Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

[Twodogs]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

That's a gutsy effort by Rankin. Bad luck to the kid.

[azabob]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

No.

I just find it amazing how easily some players get given test matches over the years versus how hard some others have to work and how well they need to perform only to be rewarded with very limited opportunities.

Bailey will surely have to perform brilliantly in the second dig to hold his spot. He's simply not up to it and shouldn't be in the side. But we all to a man knew this before the series started.

I do agree with you though Jeemak - it happens in all sports.

[lemmon]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Fast becoming one of the worlds best young talents is Smith, wonderful knock

[azabob]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Fast becoming one of the worlds best young talents is Smith, wonderful knock

You mentioned in another thread he is batting a spot too high. Do you think in time he can be a number five or six?

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Done very well to get to where we are. Haddin and Smith have both had good series.

[DOG GOD]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

5 tests, 5 first innings that last 5 wkts totally out score first 5 wkts. England has pretty much lost the ashes on this figure alone.

[boydogs]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

But we all to a man knew this before the series started.

Rogers, Watson & Haddin were also much maligned but have been good contributors at worst.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Another great escape ( Barmy army should play the tune after the Aussies lose 5 wickets)
Smith looks comfortable now in his own skin, and Haddin has always been capable ability wise to conjure up some good knocks.England bowled far to short, and the tweeker doesn't have a wrong'un

[lemmon]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

England reporting Rankin was only suffering cramp and his scans were all clear, will bowl in the second innings...very, very odd.

On Borthwick he is basically Steve Smith back in 2010. Has been picked because he strengthens the tail but over time will be a genuine batsman, hardly bowled last year for Durham. They've obviously decided in Australia you have to pick a wrist spinner and if he helps out their massive tail all the better. If they wanted the better spinner they would've gone Tredwell.

[lemmon]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

You mentioned in another thread he is batting a spot too high. Do you think in time he can be a number five or six?

If he keeps going the way he is he will keep proving me wrong! At the moment I think he is a number 6, has wonderful hands and a fish eye, can counter attack and dig in and plays the spinners beautifully be he is still technically loose: he throws the hands and his footwork can be muddled to the quick men which is why I think he should be at number 6 at this stage in his career. That being said there isn't much real difference between numbers 5 and 6 anyway.

The real test will be whether he can move up to four, the top four are the batsman who set up and win games, a few exceptions aside your best batsman should be somewhere in there. Honestly I can't see it happening, Clarke has struggled with it because he goes with his hands too far outside the off-stump, Smith is even worse, he makes Pup look like Bill Lawry outside off. The seaming, new ball will always have him struggling outside off with the way he chases with his hands. Will probably stay in the middle order I imagine.

[lemmon]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Congrats to the groundsmen, this is almost the ideal test match wicket

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Nice session so far, the dropped chance was disappointing but the bowlers have once again done the job for us.

I never predicted we had an attack capable of dominating England but they have proven me wrong.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Nice session so far, the dropped chance was disappointing but the bowlers have once again done the job for us.

I never predicted we had an attack capable of dominating England but they have proven me wrong.

Ponting must be glowing. He was one of the few who predicted we could go 5-0 before this series.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

Two wickets down but an interesting 7 by Rogers.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australia vs England 5th Test - SCG

4 down for 91 so once again we will need a few from the tail.