The Cricket Thread

[southlondonyiddo]

TBH it's shameful that the idea was even being considered. It's bad enough that Smith will captain against the West Indies in the 2nd Test but as much as I dislike him, I suppose it's at least a little more palatable, maybe his 'crime' was being more stupid and weak than dishonest, I dunno.

Nah - he’s clearly a ****

+ he’s got to be one of the worst batsmen to watch. Should be shot with that technique

 

[Nine while nine]

TBH it's shameful that the idea was even being considered. It's bad enough that Smith will captain against the West Indies in the 2nd Test but as much as I dislike him, I suppose it's at least a little more palatable, maybe his 'crime' was being more stupid and weak than dishonest, I dunno.

That would make a fine question at the press conference.

'Steve, some people think it's wrong for you and David Warner to have a leadership role because you're both cheating scumbags. However, others think it's fair that you return because you were a lily-livered idiot, rather than the utter douche Warner was. Which opinion do you think is right?'

 

[Dunc2610]

TBH it's shameful that the idea was even being considered. It's bad enough that Smith will captain against the West Indies in the 2nd Test but as much as I dislike him, I suppose it's at least a little more palatable, maybe his 'crime' was being more stupid and weak than dishonest, I dunno.

Yeah, I'm down the path of Smith just being more than likely bullied in to it. I get the impression that that is exactly what Warner is, and by withdrawing his appeal on the grounds he doesn't want his family in the limelight, somehow makes he a good guy. When in fact it's probably more it'd come to light just what an ass he really is!

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Nah - he’s clearly a ****

+ he’s got to be one of the worst batsmen to watch. Should be shot with that technique

Indeed. I absolutely wouldn't like to see him Captain them again but I can understand why he's been given a bit of an easier ride. I think all of them are lucky they've ever played again for Australia at all, except Bancroft who, from my limited recollection hasn't played much if at all and was shat on from a very great height even though his form was pretty poor anyway.

 

[midoshairband]

don't think this pitch is going to hold up for 3 days, let alone 5. ripping sideway with the new ball already.

shame we haven't got a proper spinner!

 

[dimiSpur]

Looking like we could have considered resting either Jimmy or Ollie for Rehan and given him a go.

It doesn't seem a great score at lunch, but we can't know until both teams have had a bat. Perhaps a watchful mentality would have seen us 5 down for half the runs scored.

I do worry that we don't have a spinner good enough to capitalise on this wicket though. I've never been a fan of Leach. I think he's very ordinary and hasn't really improved to a dramatic enough extent over the last 2 years.

 

[aussiespursguy]

TBH it's shameful that the idea was even being considered. It's bad enough that Smith will captain against the West Indies in the 2nd Test but as much as I dislike him, I suppose it's at least a little more palatable, maybe his 'crime' was being more stupid and weak than dishonest, I dunno.

Yep

 

[aussiespursguy]

Nah - he’s clearly a ****

+ he’s got to be one of the worst batsmen to watch. Should be shot with that technique

You should look at the highlights from Perth. Back to normal. Changed completely.

 

[midoshairband]

Looking like we could have considered resting either Jimmy or Ollie for Rehan and given him a go.

It doesn't seem a great score at lunch, but we can't know until both teams have had a bat. Perhaps a watchful mentality would have seen us 5 down for half the runs scored.

I do worry that we don't have a spinner good enough to capitalise on this wicket though. I've never been a fan of Leach. I think he's very ordinary and hasn't really improved to a dramatic enough extent over the last 2 years.

we don't have a spinner good enough in this side, that's going to be an issue on this pitch. it was always going to be a turner after the first test.

still, we'd previously have crawled to 70-5, so to be 180 is decent. 250-300 would normally be a good score here, but the lack of spinner will hurt us i think.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Who knows? Our spinners might actually play well

 

[midoshairband]

gifted him a couple, but this young spinner looks a brilliant find.

 

[PCozzie]

I'm sold on the strategy of this 'new England', we're a far better side playing attacking cricket. But I'm not 100% on board with the tactics. There was a point at 160-3 where Pope was quite easily scoring at 3-4 an over on his own with ones and twos where we could (should?) have spent an hour getting ourselves to 250-3 before launching ourselves again.

I just think occasionally you have to play the game in front of you, not the one you talked about in the team meeting.

 

[PCozzie]

Also it's great to see a new spinner. Especially one wearing a pair of my Grandad's glasses.

 

[midoshairband]

I'm sold on the strategy of this 'new England', we're a far better side playing attacking cricket. But I'm not 100% on board with the tactics. There was a point at 160-3 where Pope was quite easily scoring at 3-4 an over on his own with ones and twos where we could (should?) have spent an hour getting ourselves to 250-3 before launching ourselves again.

I just think occasionally you have to play the game in front of you, not the one you talked about in the team meeting.

sort of agree, but in the early stages of this new 'tactic' it's all about clarity of thought and letting the players go. as it evolves (like the white ball did did and continue to do) judging the situation and playing smarter will come.

what they don't want to do right now is give mixed messages.

 

[Dunc2610]

Wtaf was Leach doing there, he's nr 10 bat, trying to play a switch hit? That's where 'Bazball' falls down when people play a game that isn't theirs!

 

[PCozzie]

sort of agree, but in the early stages of this new 'tactic' it's all about clarity of thought and letting the players go. as it evolves (like the white ball did did and continue to do) judging the situation and playing smarter will come.

what they don't want to do right now is give mixed messages.

Yeah, that's understandable but I wasn't advocating shutting up shop, just take out the obvious wicket taking shot for a short while. Four an over is what we'd, only a short time ago, have described as 'rattling along'. It might have forced Ahmed out of the attack and a chance to get properly stuck in right about now with seven wickets in hand.

I'm just suggesting turning down the dial from '11' to '9' every so often, as needed.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

It wasn't that long ago we'd have been bowled out for around 100-120 if not less so it shows how far we've come that we're disappointed with 250. I'm looking forward to seeing how we go in the field.

 

[PCozzie]

Doesn't feel like a particularly strong opening bid, but lets see what the bowlers can do.

 

[Dunc2610]

Can't help but think we're a good spinner short here, Leach is so...up and down with little variation, and on a turning wicket you need some mystery spin. I can see Pakistan ticking these runs off quite easily.

 

[dimiSpur]

Wtaf was Leach doing there, he's nr 10 bat, trying to play a switch hit? That's where 'Bazball' falls down when people play a game that isn't theirs!

I have the same feelings about Root. One of the best batsmen in the world, and I just hope he plays his own game that's seen him reach the top rather than trying to "jump on the bandwagon" so to speak.

281 may not be a bad score, but we are playing a side that knows how to play spinners and we don't really have any good spinners. So I do worry.