Is Cricket 'DEAD' Thread

[grizzlym]

Someone throw some lime on the body.

 

[Messenger]

Someone throw some lime on the body.

C'mon Grizz, where's that pioneering spirit?

Drill a couple of bolts into the neck (a Steve Smith 41), run a few hundred volts through it (a Michael Clarke 85 in junk time) and I'm sure we can revive Australian cricket.

 

[Henry Jr]

Yep, she's done...

 

[grizzlym]

Sure the pitch has flattened out (which makes the decision to bat look silly) but our attack lacks penetration and variety. At least a bowler short in my estimation. I've mused it a few times but why is Smith in the side? It was clear today that Clark was reluctant to bowl him? I thought Beer did ok, but I'm afraid he's not the answer - Hauritz is a better bowler in my opinion. Hilly lacks something - variety or height or pace or menace. If he had one of those qualities, then maybe. But his series has been awful, as has the selectors decision to stick with him. Mitch is an enigma - he appears to click far too infrequently, maybe it's conditions-based?

Our fielding is crap. The ground fielding and throwing has been awful.

My last barb is reserved for the selectors who have continued to pick unbalanced sides and show a disturbing lack of judgment and planning.

This is the result we deserved and I hope at board level they make the necessary changes to shake the whole freakin' thing up.

Finally, Tim Nielsen should be tarred and feathered.

 

[Henry Jr]

Sure the pitch has flattened out (which makes the decision to bat look silly) but our attack lacks penetration and variety. At least a bowler short in my estimation. I've mused it a few times but why is Smith in the side? It was clear today that Clark was reluctant to bowl him? I thought Beer did ok, but I'm afraid he's not the answer - Hauritz is a better bowler in my opinion. Hilly lacks something - variety or height or pace or menace. If he had one of those qualities, then maybe. But his series has been awful, as has the selectors decision to stick with him. Mitch is an enigma - he appears to click far too infrequently, maybe it's conditions-based?

Our fielding is crap. The ground fielding and throwing has been awful.

My last barb is reserved for the selectors who have continued to pick unbalanced sides and show a disturbing lack of judgment and planning.

This is the result we deserved and I hope at board level they make the necessary changes to shake the whole freakin' thing up.

Finally, Tim Nielsen should be tarred and feathered.

How many bowlers do you want Grizz?

3 frontline quicks, a medium pacer in watson, a left arm spinner in beer, a part-time leggie in smith

 

[grizzlym]

How many bowlers do you want Grizz?

3 frontline quicks, a medium pacer in watson, a left arm spinner in beer, a part-time leggie in smith

All I want is four effective bowers. We currently have 6 bowlers of varying effectiveness. None more than pass (on this series' efforts), to downright pathetic.

 

[moginie]

It reminds me of Hawthorn circa 2004.

I can hope that the resurgence takes only 4 years too.

 

[Lord Mud of Glenferrie]

How good is this English side? Their Batsmen are breaking records; no name bowlers are dominating.

On the other hand, should the question be how bad is Australia? Simple answer to that, bloody bad.

Do others on this board feel that the thrashing in this series has been in the making since England regained the ashes when Australia still had remnants of one of our greatest ever teams.

I have no idea where the rebuild starts.

Maybe we do - in reverse - what Australia did to revive English cricket. No, I could not live with poms telling us how to play cricket.

Definitely need new administrators, selectors, and coaches.

Anyone know the number of AB, DkL andTrev.

In addition, what about the Barmy Army. Are they all fly ins. I doubt it, many would be Australian residents who would be the first to complain if Indians, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis residing in Australia supported their former country.

If I ever hear that dirge of a national anthem, again I will demand that pommy land be nuked back to the stone ages.

Reign over us indeed, and the team do their triumphant rain display. Cannot wait until we win back the ashes and piss on them. Wouldn’t that be fun? We pull out our you know whats and water the Oval.

 

[grizzlym]

Moreover, Hank, I'd like 6 specialist batsmen. That can include Watson, but ideally I'd prefer him batting at 6.

 

[Messenger]

Moreover, Hank, I'd like 6 specialist batsmen. That can include Watson, but ideally I'd prefer him batting at 6.

I posted over in the cricket thread that these are our 1st innings scores at five wickets down in each of the five tests.

143, 156, 69, 66, 143.

Can't hope that Hussey will save you everytime.

 

[moginie]

Ironic that the highest score in that quintet came after we were 3/2 by the start of the third over.

 

[grizzlym]

I posted over in the cricket thread that these are our 1st innings scores at five wickets down in each of the five tests.

143, 156, 69, 66, 143.

Can't hope that Hussey will save you everytime.

It's also ironic that, going into this series, Hussey was probably very lucky to retain his place on form.

All up, a shocking batting display.

What can you say? Appalling performances. The planning and preparation has been woeful.

 

[Henry Jr]

Moreover, Hank, I'd like 6 specialist batsmen. That can include Watson, but ideally I'd prefer him batting at 6.

I still believe that this 'Watson down the order' is a myth.

1st position 2009-2011 19 35 2 1658 126 50.24
6th position 2008-2008 4 7 0 170 78 24.28
7th position 2005-2008 4 6 0 87 31 14.50

The years above don't show the full story.

I don't think that it will improve his bowling if thats what you looking for.

Gees, if someone said to me one of your openers will avg 50, I think that I would take that every day of the week.

 

[grizzlym]

Pfftt early in his career when he played down the order at test level. Finding his feet etc.

I think his style of play is better suited down the order. I also think it's better for team balance too. And yes, I think you'd get more overs out of him which would be most beneficial.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Just on this Smith selection. After today I REALLY don't get it. If he's in the team to develop, then today was the day to give him 20+ overs. FFS, the other Hussey would have given us 10 times the runs at six and been at least as effective with the ball throughout the series. Just stupid!

We got what we deserved.

Btw... Cricket isn't dead, just look at the other series going on at the moment. Australian cricket however is on life support.

 

[grizzlym]

Just on this Smith selection. After today I REALLY don't get it. If he's in the team to develop, then today was the day to give him 20+ overs. FFS, the other Hussey would have given us 10 times the runs at six and been at least as effective with the ball throughout the series. Just stupid!.

Actually, on current form Hauritz would have done that! But we won't a freakin' number 6 in there. The Smith selection is very perplexing.

What you think of Beer, Langers?

 

[The BIG X]

How good is this English side? Their Batsmen are breaking records; no name bowlers are dominating.

On the other hand, should the question be how bad is Australia? Simple answer to that, bloody bad.

Do others on this board feel that the thrashing in this series has been in the making since England regained the ashes when Australia still had remnants of one of our greatest ever teams.

I have no idea where the rebuild starts.

Maybe we do - in reverse - what Australia did to revive English cricket. No, I could not live with poms telling us how to play cricket.

Definitely need new administrators, selectors, and coaches.

Anyone know the number of AB, DkL andTrev.

In addition, what about the Barmy Army. Are they all fly ins. I doubt it, many would be Australian residents who would be the first to complain if Indians, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis residing in Australia supported their former country.

If I ever hear that dirge of a national anthem, again I will demand that pommy land be nuked back to the stone ages.

Reign over us indeed, and the team do their triumphant rain display. Cannot wait until we win back the ashes and piss on them. Wouldn’t that be fun? We pull out our you know whats and water the Oval.

Thats the point LMoG - we are bloody bad.

Only spent a couple of hours at the Melb Test (with my Pommy Son in Law) and I might say they entertained me (poor sense of humour you might say) lots more that the poor performance of the Aust Test Team.

Will be a long hard slog for our Test 11 to be No. 1 again - it will happen but the Hawks will have a further 2 Flags before that will occur.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Actually, on current form Hauritz would have done that! But we won't a freakin' number 6 in there. The Smith selection is very perplexing.

What you think of Beer, Langers?

Hussey is a better bat than Hauritz is a bowler, so I'd have Hussey. But you're right, Hauritz would have acquitted himself much better than Smith in the role they have that spot earmarked for.

I didn't see much of the game yesterday, caught most of it on the radio. From what I did see, he used flight as his main weapon (big tick from me), didn't drop short and had pretty good control. That puts him streets ahead of Doherty and is a good basis to work off. I think they have to stick with him now for at least 12 months and allow him to gain some confidence and see how he develops. Look, he's no worse than Harris for South Africa (Harris is a much better bat though). In a good side, I think he has the ability to play his role.

My wife actually knows the Beer family quite well. She was best friends at school with his older sister. They haven't been close though over the last 10 or so years. His old man would be mightily proud. He was a stalwart of the Malvern Cricket Club in the Sub-district comp. Played for 150 years in the firsts and plied his trade as a spinner. Lived and breathed the game.

 

[grizzlym]

I think Smith is potentially a very good cricketer - maybe in days gone by we could have nurtured/carried him in the test side. But we simply don't have the talent and experienced players for that luxury anymore.

That's good news about Beer - how is your lovely wife by the way?

Another question: would you be persevering with Hughes now?

 

[Lord Mud of Glenferrie]

When was the last time Australia had a left arm orthodox spinner as a regular player and or took wickets?

The last time I remember a left arm orthodox taking wickets was Border against the Windies.

I think that the selectors have backed themselves into a corner over several of their selections.

Beer and Smith should be allowed to develop.I do not think that now is the time to recall Hauritz. Then again he is only 29 which is an age when spinners are starting to reach their peak. Either way there are options there.

Fast bowlers can come from the clouds and do not require the long development period of spinners. Any one know of any on the horizon.

Batting is our problem and is going to be for a few years yet. Khawaja appears to be a composed and tidy bat and could be the first of the rebuild.

Smith may be able to develop batting at 7.

As I have previously said the only others with potential appear to be Maddinsen and Lynn. But they are years away. Are there any other youngsters?

 

[grizzlym]

Was this morning a new low point in Australian cricket?

 

[BullyWee]

Mitchell Marsh looks a likely prospect, but, of course, he is injured. As far as bowling is concerned, Starc and Hazelwood could be options, but, of course, they are injured.

 

[Henry Jr]

Interesting listen to the radio this morning.

Johnson is the spearhead but you can't build a team around him.

I don't think his bowling will improve. What you see is what you get.

What he can improve is his batting. Really need him to take that Number 7 spot, therefore allowing us to play that bowling option which we desperately need.

And Rodney Hogg said this morning that Smith needs 1000 overs in state cricket to be ready for the test team.

Watching Smith bat, I just keep waiting for him to move the left leg out of the way and slog 20/20 style.

Thats the problem now adays with 20/20. All technique has gawn out the window (although Special K looks technically good) with younger players coming thru.

 

[grizzlym]

I think we need to start by rebuilding the batting. We need to play 6 specialist batsmen with Haddin at 7. Followed by 4 bowlers, where one might include someone like Johnson. Playing 5 specialist bowlers is, in my opinion, not the way forward. (Watson is a fifth option anyway.) I'm not sure what advantage 5 mediocre bowlers gives you that 4 doesn't it, except to weaken the batting.

 

[Henry Jr]

I think we need to start by rebuilding the batting. We need to play 6 specialist batsmen with Haddin at 7. Followed by 4 bowlers, where one might include someone like Johnson. Playing 5 specialist bowlers is, in my opinion, not the way forward. (Watson is a fifth option anyway.) I'm not sure what advantage 5 mediocre bowlers gives you that 4 doesn't it, except to weaken the batting.

See, I wouldn't mind McDonald from Vic as the Number 7. Quality batsman and gives you that extra bowling option.