Australia loses again

[PrideOf]

All it will take is to have a couple of boys come out and hit the opposition around the ground.......but who will it be?

I guess that's the question, I can't see who it will be?

The success had to start to fade one day, I guess it's just starting now. The selectors are starting to pay the price for not playing players in form.

It seems you need to make a heap of runs to actually make the side (or a heap of runs plus one if you're Darren Lehmann) but no runs at all to actually stay in there. (Mark Waugh take a bow).

 

[BMD]

You don't bat out the 50 overs - you won't win many games. The problem is definitely with the batting.

both Waughs, Martyn and Bevan all look out of form to me. Bevan was looking better last night but still not at his best.

Ponting looks alright but seems to be finding a way to get himself out.

Harvey's batting is not up to doing the allrounders job. Unfortunately, Symonds' bowling isn't up to it and Shane Lee is injured.

The bowlers have all looked pretty good. Brett Lee a bit on the expensive side and Warney got flogged yesterday but overall they've all been pretty good.

I think Mark Waugh's time is up, Hayden should be opening. I prefer Bevan batting lower down the order. Martyn and Steve Waugh still have some chances, Steve did top score against South Africa. If Steve hasn't performed by the end of the series it could be time to step aside from the one day stuff for him. Harvey out because the batting needs strengthening.

BTW for those bringing in Brad Williams, I thought he had a broken thumb and was out for the rest of the series.

 

[Fat Red]

On current form, Harvey justifies his spot as a bowler alone. Why not bring in Lehmann and Hayden, give them 5 overs each, and drop one of the bowlers and Mark Waugh.

Hayden
Martyn
Ponting
Lehmann
S Waugh
Bevan
Gilchrist
Harvey
Warne
Gillespie
McGrath

 

[RogerC]

Looks like Steve Waugh's got his head in the sand. He just keeps repeating "We're a good team" to whoever wants to listen.

The trouble is we still think it's 1999 and all the old tricks still work. The Gilchrist/M Waugh opening partnership was a great idea then because it was a surprise to most opposition teams. Right now it looks a bit old hat, especially with the ordinary form Mark's in.

Looking at the team it appears there are about five or six who are completely untouchable, no matter what their form is like. Both Waughs, Gilchrist, Warne, McGrath and Bevan would be picked if available (M Waugh and Gilchrist get rotated a bit, but they'd never be dropped). Of those, McGrath and Warne (arguably) are holding their spots on merit, the others on reputation. Lee, Gillespie, Martyn and Ponting are nearly untouchable. So at the moment the selectors can only tinker around the edges - swap Harvey and Symonds, bring Hayden in and out. There's not a lot of scope for wholesale changes because half the team are veterans with large egos who would bridle if dropped.

And yet we have talented players waiting for a chance - Katich, Stuart Clark, Bracken, Maher, Campbell (who would never have got a spot if it weren't for Gilchrist's absence), Lehmann, a few others. The team is crying out for new blood, but too many of the incumbents are too jealous of their spots to look at the big picture.

There's no doubt Langer and Hayden should be opening. they've already tormented both the opposition sides this summer. Failing that, Maher's the next best option. The bowling's not bad, but I'd be rotating them to find the best options - try out some of the young guys, see if McGill can grab wickets where Warne is failing.

If you have five or six batsmen with real form, the all rounder becomes less necessary. Half our batsman can bowl - Martyn got a wicket yesterday.

But of course selecting batsmen with form means dropping both Waughs, and probably Bevan too. And that won't happen in the current climate.

 

[Fat Red]

CMIIW, but didn't Bevan top score yesterday, and Steve Waugh against South Africa?

We don't need to throw the whole team out. Mark Waugh yes, and Bevan and Martyn are batting in the wrong spots.

 

[RogerC]

Steve Waugh's effort against Sth Africa was ordinary - he could have been out at any stage, and suffered against the fast short ball. And Bevan's still holding the run rate up, and we don't see the payoff (heavy scoring later in his innings) because he goes out. As happened last night.

You can't hang on to these guys just because they put in a solid effort once in a while. Three losses in a row ought to be ringing a few alarm bells. And we have to have at least one eye on the future. The guy's we're protecting are all on the wrong side of thirty.

It's not panic over a couple of bad games either. This has been coming for a while because there is no long term plan for Australian cricket, one day or tests. The only plan we have is to let the Waughs play for as long as they like, replace 31 year olds with 31 year olds, and listen when Steve says everything's fine.

Sorry, I'm a bit cranky.

 

[Fat Red]

Selection does smack of the Allan Border influence of keep relying on the reliables, they're the ones that will get you through.

But I think the current problem with the 1-day team is a lack of game plan and a crap batting order, which has been exposed by the poor form of some players when it wasn't before against alst year's crap opposition.

 

[Spogs]

Darren Lehman's at it again against NSW. Last check he was 62 off 50 balls. What else does he have to do to get a run for Australia. To bad this game only finishes on Sa****ay. A bit late for him to get a callup for Sundays game.

By the way I love this bit of commentary from cricinfo:

"32.2 Bracken to Higgins, FOUR, square driven off the pox ridden Bracken"

 

[barry]

Originally posted by Spogs
Darren Lehman's at it again against NSW. Last check he was 62 off 50 balls. What else does he have to do to get a run for Australia. To bad this game only finishes on Sa****ay. A bit late for him to get a callup for Sundays game.

By the way I love this bit of commentary from cricinfo:

"32.2 Bracken to Higgins, FOUR, square driven off the pox ridden Bracken"

Lehamn is not the answer. Maybe short term, but he's too old in a team that is already over the hill. Same with Campbell: Surely there must be a young up and coming keeper in need of top class experience?

Warney did badly last night, but only a few days ago, the SAfricans were too scared to even play at him. He's got to stay.

I reackon the team has just not settled. Not because of rotations, but because of personal reasons, and suspensions. They would have beat SA in Melbounre with McGrath. They could have beat NZ in Sydney with Gillcrest.

Saying that, I'd have Hayden and langer opening. And if they decide to rotate players with a view to the world cup, make them young players.

 

[Briedis]

Originally posted by Bomber Spirit
We had the Kiwis ties down early, the Brett Lee came on and let them off the hook. He's quick and fantastic for the Tests, but he's a bit expensive in the one-dayers.

If you had of watched the game you would have seen that McMillan and Cairns took Warne apart whilst Lee was bowling well. He went for a few in the last few overs, but not at the time you are complaining about....facts always ruin a good whinge though hey!

 

[Briedis]

Lehmann is out!

DS Lehmann c Mail b van Deinsen 143 (130b 22x4 1x6)

I'll pay for his flight from Adelaide to Brissy tommorow night if the ACB won't. This guy has to play....

As for the rotation system, the reality is that most sides around the world are using this system. It makes sense with the amount of one-day cricket played these days. We are quick to blame the rotation system for lack-lustre batting. The real problem is that we are picking useless players like Harvey in the first place....softest dismissal in the history of Oz cricket last night....

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Originally posted by Bomber Spirit
We had the Kiwis ties down early, the Brett Lee came on and let them off the hook. He's quick and fantastic for the Tests, but he's a bit expensive in the one-dayers.

Ah mate,
I think you are getting confused, Warne not Lee let them off the hook. (1-65.)

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Originally posted by Briedis
I'll pay for his flight from Adelaide to Brissy tommorow night if the ACB won't.

LOL!

 

[Spogs]

Barry, we need someone who is going to improve the side now. Katich and co. will be great in the future but the world cup is only 13 months away and the current side isn't jelling.

Lehman won't let the side down. Personally, I'd get rid of both Waughs, and bring in Lehman as captain but I know that won't happen. Lehman can control a game which none of the current side can do (except for Bevan but he generally controls it down). Most of the batters only know 1 way to bat and that isn't good enough in 1 day cricket.

I say let the future take care of itself and let's win some games now.

 

[Visro]

Originally posted by Briedis
I'll pay for his flight from Adelaide to Brissy tommorow night if the ACB won't. This guy has to play....

Strewth! You're a good sport!

If boof can't make it, can you shout me the trip? I bowl measly medium paces that are no way near the stumps and my batting has been compared to that of a stoned Glen McGrath. I think I'd be a handy pickup for the Aussie team don't ya think?

Just remember, the offer is there...