Is Cricket 'DEAD' Thread

[Brishawk]

Going to be an interesting test me thinks. Obvious to state it, but this would have to be the greenest Australian side in many a moon. I hope Cutting plays.

Newspaper thinks Starc gets the nod over cutting and Lyon to play so Cutting to carry the drinks.

 

[grizzlym]

Mad move in my opinion. Pattinson isn't ready for tests, even in our current depleted state. Cutting is a more accomplished bowler.

 

[Brishawk]

Mad move in my opinion. Pattinson isn't ready for tests, even in our current depleted state. Cutting is a more accomplished bowler.

Probably needed to take one or two more against NZ in the tour match.

 

[djboonie]

Mad move in my opinion. Pattinson isn't ready for tests, even in our current depleted state. Cutting is a more accomplished bowler.

I agree. Pattinson is still very raw, but from all reports he troubles the batsmen the most in the net sessions they had leading up to the game. Cutting is very stiff if you ask me.

A leftie(Starc) is required when you have an offie in the team to stir up the surface outside the right hander's off stump. Chaminda Vaas used to provide a great rough for Murali.

Take a look during the Warne era, we hardly had any left arm bowlers playing because the rough was only useful against the lefties(we used to send the right handers around the wicket to stir up the surface for the lefties)

 

[TimmytheTiger]

I just went on to the Cricinfo site to check the score. Some clever little monkey has hacked into the commentary feed and added their own report on the 36th over. Changed up NZ for England, and had Ponting facing a Jimmy Anderson over....

Quite a funny read really. I thought that I would share.

"36.1 Anderson to Ponting, no run, A JAFFA! Full, swings late, Ponting lurches like an inebriated pensioner on a skateboard, somehow the ball evades bat, gloves, stumps and everything.
After 45 balls, Ponting's still not off the mark. And he's not likely to be any time soon if Anderson keeps bowling these cluster-bombs of high jaffery.
36.2 Anderson to Ponting, no run, A SNORTER!!! Straight out of Snortsville, Carolina, Ponting is left fumbling around for his reading glasses by a short ball that reared up like a gay ostrich and pecked at his grill. Anderson follows through with a few choice words. Lip readers among you might have made out "hermaphrodite".
36.3 Anderson to Ponting, no run, THE McGARNAGLE!!!! Oooh, Jimmy's delving deep into his box of tricks today! Ponting wrongly plays for the away swing and is left looking a real casserole of nonsense by the McGarnagle, which cuts him in half and then quarters and then just keeps on chopping until his mutilated corpse is nothing more than a squinty pulp. England appeal for something, but the umpire is too traumatised by what he's witnessed to react.
36.4 Anderson to Ponting, no run, AN ABSOLUTE CLINTON!!!!!! What is happening out there? Curves in awkwardly, almost at right angles, and Ponting wears it on the chest. Clinton residue all over his shirt. That'll never wash out. England still banging at the door, but so far, no cigar.
What an over this is from Anderson. Four balls. Four brutes. Four Weddings is on TV tonight, I noticed while reading the paper over breakfast. Slice of melon and gram of coke, in case you were wondering.
36.5 Anderson to Ponting, no run, A SCENTED PANDA HAMMER!!!!!!! WHOAHZERS!!!!! That seemed to swing in at least three directions. Is that even possible?! Ricky can't lay a bat on it and - oh, he's down! And up again! Staggering! And down again! And up! Completely bamboozled, he seems to not know where he is. OH MY GOD!! Ponting has taken off his shirt and one of his shoes and is just shambling around the field. Is he crying? Some of the England boys are trying to help him but he's thrashing his bat at them and growling. Hello, what's this? Ever the opportunist, Kevin Pietersen tries to take advantage of Ponting's walkabout by shying at the stumps but misses by three yards. And that's gone for four. But the umpires are signalling dead ball. It's chaos. The Aussie team doctor is on the pitch now, along with the physio and the mascot, Steve Smith. They seem to be calming Ponting down, showing him pictures of his family. Yes, there's some recognition there. His marbles are on the way back. WHOAHNNO, there they go again!! A picture of his kids has thrown him back over the edge like some kind of demented lifebelt. He's spinning on the spot (a nice homage to the Tasmanian Devil) furiously, screaming "little Ricky people!!!" from what I can make out on the stump mic. This is awkward. The team fertility consultant's on the field now. I guess he's about to explain where babies come from. This is going to get worse before it gets better...

 

[grizzlym]

Always entertaining are those feeds.

Pattison is just a little loose at the moment for mine. Bowls too wide too often, not enough pressure being built up.

I was talking to Langers today about Lyon. Very impressed with him. We have the makings of a good spinner there.

 

[Spanish Sahara]

Lyon has looked very good in different roles, bowled well today. Not afraid to toss the ball up which is a definate positive. I thought Pattinson bowled ok, didnt see his earliest spell however. Starc looks mechanical in his action, but bowled with good pace and the swing was there.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Always entertaining are those feeds.

Pattison is just a little loose at the moment for mine. Bowls too wide too often, not enough pressure being built up.

I was talking to Langers today about Lyon. Very impressed with him. We have the makings of a good spinner there.

Thought both the new guys struggled a bit for consistency. Trying a bit to hard and tightening up perhaps. Hopefully the run will do them good.

Lyon has looked very good in different roles, bowled well today. Not afraid to toss the ball up which is a definate positive. I thought Pattinson bowled ok, didnt see his earliest spell however. Starc looks mechanical in his action, but bowled with good pace and the swing was there.

Lyon looks like a very good prospect. Utilised the bounce in the pitch well today. Would like to see how he goes bowling unchanged through a session.

Starc looks very measured in his approach and action. The slow motion I saw today showed a very good release. Not as mechanical as the leftie he's replaced and brings the added bonus of swing and bounce.

 

[Woodside Hawk]

Poor Daniel Vettori.

He's a very impressive player, IMO. Hardly the world's greatest batsman, but a hell of a competitor. He seems to hold us up time and time again. Really deserved a hundred today.

What are the odds he'll snare a 5-for later on? I'd almost bet on it.

 

[djboonie]

Starc looks very measured in his approach and action. The slow motion I saw today showed a very good release. Not as mechanical as the leftie he's replaced and brings the added bonus of swing and bounce.

Must be sore after yesterday, because he bowled absolute shite today!

 

[Henry Jr]

Must be sore after yesterday, because he bowled absolute shite today!

Must be due to be rotated shortly anyway...

 

[Messenger]

Poor Daniel Vettori.

He's a very impressive player, IMO. He is hardly the greatest batsman, but a hell of a competitor. He seems to hold us up time and time again. Really deserved a hundred today.

What are the odds he'll snare a 5-for later on? I'd almost bet on it.

The fifth highest run scorer in NZ test history.

Kerry O'Keeffe's views on the Australian attack were very interesting. Damned Starc with faint praise. Reckons Heazlewood is the ducks nuts. I'll write more later.

 

[Henry Jr]

Vettori would just about be the second best allrounder of all time behind Kallis.

 

[Messenger]

Vettori would just about be the second best allrounder of all time behind Kallis.

Botham and Dev are probably ahead too, but the point about Vettori is that he is criminally underrated. One of the best three finger spinners of his generation and ha averaged nearly 40 since 2003. When you consider that the Black Caps have been mediocre or worse during his career, it is even more meritorious.

So how many pieces have the selectors put together?

Of the newbies IMO you can lock in Lyon, Khawaja and Hughes from that eleven.

 

[grizzlym]

Starc has obviously been picked because of the Gabba, but, as others have posted he bowled crap today.

Pattinson shows great promise but he's not ready, especially with the attack around him. Still think not playing Cutting was a big mistake. Looks the most accomplished of the next tier to me.

Lyon is a damn good prospect. Lock him in and we'll have a very handy offy in no time. Really like the way he goes about his work. The difference between him and Beer is vast in my book.

I like Kuwaja. Got a nice solid technique and sharp eye. Again, just needs time to find the pace of the game.

Impossible to judge with Warner, and I'd still give Hughes some time. Least of all there's no one else!

Batting line up looks awfully frail if Haddin goes early too.

 

[Henry Jr]

Botham and Dev are probably ahead too, but the point about Vettori is that he is criminally underrated. One of the best three finger spinners of his generation and ha averaged nearly 40 since 2003. When you consider that the Black Caps have been mediocre or worse during his career, it is even more meritorious.

So how many pieces have the selectors put together?

Of the newbies IMO you can lock in Lyon, Khawaja and Hughes from that eleven.

Agree with the other two Mess but not on Hughes.

Take out Hughes' first series against South Africa, he's averaging 26.36

Here's his past ten matches highlighting his sub 30 scores...

88, [B]11 [/B]	Australia 	v South Africa 	Johannesburg 	17 Nov 2011 	Test # 2018
[B]9, 9 [/B]	Australia 	v South Africa 	Cape Town 	9 Nov 2011 	Test # 2016
[B]4, 19[/B] 	Australians 	v Sth Africa A 	Potchefstroom 	1 Nov 2011 	First-class
[B]24[/B], 61 	NSW 	v South Aust 	Adelaide 	17 Oct 2011 	First-class
96 	NSW 	v South Aust 	Adelaide 	15 Oct 2011 	List A
[B]0[/B], 126 	Australia 	v Sri Lanka 	Colombo (SSC) 	16 Sep 2011 	Test # 2008
36 	Australia 	v Sri Lanka 	Pallekele 	8 Sep 2011 	Test # 2007
[B]12, 28 [/B]	Australia 	v Sri Lanka 	Galle 	31 Aug 2011 	Test # 2005
76 	Australians 	v SL Board XI 	Colombo (PSS) 	25 Aug 2011 	First-class
125, 32 	Australia A 	v Zimbabwe XI 	Harare 	15 Jul 2011 	First-class

 

[Brishawk]

Agree with the other two Mess but not on Hughes.

Take out Hughes' first series against South Africa, he's averaging 26.36

Here's his past ten matches highlighting his sub 30 scores...

88, [B]11 [/B]	Australia 	v South Africa 	Johannesburg 	17 Nov 2011 	Test # 2018
[B]9, 9 [/B]	Australia 	v South Africa 	Cape Town 	9 Nov 2011 	Test # 2016
[B]4, 19[/B] 	Australians 	v Sth Africa A 	Potchefstroom 	1 Nov 2011 	First-class
[B]24[/B], 61 	NSW 	v South Aust 	Adelaide 	17 Oct 2011 	First-class
96 	NSW 	v South Aust 	Adelaide 	15 Oct 2011 	List A
[B]0[/B], 126 	Australia 	v Sri Lanka 	Colombo (SSC) 	16 Sep 2011 	Test # 2008
36 	Australia 	v Sri Lanka 	Pallekele 	8 Sep 2011 	Test # 2007
[B]12, 28 [/B]	Australia 	v Sri Lanka 	Galle 	31 Aug 2011 	Test # 2005
76 	Australians 	v SL Board XI 	Colombo (PSS) 	25 Aug 2011 	First-class
125, 32 	Australia A 	v Zimbabwe XI 	Harare 	15 Jul 2011 	First-class

Given SA have as good bowlers as anyone then not sure why it is valid to remove them.

My problem with hughes is he has crap defense. Another woeful effort today today. Played it like the pitch was full of demons but really there was only some small movement off the seem and very even bounce. Can't have an opener with poor defense as he is going to get out early too often . . .

How do you get the best out of him?

 

[Henry Jr]

Given SA have as good bowlers as anyone then not sure why it is valid to remove them.

My problem with hughes is he has crap defense. Another woeful effort today today. Played it like the pitch was full of demons but really there was only some small movement off the seem and very even bounce. Can't have an opener with poor defense as he is going to get out early too often . . .

How do you get the best out of him?

Quite simple really, it doesn't fit the rest of his career. People have worked him out now and the figures since then (26.36) back up that theory.

 

[grizzlym]

Or, you might say that's how Hughes is capable of playing, and he's been damaged since then.

His technique has always been good enough through all tiers of cricket. He flourished when he first came into test cricket. He was tested in the Ashes, he was dropped too early, and his game suffered. He was hung out to dry, didn't get the support and coaching he needed, and he's still trying to find the zone he once had.

I know someone who was on that Ashes tour and from what I've heard, I genuinely believe the whole way he was treated has totally screwed his game up. His confidence was smashed.

I must also add, I thought his recall last year was too soon.

If anyone can sort him out it's Mickey.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Dave Warner?

We don't have a better opener that, you know, actually plays regular first class cricket?

Yes, his name is Katich.

 

[Messenger]

On Hughes I think he is addressing the technical holes and he meets the criteria (age and performance) we're looking for. 4000 plus runs and a 50-ish average says he can play.

I just cannot believe we don't have an opener other than Warner.

 

[Messenger]

Yes, his name is Katich.

Agree. I personally think Chris Rogers was stiff not to get another run.

 

[grizzlym]

On Rogers: I know people often whisper that he 'wasn't liked' and stuff, but to me he's just shy of test level. A very good state player but I just don't think he had enough in the tank to make it at test level. Could obviously have acquitted himself at that level, but would never have been anything more than ok.

Katich would be very, very handy still in that the team. Very bad call by the previous band of idiots. Hughes and Katiich opening, with Watson dropping down to 6.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Vettori would just about be the second best allrounder of all time behind Kallis.

Think you're forgetting the greatest of all..... Gary Sobers

Vettori is a terrific cricketer... Best left arm orthodox bowler of his generation. More than handy lower order bat and a very good captain.

I'd put him on par with Imran, Kapil and Sir Richard in the all rounder stakes. Botham and Kallis next rung up. There are probably some others from earlier eras who sit comfortably in that company. Daylight then to Sobers who sits miles above them all just as Bradman does for Batsmen.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Must be sore after yesterday, because he bowled absolute shite today!

Comparing him more favorably than Johnson wasn't saying much.