Re: Australian Cricket - Crisis, What Crisis ??
Reply #1364 –
While I agree in the intent, the problem this test wasn't just the batting it was also the bowling. That 1st Innings total by Pakistan was way over par on that pitch. but the media is patting the bowlers on the back!
I said this for a while now, and it is biting us again. We have no effective new ball bowlers at the moment. Starc sprays it like underarm deodorant, Siddle just doesn't have that extra bit of pace he needs for the top level.
The batting was atrocious, but the bowling wasn't much better!
Yeah, but at least we have the bowlers that can come in to that lineup who are test class when fit (Hazelwood, Cummings) .....sadly our batting stocks are, & have been for some time, atrocious. The presence of Steve Smith has papered over gaping cracks for too long. Our high-middle order collapses are now becoming the norm rather than the exception. First round of Shield cricket has so far seen 1 score of 100 plus, and that from a bloke who was discarded for not doing much wrong in the first place. Glad that Finch has fought for his spot, he should stay there for the summer. Renshaw has to come in for S.Marsh at the very least & someone scoring runs in Shield has to be given a go for M.Marsh.
These collapses are just not acceptable in the slightest.
(woops...edited...I just saw the 243 from Pucovski ....that's the sort of stuff I want to see !)