Opinion NMFC Board Cricket Thread III

[Roostorm]

Best post lve seen that sums up the false narrative that the English love to believe in .

 

[KiwiRoo]

strange series

not a lot of test cricket played in it.

 

[hellas_johnny]

Poms get another over us. Jake lehhman has signed a 2 year country deal as a local player meaning he gives up his right to play for Australia. A batter who has been in form last 2 seasons but surprise not given a go in the national team.

 

[Chip Scab1]

The wicket was a bit difficult and there was sideways movement.
But no more than a lot of UK or even shield decks prepared now.

What players cannot do now, is trigger quickly back and across and play off the back foot. This includes leaving off the back foot.

If you are playing on a seaming deck with bounce, you are taught as a young bat, particularly top order to stay on the back foot.

This gives you an extra second to play the ball when it seams and if you have triggered onto off stump, you can leave a lot of balls but also cover your off stump by being behind the line of the ball if you need to play it.

It also gives you a lot of scoring options with a horizontal bat if the ball sits up.

If you get the odd LBW you can live with that as the greater risk as we saw was edging the ball behind the wicket or a ball seeming and hitting an uncovered off stump (like Head). Just that as an example with him staying onside of the ball shows poor technique and thought and I could list another 10 - 12 avoidable dismissals from both sides.

If the pitch lacked bounce and was slow you could get out of your crease and try and smother the seam. But this wasn’t that sort of wicket.

Its T20/flat pitch mentality. Give yourself space inside the ball and always come forward. It works well in white ball cricket as the ball does little, pitches are flat and almost no catches behind the wicket.

All we needed to do was get through that first session Day 2, even 2 or 3 down. They were a bowler down and the wicket would have started to settle a bit with an older ball.

We are just not technically or temperamentally capable or willing to do this.

Yep. There was no footwork by anyone. Is simply stand and deliver.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

The wicket was a bit difficult and there was sideways movement.
But no more than a lot of UK or even shield decks prepared now.

What players cannot do now, is trigger quickly back and across and play off the back foot. This includes leaving off the back foot.

If you are playing on a seaming deck with bounce, you are taught as a young bat, particularly top order to stay on the back foot.

This gives you an extra second to play the ball when it seams and if you have triggered onto off stump, you can leave a lot of balls but also cover your off stump by being behind the line of the ball if you need to play it.

It also gives you a lot of scoring options with a horizontal bat if the ball sits up.

If you get the odd LBW you can live with that as the greater risk as we saw was edging the ball behind the wicket or a ball seeming and hitting an uncovered off stump (like Head). Just that as an example with him staying onside of the ball shows poor technique and thought and I could list another 10 - 12 avoidable dismissals from both sides.

If the pitch lacked bounce and was slow you could get out of your crease and try and smother the seam. But this wasn’t that sort of wicket.

Its T20/flat pitch mentality. Give yourself space inside the ball and always come forward. It works well in white ball cricket as the ball does little, pitches are flat and almost no catches behind the wicket.

All we needed to do was get through that first session Day 2, even 2 or 3 down. They were a bowler down and the wicket would have started to settle a bit with an older ball.

We are just not technically or temperamentally capable or willing to do this.

But the wicket was a minefield.

/sarcasm.

 

[Themanbun]

The wicket was a bit difficult and there was sideways movement.
But no more than a lot of UK or even shield decks prepared now.

What players cannot do now, is trigger quickly back and across and play off the back foot. This includes leaving off the back foot.

If you are playing on a seaming deck with bounce, you are taught as a young bat, particularly top order to stay on the back foot.

This gives you an extra second to play the ball when it seams and if you have triggered onto off stump, you can leave a lot of balls but also cover your off stump by being behind the line of the ball if you need to play it.

It also gives you a lot of scoring options with a horizontal bat if the ball sits up.

If you get the odd LBW you can live with that as the greater risk as we saw was edging the ball behind the wicket or a ball seeming and hitting an uncovered off stump (like Head). Just that as an example with him staying onside of the ball shows poor technique and thought and I could list another 10 - 12 avoidable dismissals from both sides.

If the pitch lacked bounce and was slow you could get out of your crease and try and smother the seam. But this wasn’t that sort of wicket.

Its T20/flat pitch mentality. Give yourself space inside the ball and always come forward. It works well in white ball cricket as the ball does little, pitches are flat and almost no catches behind the wicket.

All we needed to do was get through that first session Day 2, even 2 or 3 down. They were a bowler down and the wicket would have started to settle a bit with an older ball.

We are just not technically or temperamentally capable or willing to do this.

Bang on. Notice no one has the skill of leaving a ball on length anymore?

The good bats used to all have the ability to leave an off stump line ball if it was pitched too short. They play at everything to the 6th stump now.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Bang on. Notice no one has the skill of leaving a ball on length anymore?

The good bats used to all have the ability to leave an off stump line ball if it was pitched too short. They play at everything to the 6th stump now.

The obsession with bat on ball regardless of delivery results in tests like we just had.

So, so many OD/T20 shots…

 

[WesternRoo]

Bang on. Notice no one has the skill of leaving a ball on length anymore?

The good bats used to all have the ability to leave an off stump line ball if it was pitched too short. They play at everything to the 6th stump now.

It’s something you could hear Katich and co struggling to comprehend in commentary.

He, Langer, Hussey were elite at it. Playing in Perth you can’t do well at any decent level of cricket lacking this skill, particularly the WACA.

They were all elite white ball players too.

Saying you can’t develop this skill because of shorter form cricket is a cop out. Our chickens coming home to roost for not focusing on the skills aspect of cricket in coaching for 25 years in Australia.

I mean compare Sam Konstas to Michael Slater technically as a young player.

 

[Themanbun]

It’s something you could hear Katich and co struggling to comprehend in commentary.

He, Langer, Hussey were elite at it. Playing in Perth you can’t do well at any decent level of cricket lacking this skill, particularly the WACA.

They were all elite white ball players too.

Saying you can’t develop this skill because of shorter form cricket is a cop out. Our chickens coming home to roost for not focusing on the skills aspect of cricket in coaching for 25 years in Australia.

I mean compare Sam Konstas to Michael Slater technically as a young player.

For what it's worth I don't think players these days are technically unable. My theory is that most play this way because whether they admit it or not, they're auditioning for T20 money where reputation as a ridiculously aggressive batsman can earn you millions in a matter of weeks.

 

[gokangas]

For what it's worth I don't think players these days are technically unable. My theory is that most play this way because whether they admit it or not, they're auditioning for T20 money where reputation as a ridiculously aggressive batsman can earn you millions in a matter of weeks.

Has to be an influence, especially for the lesser lights.

 

[Nate7]

Webster and Inglis were released from the squad immediately after the defeat, to go play BBL.
An article claims Webster may still be included for Sydney.

 

[Passmore]

Other than Chip Scab1 DuckYeah Hearts to hearts and a couple of others this place has become as soft as butter.

I don't want to see some random pom getting to showcase their talent.

It's professional XI v professional XI. We're not playing a Farmers XI.

I want clean sweeps, every match counts. Losing dead rubbers against HM Royal XI is still for the tip.

You don't play * and think "oh that's nice I'm glad Kako got on the end of a few".

Wake the **** people.

Does Josh Inglis count? I'd be pleased to see him showcase his talents.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Does Josh Inglis count? I'd be pleased to see him showcase his talents.

He's not back like a broke cousin though, is he? KC put out the 'Bat Light' and here we are... causing mayhem and making frenemies like the good ole days.

 

[Passmore]

He's not back like a broke cousin though, is he? KC put out the 'Bat Light' and here we are... causing mayhem and making frenemies like the good ole days.

I think, in general, we're far too nice to them. Although it is acceptable if it's patronising.

 

[Loose_Cannon]

The wicket was a bit difficult and there was sideways movement.
But no more than a lot of UK or even shield decks prepared now.

What players cannot do now, is trigger quickly back and across and play off the back foot. This includes leaving off the back foot.

If you are playing on a seaming deck with bounce, you are taught as a young bat, particularly top order to stay on the back foot.

This gives you an extra second to play the ball when it seams and if you have triggered onto off stump, you can leave a lot of balls but also cover your off stump by being behind the line of the ball if you need to play it.

It also gives you a lot of scoring options with a horizontal bat if the ball sits up.

If you get the odd LBW you can live with that as the greater risk as we saw was edging the ball behind the wicket or a ball seeming and hitting an uncovered off stump (like Head). Just that as an example with him staying onside of the ball shows poor technique and thought and I could list another 10 - 12 avoidable dismissals from both sides.

If the pitch lacked bounce and was slow you could get out of your crease and try and smother the seam. But this wasn’t that sort of wicket.

Its T20/flat pitch mentality. Give yourself space inside the ball and always come forward. It works well in white ball cricket as the ball does little, pitches are flat and almost no catches behind the wicket.

All we needed to do was get through that first session Day 2, even 2 or 3 down. They were a bowler down and the wicket would have started to settle a bit with an older ball.

We are just not technically or temperamentally capable or willing to do this.

100%.

First day was a bit of a minefield, but by the time Carey and Green were at the crease things had settled a bit (could even argue by the time Khawaja strolled out there). Did the pitch cause Green to get run out? Nope; just bad cricket. Neser showed just how to play. England did England things in their first innings, but Brook had zero trouble doing what Neser did.

After day one, I thought everyone would at least have a chat about playing the line of the ball come day two. Apprarently not. Head got a good one (even smiled on his way off) but he made his 46 without too much trouble because he adjusted. Then it was a procession of stupidity. I think I had to go for a walk after Khawaja decided this was the end of his test career; absolute madness. If he gets another gig after this I might just unplug the TV for Sydney.

The curator is getting a lot of flak for this, but if there was even a small amount of defensive accountability from either side this was a four-day pitch, maybe even five. These teams seem addicted to playing like their hair is on fire so I don't hold out much hope for a better showing in Sydney unless it's a road.

 

[WesternRoo]

100%.

First day was a bit of a minefield, but by the time Carey and Green were at the crease things had settled a bit (could even argue by the time Khawaja strolled out there). Did the pitch cause Green to get run out? Nope; just bad cricket. Neser showed just how to play. England did England things in their first innings, but Brook had zero trouble doing what Neser did.

After day one, I thought everyone would at least have a chat about playing the line of the ball come day two. Apprarently not. Head got a good one (even smiled on his way off) but he made his 46 without too much trouble because he adjusted. Then it was a procession of stupidity. I think I had to go for a walk after Khawaja decided this was the end of his test career; absolute madness. If he gets another gig after this I might just unplug the TV for Sydney.

The curator is getting a lot of flak for this, but if there was even a small amount of defensive accountability from either side this was a four-day pitch, maybe even five. These teams seem addicted to playing like their hair is on fire so I don't hold out much hope for a better showing in Sydney unless it's a road.

Yes good call.

Head’s ball was good, but if he was covering his off stump that doesn’t happen.

He needs to have a defensive mindset on occasions. He will still get enough bad balls from that attack to score quickly enough.

 

[WesternRoo]

For what it's worth I don't think players these days are technically unable. My theory is that most play this way because whether they admit it or not, they're auditioning for T20 money where reputation as a ridiculously aggressive batsman can earn you millions in a matter of weeks.

I wouldn’t disagree with this either.

Must be hard to see such technically limited players (Tim David etc) who can power hit making millions each year and not adjust your game.

Yesterday was the first time I’ve really thought test cricket is in big trouble.

Not through lack of interest from the public. I reckon good test cricket has never been more popular.

But because players aren’t going to commit to master the broad skillset to be successful at it.

 

[spurs]

$25m loss to CA
Couldn’t have happened to a better bunch of idiots running the show. They are a joke.

 

[Loose_Cannon]

Yes good call.

Head’s ball was good, but if he was covering his off stump that doesn’t happen.

He needs to have a defensive mindset on occasions. He will still get enough bad balls from that attack to score quickly enough.

Which if it's just Head, you live and die by the sword with him, coz he'll sometimes smash you 170 when everyone else putters about around him. I'd rather (long-term) he just keeps playing the way he plays as you will win more than you lose with him being like that. If you have one (maybe two) in the top six like that, that's OK as the other batters can just bat around that sort of player.

What the team seems to lack at the moment is anyone that really anchors the team. Marnus looks cooked, and Smith is on the downward part of his career, so too Khawaja. It's feeling a bit like Head or bust these days, which leading into a huge 2026-27 schedule of 22 tests and an aging list, has me all sorts of worried.

 

[Zondor]

All the talk post match was how the pitch led to the result. It's bullshit - the pitch wasn't responsible for the shit shots played by Weatherald, Marnus, Khawaja, Green and Carey. And that's just one of the four innings, each of which were characterised by plenty of shit shots.

T20 has a lot to answer for. :stern look

 

[Onihr]

Which if it's just Head, you live and die by the sword with him, coz he'll sometimes smash you 170 when everyone else putters about around him. I'd rather (long-term) he just keeps playing the way he plays as you will win more than you lose with him being like that. If you have one (maybe two) in the top six like that, that's OK as the other batters can just bat around that sort of player.

What the team seems to lack at the moment is anyone that really anchors the team. Marnus looks cooked, and Smith is on the downward part of his career, so too Khawaja. It's feeling a bit like Head or bust these days, which leading into a huge 2026-27 schedule of 22 tests and an aging list, has me all sorts of worried.

I think you can argue quite easily that Head and Smith are the only bats we have who deserve their spot in the six dedicated batting positions, based on form the last 12-24 months.

You have to do some mental gymnastics to justify the other four. That is why we lost. If we had another 2-3 reliable bats, we would be almost unbeatable, especially against this bazball shyte - Carey and our bowling team just continue to get the job done, covering for an inadequate batting line up.

We won the first test because Head had a day out and we didn’t need the other bats. The other wins were largely because we had one or two good partnerships each match, where players were able to knuckle down for a session or two and start dictating the game (i.e.good test match cricket).

Any blame for the two day test in this case is squarely at the feet of two ordinary test batting lineups, how the curator is being called into a public grilling is beyond me.