Michael Bevan

[Darky]

After whacking 203 not out in the Shield game vs WA last week, Michael Bevan has made another century today against the South Africans at the SCG.

Against the South Africans' pretty decent pace line up of Donald, Pollock, Elworthy and Klusener, Bevan is on 183 not out at tea on the third day, having made 97 runs in the session between lunch and tea.

He did get a brief (and unsuccessful) bowl in the first innings too, so it will be interesting to see if he bolws a bit more on the last day, especially since the match looks like ending in a tame, batting-dominated draw.

On the strength of his batting form plus the possibility he can bowl a bit, is he any chance of playing in the SCG Test next month? Probably not, given that the incumbent #6, Damien Martyn is fresh off a century and Stuart MacGill has taken wickets in this match also.

But ya never know...

 

[The_Flying_Egg]

Surely he's gotta be next in line

 

[Spogs]

I rate Bevan as one of the worst bowlers ever to grace a test ground. If he makes the side, its as a batsman and his bowling is a 'bonus'.

I believe that an allrounder should be able to make the side as either a batsman or a bowler, and Bevan wouldn't do either. Not far away as a batsman but not in the top ten. Don't let Geoff Lawson's biased opinion get in the way of your better judgement.

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by Spogs
I rate Bevan as one of the worst bowlers ever to grace a test ground. If he makes the side, its as a batsman and his bowling is a 'bonus'.

I believe that an allrounder should be able to make the side as either a batsman or a bowler, and Bevan wouldn't do either. Not far away as a batsman but not in the top ten. Don't let Geoff Lawson's biased opinion get in the way of your better judgement.

I agree that he is a batsman who can bowl, not a genuine all-rounder. As with most part time bowlers, his bowling is more suited to some pitches/gronds/conditions than others, so he'd almost certainly get a bowl at Sydney if picked, regardless of the fact he's been bowled sparingly at state level.

What is in his favour is that his current form is very good, he has made a huge score against the current Test opponent, and the South Africans could have three lefties batting (Kirsten, Rudolph, Klusener) in their top 6 or 7, chinaman bowlers liking to bowl to lefties.

What is against him, is that no one will make way for him because as long as Steve Waugh is captain, he and his brother are looked after, and on form they'd be the first two to get the flick. His Test record as a batsman is disappointing but not disastrous, but because of his talent and ability to play so well in 50-over games, he is viewed as an absolute failure which is a little harsh.

 

[Spogs]

Darky,

I agree with you. My comments weren't so much about Bevan as a player but how he would fit into the current team. His form is as a batsman as it should be. Unfortunately he has a reputation that he can't handle short pitched bowling which is crap.

I'd hate to see Bevan brought back into the side as a bowler, because he isn't. If he gets back into the side it has to be as a batsman and if he can bowl a bit then great. At this stage I can't see him replacing anyone.

 

[Bucks]

WOW! Bevan is kicking ass!

 

[Bomber Spirit]

Originally posted by The_Flying_Egg
Surely he's gotta be next in line

Wouldn't Katich be next in line?
Bevan can certainly play. I was at the SCG a week ago when he scored that big 180 then declared at tea. Several times the ball landed in the concourse in front of the Brewongle Stand and the Seff Efrican fieldsmen had to climb the fence and look for it.
He had a couple of chances at Test cricket a few years ago and wasn't able to make the most of it. But such is the strength of Australian cricket at the moment he's unlikely to get another go.