*Official* Fourth Test at Headingley

[Jungle Jumbo]

More disappointed with the bowling than the batting TBH. Sure, there were a few loose shots from the top order but everything seemed to go to hand and Australia's way. Once the tail was exposed it was going to be over fairly quickly with that much movement in the air.

The bowling however was just dire. Jimmy may be injured, but I'm not really sure that accounts for the continual short-and-wide stuff which we thought he'd left behind. Onions missed out big time, he could have had five before the close if he'd kept his lengths. Harmison, as ever, needs to learn that bowling bouncers every ball on a flat deck will never be effective. Broad for once was the pick of the bowlers, but even then he strayed down the legside too much and relieved the pressure.

 

[BoyBrumby]

More disappointed with the bowling than the batting TBH. Sure, there were a few loose shots from the top order but everything seemed to go to hand and Australia's way. Once the tail was exposed it was going to be over fairly quickly with that much movement in the air.

The bowling however was just dire. Jimmy may be injured, but I'm not really sure that accounts for the continual short-and-wide stuff which we thought he'd left behind. Onions missed out big time, he could have had five before the close if he'd kept his lengths. Harmison, as ever, needs to learn that bowling bouncers every ball on a flat deck will never be effective. Broad for once was the pick of the bowlers, but even then he strayed down the legside too much and relieved the pressure.

Think both departments are fairly even on the disappointment front, myself. The bowling in190-odd/4 looks better on paper than the batting in 102ao, but obviously that's too simplistic when one factors in the match situation.

It's a good job Fred missed out tho, 'cos he'd be worn down to a nub by now with the bowling he'd have had to do. Think it's most of the reason why he's been used as a stock rather than shock bowler: he's the only bugger that can do it.

 

[Manee]

Do people really think that Jonathan Trott would have taken us to a reasonable total today?

Someone to partner Prior could have given England an extra 50-100 runs and given them the vital momentum for the tail to hit a few runs too. Anything to stem the quick flow of wickets could have had some sort of multiplier effect through the lower order and through to the Australian innings.

 

[Manee]

More disappointed with the bowling than the batting TBH. Sure, there were a few loose shots from the top order but everything seemed to go to hand and Australia's way. Once the tail was exposed it was going to be over fairly quickly with that much movement in the air.

The bowling however was just dire. Jimmy may be injured, but I'm not really sure that accounts for the continual short-and-wide stuff which we thought he'd left behind. Onions missed out big time, he could have had five before the close if he'd kept his lengths. Harmison, as ever, needs to learn that bowling bouncers every ball on a flat deck will never be effective. Broad for once was the pick of the bowlers, but even then he strayed down the legside too much and relieved the pressure.

Anderson bowling short-and-wide is not acceptable, but it looked typical of someone who was sore in some sort of way. You cannot be sore and bowl quick and full, it just can't happen. Moreover, sometimes when you strive for pace without the momentum of a run up (Anderson was jogging in today), the ball can be dragged wide of the off stump. Even though it is attributed to a hamstring injury that he picked up while batting, it looked as if he had a sore back, something that one wakes up with from time to time and cannot really be warm-upped-off.

Harmison bowled too short, yes. I was against his selection because he had a poor last game for Durham. Harmison in poor form, no matter how recent, is such a dangerous thing for one's own team because he leaks boundaries which can have an exponential effect on team morale.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Think both departments are fairly even on the disappointment front, myself. The bowling in190-odd/4 looks better on paper than the batting in 102ao, but obviously that's too simplistic when one factors in the match situation.

I'm more disappointed with the bowling because no-one seemed to learn from their mistakes. Everyone who has played the game knows that any side can be shot out for 100 if there are a few loose shots and a few good balls. But repeatedly bowling short and wide just shouldn't be tolerated.

I guess my assessment would be biased against the bowling side in any circumstances, but that's just my own feeling right now.

 

[Manee]

Think both departments are fairly even on the disappointment front, myself. The bowling in190-odd/4 looks better on paper than the batting in 102ao, but obviously that's too simplistic when one factors in the match situation.

And Ponting and Watson's batting, both were excellent. Watson really is a superb free flowing opener (though I doubt he can keep it up for much longer before sinking into poor form in the form of many early dismissals) and Ponting was ruthless in dismissing the short ball. Short balls just outside off can easily be left or blocked but Ponting pulled them with brilliant efficiency.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

And Ponting and Watson's batting, both were excellent. Watson really is a superb free flowing opener (though I doubt he can keep it up for much longer before sinking into poor form in the form of many early dismissals) and Ponting was ruthless in dismissing the short ball. Short balls just outside off can easily be left or blocked but Ponting pulled them with brilliant efficiency.

He did, but pretty much everyone sat at home expected him to. Nothing about Ponting's knock, excellent though it was, surprised me in the slightest. If you repeatedly bowl poor balls at quality batsmen, it only ends one way.

 

[Prince EWS]

though I doubt he can keep it up for much longer before sinking into poor form in the form of many early dismissals

Yeah, as awesome as Watto has looked in his last three innings, he really should be scoring tons in these circumstances. He's in superb form and getting to 50 without a worry in the world and missing straight ones once Australia are on top; it's odd. He'll inevitably have a run of outs eventually so he needs to cash in more when things are going well for him.

 

[Manee]

He did, but pretty much everyone sat at home expected him to. Nothing about Ponting's knock, excellent though it was, surprised me in the slightest. If you repeatedly bowl poor balls at quality batsmen, it only ends one way.

It didn't so much surprise me as impress me as to how the Australians chose to take it to England whereas the conservative tactic woud have been to sit back and look to accumilate runs.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

It didn't so much surprise me as impress me as to how the Australians chose to take it to England whereas the conservative tactic woud have been to sit back and look to accumilate runs.

TBH I think a batsman like Ponting would have put those away in virtually any circumstances, other than maybe batting out for a draw with only a couple of wickets in hand. No-risk shots, runs there for the taking.

 

[Manee]

TBH I think a batsman like Ponting would have put those away in virtually any circumstances, other than maybe batting out for a draw with only a couple of wickets in hand. No-risk shots, runs there for the taking.

I think there was definite positive intent from Ponting, England didn't bowl that short. They strayed often, but they weren't banging it in half way (except Anderson).

 

[slippyslip]

Wallabies v English cricket team. Who can implode more and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory better?

 

[aussie]

Anderson bowling short-and-wide is not acceptable, but it looked typical of someone who was sore in some sort of way. You cannot be sore and bowl quick and full, it just can't happen. Moreover, sometimes when you strive for pace without the momentum of a run up (Anderson was jogging in today), the ball can be dragged wide of the off stump. Even though it is attributed to a hamstring injury that he picked up while batting, it looked as if he had a sore back, something that one wakes up with from time to time and cannot really be warm-upped-off.

Harmison bowled too short, yes. I was against his selection because he had a poor last game for Durham. Harmison in poor form, no matter how recent, is such a dangerous thing for one's own team because he leaks boundaries which can have an exponential effect on team morale.

Yea key point this. Harmo really is such a frustrating enigma. But he was getting better in the last spell to Clarke & North.

 

[mike148]

Imo Bell and Bopara and Broad should all be dropped for the next test providing Jimmy is fit.

I'd play:
Strauss
Cook
Moore
Trott
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Swann
Anderson
Onions
Harmison

 

[Uppercut]

Not necessarily, but going into a crunch test with only 5 specialist bats, two of whom are Bopara and Bell, is a heck of a Hail Mary to throw when 1-0 ahead in a series. If there's a chance Fred might be fit for The Oval decider I reckon the conservative route was the one to take. We did it in 2005 with Colly for Jonah.

Broad has bowled well today, admittedly, but I'd have still gone in with Trott ahead of him.

Playing Harmison was the major boob for me. Bowls one good spell where his length means he doesn't get a big haul, then he's a liability for large parts of the match- with the ball and in the field too.

Broad's pretty frustrating, but there's a reason Strauss and Vaughan have both loved having him in the team. You tell him a plan and he bowls to it. Truth be told, he was nothing special today, but he pitched the ball up when Harmison insisted on banging it in because it's what he always does. And if he fails with the ball, he has a chance of taking a match-changing catch (e.g. Katich at Lord's) or a few handy runs. When Harmy bowls pies the team carries him.

I think there was definite positive intent from Ponting, England didn't bowl that short. They strayed often, but they weren't banging it in half way (except Anderson).

No, that's just Ponting. No other batsman in world cricket is there a smaller margin of error to while bowling IMO. A short, wide one to Ponting is a length ball to leave alone to most others. Anything remotely straight, wide, short or full he capitalises on.

The upshot is that if you do manage to land it on a sixpence he does give you a chance.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah, as awesome as Watto has looked in his last three innings, he really should be scoring tons in these circumstances. He's in superb form and getting to 50 without a worry in the world and missing straight ones once Australia are on top; it's odd. He'll inevitably have a run of outs eventually so he needs to cash in more when things are going well for him.

AWTA though 1st innins Brum he was starting again and on this deck 50 has looked great cf most

 

[JBH001]

Playing Harmison was the major boob for me. Bowls one good spell where his length means he doesn't get a big haul, then he's a liability for large parts of the match- with the ball and in the field too.

Broad's pretty frustrating, but there's a reason Strauss and Vaughan have both loved having him in the team. You tell him a plan and he bowls to it. Truth be told, he was nothing special today, but he pitched the ball up when Harmison insisted on banging it in because it's what he always does. And if he fails with the ball, he has a chance of taking a match-changing catch (e.g. Katich at Lord's) or a few handy runs. When Harmy bowls pies the team carries him.

Agreed, way too inconsistent and hit and miss. Tends to go missing too. Sidebottom should have played instead of Harmison. Speaking of Broad, am still surprised at how much crap he gets on CW. Whatever his faults and deficiencies may be, especially as a bowler, he is rarely going to let you (or his captains down) down for lack of trying.

Just saw the highlights. Bit worried about Jimmy. Really looked out of sorts. Hope he recovers overnight, because the lack of their spearhead and genuine swing bowler will hurt England bad tomorrow - if he isnt fit, I see little chance of getting Australia out for under 300, and more likely 400+ and that should be all she wrote. Clarke looking like another ton too, tbh. And jeez, didnt Ponting smash them around! Imperious.

 

[morgieb]

Ha. It's only Day 1, and the team batting 2nd has scored more runs...

 

[Son Of Coco]

1-0

Enjoy it while you can.

Would be hoping we knock up 300 - 350+ really. Clarke and North staying together for another 100 would be nice.

 

[marc71178]

My tickets for day 4 looking decidedly dodgy

Snap.

Heading up Saturday for a couple of days acclimatisation to the North, so the refund will end up subsidising that I guess.