**Official** Australia in West Indies

[sanga1337]

Chanderpaul is a machine. Its getting to the point where everyone is expecting him to score a 50+ score every innings.

Glad that Mitch finally had some success. Even if it was against the tailenders its still a good spell.

Pity about Beau Casson. We really need a good young spinner. Tough task though to try and get chanderpaul out. No-one has been able to get him out all series.

 

[Laurrz]

well its always pleasing when ur lesser bowler is doing well... good stuff by Midge.. although he did clean up the lower middle order and tailend.. those are important wickets too...its prolly the difference between both sides... Australias tenacity in the lower end of their innings (Haddin and Lee contributing)

0/70 odd effectively for Aus... this is good

i just love this pitch.. aggressive cricket is the best.. i hope our batsmen continue to be aggressive and play their shots...bat all day and get a lead of 380 that would be great.. hope we survive all day

Windies aren't out of it though, we saw what happen at Sabina park and its not too dissimilar a position, one feels Aussie batting can't bat so badly twice though

it seems Casson has quite a similar bowling action to Chawla.. a mirror image.. haven't seen him yet i'll watch now

and Chanderpaul is just invincible..thankfully for Aus he bats quite low....this guy is just unstoppable.. its amazing

 

[pasag]

Mitch (H)

No doubt he'll still be criticized for it though.

Lol, Clapo, I remember about a year ago I was staunchly defending Johnson and you were questioning his ability. How the tables have turned, mind you I think he is the future of Australian Test cricket, but not at the moment.

His first spell last night was a shocker, took all the early momentum that Lee had created and fed it to the dogs. Full credit to him for coming back the way he did. His efforts shouldn't be underestimate and he fully got us right back on top of this game.

That said, throughout this series the WI have shown a gameplan to attack the lesser two bowlers in the Australian side, basically they see of Lee and Clark and then go all out attack on Johnson + spinners. Perhaps we give them a hard time because it is difficult being targeted like that. I thought Casson didn't look so bad fwiw. If he can be economical when conditions don't suit and play well in spinning conditions then I might come around to him. As it is, I think the upcoming ODIs will play a large part in his immediate Test future.

The batting from the openers was great btw. Full credit for not attacking and just seeing out the day. I know it sounds obvious, but the way we batted in the first innings, it needs saying. Hoping we can grind out a 400+ lead and shouldn't need more than 130 or so overs to bowl them out. However the match isn't over yet by a long stretch, if WI bowl well they could have a small total to chase and could still win this game yet. Exciting times ahead. One thing is for sure these pitches and the one from the first Tests are so, so vital for cricket. Anyways, enough rambling...

Edit: And Chanderpaul.... I'm happy he's done to us what he did to England. It's been said that often Australian fans don't rate a player until they've taken it out on us so now a lot of people can finally see how awesome he is.

 

[Johnners]

Lol, Clapo, I remember about a year ago I was staunchly defending Johnson and you were questioning his ability. How the tables have turned, mind you I think he is the future of Australian Test cricket, but not at the moment.

His first spell last night was a shocker, took all the early momentum that Lee had created and fed it to the dogs. Full credit to him for coming back the way he did. His efforts shouldn't be underestimate and he fully got us right back on top of this game.

That said, throughout this series the WI have shown a gameplan to attack the lesser two bowlers in the Australian side, basically they see of Lee and Clark and then go all out attack on Johnson + spinners. Perhaps we give them a bad time but it is difficult being targeted like that. I thought Casson didn't look so bad fwiw. If he can be economical when conditions don't suit and play well in spinning conditions then I might come around to him. As it is, I think the upcoming ODIs will play a large part in his immediate Test future.

The batting from the openers was great btw. Full credit for not attacking and just seeing out the day. I know it sounds obvious, but the way we batted in the first innings, it needs saying. Hoping we can grind out a 400+ lead and shouldn't need more than 130 or so overs to bowl them out. However the match isn't over yet by a long stretch, if WI bowl well they could have a small total to chase and could still win this game yet. Exciting times ahead. One thing is for sure these pitches and the one from the first Tests are so, so vital for cricket. Anyways, enough rambling...

Yeah, his first spell was a shocker, no denying that, but as you said, deserves credit because of the way he turned it around, and basically gave us the lead. Would be interested to see a quote where I was questioning his ability, honestly can't remember it (must have been a momentary lapse )

 

[pasag]

Right. There we go. All the stadia have poor drainage don't they? Waste of money right?

Huh, when did I say anything like that???

The drainage at the last ground was pathetic, it was superb here. Never did I say that all grounds in the WI were one way or the other.

 

[pasag]

Yeah, his first spell was a shocker, no denying that, but as you said, deserves credit because of the way he turned it around, and basically gave us the lead. Would be interested to see a quote where I was questioning his ability, honestly can't remember it (must have been a momentary lapse )

Looking through the 172 times you've mentioned 'Johnson' on this board (some of those did include some crappy Lions player tbf) it turns out you are quite a big fan. This must be what I was thinking about, though it wasn't the worst call in hindsight and neither was Tharmi's in that thread.

 

[Johnners]

Looking through the 172 times you've mentioned 'Johnson' on this board (some of those did include some crappy Lions player tbf) it turns out you are quite a big fan. This must be what I was thinking about, though it wasn't the worst call in hindsight and neither was Tharmi's in that thread.

Haha yeah, was just looking myself, I've practically idolised the guy . Turns out your comment re: Skull, was poo, actually

Chris Johnson > Carlton, btw.

 

[James90]

Chris Johnson > Carlton, btw.

Awta.

 

[Prince EWS]

Bit hard to judge Casson off one 6 over spell against set batsmen on a pitch favouring the fast men. He did look nervous.

How about based on years of playing like crap at First Class level?

 

[Johnners]

How about based on years of playing like crap at First Class level?

Nah, don't be silly.

 

[Laurrz]

How about based on years of playing like crap at First Class level?

last season wasnt that bad

 

[Prince EWS]

last season wasnt that bad

It wasn't that good either. He finished well and showed some promise, but the majority of the season was actually pretty dire from him and it's a far cry from finally justifying you continued First Class selection and being selected in a Test. Or at least it should be.

 

[Laurrz]

It wasn't that good either. He finished well and showed some promise, but the majority of the season was actually pretty dire from him and it's a far cry from finally justifying you continued First Class selection and being selected in a Test. Or at least it should be.

but the thing is, he's probably been the best performing spinner in FC ... from last season (or in general)
McGain averaged about 1 run less ... though..but thats just 1 run

 

[Jakester1288]

I think we should use McGain while we can. Casson will become better in time. I think the same of Noffke and Johnson. We should use Noffers while we can and Johnson needs more time.

 

[Mister Wright]

It wasn't that good either. He finished well and showed some promise, but the majority of the season was actually pretty dire from him and it's a far cry from finally justifying you continued First Class selection and being selected in a Test. Or at least it should be.

I know your original point was about judging him after 6 test match overs, but a lot of players have been selected for test teams with a lot less experience and worse records.

 

[howardj]

Yeah, in defence of the selectors, they're merely working with what they have. I mean, in a perfect world, you wouldn't pick someone with the FC stats that Casson has. However, with the passing of MacGill and Warne, and the dearth of talent around, the spinning world for Australia is anything but perfect.

 

[NZTailender]

Feels odd to have a better test match spinner than Australia.

Dare I say it, the WIndies have a better spinner in their side than Australia...

 

[howardj]

Feels odd to have a better test match spinner than Australia.

Dare I say it, the WIndies have a better spinner in their side than Australia...

Dunno mate, I reckon Pup and Symmo might just pip Benn.

Seriously though, I think Australia, in light of our leather flinging deficiencies, should seriously consider a restructuring of our Test lineup. For mine, I would seriously contemplate getting Watson in there for instead of a specialist opener. To cover our lack of bowling options, let's play to our strengths - our allrounders, in Symonds, Clarke and Watson, rather than tinker with inadequate spin options such as Casson, Cullen and Co.

 

[NZTailender]

Dunno mate, I reckon Pup and Symmo might just pip Benn.

Having seen Benn bowl, I think he's alright. I don't think he's better than Juggernauth (sp) or even the mighty Dave but I'd rather have him than Casson. Though I think Clarke is an underrated spinner at times, while Symonds has been falling away a bit.

Given Katich and Gayle are also playing, you could say there are 5 better spinners in the match than Casson

 

[Laurrz]

Having seen Benn bowl, I think he's alright. I don't think he's better than Juggernauth (sp) or even the mighty Dave but I'd rather have him than Casson. Though I think Clarke is an underrated spinner at times, while Symonds has been falling away a bit.

Given Katich and Gayle are also playing, you could say there are 5 better spinners in the match than Casson

Symo is a decent spinner, always economical and got vital wickets against india last summer

i dont wanna comment on Casson yet - Aussies are gun in domestic against spinners..
and i do like his action, theres something there to work with imo dont shoot me
it does seem like a left handed chawla - i really dig it... (obviously chawla is wayy better but u get my point)