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The New and Improved Cricket Thread© - Now Roadblock Free!
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Tim the Wiz
Banned
Dighton unlucky to get run out, but he took it easy coming back to his wicket. Amazing cameo, though, some of the cleanest hitting I've ever seen. Tasmanian in-breeding good for something, eh?
ItAintEasyBeinCheesy
it's 4th of July in my asshole
Bump?
Good game goin on Suth Afreecuns are given it to us, good to see, good game no silly shenanigans.
Johnstons so dreamy
miss Stuart Clark though but pretty good bowling over all..... wtf is up with our openers, fuck, get in or gtfo.
6/238, i hope they can catch us, i wanna good test come Boxing Day
Good game goin on Suth Afreecuns are given it to us, good to see, good game no silly shenanigans.
Johnstons so dreamy
miss Stuart Clark though but pretty good bowling over all..... wtf is up with our openers, fuck, get in or gtfo.6/238, i hope they can catch us, i wanna good test come Boxing Day
ItAintEasyBeinCheesy
it's 4th of July in my asshole
6 for now, awesome stuff.
ItAintEasyBeinCheesy
it's 4th of July in my asshole
7 for 42, damn hes on a mutha fuckin roll. Damn South African tail wont wag , still no excuse for our shitty opening.
, still no excuse for our shitty opening.Tim the Wiz
Banned
Mitchell Johnson could very well surpass Brett Lee as Australia's prime strike bowler. He certainly has this season. Fantastic bowling to completely rip apart the middle order of one of the most in-form batting lineups in the world.
That guy who was making his debut for South Africa was unlucky, though. Replay showed that it clearly hit the back of his forearm, and not the glove. But that's cricket.
That guy who was making his debut for South Africa was unlucky, though. Replay showed that it clearly hit the back of his forearm, and not the glove. But that's cricket.
ItAintEasyBeinCheesy
it's 4th of July in my asshole
Tim the Wiz said:
Makes up for that questionable LBW i guess, but from the umps POV the bat was infront covering his arms n stuff so tough call.
Tim the Wiz
Banned
ItAintEasyBeinCheesy said:
If you're talking about Katich, that wasn't so questionable. He walks across his wicket all the time and hawk eye showed the umpire's decision as correct. But yes, the forearm decision today was a really tough call... from any point of view.
Wow at some terrible umpiring with Hayden.
First over he doesn't offer a stroke, on the back foot, and the ball perfectly straight hits the pads... umpire says not out. WTF?
A few overs later... ball bounces clean off his pads, bat nowhere near it, big dull paddy thud sound... ball gets caught... OUT!
Insanity.
First over he doesn't offer a stroke, on the back foot, and the ball perfectly straight hits the pads... umpire says not out. WTF?
A few overs later... ball bounces clean off his pads, bat nowhere near it, big dull paddy thud sound... ball gets caught... OUT!
Insanity.
Unless this match has one final twist in the tail, South Africa should cruise in from here.
Don't mind losing so much when the match is this good. So many momentum shifts over the 5 days. This is why test match cricket is so far beyond any other form of the game. Our bowling pressure in this final innings is a bit disappointing though, we really missed the discipline of Stuart Clark.
Don't mind losing so much when the match is this good. So many momentum shifts over the 5 days. This is why test match cricket is so far beyond any other form of the game. Our bowling pressure in this final innings is a bit disappointing though, we really missed the discipline of Stuart Clark.
Ouch, that really, really hurts
Amazing test match even if the result didn't go Australia's way, in the end South Africa did it rather comfortably. Makes you wonder outside of Johnson's devestating spell in the 1st innings how much bigger the gap could have been.
There's going to be further examination over the lineup I'm sure and lack of quality 3rd seamer in Clarke really hurt along with Bret Lee really looking out of sorts.
Credit to Saffers.
Amazing test match even if the result didn't go Australia's way, in the end South Africa did it rather comfortably. Makes you wonder outside of Johnson's devestating spell in the 1st innings how much bigger the gap could have been.
There's going to be further examination over the lineup I'm sure and lack of quality 3rd seamer in Clarke really hurt along with Bret Lee really looking out of sorts.
Credit to Saffers.
master15 said:Ouch, that really, really hurts
Amazing test match even if the result didn't go Australia's way, in the end South Africa did it rather comfortably. Makes you wonder outside of Johnson's devestating spell in the 1st innings how much bigger the gap could have been.
There's going to be further examination over the lineup I'm sure and lack of quality 3rd seamer in Clarke really hurt along with Bret Lee really looking out of sorts.
Credit to Saffers.
I would like to see Watson in for Siddle. He deserves to be playing after his recent bowling form. Looks like the selectors aren't keen to play 2 all rounders though. Maybe even Bollinger should get a look in the team?
epic win from SA. aussie bowlers never looked that dangerous. seems like siddle will be gone in favour for either watson or hilfenhaus. won't be surprised if krezja gets dropped but with no alternate spin option, he seems to be safe unless if cameron white gets the surprise pick which is 99.9% unlikely (0.1% margin for error ). hussey, hayden and ponting the main concerns for the aussies imo. they need to cut on on advertisements
). hussey, hayden and ponting the main concerns for the aussies imo. they need to cut on on advertisements Tim the Wiz
Banned
Australia's bowling is looking very weak at the moment. Lee is out of sorts. Clark's injured. Siddle looks out of depth. Krejza is decent, but nothing special. Johnson carried the entire load this Test.
Bring in Nathan Bracken, he can actually swing the ball and take wickets. He's the best ODI bowler in the world and has performed great in First Class cricket for the last season. I'd also bring in Watson for Krejza, who's been in great form of late. The selectors just have to face up to it, unless you have a high-quality spinner at the level of someone like Vettori, don't play these spinners. Putting them in the baggy green doesn't make them the next Shane Warne. Of course, they'll probably stick with Krejza and play Shaun Tait or something instead of Siddle.
The batting line-up is fine. They've had a bad run of form, but they're still the best guys for the job. Yes, even Hayden and Symonds. Those two just need more time.
South Africa will be much more dangerous next time with Ashwell Prince coming back into the side. Then again, Duminy, who scored the winning runs and got his first half-century in his first Test match coinciding with his first game against Australia, looked exceedingly composed out there. They really have some great depth in their top and middle order. Talk about guts from Graeme Smith playing through that injury. Good work all round from the Proteas.
Bring in Nathan Bracken, he can actually swing the ball and take wickets. He's the best ODI bowler in the world and has performed great in First Class cricket for the last season. I'd also bring in Watson for Krejza, who's been in great form of late. The selectors just have to face up to it, unless you have a high-quality spinner at the level of someone like Vettori, don't play these spinners. Putting them in the baggy green doesn't make them the next Shane Warne. Of course, they'll probably stick with Krejza and play Shaun Tait or something instead of Siddle.
The batting line-up is fine. They've had a bad run of form, but they're still the best guys for the job. Yes, even Hayden and Symonds. Those two just need more time.
South Africa will be much more dangerous next time with Ashwell Prince coming back into the side. Then again, Duminy, who scored the winning runs and got his first half-century in his first Test match coinciding with his first game against Australia, looked exceedingly composed out there. They really have some great depth in their top and middle order. Talk about guts from Graeme Smith playing through that injury. Good work all round from the Proteas.
I don't think we can justify Symonds' position in the test team at present. He is neither our 6th best batsman or our 5th best bowler. Until he can attain one of those mantles, he should be in the ODI team only.
The Krezja fairytale might be over as quickly as it started, he's simply too expensive. The most impressive thing about him in this test was his batting funnily enough. Geez he showed good form for a tailender. That said, he's in the team to bowl, and isn't up to scratch. I know we are desperate to have a full-time spinner, but if you don't have one that is world class, don't select one just for the sake of it. I think Michael Clark could give us just as much value. What made Warne so valuable was that he had various strings to his bow, he could go on the attack and take wickets, or he could pin a batsmen down and dry up the run-scoring. Krezja can't do the latter.
South Africa will be riding a wave of confidence for the rest of this series, and it could get very ugly for the Aussies.
We have much work to do in order to prepare for the Ashes, which (lets face it) is the series that counts more than any other.
The Krezja fairytale might be over as quickly as it started, he's simply too expensive. The most impressive thing about him in this test was his batting funnily enough. Geez he showed good form for a tailender. That said, he's in the team to bowl, and isn't up to scratch. I know we are desperate to have a full-time spinner, but if you don't have one that is world class, don't select one just for the sake of it. I think Michael Clark could give us just as much value. What made Warne so valuable was that he had various strings to his bow, he could go on the attack and take wickets, or he could pin a batsmen down and dry up the run-scoring. Krezja can't do the latter.
South Africa will be riding a wave of confidence for the rest of this series, and it could get very ugly for the Aussies.
We have much work to do in order to prepare for the Ashes, which (lets face it) is the series that counts more than any other.
I really like the call of Bracken coming into the Test team now that I think about it. Am I wrong in thinking he's asked to only play ODI's though or was that simply due to selection policy?
Not only will he provide some variety he can also be very cheap (Something Australia need without Clarke) and provide pressure at the other end, something we really never did in the 2nd innings. I never was a huge fan of Tait but he did take wickets, what's the status with him and playing cricket now?
I totally disagree with dropping Symonds just as he was finding some form, with brisk 50 in first innings. I do think Watson should find a place 2nd test though.
Not only will he provide some variety he can also be very cheap (Something Australia need without Clarke) and provide pressure at the other end, something we really never did in the 2nd innings. I never was a huge fan of Tait but he did take wickets, what's the status with him and playing cricket now?
I totally disagree with dropping Symonds just as he was finding some form, with brisk 50 in first innings. I do think Watson should find a place 2nd test though.
unless someone like dan cullen gets a call to play at the mcg test, krezja is likely to maintain his spot. bracken coming into the test side wouldnt be so much of a bad choice, however he has always been overlooked by selectors (sometimes i dont understand why), hussey probably needs to be "rested" (more like dropped) in favour of his brother (yes, this reminds me of when steve was dropped for mark).
in other cricket related news, its nice to see dhoni employ the ever so defensive 8-1 offside field after his bowlers had a hard time dealing with pietersen. if test cricket was regarded so fucking boring, this was the reason.
in other cricket related news, its nice to see dhoni employ the ever so defensive 8-1 offside field after his bowlers had a hard time dealing with pietersen. if test cricket was regarded so fucking boring, this was the reason.
In other 'cricket' related issues... how about that ridiculous Hong Kong Sixes tournament. :lol
As if Twenty20 hadn't already removed all subtlety, intrigue and strategy from the game of cricket, they then go and invent a 5 over format.
Why do they keep catering to the lowest common denominator. If people's attention spans are limited to less than 5 minutes at a time, they're watching the wrong sport.
As if Twenty20 hadn't already removed all subtlety, intrigue and strategy from the game of cricket, they then go and invent a 5 over format.
Why do they keep catering to the lowest common denominator. If people's attention spans are limited to less than 5 minutes at a time, they're watching the wrong sport.
Ah, the Hong Kong Sixes has been around for yeeaaaars. It's just a fuck around, really. I'd be more concerned with the growing focus on T20.
I'm not sure about Bracken coming in, do we really need another old guy? At least give Hilfenhaus a crack, he's only 24 or something, and can actually swing a new ball a decent whack. We absolutely DON'T need two apparent clones of each other in Lee and Siddle. What the fuck good are 140km pies going all over the place that don't even LOOK like threatening a batsman?
I'm not sure about Bracken coming in, do we really need another old guy? At least give Hilfenhaus a crack, he's only 24 or something, and can actually swing a new ball a decent whack. We absolutely DON'T need two apparent clones of each other in Lee and Siddle. What the fuck good are 140km pies going all over the place that don't even LOOK like threatening a batsman?
Hey don't rag too much on the HK 6's, it's been around for an age and I remember years and years ago as a kid getting to see some form of it as they came to KL, Malaysia. I remember it distinctly because the Australia A side and pretty much all the teams there would compromise of players that would latter become stalwarts for their respective nations.
Aussie team had a very young Gilchrist, Stuart Law, Bichel, Harvery and a ton of others. Plus Sunny Gavaskar told me to piss off. Fun times :lol
Aussie team had a very young Gilchrist, Stuart Law, Bichel, Harvery and a ton of others. Plus Sunny Gavaskar told me to piss off. Fun times :lol
For the squad - Krejza out, Hilfenhaus and Hauritz in.
Surely they'll play Watson ahead of Hauritz. Unless the pitch is a raging turner, I just can't see the justification. Hopefully Hayden announces his retirement effective after the Sydney test, and then just gets on with making runs. Symonds needs to start being more reliable down the order. If it's not going to bowl, his competition isn't Watson anymore, it's Hodge, D. Hussey, etc.
Surely they'll play Watson ahead of Hauritz. Unless the pitch is a raging turner, I just can't see the justification. Hopefully Hayden announces his retirement effective after the Sydney test, and then just gets on with making runs. Symonds needs to start being more reliable down the order. If it's not going to bowl, his competition isn't Watson anymore, it's Hodge, D. Hussey, etc.
Tim the Wiz
Banned
master15 said:
No, selection policy. Bracken Hunts for Test recall.
Rezbit said:
And he's 31, not an old man. I really hate the "too old" excuse at times. Developing players is good, but ignoring quality and in-form experienced options is just plain dumb. It's this type of thinking that helped silly decisions like prematurely forcing Michael Bevan and Michael Slater out of the side.
If Hayden announces his retirement, it should be for after the Ashes. If India can play Dravid this long, Hayden deserves much the same in my opinion, especially as he's always been playing well this year but has been unreservedly unlucky or making silly mistakes. It's psychological, I'd say, give him time to bat it out. He's already been through this furor before with people calling for his retirement. I hope he proves them wrong again or at least extends his stay to the Ashes.
Watson will get the place ahead of one of Hauritz or Hilfenhaus, surely. Now bring in Bracken and we're all set.
I think it'll be a tight Test match, maybe even a draw.
Every time Australia look like they might pull away they loose a wicket. Punter after looking scratchy did very well to dig deep with ton, he hit some crisp looking drives. Very nice but both him and Katich would be livid they didn't kick on for bigger scores.
Mr Cricket looked surprisingly uncertain and paid the penalty. Too bad I'm having to listen to Warney commentate
Mr Cricket looked surprisingly uncertain and paid the penalty. Too bad I'm having to listen to Warney commentate
Ugh, disagree having someone occupy the crease at this stage isn't a bad thing at all, especially being so close to the end of play today. Clearly he's not in touch but this is a time where someone like Haddin can bat around him. Plenty of time to play here, remember it's just the 1st day.
I'm hoping Australia can get close to 400 as possible.
I'm hoping Australia can get close to 400 as possible.
Tim the Wiz
Banned
master15 said:
I'm hoping Australia can get close to 400 as possible.
Can they really reach 400 at 6/280 with Clarke and the tail? Haddin's out. Clarke doesn't seem capable of carrying the run tally by himself unless he reverses his poor touch with the bat overnight. That puts more pressure on the tail, and while Lee and Johnson are pretty decent, Krejza has been dropped and the last two will be stuck playing quite defensive at the end. I say, a maximum of 350 from here unless Clarke can start finding the middle of the bat with the new day and the tail continues wagging mercilessly for Australia. A middling score at best.
The first South African innings will be interesting to watch. Can Graeme Smith hit another ton in reply to Punter's opening salvo?
Oh, and not picking Shane Watson in favour of Peter Siddle is one of the silliest decisions I've seen from the selectors. I would be gobsmacked if I was proved wrong on that front.
Well that was under the assumption Haddin was going to stick around for a while, unfortuntely he just couldn't curb his aggressive nature and while he was looking really good, he really should have been around for tommorow.
At this stage anywhere near 350 would be Australia's first goal. Like the 1st test match everytime South Africa needed a break through, they got one at crucial times.
At this stage anywhere near 350 would be Australia's first goal. Like the 1st test match everytime South Africa needed a break through, they got one at crucial times.
Tim the Wiz
Banned
Tim the Wiz said:
Absolutely gobsmacked! Where was he hiding this talent at the WACA? Some amazing bowling from Siddle. He was bowling over 10 kmph faster, took three wickets in an innings and was the strike bowler Australia needed as Lee went walkabout.
South Africa will be hoping to close the gap to around 150 from here. Something below 100 would really put them back in the game. Harris is okay and Steyn can bat. Hopefully, Duminy can play the role that Clarke manufactured in the first Australian innings. (which was quite a surprise after the overlong start yesterday)
Don't worry Tim, you aren't the only one stunned by Siddle's form bounce topday.
What a great performance. The ball that got McKenzie was an absolute peach. Highlight of the day was him appealing desperately for the LBW on De Villiers without realising he' d bowled him. :lol
Had to feel for Lee. Was really fired up this morning and was really working his ass off, but just wasn't getting the rewards for it. The frustration must be incredible.
What a great performance. The ball that got McKenzie was an absolute peach. Highlight of the day was him appealing desperately for the LBW on De Villiers without realising he' d bowled him. :lol
Had to feel for Lee. Was really fired up this morning and was really working his ass off, but just wasn't getting the rewards for it. The frustration must be incredible.
What a turn around by the Australian bowlers, lead by Siddell of all people...the hell. And Hauritz looked nice and tidy and picked up two huge wickets, particulary Kallis. Australia will really be looking to wrap things up tommorow and go in with big lead.
Yup that or Ruddy making an apperance in the Channel 9 com box and the friendly banter between him and Warney.
Yeah it's been torture as a big Lee fan watching him bowl all summer. His pace is certainly up there but he seems to have lost any semblance of the wicket taking form he's had through his whole career. If you think back two summers ago he was bowling, better than I had ever seen him and was easily world's pick for best fast bowler around. He was fast, accurate and struck.
Not only lately is he not getting any wickets, he's getting taken for plenty. It's pretty scary stuff frankly.
Grug said:
Yup that or Ruddy making an apperance in the Channel 9 com box and the friendly banter between him and Warney.
Yeah it's been torture as a big Lee fan watching him bowl all summer. His pace is certainly up there but he seems to have lost any semblance of the wicket taking form he's had through his whole career. If you think back two summers ago he was bowling, better than I had ever seen him and was easily world's pick for best fast bowler around. He was fast, accurate and struck.
Not only lately is he not getting any wickets, he's getting taken for plenty. It's pretty scary stuff frankly.
Tim the Wiz
Banned
master15 said:
Hauritz has always been a neat and tidy bowler. He's not an attacking spinner like Krejza who's always going for the wickets, but he has a lot more control and will always keep things tight on his end. I could definitely see why he was picked, even if I think he can still develop further as a spinner. But Siddle, wow, I'm still in shock. :lol The moment Grug mentioned pretty much sums up his performance on the day.
master15 said:
Heh, I think Rudd has the wood over Howard in this arena, too.