Boxing Day Test

[GVGjr]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Whats the go with Punting giving chances late in the session?

[Mantis]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Whats the go with Punting giving chances late in the session?

He is trying to play for the break and changing his natural game. He was scoring off almost every ball, but went into his shell and paid the ultimate price for doing so.

[GVGjr]

Re: Boxing Day Test

He is trying to play for the break and changing his natural game. He was scoring off almost every ball, but went into his shell and paid the ultimate price for doing so.

He was also given a life late in the first session and I'm sure he and Clarke coughed up their wickets late in sessions over in India as well.

[GVGjr]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Geez...Mr. Cricket has become Mr. Ducks lately..

Perhaps a change to Mr Snickit is in order

[mighty_west]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Perhaps a change to Mr Snickit is in order

Was a terrible non shot, you leave the ball, you get the bat the HELL out of the way.

[GVGjr]

Re: Boxing Day Test

And another wicket falls nearly at the completion of the session. Is the problem with the side more mental than ability?

[dog town]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Hauritz and Siddle both did very good jobs today. Siddle always had that in him IMO on a better pitch for the bowlers. Tremendous captaincy by Ponting to throw him the new ball.

SA really struggle with spinners. They all sweep at the first sign of getting tied down and the sweep is just such a risky shot in this country. Kallis really cost his side today I am afraid. Even Smith played a few risky sweeps.

Speaking of Smith I was pleased that we bowled to a better plan against him today. Full is the only way to go with him and just wait for a mistake. He has heavy feet so the full one is always a chance.

Brett Lee is in all sorts of trouble. They are just toying with him at the moment and the attack lacks a bit of variety and depth with 1 bowler down that much. We need a different option in the side to give some more variety. Its very harsh on Binga but he is not performing and we need to start turning a few of these bowlers over. Siddle is a player for the future so if a bowler makes way I think it should be Lee. I would bring in Hilfy or Bracken

[GVGjr]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Brett Lee is in all sorts of trouble. They are just toying with him at the moment and the attack lacks a bit of variety and depth with 1 bowler down that much. We need a different option in the side to give some more variety. Its very harsh on Binga but he is not performing and we need to start turning a few of these bowlers over. Siddle is a player for the future so if a bowler makes way I think it should be Lee. I would bring in Hilfy or Bracken

If we go into the next test with just two pace bowlers and two spinners you would have to think Lee should be the quick bowler to be dropped. 12 months ago that was almost unthinkable.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Boxing Day Test

If we go into the next test with just two pace bowlers and two spinners you would have to think Lee should be the quick bowler to be dropped. 12 months ago that was almost unthinkable.

He hasn't been the same bowler since he & his wife separated.

[Mantis]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Great to see Siddle take a few wickets, as with 'dt' it was great to see him get the new ball. Johnson doesn't rely on swing or seam so he is just as dangerous with a 10 over ball.

Hauritz played the role of an off spinner very well. He kept it tight and waited for a mistake. Krejza needs to realise that you don't have to bowl a wicket taking delivery every time you send one down.

Lee is in serious trouble. He looks as flat as a tack.

Regardless of the result here there will be some tough questions that need to be answered before the Sydney test.

I'm off to the G today and hope to see Siddle pick up a '5 for' and then our batsman consolidate our position in the game.

[GVGjr]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Lee is in serious trouble. He looks as flat as a tack.

Regardless of the result here there will be some tough questions that need to be answered before the Sydney test.

I think he just needs to freshen up a bit and we would probably be doing him a favour by given him a spell for the next test and resting him from a few ODI

[Twodogs]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Brett Lee is in all sorts of trouble. They are just toying with him at the moment and the attack lacks a bit of variety and depth with 1 bowler down that much.

If we go into the next test with just two pace bowlers and two spinners you would have to think Lee should be the quick bowler to be dropped. 12 months ago that was almost unthinkable.

He hasn't been the same bowler since he & his wife separated.

Lee is in serious trouble. He looks as flat as a tack.

Regardless of the result here there will be some tough questions that need to be answered before the Sydney test.

I think he just needs to freshen up a bit and we would probably be doing him a favour by given him a spell for the next test and resting him from a few ODI

I've been saying for a while that Lee is injured and just doesnt look right. Watch him when he runs in to bowl-he is so side on in his run up he looks like a crab. His balance is off and he is definitely protecting something because his body just isnt right.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Boxing Day Test

The selectors have to take the vast share of blame for this debacle of a bowling attack. Symonds is in the side as an all-rounder that can't bowl when you have the form all-rounder in the country 12th man even though it was widely known BEFORE the test that Symonds had a knee problem.

We were always just one hammy twitch or ankle roll away from a three-man bowling attack.

Farce.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Boxing Day Test

Symonds ain't to blame though he isn't the answer. Watson was under a injury cloud too.
They had them on the ropes and should have been around 200 in front, its not the fault of your part time bowlers. Look at the captaincy/leadership, fielding and expereinced bowlers.

[GVGjr]

Re: Boxing Day Test

The selectors have to take the vast share of blame for this debacle of a bowling attack. Symonds is in the side as an all-rounder that can't bowl when you have the form all-rounder in the country 12th man even though it was widely known BEFORE the test that Symonds had a knee problem.

We were always just one hammy twitch or ankle roll away from a three-man bowling attack.

Farce.

Playing anyone underdone will catch a side out. Yes the Symonds knee injury which would restrict his bowling was known to the selectors before the test but I think they were trying to consolidate the suspect batting by picking an established competitor. I didn't agree with it but I understand the logic. The thing is that it's been a while since Watson played a game so he runs the risk of being out of touch himself if he gets called up for the next test.

It looked encouraging before the start of today's play but we have been exposed as no longer a cricket power so I wonder if it's time to set a rebuilding plan?