Woodster
International Captain
Obviously very difficult to predict how each of these players respective careers pan out, but it is a fun topic to discuss.
M. Morkel - The attributes this guy possesses demands that he become one of the most feared quicks in the business. His action looks awkward to me, and whether or not there are one or two technical problems within this action that is affecting his consistency I don't know. He is still only 24 and has 17 Test matches under his belt, and I do expect him to return to the SA side, but time out of it may give him the chance to work on a few faults. Could do with more of a nasty streak in him. I do expect a decent Test career, I just hope it's as good as it possibly should be.
I. Sharma - Anyone that saw him bowl against Australia, home and away, cannot fail to be impressed by the performances of India's new quick. Not only does he cause problems with the new ball, but the threat him and Zaheer offer with the old ball is most impressive. Although not consistenly as quick as Morkel, he still represents a big threat. Is only 20 years old, and after having to bowl on the 'roads' in India, (where he averages an outstanding 24.83) he may well enjoy the types of wicket England, South Africa, and New Zealand have to offer. Probably the most exciting bowler in this category.
S. Broad - Have never really been Broad's biggest fan, although he has shown improvements in recent times. His batting is a bonus, don't ever think he'll become a complete all-rounder, but can certainly fit into the very handy number 8 category. His bowling is more in the Glenn Mcgrath mould, in terms of no great pace, but relies on accuracy and a little bit of movement. If his consistency in line and length continues to improve, and also his ability to out-think a batsman (he has already shown he's a very clever bowler), he could become a regular feature in the England side for some time. Don't think he'll ever be a great, but steady as averse to spectacular.
T. Southee - At this stage, pitch conditions seem crucial to his success. Similar to Jimmy Anderson a couple of years ago, when there is assistance in the air and off the pitch, can look a world beater, but a lack of a threatening plan B make it easy for him to be picked off when the going is not so good. The slowest bowler in terms of pace in this group, he will rely upon his swing, accuracy, and slight mixing up of his deliveries to become a real player.
P. Siddle - I like the look of Siddle, he's a real aggressive, hit the deck, back of a length bowler. Will run in for you all day, and is the kind of bowler captain's love to have in the side. Can be pretty quick on his day and the start he has made in Test cricket is very encouraging. His ability to change his lengths and thinking process depending on conditions and pitches may be crucial to how far he can go in the game.
U. Gul - Missing out on Test cricket throughout the whole of 2008 will have done Gul's development no good at all. Whenever I've seem him play he's generally been impressive, in the one-day game his control over yorkers is always decent. Now has the chance to lead the Pakistan attack, and in terms of where he is right now, I would say he's quite possibly up there with Ishant Sharma as the pick of these bowlers, so highly do I rate him. Would like to see him play in another couple of series before I made a long-term judgement of him though.
Sorry if I've bored you guys.
M. Morkel - The attributes this guy possesses demands that he become one of the most feared quicks in the business. His action looks awkward to me, and whether or not there are one or two technical problems within this action that is affecting his consistency I don't know. He is still only 24 and has 17 Test matches under his belt, and I do expect him to return to the SA side, but time out of it may give him the chance to work on a few faults. Could do with more of a nasty streak in him. I do expect a decent Test career, I just hope it's as good as it possibly should be.
I. Sharma - Anyone that saw him bowl against Australia, home and away, cannot fail to be impressed by the performances of India's new quick. Not only does he cause problems with the new ball, but the threat him and Zaheer offer with the old ball is most impressive. Although not consistenly as quick as Morkel, he still represents a big threat. Is only 20 years old, and after having to bowl on the 'roads' in India, (where he averages an outstanding 24.83) he may well enjoy the types of wicket England, South Africa, and New Zealand have to offer. Probably the most exciting bowler in this category.
S. Broad - Have never really been Broad's biggest fan, although he has shown improvements in recent times. His batting is a bonus, don't ever think he'll become a complete all-rounder, but can certainly fit into the very handy number 8 category. His bowling is more in the Glenn Mcgrath mould, in terms of no great pace, but relies on accuracy and a little bit of movement. If his consistency in line and length continues to improve, and also his ability to out-think a batsman (he has already shown he's a very clever bowler), he could become a regular feature in the England side for some time. Don't think he'll ever be a great, but steady as averse to spectacular.
T. Southee - At this stage, pitch conditions seem crucial to his success. Similar to Jimmy Anderson a couple of years ago, when there is assistance in the air and off the pitch, can look a world beater, but a lack of a threatening plan B make it easy for him to be picked off when the going is not so good. The slowest bowler in terms of pace in this group, he will rely upon his swing, accuracy, and slight mixing up of his deliveries to become a real player.
P. Siddle - I like the look of Siddle, he's a real aggressive, hit the deck, back of a length bowler. Will run in for you all day, and is the kind of bowler captain's love to have in the side. Can be pretty quick on his day and the start he has made in Test cricket is very encouraging. His ability to change his lengths and thinking process depending on conditions and pitches may be crucial to how far he can go in the game.
U. Gul - Missing out on Test cricket throughout the whole of 2008 will have done Gul's development no good at all. Whenever I've seem him play he's generally been impressive, in the one-day game his control over yorkers is always decent. Now has the chance to lead the Pakistan attack, and in terms of where he is right now, I would say he's quite possibly up there with Ishant Sharma as the pick of these bowlers, so highly do I rate him. Would like to see him play in another couple of series before I made a long-term judgement of him though.
Sorry if I've bored you guys.
