The Cricket Thread

[Langford4FBOTC]

Think Cowen just had his short term fate sealed yesterday on Canberra

 

[Brishawk]

Think Cowen just had his short term fate sealed yesterday on Canberra

Probably. Cowan looked awful against spin this summer. His technique will be heavily tested. Of course, I don't think there is any doubt about Watson's ability to play shots . . . its more that he can't handle movement (swing, seam or spin). Those questions are still outstanding.

Just on Maxwell, I don't think he is a test bowler by any means but I think there is more to his bowling than meets the eye. His stock ball doesn't turn much and has a lot of over spin looking for extra bounce but he seems to have a change up which turns a lot more. If his batting was up to test level (not sure it is yet) then he could be a valuable player in the future.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Probably. Cowan looked awful against spin this summer. His technique will be heavily tested. Of course, I don't think there is any doubt about Watson's ability to play shots . . . its more that he can't handle movement (swing, seam or spin). Those questions are still outstanding.

Just on Maxwell, I don't think he is a test bowler by any means but I think there is more to his bowling than meets the eye. His stock ball doesn't turn much and has a lot of over spin looking for extra bounce but he seems to have a change up which turns a lot more. If his batting was up to test level (not sure it is yet) then he could be a valuable player in the future.

Absolutely agree. I don't see it as a particularly good thing to have Watson opening the batting in test matches for those exact reasons. His runs yesterday on a road though have given the selectors the right/left combination they wanted for the Indian tour and it will take a horror run to dislodge him for the Ashes i reckon.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Did anyone hear the interview with Pollard after the match? He said that his 100 wasn't easy because he had to hold back and pace himself ... which wasn't easy when Maxwell was bowling

The final irony ... Cricket Australia, after telling us all summer there was no such thing as a rotation policy, and calling the cricket public idiots for not understanding what they were doing, have now come out and admitted they were in fact rotating players, and that it was a mistake not playing the best players for Australian crowds. Well, duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm really starting to wonder about the mentality of the average sports admistrator.

 

[Henry Jr]

On Maxwell, his bowling has got better all summer (and I was his worst critic).

Anyone else think that Starc got rested in Sydney cus theres a good chance he will get named man of the series in Melb and would have been embarrissing if he didn't play

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

On Maxwell, his bowling has got better all summer (and I was his worst critic).

Anyone else think that Starc got rested in Sydney cus theres a good chance he will get named man of the series in Melb and would have been embarrissing if he didn't play

Probably right their HJ. Starc has been fantastic, and probably should win the player of the series. I wonder why they just didn't rest him from the T20 game, or are they already??

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Anyone see Ahmed bowl for the Vic's today? I only caught his first 4 overs and he looked pretty good. Didn't bowl too short, had good loop and spun the ball. Didn't see much variation, but it was a one dayer and he was on debut.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Anyone see Ahmed bowl for the Vic's today? I only caught his first 4 overs and he looked pretty good. Didn't bowl too short, had good loop and spun the ball. Didn't see much variation, but it was a one dayer and he was on debut.

I saw him later in the game, I think he took a couple of wickets and generally did pretty well. Was fairly economical. Good to see another leggie coming through. With such a strong pace attack, I fear he'll struggle to get games, but would be good to see him and Holland become a quality spinning duo

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

If he continues to do well and puts himself in the national selectors sights, I wonder what his eligibility status is? I'm pretty sure he came out on a protection Visa

 

[grizzlym]

If he continues to do well and puts himself in the national selectors sights, I wonder what his eligibility status is? I'm pretty sure he came out on a protection Visa

He did. He's since been granted permanent status, thus allowing him to play for Victoria.

 

[Henry Jr]

Hads is back! Waits for Boonie to wander along....

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

How good is Tino Best. Love him. Good aggressive fast bowler. I tell you what, if you put him and Roach in the same side, jesus, that is some scary bowling to face.

Finch failing again, might struggle to get himself back in when Warner returns (though probably just has to wait for the inevitable Watson injury).

2 fa 2. Not the best start to the game for the aussies.

 

[Richard Pryor]

Stheleka (Australian women's spinner) is bowling better than Lyon, first woman in the men's test side?

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

In fairness to Lyon, had Wade kept better during the test series, his figures would have looked a lot better. At least 3-4 misses that I can remember

But hey, we need a spinner, and looking at some boobs during a test match wouldn't be bad.

 

[grizzlym]

Voges played a nice innings, I thought.

 

[go hawks!!!]

Voges played a nice innings, I thought.

112 not out off 106 ball, would be difficult to disagree, I think.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

A really really well compiled hundred, much like Bailey's earlier in the series. They played ugly at the start, then built it beautifully.

 

[grizzlym]

A really really well compiled hundred, much like Bailey's earlier in the series. They played ugly at the start, then built it beautifully.

Exactly. Grafting, building then extreme fluency. Interesting that he effectively played as a top order batsman given where he came in. The extra time and responsibility was good for him.

 

[grizzlym]

So the third umpire made a mistake on the referral... oh my.

 

[go hawks!!!]

West Indies continue to choke.....like a thai hooker.....

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Really disappointing dismissal for Charles. Bunted a nothing ball to square leg the ball after bringing up his ton.

If Pollard is there at the end, they'll win.

 

[grizzlym]

Really disappointing dismissal for Charles. Bunted a nothing ball to square leg the ball after bringing up his ton.

If Pollard is there at the end, they'll win.

Yeah, it was. Thought his concentration really wavered in the 90s though.

Tell me, how many different variations of slower ball is MacKay bowling? There's some sort of top-spinner there too.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Yeah, it was. Thought his concentration really wavered in the 90s though.

Tell me, how many different variations of slower ball is MacKay bowling? There's some sort of top-spinner there too.

I stopped watching it, but yeah he has a few variations. Takes a lot of skill to land them consistently.

 

[grizzlym]

I stopped watching it, but yeah he has a few variations. Takes a lot of skill to land them consistently.

Amazing. He bowled about four in a row. I reckon three were totally different balls.

 

[Garf]

I see the IPL million dollar man just made a blob !