The Cricket Thread

[Spanish Sahara]

Watson ton. Needs to make something big for mine to give him the belief.

Rogers going about his business nicely with 41.

 

[Henry Jr]

Watson dissapointing only getting 109. I still have question marks over his concentration.

Interesting that Rogers and Cowan faced more deliveries. Sums it up really.

Think Id bat for the first session giving Hughes/Smith a bat.

 

[Willie_Rioli]

Watson dissapointing only getting 109. I still have question marks over his concentration.

i know what you're getting at, his weakness is building on his starts and all, but ffs he's just scored a ton – so surely that's encouraging...

 

[Henry Jr]

i know what you're getting at, his weakness is building on his starts and all, but ffs he's just scored a ton – so surely that's encouraging...

Mate, Im not disagreeing with you. Just saying that when a guy knocks up a 100 in the first session, he needs a big score. As a bowler, no matter what the score, you would like your chances of getting Watson's wicket.

 

[Brishawk]

Mate, Im not disagreeing with you. Just saying that when a guy knocks up a 100 in the first session, he needs a big score. As a bowler, no matter what the score, you would like your chances of getting Watson's wicket.

Especially near a milestone or near a break.

 

[Henry Jr]

I want to see what Boof does with this...

Australia will head to India in October to play one T20 International and seven ODI matches.

http://www.cricket.com.au/series/tour-of-india-2013

I'd be telling India politely to **** off.. we have a home Ashes series. Send over the Australia A side once they are done with the Saffers.

 

[Henry Jr]

In my team, Jackson Bird gets the third seamers spot for mine ahead of Siddle. Steve Smith gets the number 6 spot ahead of Warner.

Im sure Boof will go the other way.

 

[Langford4FBOTC]

Mate, Im not disagreeing with you. Just saying that when a guy knocks up a 100 in the first session, he needs a big score. As a bowler, no matter what the score, you would like your chances of getting Watson's wicket.

Got to agree. Been my criticism of him all along. Perfectly suited to the short game, but tests are as much about taking advantage of the best batting conditions, and that means batting overs. Can't see anything changing with him.

Selectors have a couple of tough decisions to make with Bird and Smith putting up their hands. Hope they go with current form over reputation.

 

[Brishawk]

In my team, Jackson Bird gets the third seamers spot for mine ahead of Siddle. Steve Smith gets the number 6 spot ahead of Warner.

Im sure Boof will go the other way.

The only concern I have with Bird over Siddle is that when the chips are down Siddle is the bowler that keeps charging in. Has a great knack of getting a wicket when the going is toughest. Does lack some tricks but the rest of our attack lacks his fighting spirit. Start is amazing when on top but when things are tough he doesn't show near as much. Not sure on Bird's fighting spirit but he seems much more placid than Siddle.

Can't argue on Smith. Warner has no form since last summer and disciplinary problems. Maybe some time out will be the catalyst for him to turn it around. By the looks of things our team will look like this in the first test.

Watson
Rogers
Cowan/Kawahja
Clarke
Smith
Hughes
Haddin
Starc
Pattinson
Bird/Siddle
Lyon

 

[Spanish Sahara]

Hughes and Clarke smashing the attack

 

[Brishawk]

Hughes and Clarke smashing the attack

Good signs!

What to do with Cowan?

 

[Spanish Sahara]

Good signs!

What to do with Cowan?

I like your team above with either Cowan or Special K at 3. Clarke and Hughes at 4 and 5.

Not sure what team boof will select though

 

[MinerBoy]

Some solid signs in the tour matches. Be interesting to see if it is the Boof affect and the players are starting to come together as a team and play with some enthusiasm and purpose or whether it is simply a false dawn that will be exposed when the real stuff starts.

At least the past few weeks have helped generate a little more excitement and hope from a viewing perspective.

 

[grizzlym]

Some solid signs in the tour matches. Be interesting to see if it is the Boof affect and the players are starting to come together as a team and play with some enthusiasm and purpose or whether it is simply a false dawn that will be exposed when the real stuff starts.

At least the past few weeks have helped generate a little more excitement and hope from a viewing perspective.

Whatever happens, I truly hope they play 6 batsmen...

 

[MinerBoy]

Whatever happens, I truly hope they play 6 batsmen...

Oh they will. The question is simply whether thay are good enough - or at least perform to their ability. Brishawk's order a few posts up will be close to the mark. Smith probably the one still fighting for the 6th spot. What other batsmen are on tour?

 

[grizzlym]

Oh they will. The question is simply whether thay are good enough - or at least perform to their ability. Brishawk's order a few posts up will be close to the mark. Smith probably the one still fighting for the 6th spot. What other batsmen are on tour?

Funny with Smith, I've always been of the opinion that he can bat really well against the turning ball, but not nearly as well against the seaming ball.

 

[Spanish Sahara]

Excited for Wednesday!

What are some peoples predictions of the series?

I would love for us to eek out a drawn series (dont think we can win unless we get some massive contributions with the bat from people like Hughes, Haddin, Watson etc).

I will say a 2-1 loss with one test heavily rain affected

 

[MinerBoy]

What are some peoples predictions of the series?

Aussies to dominate early but not hit enough fours while on top allowing Geelong to over run them on the 5th day.

 

[grizzlym]

Excited for Wednesday!

What are some peoples predictions of the series?

I would love for us to eek out a drawn series (dont think we can win unless we get some massive contributions with the bat from people like Hughes, Haddin, Watson etc).

I will say a 2-1 loss with one test heavily rain affected

England are a good side. It could get ugly.

 

[Spanish Sahara]

England are a good side. It could get ugly.

I am backing our bowlers in to have a big series.. if they dont we are screwed and it will get real ugly

 

[Brishawk]

Whatever happens, I truly hope they play 6 batsmen...

Do we even have 6 batsman in Australia capable of playing test cricket? In any case, the presence of Watson in the line up means we will at best play 5 batsman

 

[Brishawk]

Now England are doctoring their pitches for spin . . . .

I don't think they realise how hopeless our front foot plonk brigade are against swing bowling . . .

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cric...ls-englands-ashes-anxiety-20130709-2pnh5.html

 

[Henry Jr]

I do hope that Warner has been practicing his leggies in the nets.

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Now England are doctoring their pitches for spin . . . .

I don't think they realise how hopeless our front foot plonk brigade are against swing bowling . . .

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cric...ls-englands-ashes-anxiety-20130709-2pnh5.html

They'd know that, they also would have seen our disgustingly bad effort against the Indians and their spin.

If anything, a flatter pitch bluntens our best chance of winning, and that is our quicks.

 

[Henry Jr]

Aussies losing in India could be one of the greatest Rope A Dope setups of all time.

That Mickey Arthur.. a cunning plan indeed