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Starts: Thursday 25 November
Where: Gabba
Probable Line Ups
Australia
Katich
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Doherty
Hilfenhuas
Siddle
England
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn
It's harder to get out of the Australian Test team than it is to get in, that's why Hussey & North survive. The 3rd quick comes down to a toss of the coin between Siddle & Bollinger, with Siddle getting the nod. Khawaja on standby if Clarke's back doesn't come up.
England appear pretty settled with most of their batsmen getting runs at some stage so far on tour. Australia's batsmen so far have suffered from injury or form.
I must say I like the lead in by England where they have had a number of 4 day hit outs to acclimatise, much better in my view than some touring teams who have a 20/20 game as their lead in.
The Gabba
There has been a bit of rain in Brisbane which has pundits guessing what effect this may have on the Gabba pitch. The Gabba usually assists the bowlers for the first session & a half, so not losing early wickets could be the key. I still reckon the team that wins the toss will bat.
Interesting to hear Matthew Hayden on radio today say that the Gabba is the quickest pitch in the world. When queried about Perth, he said the WACA of 10 years ago, but not now, definitely the Gabba. He did also say that once you 'get in' the Gabba is the best pitch to bat on in the world from half way through the first day until the end of day 3, when spin plays a part from day 4 onwards.
Prognosis
Could go either way. If the side batting first can weather the early storm, they'll fancy themselves to go on & win the game, particularly bowling last.
Lets be honest, both teams aren't world beaters right now & both have the ability to be bowled out for under 200.
Both captains appear to be targets for the opposition, with suggestions both are suspect to the short ball, although we hear more about Ponting in this regard. He wouldn't want to be out cheaply hooking in the first test.
Katich/Watson & Strauss/Cook both appear solid opening combinations.
Both middle orders are about as reliable as Billy Bowden getting a decision right. Both can accumulate runs, both can fail miserably. Of Australia's middle order, England will want to dismiss Clarke cheaply, likewise Pietersen.
Swann as a spinner gives England a huge advantage.
Johnson, Hilfenhaus & Siddle need to be consistant & not leak runs. Watson gives Australia a bowling advantage as he can bowl well, importantly giving his fellow quicks a decent rest. England's 2 main quicks in Broad & Anderson will trouble Australia. Finn is the unknown & potentially a weak link, never having bowled here before.
A huge psychological bonus for the winner. I reckon this test match has the potential to intrigue us with many turns before it concludes. Captaincy & I mean good captaincy; field positions, bowling changes etc... will be crucial & one of the reason people like myself & Twodogs will always prefer Test Cricket.
Australia might just nick it I fancy, but with absolutely no confidence whatsoever.
Where: Gabba
Probable Line Ups
Australia
Katich
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North
Haddin
Johnson
Doherty
Hilfenhuas
Siddle
England
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Finn
It's harder to get out of the Australian Test team than it is to get in, that's why Hussey & North survive. The 3rd quick comes down to a toss of the coin between Siddle & Bollinger, with Siddle getting the nod. Khawaja on standby if Clarke's back doesn't come up.
England appear pretty settled with most of their batsmen getting runs at some stage so far on tour. Australia's batsmen so far have suffered from injury or form.
I must say I like the lead in by England where they have had a number of 4 day hit outs to acclimatise, much better in my view than some touring teams who have a 20/20 game as their lead in.
The Gabba
There has been a bit of rain in Brisbane which has pundits guessing what effect this may have on the Gabba pitch. The Gabba usually assists the bowlers for the first session & a half, so not losing early wickets could be the key. I still reckon the team that wins the toss will bat.
Interesting to hear Matthew Hayden on radio today say that the Gabba is the quickest pitch in the world. When queried about Perth, he said the WACA of 10 years ago, but not now, definitely the Gabba. He did also say that once you 'get in' the Gabba is the best pitch to bat on in the world from half way through the first day until the end of day 3, when spin plays a part from day 4 onwards.
Prognosis
Could go either way. If the side batting first can weather the early storm, they'll fancy themselves to go on & win the game, particularly bowling last.
Lets be honest, both teams aren't world beaters right now & both have the ability to be bowled out for under 200.
Both captains appear to be targets for the opposition, with suggestions both are suspect to the short ball, although we hear more about Ponting in this regard. He wouldn't want to be out cheaply hooking in the first test.
Katich/Watson & Strauss/Cook both appear solid opening combinations.
Both middle orders are about as reliable as Billy Bowden getting a decision right. Both can accumulate runs, both can fail miserably. Of Australia's middle order, England will want to dismiss Clarke cheaply, likewise Pietersen.
Swann as a spinner gives England a huge advantage.
Johnson, Hilfenhaus & Siddle need to be consistant & not leak runs. Watson gives Australia a bowling advantage as he can bowl well, importantly giving his fellow quicks a decent rest. England's 2 main quicks in Broad & Anderson will trouble Australia. Finn is the unknown & potentially a weak link, never having bowled here before.
A huge psychological bonus for the winner. I reckon this test match has the potential to intrigue us with many turns before it concludes. Captaincy & I mean good captaincy; field positions, bowling changes etc... will be crucial & one of the reason people like myself & Twodogs will always prefer Test Cricket.
Australia might just nick it I fancy, but with absolutely no confidence whatsoever.
Comment