The Cricket Thread

[STL]

When White started out, he was a true all rounder, batter/bowler.. But over the last couple of years he has obviously concentrated too much on his batting...

Apparently, according to Rob Cassell, a friend of his and an old MHS boy who I know, White figured that he'd make more money as a batsman.

From everything I've heard/read, White's worked with Jenner extensively to try and get the action right. But I think circumstances have conspired against him b/c of the fact that McGain was up and coming at the time and fair more accomplished. And with the advent of 20-20 cricket, it far suited White's game much better. After all, he just needs to play in the IPL for the next 3 years and he's set for life.

Has anyone seen this John Holland guy play? Apparently he's a good prospect. Finger spinner though he did go for a bit today in the Ford Ranger Cup. The Vics had a comfortable win too with Hussey leading the day again. His one day form has been excellent but not so much his 4 day form. Rogers and Quiney both batted well as well and Quiney has come out of nowhere this year.

Should definitely play Krejza, we need a true spinner, and we're not going to find one until we give some a go... Relying on part timers like Clarke, Katich and White (that's all he really is nowadays) will not do..

Agree totally. We've also got to remember, warn to come to us and announce his brilliance overnight. It took time for him to develop his craft and gain that confidence. I think people expect a spinner too soon. I'd rather see Krejza play and get smacked around for 4 or 5 games and get a chance rather than not.

The problem with McGain as well if he does play for Australia is that it just means that Australia is avoiding the issue of developing a new spinner. Most spinners have to blooded first. They're not like pacemen and you have to accept that they go for runs. Good ones take time b/c as much as spinning is about turning a ball, its about mind games and temperament. That was one of Warne's trademarks and that of many others from Kumble to chucker.

The other spot that might come up is Haddin's. His fingers were injured quite a bit and he's not really consolidated that spot. I'd love to see Pomersbach in for Haddin. Some youth could do a lot for Australia.

[jacksplatt11]

Ahh yeah that makes sense about White, and yeah Mcgain playing well hasn't really helped him either..

And you're right, spinners do go for runs, lots of runs... I think that because we've been used to Warne bowling pretty effeciently for a spinner, we expect anyone to come in and perform the same... But most new spinners are gonna get hit for a bit while they find their feet, you just have to persist..

The other spot that might come up is Haddin's. His fingers were injured quite a bit and he's not really consolidated that spot. I'd love to see Pomersbach in for Haddin. Some youth could do a lot for Australia.

While I agree that Haddin's spot is definitely up for grabs, I don't quite think Pomersbach is a good substitution... Considering that it would leave us without a wicket-keeper haha, but I know what you're trying to say, Haddin for me, while being a very capable keeper, doesn't quite impress me with the bat.. I don't think that he thinks batting situations through properly, like a Test batsmen should, I think he is much more suited to One Day with his attacking style... I know I know, Gilchrist was attacking in both One Day AND Tests, but Gilchrist is a one of a kind type of player, who you could rely on in a Test to score quick but still keep his wicket, most of the time anyway.. I think Ronchi will be our next keeper

[STL]

I think Ronchi will be our next keeper

That's what I meant... oops

[i_amtrunks]

No surprise about the draw, if we had have been playing against New Zealand or South Africa, they would have made a sporting (read: most likely impossible, but still obtainable) declaration and made a real game out of it. Sub Continent teams will never do it. If they arent going to win easily they'd prefer to play for a draw to be safe.

While it was Kumble's last test (I like Kumble but the past year or so from him has made me not like him anywhere near as much) he had to retire immediately as he would not have been selected for the fourth, he is injured and dead weight in the bowling ranks. I thought him declaring, giving the Aussies 30 overs to get 240 runs was like a spit in the face considering how slowly India batted, and it was purely so he could bowl a few overs before calling it quits, perhaps picking up his 620th wicket. Thankfully it wasn't to be.

I'm looking forward to the 4th test now, Dhoni is an attacker, he is like a re-incarnation of Gilchrist, not only with his keeping and batting, but also in his cleverness as a captain. He will make things happen with his changes and field placings, as he proved in the 2nd test. Australia may have a slight momentum advantage, and had Kumble been playing the 4th test India would have been playing for the draw from the first ball, but with Dhoni, there is a chance they will go for the kill (probably only if they get to bat first though).

I wonder how India will fare if Singh still is not recovered even after his "ICC approved drug cheating", I wonder if they will rely on Mishra and Sehwag and go with their 3 in form quicks, or pluck another spinner out? Australia need to pick Kresja, and if Haddin is injured, Ronchi would be the man to replace him. Then again if worst comes to worse, we could select White to bat at #7, Krezja to take the spinners spot and have Mr Cricket himself wicketkeep. He is not the best Keeper, but more than up to it.

I also love how the media is pretending to forget that Clarke should have been out 3-4 times in his innings before the century, mostly due to uneeded reckless shots from Clarke when he needed to remain at the crease as long as possible. I do not understand why the media feels the need to suck up the Clarke. I much prefer the frankness of the ABC Radio commentary who are more than hinting that Clarke is not liked by many seniors players because he is a giant kiss arse to the selectors and board.

[i_amtrunks]

Only India. Only India would feel that they are powerful enough to go against ICC rules that state the officials word is final. ICC should look into an NRl style penalty system, in this case the early guilty plea (which Gambhir pleaded guilty to) =1 match, challenge and lose =2 match ban.

Not only can neither side practice on the pitch that will host the 4th Test due to it being "so new it has no practice area or equipment", the pitch will be another batsmans paradise. We are up for another high scoring draw.

Oh and Clark may be the bowler to be dropped, even though it was only his tight bowling that restricted the Indians, and built up the pressure that Johnson took advantage of. Am I the only one who thinks that ridiculous? Lee should be dropped and replaced with Siddle, White dropped for Krezja. Ponting has even suggested playing 2 spinners, which would be laughable seeing as Clarke has bowled more overs than White this tour anyway (and Watson barely bowled in the 3rd test as well).

It's almost like we want to lose the series...

[i_amtrunks]

BCCI has backed down, so an official 4th test is about to begin.

Somehow Clark has been dropped for Krezja... go figure.

India will bat first, for as long as possible. Lee and Johnson better play very well, dropping the only bowler who can tie up an end was very stupid.

[jacksplatt11]

Yeah, I had a look at the team and thought

India will most likely score a trillion runs... Johnson, Lee, White, Krejza, then part timers...

It's good that Krejza is getting a go, but at the expense of Clark? Very strange decision...

[i_amtrunks]

We are getting smashed already. India 0/71 after only 13 overs, Krezja's first over went for 11 including a 4 and a 6.

Watson will be bowling a heck of a lot more overs this test than in the other 3 combined, since he is now the third seamer.

[STL]

Like you all, I was very disturbed, appalled. Watson is not a genuine seamer, wicket taker. He is serviceable at best. Hes fine in the one day/ 20/20 form but he falls apart in Test cricket. He just does not have the game, I'm sorry.

White? Are they thinking? What has he done to warrant his spot in the team? I'm Victorian at heart and root for our boys but in a game we need to win, we retain him? He's a containment bowler at best. He's a liability at worst. The only reason maybe was to keep the batting line up long but iirc Krejza is no mug w/ the bat.

And dropping Clark? Man, that's just stupid. They underbowl him and then think he's the most expendable. He can be miserly and keep the batsman honest. Lee, Johnson? Just don't cut it. Johnson sucks.

[i_amtrunks]

Johnson cannot bowl on a line or length on a consistent basis, but he is the leading wicket taker.
Lee looked like he was still recovering from India Belly yesterday, yet still seemed to be bowling better than in the 2nd test. Why play a bowler who has been ineffective and uneconomical, who is also crook, over the bowler who has tied up ends, allowing the other bowlers to make a break through?

Krezja had a mixed bag, 3 good wickets (although Dravid could be bowled out by a 3 year old with a plastic ball in the slump he is in), but didn't Sehwag take to him! Not the worst debut for a spinner in India thus far, and truth be told he hasn't done much worse than Lee or White have done in earlier tests, plus he managed to bowl nearly a third of all overs for the day, something White could not do.

Tendulkar was excellent, although I much prefer watching Sehwag bat, he really has to be the #1 player for India at the moment, such a great batsmen, and more than handy with the ball.

Overall a fairly even first day, India scoring only 311 when after only 20 overs they were at 100, and losing 5 wickets on a track that really could have seen them post closer to 500 in a day. Hopefully the tail will not wag and Australia will get more than a handful of overs to bat today. Hopefully Singh gets belted, and also takes a full toss to his illegal drug filled toes.