*Official Third Test at Edgbaston

[Nate]

The first ball of this Test was bowled by Jimmy Anderson to Shane Watson.

Regardless of what happens in the rest of the game, this will be forever remembered as the greatest Test of all time.

Haha, my word. Have woken up Smithy.

Best of luck to Manou! So glad I stayed up!

 

[Richard]

Firstly, Swann has FC centuries and is handy with the bat, definite case for being a bowling all-rounder.

Secondly, Broad-bashing

It's not bashing, it's saying things how they are. Broad is not much of a bowler, nor that much of a batsman.

Swann on the other hand is certainly no more than a bowler who bats - bowling is very clearly his stronger suit.

 

[Nate]

How shocked must Manou be? After the toss aswell, just crazy.

Way excited here. C'mon Wattoooooooo

 

[GIMH]

It's not bashing, it's saying things how they are. Broad is not much of a bowler, nor that much of a batsman.

Swann on the other hand is certainly no more than a bowler who bats - bowling is very clearly his stronger suit.

Pure semantics, someone isn't more of an all-rounder than someone else just because they are worse at both disciplined

And saying that broad can't bowl or bat is bollocks anyway, there was a post from Burgey in the Lord's thread that was on the money for that sort of comment

But anyway. We can have this discussion another time, come on England

Great to see Jimmeh getting a bit of swing, fancy a couple of wickets early on here

 

[Nate]

Didn't Haddin cause McGrath's injury on this ground four years ago?

EDIT: Cricinfo confirms. Haha.

 

[Richard]

But anyway. We can have this discussion another time, come on England

Yeah, will move the post to another thread TBH.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Lots of swing, but Jimmy a tad wide and Watson content to let the ball slip harmlessly through.

 

[Jarquis]

Didn't Haddin cause McGrath's injury on this ground four years ago?

"Poetic justice?" wonders Ask Steven. "It was Haddin who rolled the ball that McGrath stepped on four years ago." Tremendous spot, Steven Lynch.

From Cricinfo.

Edit : Your edit

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Facing. Jimmeh to Watto, poor Smitteh sleeping through one of his dream scenarious

I was awake, thank you Patteh.

wat re: Manou

 

[aussie]

Just came home off the road. I heard Maxwell say on the radio that having spoken to Watson. Watson does not see his future in the AUS team as an "all-rounder", but rather a specialist batsman who can give in a few handy over like S Waugh & Walters did.

BIG revalation for the future of AUS team that. Even more of a reason why 4 quicks should be adapted in future bowling attacks.

 

[tooextracool]

Didn't Haddin cause McGrath's injury on this ground four years ago?

EDIT: Cricinfo confirms. Haha.

By leaving the ball there for him to trod on?

 

[pasag]

wtf???

Is Haddin out for the series?

Lucky we kept North.

 

[pup11]

Jesus. Broke a finger warming up. Weakens the Oz batting a fair bit but the SA man a better keeper by repute.

Manou ain't no mug with the bat either, not as attacking a batsman like Haddin, but his batting has come along pretty nicely in the last season or two, so expecting him to do a decent job with the bat, but nonetheless Haddin's injury is a big blow, without doubt our best batsman on this tour along with Clarke.

 

[GIMH]

Freddie not full enough yet IMO

edit, commentary agree, must be a first

 

[tooextracool]

Flintoff has got his line and length wrong so far this morning.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Will Johnson bat above Manou? FC record fair bit better.

Never seen Manou play tho, so might be unflattering figures.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Freddie not full enough yet IMO

Don't worry, they'll be fetching the ball from the pickets soon enough.

 

[GIMH]

Will Johnson bat above Manou? FC record fair bit better.

Never seen Manou play tho, so might be unflattering figures.

Warne reckons his figures don't do how well he's batted in the last few years any justice

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Never seen Manou play tho, so might be unflattering figures.

Would suggest checking his stats over the last few years as opposed to his whole career, would be 40+ I reckon.

EDIT: Warney agrees.

 

[Richard]

Flintoff has got his line and length wrong so far this morning.

Evening TBF. And absolutely have to bowl straight at Watson.