POBT
Brownlow Medallist
I must have got my head around the decline of the Aussie side as now I'm watching with interest how the rebuilding process is going. I think we're a long way off a return to the top but there are some interesting developments taking place:
* Shaun Marsh has obviously been the good news story out of the Sri Lanka. May well be one of those types that needs the pressure and intensity of international cricket because his first class performances are less than, well, first class. Will be interesting to see if he can keep it going against better attacks.
* Copeland will be a better prospect on more bowler friendly decks (if that ever occurs in the drop in pitch era). However, it will be interesting to see if the selectors keep picking a genuine medium pace bowler who'd be more at home in the NZ lineup. They'd love for a Hazlewood type who is just as accurate, quicker, bouncier but just can't keep fit.
* Watson looks better and better as a bowler.....and a little flighty as a batsman, particularly once set. Still searching for that all-rounder balance.
* Lyon has looked OK in my opinion. No world beater but if he was in a side with 3 genuinely world class quicks, he'd be a very good foil. In subcontinental conditions, he needs more penetration in his game.
* I have always been a rap for Siddle so am pleased he's performed in this test but you'd have to question Johnson's spot in the side. 9 days out of 10, I'd have Siddle before Johnson. Of course, the 10th day is what seduces everyone but it is too rare that Johnson gets it right. I'd give him the South African tour to get perform or its time to move on. Siddle is the ideal 3rd seamer IMO. Runs in all day. When he gets his length right, he asks questions all the time.
* Gotta be significant question marks on Haddin's future. His keeping has been OK at best and he's not making runs. Paine is the annointed successor but I'd love to see the selectors make it clear that every State keeper is in the running. Whoever is tidy behind the stumps and makes the most runs, wins. Guys like Wade should not be ruled out because they aren't on a central contract. I quite like Paine but he should be picked on the back of a mountain of runs for Tassie, which he is capable of.
* Shaun Marsh has obviously been the good news story out of the Sri Lanka. May well be one of those types that needs the pressure and intensity of international cricket because his first class performances are less than, well, first class. Will be interesting to see if he can keep it going against better attacks.
* Copeland will be a better prospect on more bowler friendly decks (if that ever occurs in the drop in pitch era). However, it will be interesting to see if the selectors keep picking a genuine medium pace bowler who'd be more at home in the NZ lineup. They'd love for a Hazlewood type who is just as accurate, quicker, bouncier but just can't keep fit.
* Watson looks better and better as a bowler.....and a little flighty as a batsman, particularly once set. Still searching for that all-rounder balance.
* Lyon has looked OK in my opinion. No world beater but if he was in a side with 3 genuinely world class quicks, he'd be a very good foil. In subcontinental conditions, he needs more penetration in his game.
* I have always been a rap for Siddle so am pleased he's performed in this test but you'd have to question Johnson's spot in the side. 9 days out of 10, I'd have Siddle before Johnson. Of course, the 10th day is what seduces everyone but it is too rare that Johnson gets it right. I'd give him the South African tour to get perform or its time to move on. Siddle is the ideal 3rd seamer IMO. Runs in all day. When he gets his length right, he asks questions all the time.
* Gotta be significant question marks on Haddin's future. His keeping has been OK at best and he's not making runs. Paine is the annointed successor but I'd love to see the selectors make it clear that every State keeper is in the running. Whoever is tidy behind the stumps and makes the most runs, wins. Guys like Wade should not be ruled out because they aren't on a central contract. I quite like Paine but he should be picked on the back of a mountain of runs for Tassie, which he is capable of.
