When playing predominately right handed batting line-ups (like Englands) the left arm orthodox spinner (AGAR) is helped greatly by the footmarks of a left arm over the wicket bowler (FAULKNER or STARC).
I'm not sure Lyon will be much good against the English right handers and any footmarks made by the left arm seamers will work more for Swann (against our lefties) than for Lyon against the one lefty they have.
Plus I think Agar was lame and had finger issues in this test.
So, if I was the selector, I would keep Agar (if fit) and select Faulkner or Starc. Probably Faulkner because I THINK HE'S a competitor , he's smart (he learns) and won't let them off the hook.
He can bat as well but we can't keep hoping the tail will get us out of the crap and it should almost be irrelevant.
And yes, I'd drop Siddle for Bird.
When playing predominately right handed batting line-ups (like Englands) the left arm orthodox spinner (AGAR) is helped greatly by the footmarks of a left arm over the wicket bowler (FAULKNER or STARC).
I'm not sure Lyon will be much good against the English right handers and any footmarks made by the left arm seamers will work more for Swann (against our lefties) than for Lyon against the one lefty they have.
Plus I think Agar was lame and had finger issues in this test.
So, if I was the selector, I would keep Agar (if fit) and select Faulkner or Starc. Probably Faulkner because I THINK HE'S a competitor , he's smart (he learns) and won't let them off the hook.
He can bat as well but we can't keep hoping the tail will get us out of the crap and it should almost be irrelevant.
And yes, I'd drop Siddle for Bird.
I too would drop Siddle for Bird.
I would pick Fawad Ahmed in place of Agar.
Maybe Agar needs to become a number 6???
When playing predominately right handed batting line-ups (like Englands) the left arm orthodox spinner (AGAR) is helped greatly by the footmarks of a left arm over the wicket bowler (FAULKNER or STARC).
I'm not sure Lyon will be much good against the English right handers and any footmarks made by the left arm seamers will work more for Swann (against our lefties) than for Lyon against the one lefty they have.
Plus I think Agar was lame and had finger issues in this test.
So, if I was the selector, I would keep Agar (if fit) and select Faulkner or Starc. Probably Faulkner because I THINK HE'S a competitor , he's smart (he learns) and won't let them off the hook.
He can bat as well but we can't keep hoping the tail will get us out of the crap and it should almost be irrelevant.
And yes, I'd drop Siddle for Bird.
I too would drop Siddle for Bird.
I would pick Fawad Ahmed in place of Agar.
Maybe Agar needs to become a number 6???
it won't happen but Agars technique is superior to Hughes by a mile and he was dead set stiff for the DRS to cook him last night. Plays the ball late and along the ground square of the wicket and he just needs to make sure he gets his head over the ball when driving and leaving more. Other than that he's good to go.
If they pick Ahmed a left arm seamer is absolutely vital.
Time to shake it right up, this series is already shot with us 2-0 down. Problem is, we don't have the cattle over there at our disposal, may need to fly in a couple of batsmen ??
My team in batting order based on the current squad :
Batsmen
Haddin
Rogers
Khawaja
Clarke
All-Rounders
Agar
Faulkner
Wicket-Keeper
Wade
Bowlers
Pattinson
Siddle
Starc
Bird
I should point out, my rationale for going this way is that we have struggled to take wickets and therefore have had huge run chases ahead of us with the top order crumbling under the pressure without a technique. This team gives us six bowlers and shortens the batting tail as well. In other words, it gives Clarke some options to work with, something he hasn't had thus far.
Haddin is not a 'keeper but he is a good bat, Agar is a long-term project so move them both up the order, they have shown that they have the temperament to bat for long periods and put some value on their wicket.
Smith is too much slather & whack with the bat and cannot be relied upon, Hughes is a dud and Watson a selfish sook so fling them out of the team right now.
Whilst Harris would be dropped after playing pretty well, we need some variety with Starc's left-armers plus they wouldn't have seen much of Bird yet so there is a surprise factor.
If we had some other better options, I would have dropped Haddin & Rogers too !!
Time to shake it right up, this series is already shot with us 2-0 down. Problem is, we don't have the cattle over there at our disposal, may need to fly in a couple of batsmen ??
My team in batting order based on the current squad :
Batsmen
Haddin
Rogers
Khawaja
Clarke
Agar
All-Rounder
Faulkner
Wicket-Keeper
Wade
Bowlers
Pattinson
Siddle
Starc
Bird
I think an airfare or two is a must rather than that line-up.
Wade won't make a run against Swann and Haddin certainly can't play as a specialist bat with his (non existent) foot work .
Pick a batsman who think likes one, not a keeper who thinks he's a batsman.
I doubt Agar will come up for the next test. It's a real strain on your body that much cricket and the guys have been in the field for a lot of overs in two tests.
I think Lyon will come in but he is suited to number 11.
My team would be:
1. Rogers
2. Haddin
3. Smith
4. Khawaja
5. Clarke
6. Hughes
7. Faulkner
8. Siddle
9. Harris
10. Bird
11. Lyon
Not necessarily the best team and unlikely in my opinion. Watson deserves to be booted.
The team without Watson gives us 6 bowlers and we bat down to 9 essentially which is one less than our current line up. If they stick with Patinson and don't bring in Lyon then Smith is our only spinner and the order shuffles down one position from Harris.
The bowling attack has left arm variety, good accuracy and then the spin of Lyon (loop and flight). The batting combination is left and right down to the middle order. Haddin could open with Rogers but I doubt they'd be any more effective than Watson score board wise but might last until lunch. Smith at 3 will play his shots anyway no matter where he is, so might as well take the bowling on and if he get's going build a platform.
And Cowan must open.
He's paid for those two crap shots in the first test.
We need to occupy the crease.
And Cowan must open.
He's paid for those two crap shots in the first test.
We need to occupy the crease.
If Cowan come back in to open then they have to drop one of bowlers (probably Agar) and leave Lyon out. If that happens play Faulkner or Watson further down (probably will be injured anyway). It will give us our strongest batting line up on paper (minus Warner of course) with what's available here at present.
No to Cowan. not up to it.
Haddin opening - why not? Can't do any worse can he....?
No to Cowan. not up to it.
Haddin opening - why not? ....?
no footwork.
poor shot selection.
runs people out.
probably shouldn't even be keeping.
has he ever opened? its a skill most number 6's don't pick up easily, let alone an old one
And good timing on SEN. Gideon Haige just noted that in the Indian series Cowan batted longer than any batsman from either side.
A pretty important stat I would have thought, particularly for an OPENER.
Regardless of who ends up trotting out to the wicket at Old Trafford I think one area we must improve is learning the value of singles.
In both Test matches and in both innings, England has turned over the strike. Australia did that fairly well in the second innings (thanks to Agar and Hughes) and amazingly that was the innings where we actually looked like making a score (and nearly won it).
Whoever opens or bats 3, 4 or 5 MUST learn the value of rotating the strike. This is the key to batting time. It's not just about leaving balls (Ed Cowans problem).
Watson cannot be out LBW if he is up at the non strikers end. Hopefully Lehmann will have drilled that into them - look for the singles. Accumulate 75-100 in every innings and you'll go a long way to getting a score.
Conversely the fielding needs to improve and we must find the areas they like to score their singles and keep them on strike. This builds pressure and brings the big shot which is the wicket opportunity.
Faulkner is an interesting selection but asking him to bat at 7 is asking a lot.
Faulkner is an interesting selection but asking him to bat at 7 is asking a lot.
Henriques is a better credentialled bat than Faulkner but Faulkner is the better bowler of the two. If Henriques was here I think he'd get the nod. The option I think they will go for is keep Watson and bring in another batter.
Just read Pattinson gone now, stress fractures in lower back (again). Won't take part in remaining Ashes in UK.
enter Bird surely!
Just read Pattinson gone now, stress fractures in lower back (again). Won't take part in remaining Ashes in UK.
enter Bird surely!
You would think so.
Where's Cummins at? Was touted as the great white hope before his injury and now he's barely spoken of.
Right now I'd play Doolan, who had a good game in an extremely low scoring match in Zimbabwe, pluck Klinger out of County cricket as he looks like he can at least bat the long form of the game. He'd have to be better than Hughes, Khawaja, Cowan and Smith. Put Warner at 6, where he is capable of taking a game apart if he gets going. A punt but could change a game within a session if he got going. I'd play Fawad. Bird obviously in for Pattinson but I'd bring Cummins back over from SA, who had a great game there, as a replacement bowler with a view of giving him a Test with this series done and dusted. Get our blokes ready for the return series where the winner holds the Ashes for 3 years, not a bit over 4 months.
Watson
Rogers
Klinger
Doolan
Clarke
Warner
Haddin
Siddle
Harris
Fawad
Bird
Hope that strengthens the batting a little. Something with a bit of backbone in the character
Just read Pattinson gone now, stress fractures in lower back (again). Won't take part in remaining Ashes in UK.
enter Bird surely!
You would think so.
Where's Cummins at? Was touted as the great white hope before his injury and now he's barely spoken of.
Cummins is in South Africa with the A team. Just come of a very good game.
Just read Pattinson gone now, stress fractures in lower back (again). Won't take part in remaining Ashes in UK.
enter Bird surely!
You would think so.
Where's Cummins at? Was touted as the great white hope before his injury and now he's barely spoken of.
Cummins is on the Australia A tour of Africa. If Cowan doesn't come back into the team I think he'll despatched there as well.
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
Thank god there is some sanity here.
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
I heard this on the radio this morning. Who came up with this idea ??
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
I heard this on the radio this morning. Who came up with this idea ??
I think his name came up in a presser and Boof might have said something like "everyone in the 18 is a chance"
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
Thank god there is some sanity here.
Yep...and the last thing we need is another lefty !
I should point out, my rationale for going this way is that we have struggled to take wickets and therefore have had huge run chases ahead of us with the top order crumbling under the pressure without a technique.
OK, Sheiky, I have to say that you talk a lot of sense cricket wise mostly......but I can't really agree with this. We've bowled England out for very manageable scores in 3 out of 4 innings.......the one we didn't the bowlers had less than 3 hours rest from one innings to the next courtesy of our inept batting display. Pretty hard to back up after that.
And as for Wade as keeper.....he was dropped because his keeping was horrid, particularly to Lyon, who must surely come in for the 3rd Test while the Poms keep preparing pitches tailor made for Swann.
Pattinson, if he wasn't injured, he'd have been dropped anyway. Bird to come in & hopefully Harris can back up without breaking.....if not, Faulkner to get a game & see what he's made of.
Gee, no batsmen really wanting to put their hand up from the Aust A side either......couple of good bowling efforts though.
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
Correct....it never works playing the reserve keeper as a batsman only and is a move reserved for desperate teams only.....akin to playing ruckman as a FF.
I remember Wicketkeeper Richie Robinson from Victoria who was a great shield batter and was picked to play some tests as a specialist batsman with Rod Marsh
I think it was as the keeper.....Robinson failed and its a dumb move.
Only AB Devilliers has proven a success and he was/is a part time keeper who played second fiddle to Boucher but was never seen as a frontline keeper
and you are talking about a freak multitalented sportsman anyway.
I guess the only other I can think of his Kumar Sangakarra who gave away keeping to be a specialist batter but his batting is in the elite category unlike Wades...
We could pick 11 bowlers, and have two of them share the keeping duties.
Our lower order batting would then be stellar... this is purely based on our 10th wickeet partnerships this series to date... :P
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
Why not. Has a batting average higher than anyone else in the team other than Clarke, which, is really an indictment on our batting. As least he has a bit of backbone and capable of maybe making a 100. More than anyone can about anyone else other than Clarke.
There's plenty of others that have zero idea of playing spin either.
My personal opinion, pluck Klinger out of country cricket and bat him 3 and bring Doolan over from the A tour and bat him 4.
Calls to play Wade as a specialist bat are insane. Has zero idea of playing spin. Zero.
Correct....it never works playing the reserve keeper as a batsman only and is a move reserved for desperate teams only.....akin to playing ruckman as a FF.
I remember Wicketkeeper Richie Robinson from Victoria who was a great shield batter and was picked to play some tests as a specialist batsman with Rod Marsh
I think it was as the keeper.....Robinson failed and its a dumb move.
Only AB Devilliers has proven a success and he was/is a part time keeper who played second fiddle to Boucher but was never seen as a frontline keeper
and you are talking about a freak multitalented sportsman anyway.
I guess the only other I can think of his Kumar Sangakarra who gave away keeping to be a specialist batter but his batting is in the elite category unlike Wades...
Add McCallum from NZ in there too.
We're in the unusual position of having our reserve Keeper having the 2nd best average in the side so these are not normal circumstances. Not the preferred circumstance but what do you do.
Reckon I could've played Gilchrist as a specialist batsman no problems if we had to.
Iaj,
Gilchrist was a specialist bat with gloves.
Wade is a gloveman (an inconsistent one) with a bat.
Nothing will improve until Watson is culled permanently.
Iaj,
Gilchrist was a specialist bat with gloves.
Wade is a gloveman (an inconsistent one) with a bat.
Gilly was always a keeper, hence his shift from NSW to WA so he could play as one. He was an exceptional circumstance admittedly. Anyway, not so relevant here.
Sadly in Wade's case so is he an exceptional circumstance but for a different reason. 3nd highest average in the side (forgot about Warner) amongst a pile of sh1t, inconsistent batsmen. We only have so many bats on tour so our choices are bare. Not normal circumstances but if we're only going to pick from the current tourists there's no alot of choice.
I'd be going outside the 18 on tour personally so we don't have to pick a keeper as a specialist bat. May as well look to the home Ashes series.
We miss Hussey like you wouldn't believe. With him there he and Clarke, with strong resistance from the tail, often turned 3/40 into 500 and could've won us the SA series with a bit of luck. Without Hussey there's just no resistance after poor starts.
Prediction. Game will be oer within 3 days. Feel for the bowlers who are working so hard because of the incompetence of our batsmen. You can blame them for injuirng pattinson.
Iaj,
Gilchrist was a specialist bat with gloves.
Gilly changed cricket. Opened for the 50 over form of the game and was so good that we batted to #7 in the test squad and the former 6 were elite.
My favourite cricketer.
Gilchrist was a freak! Test average higher than his first class batting average. That is just unreal, to improve further with the bat, against better opposition!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/5390.html
Warner scored 193 in Aus A tour match overnight. This puts some serious pressure on Hughes and Smith to perform & keep their spots in the Aus 3 day match coming up...
If we bat Agar at 6, we could drop Watson for Warner. Both wankers but I am sick of Watson.
I would play Ahmed, not Lyon.
I would also drop Siddle, and pick Harris, Starc and Bird.
We could pick 11 bowlers, and have two of them share the keeping duties.
Our lower order batting would then be stellar... this is purely based on our 10th wickeet partnerships this series to date... :P
This. Sadly we would probably be better off doing this than going with any of the other idea's put forward. SMH.
If we bat Agar at 6, we could drop Watson for Warner. Both wankers but I am sick of Watson.
I would play Ahmed, not Lyon.
I would also drop Siddle, and pick Harris, Starc and Bird.
Warner will come in for Hughes or Smith. Watson will stay in for his bowling. Besides, he's our leading runs scorer of the top 6 in the two Tests so far...all of 109 runs...lol.
Gilchrist was a freak! Test average higher than his first class batting average. That is just unreal, to improve further with the bat, against better opposition!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/5390.html
Warner scored 193 in Aus A tour match overnight. This puts some serious pressure on Hughes and Smith to perform & keep their spots in the Aus 3 day match coming up...
Maxwell made a century also which kind of reduces the credibility of Warners innings and ttells you the wicket must be a batters paradise.....
Warner can make as many big scores as he likes against second string teams, it isn't going to make any difference because he has blotted his copybook once too many times. As soon as this Ashes tour is over, so will be his Test career.
Ok for what it's worth here is my predicted team for the 3rd Test.
- Rodgers
- Watson
- Warner
- Khawaja
- Clarke
- Smith
- Haddin
- Harris
- Siddle
- Bird
- Lyon
Harris, Siddle, Bird and Lyon as our front line bowlers with support from Watson, Smith and Warner. Only people that don't bowl in that line up are Clarke, Haddin and Rodgers. On a dusty wicket where it keeps down and is slow that might come in useful.
If Lyon plays he would want to bowl 1000% better than he did on the weekend.
I do like Zaltman's work.
His latest here with a snippet below:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/656245.html
"6. None of the Australian batsmen is suffering from burnout
With ten Ashes Tests over the space of six months, maintaining mental and physical freshness will be critical. Australia's top-order batsmen have been clinically successful in ensuring that they do not suffer from debilitating crease fatigue."
As for the side, I am assuming Boof will go with the following (I'd happily drop Watson for Warner though!):
1.Rogers
2.Watson
3.Khawaja
4.Hughes
5.Clarke
6.Smith
7.Haddin
8.Harris
9.Siddle
10.Bird (in for Starc)
11.Lyon (in for Agar who needs a rest)
If Lyon plays he would want to bowl 1000% better than he did on the weekend.
yes.
I actually don't understand why we don't send Fawad Ahmed over, especially if the pitch is going to spin. Poms would hate to face a good leggie on a truner.
Gilchrist was a freak! Test average higher than his first class batting average. That is just unreal, to improve further with the bat, against better opposition!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/5390.html
Warner scored 193 in Aus A tour match overnight. This puts some serious pressure on Hughes and Smith to perform & keep their spots in the Aus 3 day match coming up...
Maxwell made a century also which kind of reduces the credibility of Warners innings and ttells you the wicket must be a batters paradise.....
Wicket was a absolute batter paradise but you still have to bat well top score a near double ton. Two of Warner's best Test innings though have been on real greentops. Before the Indian tour, where everyone failed on those dirty dustbowls, his average was near 45. India ripped that down alot. Despite what we think of him he's one of the very few in the team liable to make a big hundred, and quickly, scaring the fk out of the Poms. Love him batting away from opening as he could really take the game away from the opposition with the shine off the ball.
If Lyon plays he would want to bowl 1000% better than he did on the weekend.
yes.
I actually don't understand why we don't send Fawad Ahmed over, especially if the pitch is going to spin. Poms would hate to face a good leggie on a truner.
Smaller grounds in England, he does bowl his share of loose stuff as well, didnt read much about him troubling the South Africans either.....be better in Aus to introduce him IMO.
We are a big chance this test IMO....Poms have got cocky and want to play Taylor, Panesar...the latter I dont rate at all and would be happy to see them lose Bresnan out of the team and have the two spinners play.
Taylor made runs for Sussex but is a newbie and was dropped several times in the county game so I dont rate him as yet. I reckon Pietersen will/would be due for runs this test esepcially if we bowl the spinners more....so I hope he is out injured.
Pity is Iaj is that the pitches they are serving up aren't greentops and Warner was just as deficient against spin as everybody else in India. Like most of them he simply does not have a plan against spin- a defensive plan or a low(er) risk scoring method. He is not the answer to our batting malaise, just another in a long line of stroke players with dodgy techniques and the wrong attitude to Test-level batting.
In fact, if you go through the details, Warner's big scores (BOTH of them) have been made on decks that suited pace bowling where the ball came on. No spin was involved in Perth or Hobart. Yes, he punishes rubbish but at the same time his defensive technique is average.... he gets bowled more often by straight deliveries than any left hander I've ever seen. Then there is Swan...
And to think that he has realigned his attitude after spending 2 weeks with Australia A is laughable. Given that he had another incident on the field recently..... no, he needs to prove that he is 100% sorted before he gets back on the team bus.
On top of that, I don't see how he can be trusted to have pulled his head from his posterior... another incident recently, albeit a minor on field one. Seriously, 2 weeks for Australia A and he gets recalled?
Plenty of dry patches on the deck from all reports:
http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/mystery-burnt-pitch-greets-aussies-for-third-test-at-old-trafford-as-spinners-expected-to-prosper/story-e6frf3gl-1226688518629
How about ditching a batsmen (if you could call them batsmen that is), and having both Lyon and Agar playing.
Smith has a sore back atm, so he could be rested.
1.Rogers
2.Watson
3.Khawaja
4.Hughes
5.Clarke
6.Haddin
7.Agar
8.Harris
9.Siddle
10.Bird (in for Starc)
11.Lyon
Lyon won't play, he got pasted in the recent match against one of the counties. Smith can stay out of the team as far as I'm concerned too. Bird is a must though !!
Had an email from a young Pom wanting to come out to play at our club this season and he mentioned that this Test may end up being drawn as they are predicting rain throughout.
Aus 0-58....good flat track, Rodgers the aggressor...lets hope we build on the good start and dont fall to reverse swing later in the day. Some luck has to come our way as the Poms are not that good.
Khawaja...worst decision I have seen, went to the 3rd umpire who gave it out when clearly the ball missed the bat....should have gone to specsavers.
Bat hit the pad, clear gap between ball and bat......NOT OUT...how can anyone give that out.
We might as well just pack up and go home.....
The FWIT sitting in the stands who paid that one should be charged with match fixing.
The ball before pitched 6" outside leg and the poms were going to review.... they are the better side but how much "home" umpiring can the game stand????
Watson did little to disprove the detractors - only has one shot (the monster drive 2' away from his pad) and has no idea how to work singles... time to start grooming a young opener.
The FWIT sitting in the stands who paid that one should be charged with match fixing.
The ball before pitched 6" outside leg and the poms were going to review.... they are the better side but how much "home" umpiring can the game stand????
Kumar Dharmasena (SRI) former Sri Lankan test player, 2012 umpire of the year. Massive fall from grace!
Khawaja...worst decision I have seen, went to the 3rd umpire who gave it out when clearly the ball missed the bat....should have gone to specsavers.
Bat hit the pad, clear gap between ball and bat......NOT OUT...how can anyone give that out.
We might as well just pack up and go home.....
Was at the pub watching the Test with a heap of the guy from my cricket club and nearly everyone in the whole pub screamed in anger when the umpires finger went up a second time.
The whole purpose of the DRS is remove howlers and then they give us that rubbish !!
Khawaja...worst decision I have seen, went to the 3rd umpire who gave it out when clearly the ball missed the bat....should have gone to specsavers.
Bat hit the pad, clear gap between ball and bat......NOT OUT...how can anyone give that out.
We might as well just pack up and go home.....
There was a decision of NOT OUT when Miandad was caught at 3rd slip against Bruce Reid. Umpire said he didn't hit it. If only I could find the vision
Nice innings from Clarke and a handy knock from Smith to assist him...3 for 300 is a good start and we need to push onto 500 as this is a good batting strip.
Real good chance to win this test IMO if our bowlers can fire up and knock England over for 300 or less..
This is the method used for 3rd umpiring decisions apparently...
Great ton by Pup indeed.
Good to see Lyon back in the side, never deserved to be outed in the first place.
This is the method used for 3rd umpiring decisions apparently...
Great ton by Pup indeed.
Good to see Lyon back in the side, never deserved to be outed in the first place.
Rumors this bloke trained the umpires!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v112/SRTBlue/Thick_Glasses.jpg)
Isn't the 3rd umpire international umpire of the year???
Isn't the 3rd umpire international umpire of the year???
Correct, but he was trained on an abacus!
Thats a simple argument. Being international umpire of the year simply means being better than the rest of them.
Being better than crap, doesnt mean you are good, its just means you are less crap.
Nice innings from Clarke and a handy knock from Smith to assist him...3 for 300 is a good start and we need to push onto 500 as this is a good batting strip.
Real good chance to win this test IMO if our bowlers can fire up and knock England over for 300 or less..
I believe there's a bit of rain forecast which would just be our luck.
The Boof influence is beginning to become apparent.
3rd ump should never make decisions whilst legless. Embarrassment x 10.
Why did they bother bringing Warner back from South Africa ??
And can Steve Smith ever play a long innings without trying the "hero" shot which ends up bringing about his downfall ??
Why did they bother bringing Warner back from South Africa ??
And can Steve Smith ever play a long innings without trying the "hero" shot which ends up bringing about his downfall ??
The Barmy Army got to Warner and they got into his head like they did with Mitchell Johnson and he was rattled as soon as he walked onto the ground.
If he doesnt make. runs in the 2nd dig then I think he will be next to useless for the rest of the tour as the Barmy ones dont let up on you.
On a more positive not Clarke has led from the front and its a good opportunity for Haddin and the bowlers to land some blows on the English attack that have been steady
rather than menacing.....
We are still in a good position and can push for a win....l
Get to 450 or 500 and declare, need to bowl them out twice and this pitch looks very batsman friendly, don't want to run out of time.
Clarke gone for 187, got one into his ribs from Broad which cramped him badly and he dragged it onto his stumps from his body.
Good knock and confirms he is our only Test quality batsman at present.
I finally went to bed with the Poms at 0 for 20 odd and thinking that we weren't going to get a breakthrough.
I couldn't understand why Siddle hadn't been given a bowl, particularly when Starc was recalled for a second spell ???
What an improvement in the batting though?
Great Lyon getting some ripping turn & should have had Cook. Will be an important first session tomorrow.
Great Lyon getting some ripping turn & should have had Cook. Will be an important first session tomorrow.
Clarke's feet seemed to be glued to the spot - probably had his weight back on his heels.
Lyon did bowl well with drift and turn.
No movement through the air no Anderson. Nice of the Poms to doctor the pitch for Swan though. Broad, more overated than Mitchell Johnson and Bresnen ha, James Faulkner would be using his variation and low order grit with the bat by now if that's all he had to pass.
Watson needs a score or Faulkner should get the all rounders gig next test Warner back to open and Faulkner at 6 or 7, Makes the tail a bit long but that's where we're getting the runs from now any way.
BTW Clarke did not have the most runs in the last 48 hours, that honour went to the Qantas flight from South America to Sydney. >:D
No movement through the air no Anderson. Nice of the Poms to doctor the pitch for Swan though. Broad, more overated than Mitchell Johnson and Bresnen ha, James Faulkner would be using his variation and low order grit with the bat by now if that's all he had to pass.
Watson needs a score or Faulkner should get the all rounders gig next test Warner back to open and Faulkner at 6 or 7, Makes the tail a bit long but that's where we're getting the runs from now any way.
BTW Clarke did not have the most runs in the last 48 hours, that honour went to the Qantas flight from South America to Sydney. >:D
Agree about his batting but Watson was uesful with the ball and helped apply pressure from the other end which I thought was crucial, in the past numpties like Johnosn would have gone for runs and let the poms off the hook......Anderson has been drinking his own bathwater and thinks he can do it easy now and didnt look interested once he figured out their was no movement.
Only danger a couple out of Cook, Trott, Bell and perhaps Peitersen might make some big scores and then we get some rain......I thought Harris looked injured and Starc after the initial couple of overs where he swung the ball and got some bounce didnt move many afterwards and didnt look menacing.
Lyon bowled well and was unlucky but that seems to be the story of his career IMO and bowlers like him tend to stay unlucky and after Cook settled I thought Lyon started dropping short and was fortunate he didnt go for more runs through the offside.
Dont know whey Siddle didnt bowl earlier.....a far more inventive bowler than the others and his use of the crease was very good.
Poms have got way ahead of themselves IMO and we should win this test....
We've taken another wicket which is good, 3-75 now but Pietersen & Cook are at the crease.
We've taken another wicket which is good, 3-75 now but Pietersen & Cook are at the crease.
Back to bowling like military medium nothing balls.
Any risk Starc could vary something, ANYTHING about his deliveries.
Same crap every ball with the only difference being when he gets his line of length wrong.
Do they have any plan at all?
Harro!!!!!
Batting for a second time now with a first innings lead of 159. Need to make at least 200 in this second innings and then declare thus setting them 350+ to win.
May run out of time or the weather could intervene too but at least we have been a lot more competitive.
If ever there was an innings tailor-made for Warner it's this one, the Aussies are after quick runs to give them enough time to set England a large target and then bowl them out again. The Poms know we are after runs and are setting a slightly defensive field too.
Looks like rain may intervene and ruin everything though.
At the rate we are going of playing silly strokes, we won't have a lead of 350 at all.
A couple of the dismissals have been poor once again especially when its the Poms who are under pressure, not us.
They could just 'noodle it' around the field with no risk and pick-up 3-4 easy singles every over but our guys want to go the tonk or in Watson's case, play a "side-show" shot that gets them out.
Bat smart here, not recklessly.
My thoughts exactly. Give the ball the respect it deserves. 3 to 4 singles an over and a couple of boundaries every 4 or 5 overs averages out to around 5 an over. No need to be playing 20/20 cricket yet. Wait for the last 7 overs of when you wish to declare an go ape. Slap on 50 to 80 runs or go out.
What a stoopid run out with Smith. Smith was crazy and Clarke was lazy to not look around. Just pathetic. ::)
Regardless what happens with the weather tonight, us being 2-0 is purely due to our insipid batting in the first two tests.
As such we only have ourselves to blame.
I liked the elegance of some of Uzi's shots last night, Mark Waugh-esque...
Warner looked comfy opening too. Watson can duly go home now.
Watson can duly go home now.
I have been well over him for some years now, brings nothing positive to the team IMO.
A couple of the dismissals have been poor once again especially when its the Poms who are under pressure, not us.
They could just 'noodle it' around the field with no risk and pick-up 3-4 easy singles every over but our guys want to go the tonk or in Watson's case, play a "side-show" shot that gets them out.
Bat smart here, not recklessly.
Some terrible shots - I'd be chopping Watson (for Katich) and Warner for Voges tomorrow.
Watson just doesn't get it and Warner is clearly Warner's biggest fan.
Martyn got sent to purgatory for far less?
Agree 100% with Voges.
Watson has NFI how to be a top 6 batsman (looks like an elevated allroudner) and Warner drinks his own bathwater.
Sorry but I expect the fourth test to go along the lines of the second - we just can't back performances up.
The karma bus just making it's way to Old Trafford.
The karma bus just making it's way to Old Trafford.
Yep KP got slaughtered by the umpires on the DRS......but its payback for the couple they got wrong for us....the umpires must be blind. You could tell Peitersen didnt hit it even without DRS.
Poms on the ropes and I smell victory.......
Getting KP is fantastic as it evens up for Khawaja but two very poor umpiring decisions overall.
Getting KP is fantastic as it evens up for Khawaja but two very poor umpiring decisions overall.
Not even close to the Kawaja abortion.
This is what DRS is for, to support the ump and eliminate the howler.
Kawaja's missed the bat by 2 inches.
Starting to look like the 2nd test might have been a rogue result... the poms are not that good I tell you!
Starting to look like the 2nd test might have been a rogue result... the poms are not that good I tell you!
They're struggling when they have to play their old trump card.........the English weather !
Seriously, the Aussie team should treat these next two tests as the first stages of re-gaining the Ashes down here this summer. Treat it as the first part of a 7 test series. Keep the momentum & keep prising open the cracks that are appearing in the POMS line up. Don't let up, & settle on a basic lineup now. Gee Harris is class.
Starting to look like the 2nd test might have been a rogue result... the poms are not that good I tell you!
I do not think the Poms ability was ever the problem, it is just that we have been far worse!