Andrew Symonds as a Test cricketer?

[Top_Cat]

I always thought of Roy as a powerhouse player only but his play in the last 5 years has caused me to re-evaluate this. He's one of those blokes whose contributions go beyond his stats. Sure he only took one wicket in Melbourne but it was a big one and bowling offies, no-one saw it coming either. He didn't score a ton there either but did hit a 40-odd and 30-odd - hardly failures. The ton today was exactly what the doctor ordered even if he did have luck. And of course there's his fielding. If he keeps doing what he's doing, I'd suggest he'll be in the side for some time to come.

[/b]don't see the point of Symonds being in the team unless he is one of the best six batsmen in the country atm. He's never going to provide penetration with the ball outside of very helpful conditions and thus provides the same bowling option as Sourav Ganguly. But Ganguly is picked because he's one of India's best choice batsmen. Unless Andrew Symonds is one of his country's best choice batsmen - which he arguably is, I suppose - I don't see the point of him playing Tests. He's not a Test quality allrounder. If Australia wants part-time bowling, give Clarke the ball. Part-time seam? Ponting.[/b]

He really is producing more than another number 6 batsman in the country would. There are a lot of good young players on the way up right now but their time will come and they have to earn it. And he's a far better bowler than either Clarke or Ponting. Why burden them with that when Clarke needs to concentrate on his batting especially and Punter also has to captain? It's easy to say "They can bowl a few overs" but you'd never back them to take wickets as consistently as Roy does.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

When was the last time Ponting bowled?

Short memory.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Gurusinha, Jimmy Adams, Moin Khan, Ridley Jacobs and Vaughan - Ponting's victims.

Combined Test runs - 16,138.
Combined Test average - 36.18.
Combined average when dismissed by Ponting - 30.60.

 

[Top_Cat]

Wow, 5 Test wickets in 10 years!

 

[Richard]

Happens to so many Aussie batsmen. The thing is though, often other countries batsmen get let offs but get out soon, so it doesn't really matter..

Australia are the best team in the world at converting 2nd chances..

And 3rd... and 4th...

Being good at converting second chances <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< being good at converting first.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Wow, 5 Test wickets in 10 years!

53 balls per year. Hard done by, IMO.

 

[Top_Cat]

Actually, I think you're right. Punter is a better bowler than his number of stints at the crease would suggest. I doubt he'd be averaging near 60 if he'd been called upon to bowl regularly, though.

 

[Craig]

In the Ashes 2005. Got Vaughan.

So he did.

This is when he last bowled actually

 

[Craig]

Short memory.

Well I hardly got any chance to watch Australia's tour of SA and why I forgot the Vaughan, I don't know, I just did. Actually my memory is quite good.

 

[NUFAN]

And 3rd... and 4th...

Being good at converting second chances <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< being good at converting first.

You shouldn't have quoted just half of my post. You didn't mention the PAFCA thing..

But yeah it is better to not give any chances for sure.

 

[gettingbetter]

Can someone tell me why Andrew Symonds wears zinc in games played indoor?

It was either he or Warne said it is a mental thing. Its a bit like AFL player Mathew Lloyd who before aiming for goal plucks a bit of grass from the ground, tosses it up to see where the wind goes and takes his kick; he even does that at Docklands (can't remember what its called, but the indoor stadium in Melbourne). its all just their routine.

As for Symonds, other than him being let off, its hard to argue his place in the side, as far as I'm concerned, as a genuine batsman. He really, really shouldn't be getting wickets in Tests, let alone notable ones, but if he chips in, he chips in. He's done well so far and it will take a lot from him and others - Hodge, Katich, Watson and co to dislodge him now. Even in the shorter format, he has become renowned for getting Australia out of tough situations, his application of it to the Test arena is helping him.

Long-term wise: if he does what he is doing with the bat alone, I think he'll call it quits on his own terms, if you know what I mean.

 

[four_or_six]

I don't enjoy watching him play. I can't see how he'll be dropped now though... not for a while.

 

[sledger]

tbh despite all his sucess he is obviously one of the least technically gifted players in the side, a real blacksmith of a player, he's probably decent enough to fill in a place in the aussie side, and would probably get in most other sides around the world, but I wouldnt really be interested in watching him bat, or bowl for that matter.

 

[Migara]

Is he human?

 

[Richard]

He's only human, of flesh and blood, he's made.

 

[archie mac]

His 2 centuries have come when the team has been under IMMENSE pressure. Not just pressure. Immense pressure. A guy like that who performs when the chips are down is invaluable. His fielding is wonderful and is worth about 20 or more runs and his medium pacers are strongly underrated. Unless he does something terrible, he can't be dropped.

Awta

 

[NZTailender]

Symonds is taking the spot of Simon Katich, Adam Voges, Marcus North & Chris Rogers (yes, I know he's an opener) all of which are better test/FC batsman for mine.
And I may as well throw in Shane Watson's name too.

The less we see of Symonds in white the better tbh.

 

[Flem274*]

I can't see Symonds in another national test XI except Bangladesh, Zimbabwe or the WI. He wouldn't even make ours. Oram is the greater allrounder by far and Sinclair, Fulton, Fleming and Styris to name a few are better batsmen than him.

 

[Pup_23]

I can't see Symonds in another national test XI except Bangladesh, Zimbabwe or the WI. He wouldn't even make ours. Oram is the greater allrounder by far and Sinclair, Fulton, Fleming and Styris to name a few are better batsmen than him.

Would rather Symonds over Sinclair any day of the week.

 

[ozone]

I can't see Symonds in another national test XI except Bangladesh, Zimbabwe or the WI. He wouldn't even make ours. Oram is the greater allrounder by far and Sinclair, Fulton, Fleming and Styris to name a few are better batsmen than him.

Nah, I reckon he would walk into the England team. And probs the Indian and Pakistani teams because it would give them the balance they've been looking for.