*Official* Australia vs Pakistan in England

[NUFAN]

Butt's career average doesn't reflect how he plays against Australia

No it doesn't at all.

Just going through his career summary, It looks like he had some difficulty against Irfan Pathan of all people.

Judging by his records he needs his captain to win the toss more often and start at the non strikers end.

 

[NUFAN]

McDonald batted there a couple of times IIRC.

Yeah true, I had forgotten about him.

 

[Nate]

Interesting that Smith's been nailed quite quickly by Kaneria LBW in both digs, almost identical dismissals. Gonna have to do a bit better than plonking your front foot down the strip, Smitteh.......

Shouldn't have been given in the first innings, mind.

 

[Top_Cat]

Shouldn't have been given in the first innings, mind.

This is true but it reminds me a bit of Marto in the '05 Ashes; sure he was sawn-off a few times but the way he was batting means it was probably a matter of time before a ball slipped through without touching wood and pinged him.

Anyway, he's faced, what, 3 balls from Kaneria? Will be interesting to see how he goes. From what I've seen of his batting at state level, don't remember thinking he was suspect against spin but his technique does lend itself to being better when the ball is coming on.

 

[NUFAN]

This is true but it reminds me a bit of Marto in the '05 Ashes; sure he was sawn-off a few times but the way he was batting means it was probably a matter of time before a ball slipped through a nailed him LBW anyway.

Anyway, he's face, what 3 balls from Kaneria? Will be interesting to see how he goes. From what I've seen of his batting at state level, don't remember thinking he was suspect against spin but his technique does lend itself to being better when the ball is coming on.

I don't remember him being suspect against spin either, but who did he actually face that is semi decent at bowling spin? My guess is no one unless you count McGain.

 

[Jezroy]

I don't remember him being suspect against spin either, but who did he actually face that is semi decent at bowling spin? My guess is no one unless you count McGain.

Semi decent? McGain?

BAHA!

Good one!

 

[Top_Cat]

I don't remember him being suspect against spin either, but who did he actually face that is semi decent at bowling spin? My guess is no one unless you count McGain.

Quick look at Shield scorecards suggest he's not come up against any really top spinners other than Vettori in a tour match. Interesting how many times he gets out to the same bowler in both innings, though. Aha, there's his weakness!

 

[Spark]

Yeah they go well together, Clarke and North, I don't know if it's any particular reason why...

In the last 60 Tests, Australia's number 6 has averaged just 38.11. That's not good enough at all!

Symonds, North, Johnson, Hodge, Haddin, Watson have all filled this position - Is there anyone else?

I can only think it's the L/R combination throwing off the bowler's line a bit meaning they're not quite as probing at the top of off-stump where North is so terrible, aided by the fact that Clarke often comes out all guns blazing and driving anything somewhat pitched up, meaning the bowler's length is pushed back a little, which also helps North out.

As for the Smith against spin thing... he's not unique in plonking his foot down the crease. Watson does it, Katich does it... really, the only people in our team who I feel are very secure against spin are Clarke and to a lesser extent Ponting (out of touch) and North. Plonking your foot down the pitch and hitting around your pads does not strike me as a wise idea.

 

[NUFAN]

Semi decent? McGain?

BAHA!

Good one!

Some people would consider McGain as semi decent. Yes he had a terrible test debut, but he's been the best spinner in Australian Domestic Cricket over the past few years.

Quick look at Shield scorecards suggest he's not come up against any really top spinners other than Vettori in a tour match. Interesting how many times he gets out to the same bowler in both innings, though. Aha, there's his weakness!

Yeah, I didn't think there would be many troubling spinners, certainly not many as talented as Kaneria that's for sure.

I can only think it's the L/R combination throwing off the bowler's line a bit meaning they're not quite as probing at the top of off-stump where North is so terrible, aided by the fact that Clarke often comes out all guns blazing and driving anything somewhat pitched up, meaning the bowler's length is pushed back a little, which also helps North out.

Yeah you are probably right with that actually.

 

[Himannv]

C'mon Pakistan!! Win against the odds

 

[andyc]

Don't know anything about this Smith fellow but looking at his first class stats he averages 56 with the bat and 49 with the ball so he seems a batsman who can bowl a bit. But he has been picked as Australia's fourth bowler and batted at 8 so it seems a mighty strange selection.

He's an allrounder in his own right IMO, his bowling will come on, but right now it's based on potential. I think most fans would much prefer to see him in there for North, but with Hauritz injured he's the only spinner over there. Still a genuine allround prospect; check out his most recent FC game. Not many 20 year olds can hit a 100 and take 7-fer in the same game. One of the best fielders going around too.

 

[Spark]

An astonishing fielder. Won't forget that SCG catch for a long, long time.

 

[honestbharani]

Man this Aussie team has got all kinds of bowlers:


They got their left arm quick, left arm skiddy swing bowler, right arm fast bowler, right arm fast medium swing bowler, right arm off spinner, leg spinner, left arm orthodox and chinaman..


Nothing left, really.. Amazing.

 

[Kylez]

Hilfenhaus has worked on his batting by the looks of it when he was injured. Batting superbly in the Australia A vs Sri Lanka A series, hopefully he can bat like that now.

Called it.

Kinda..

Hoping Smith takes a bagfull today.

 

[andyc]

Man this Aussie team has got all kinds of bowlers:


They got their left arm quick, left arm skiddy swing bowler, right arm fast bowler, right arm fast medium swing bowler, right arm off spinner, leg spinner, left arm orthodox and chinaman..


Nothing left, really.. Amazing.

Haha geez, haven't thought of that. There can't be too many times that a team has had that many types of bowlers, each with a Test wicket to their name.

 

[Nate]

Jonners has been terrible so far.

 

[pasag]

Man this Aussie team has got all kinds of bowlers:


They got their left arm quick, left arm skiddy swing bowler, right arm fast bowler, right arm fast medium swing bowler, right arm off spinner, leg spinner, left arm orthodox and chinaman..


Nothing left, really.. Amazing.

Too bad none can take a wicket!

 

[chalky]

Really wish I could be watching this hate having to work sooo much

 

[zaremba]

Man this Aussie team has got all kinds of bowlers:


They got their left arm quick, left arm skiddy swing bowler, right arm fast bowler, right arm fast medium swing bowler, right arm off spinner, leg spinner, left arm orthodox and chinaman..


Nothing left, really.. Amazing.

Great call.

 

[Burgey]

Watto again with more movement than the other bowlers, by a long way too..