Yeah, this is true. Without Ponting and Hussey gunning it, exposes the rest of the line-up quite a bit.I checked out the batting records of every side in the post McGrath-Warne era, and you'd be suprised at just how ordinary Australia's batting has been in that period.
I agree that Katich hasn't really been a vital problem. His scores between 50 and 100 mean that we've ended up with more scores around 250-350, instead of 450-500 like Australia got to in their prime. The problem has more been what happens after Katich gets out. Especially in a couple of situations in this series, when he was the second "in batsman" to get out, leaving two fresh ones at the crease.What to do about it though? Asking Katich for more runs is all well and good but a bit much considering the burden he's already shouldering.
Oh yeah, that he's been getting to 70-90 regularly and not getting past 100 is a problem for Kat. Pinning the batting order woes on his contributions is a bit much, though. It sucks momentum to have a settled guy get out randomly, yes, but surely this means the style of the rest of the order then needs to be changed. At 6 and 7 you have expansive shot-makers whereas, traditionally, you've had Steve Waugh/AB/Healy to grind out a surge by the opposition. This is another reason why I'm uncomfortable having Smith moved up to 6 too.I agree that Katich hasn't really been a vital problem. His scores between 50 and 100 mean that we've ended up with more scores around 250-350, instead of 450-500 like Australia got to in their prime. The problem has more been what happens after Katich gets out. Especially in a couple of situations in this series, when he was the second "in batsman" to get out, leaving two fresh ones at the crease.
It's still a bit criminal at that level to be getting out so often once you are in and settled though.
That's a real shame. I was really hoping that England can become the long-term neutral venue for Pakistan. But if there is no local support by the Pakistani community, then I expect that the PCB will have no other choice but the UAE. I do have to wonder why Test matches are not scheduled to start on a Wednesday, thereby taking full advantage of the weekend (heck if it's Pakistan playing, then start on a Thursday because it ain't going the full 5 days for sure). May or may not have made a difference to the attendance in this case, but it's worth pondering IMO.From cricinfo.
£750k the mooted figure. Ouch.
Real shame if Pakistan have to go elsewhere for their neutral tests, cos both were top banana, but if Yorkshire can't turn a profit with Bradford & Huddersfield a stones throw away it makes you wonder of any ground outside of Lords can.
That's what i thought....kinda expensive.30 pounds for a neutral game of Test cricket is pretty steep.
You know I think Bangladesh can be a good neutral venue for Pakistan..I dont understand why PCB never approached BCB.That's a real shame. I was really hoping that England can become the long-term neutral venue for Pakistan. But if there is no local support by the Pakistani community, then I expect that the PCB will have no other choice but the UAE. I do have to wonder why Test matches are not scheduled to start on a Wednesday, thereby taking full advantage of the weekend (heck if it's Pakistan playing, then start on a Thursday because it ain't going the full 5 days for sure). May or may not have made a difference to the attendance in this case, but it's worth pondering IMO.
Very good thought! And there weather allows cricket allround the year rain permitting (which I think is same as India's monsoon). It is certainly a viable option given the passion of the crowd there, and actually they'd get to see some "quality" encounters as well (no udisrespect to Bangaldeshi fans here)You know I think Bangladesh can be a good neutral venue for Pakistan..I dont understand why PCB never approached BCB.
Firstly, the conditions will be similar
weather will be similar
Pakistan does have significant support there.