**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[NZTailender]

Mitchell Johnson isn't the worlds best player, but he's far from the worst. He is effective, and bowls wicket taking deliveries, which is why he's been picking up plenty of wickets of late.

The fact that he does bowl some awful ones in there as well generally reflects negatively on him, while Watson, Clark and co. can bowl consistently and 'well' but without that little bit extra they're not really bowling too many wicket taking deliveries.

Basically reminds me of a quote from the movie Legend Of Bagger Vance, about one of the golfers. (Paraphrasing) You can hit a few poor shots on each hole, but if you have one perfect one each hole as well it makes up for it.

 

[freckleslol]

Ponting fined again for slow over-rates

Ponting said the players "tried really hard" during the match to keep with up with the rate, but even with the increased attention on the issue it did not help them. Hats were left at fine-leg, Michael Hussey was used at times as a cap courier and they insisted they were hurrying between overs.

Australia employed an observer to measure how the team used its time on the field in comparison with New Zealand, who have no trouble with keeping up with the over-rate. "We just have a rhythm of how we go about it," the coach John Bracewell said. "Guys know that they're going to be bowling."

 

[Polo23]

Haha, what's to get used to with lack of something? That's like saying Paul Collingwood will be a less effective wicket-taker when people get used to his lack of pace.

Uhh...no it isn't.

Multiple times i've seen batsmen play for swing with Johnson that simply isn't there, which of course catches the outside edge (of the right hander). When people start realising he is bowling gun barrel straight I think he will be less effective. Pretty much anything that pitches on the stumps when he comes over the wicket, the right hander can leave (unless very full) because his angle will take the ball across to miss all 3. That is why he struggled to much to land one ball on the stumps to Chris Martin, his lack of swing and natural angle makes it very hard to hit the stumps when bowling a good length.

 

[Jono]

Haha, I'm probably Johnsons biggest fan on these forums, but I had a massive lol at Ben Dorries.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24695897-23212,00.html

Wait until the end of the summer before we talk about a changing of the guard Benny Boy.

Also, ffs if they leave out Clark again!

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24695149-23212,00.html

I found this article by Craddock to be an interesting read as well. 11 different teams for the past 11 matches is rather odd for an Australian team.

Captain Ricky Ponting supports the idea, but he was always going to be comfortable with it.

Though he was dropped several times in his career, Ponting was so good he always knew he would be back.

But you could not say the same for Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, Beau Casson, Jason Krejza, Simon Katich and, perhaps sometime in the next year, Brett Lee.

Watson, dropped after the first Test, may never play again.

We think he will, but we said the same about Dean Jones and Michael Slater when they were axed - and we were wrong.

Lol, a bit of an overreaction with regards to Watson. Australia have put in so much time with the guy, they're hardly going to never play him again

 

[Top_Cat]

Uhh...no it isn't.

Multiple times i've seen batsmen play for swing with Johnson that simply isn't there, which of course catches the outside edge (of the right hander). When people start realising he is bowling gun barrel straight I think he will be less effective. Pretty much anything that pitches on the stumps when he comes over the wicket, the right hander can leave (unless very full) because his angle will take the ball across to miss all 3. That is why he struggled to much to land one ball on the stumps to Chris Martin, his lack of swing and natural angle makes it very hard to hit the stumps when bowling a good length.

Haha, you don't seriously expect me to believe they don't know all that about Midge already?

 

[Top_Cat]

Lol, a bit of an overreaction with regards to Watson. Australia have put in so much time with the guy, they're hardly going to never play him again

Whilst I don't necessarily agree with horses for course, there really is only one person who can prevent Watto from fading into obscurity; Watto himself. I would reckon he'd need one good season with the bat and he'll be right back in. Blaming the selectors for not picking Watto and therefore ending his career is ridiculous considering that at the very first sign of any form from him, he's right back in the mix.

 

[social]

Uhh...no it isn't.

Multiple times i've seen batsmen play for swing with Johnson that simply isn't there, which of course catches the outside edge (of the right hander). When people start realising he is bowling gun barrel straight I think he will be less effective. Pretty much anything that pitches on the stumps when he comes over the wicket, the right hander can leave (unless very full) because his angle will take the ball across to miss all 3. That is why he struggled to much to land one ball on the stumps to Chris Martin, his lack of swing and natural angle makes it very hard to hit the stumps when bowling a good length.

All of which is true but it ignores the fact that he is not only seriously quick but is able to maintain high pace for lengthy spells AND has an unusual action

Given that, batsmen have a very small amount of time to make a decision and as we've seen throughout his career to date, good players are not immune from playing at balls they shouldn't from time to time

No-one is saying that he is a world beater but his results indicate that there is something to him and he MIGHT develop into a high quality bowler

 

[biased indian]

Ponting fined again for slow over-rates

ha ha ...would like to hear from Hayden...think this game also had a lot of sight screen problems !!!!

 

[social]

I have absolutely no issues with the dropping of Watson or the possible selection of Siddle

Watson's batting hasnt been good enough to warrant selection and his inclusion alongside Symonds unbalances the side. Furthermore, the selection of Krezja should be a given so release Watson and let him play fc cricket

The selection of Siddle is also justified as it will give the selectors a chance to view him again in home conditions and Clark's performances at Adelaide hardly warrant automatic inclusion

TBH, it's a breath of fresh air to see the selectors being flexible rather than just picking the same team irrespective of form, balance, opposition or conditions

 

[Top_Cat]

Siddle also has a decent record for Vic in Adelaide.

Oh dear....

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,24698528-23212,00.html

 

[duffer]

On the Fox Sports news ticker just now "Symonds involved in an altercation" with The Age saying it was a bar fight.


Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

EDIT: Ugh beaten by TC.

 

[biased indian]

Siddle also has a decent record for Vic in Adelaide.

Oh dear....

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,24698528-23212,00.html

....this is what happen if you win test match inside three days ..you get lot of free time

 

[Top_Cat]

EDIT: Ugh beaten by TC.

Didn't think being beaten by me would be so traumatic for someone.

 

[duffer]

Didn't think being beaten by me would be so traumatic for someone.

Got a glass jaw, sorry it hurts.

 

[duffer]

....this is what happen if you win test match inside three days ..you get lot of free time

Changed man ya see. Must've been in a bad place after that crushing victory on his Test recall.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Oh FFS Roy. Hope there isn't more too it.

 

[pasag]

Would wait for any real details of this. Often idiots want to be the one to say they got into a punch-on with a massive bloke like Symonds. I suppose he should be mature enough to just leave the place if that's happening though.

 

[Top_Cat]

Changed man ya see. Must've been in a bad place after that crushing victory on his Test recall.

Was drinking with rugby league players, apparently. After the weekend, the bleating and complaining about the loss and the ref would make anyone want to kill themselves and everyone around them.

 

[Johnners]

Hope he decked some bloke who was **** stirring, and there's footage to see. Despite the fact I really don't like him, reckon he'd pack a mean punch, would be awesome to see (especially seeing as it would likely see him dropped for good 8| )

 

[Top_Cat]

Would wait for any real details of this. Often idiots want to be the one to say they got into a punch-on with a massive bloke like Symonds. I suppose he should be mature enough to just leave the place if that's happening though.

Ever been in a fight? If someone lays the first one on you, let's see you just brush it off. It ain't easy.

From what I've read, he may not have started it so you may be right about some idiot big noting themselves by getting in a tussle with Symonds. But equally, if someone hits me first (as opposed to a little pushing, for example), I'd find it pretty hard not to feel a little threatened by that and want to neutralise the threat.