Re: Shaun Marsh - a ton.
Reply #14 –
The 130 kph is nothing to sneeze at;
Glenn McGrath averaged in the mid to low 130s.
Terry Aldermann rarely got over the mid to low 130s.
Max Walker and Gary Gilmore were 130s bowlers.
I'm not sure that the difference between 130 and 140 is as much influence as what you do to vary the pace or bounce. I concede that guys who can regularly exceed 150 kph are a different issue altogether, but they are exceedingly rare.
I thought Marsh's ton was good, but I've had the impression that England's plan for the day night test was a draw, they look like they have been playing for it from the 1st ball, they look flat and disinterested. Makes me think this test isn't really offering much to go by in terms of performance or form. It's was probably a tactical mistake from England, because this year the Adelaide pitch is possibly the one that suits them best.
For England in my opinion this is a pretty crappy Ashes tour to be on, too many games in too short of a period. The ICC is responsible for these stupid schedules, they seem hell bent on giving the minnows an opportunity to grow at the expense of the traditional rivals. I believe the schedule is to get thinned down in the future, I hope so, I want to see the pinnacle of cricket in Ashes tests. At the moment it feels like the tests have become second fiddle to the IPL and Big Bash.