

Surely Finnis doing ok for someone with so little experience .Like Broad he is actually being given the oppotunity to learn whilst playing at the highest level .He has also added 3-4 mph in the last year

He's pulled his weight so far in terms of stats outcome.

 

[lemon chicken]

Surely Finnis doing ok for someone with so little experience .Like Broad he is actually being given the oppotunity to learn whilst playing at the highest level .He has also added 3-4 mph in the last year

Yep, shades of McGrath about him. My original point is and still is that the English is attack is not far and away better than ours as people are suggesting. If we could actually post a 500+ first inings score and then force 10 or so overs each out of Collingwood and Pietersen things would look a lot different. Broad looks very average IMO. At the moment we're allowing the 2 best English bowlers to strangle us.

 

[linda]

Yep, shades of McGrath about him. My original point is and still is that the English is attack is not far and away better than ours as people are suggesting. If we could actually post a 500+ first inings score and then force 10 or so overs each out of Collingwood and Pietersen things would look a lot different. Broad looks very average IMO. At the moment we're allowing the 2 best English bowlers to strangle us.

The general impression over here from Commetators and fans is Broad is bowling very well indeed without taking the wickets.Also on the plus side when the wickets do come for Broad ,they come in 4s and 5s so that bodes well for the rest of the series .

I always like Hilfenhaus and am glad he isnt playing Harris has looked ok but the rest apart from one siddle spell have looked poor

 

[Dipper]

The general impression over here from Commetators and fans is Broad is bowling very well indeed without taking the wickets.

Story of Borad's career, bowls good spells and goes wicketless, at the end of the innings you think he went alright and you look and see that he only took 1 or 2 wickets.

I'm sure why it is but he doesn't take the wickets that his spells seem to warrant.

I doubt it'll ever change, some bowlers are like that, polar oppositie of Johnson in the last series....bowled a lot of filth but kept taking wickets.

 

[Donnie Darko]

Broad reduced the aussie lineup to a smouldering pile of rubble at the oval .
Short memories around here.

 

[krisholio14]

Yep, shades of McGrath about him. My original point is and still is that the English is attack is not far and away better than ours as people are suggesting. If we could actually post a 500+ first inings score and then force 10 or so overs each out of Collingwood and Pietersen things would look a lot different. Broad looks very average IMO. At the moment we're allowing the 2 best English bowlers to strangle us.

Honestly, your summation of the whole situation basically sums up why the Australian Cricket Team and it's fans are in for a long hot summer.

England are a far better side in every facet of the game, and were before the series started. Time you and a few other Aussies faced up to the hard facts.

 

[breeno]

Honestly, your summation of the whole situation basically sums up why the Australian Cricket Team and it's fans are in for a long hot summer.

England are a far better side in every facet of the game, and were before the series started. Time you and a few other Aussies faced up to the hard facts.

Agree with you mate.

THe trouble is, we can't post a good first innings score because the English bowlers are decimating us.