*Official* Tour Matches

[BoyBrumby]

Watching the highlights. Cameron clearly a cut above the other seamers; neither of whom have impressed me so far. Sure McKay's a good chap and all, but really looks a very limited performer at this level. When Monty's playing a lofted straight drive off you there's def cause for concern.

Starc looked to have a lot more about him than George or McKay from what I saw in the SL ODI.

 

[BoyBrumby]

McKay been much better in the post-prandial session, tbf. Getting some good bounce and carry.

&, is it me, or does Cameron have freakishly long arms? Seem to hang practically down to his knees. Lovely high action and a fast bowlers arse too. Like the raw materials.

 

[zaremba]

I'm a few mins behind (Sky+) and just watching the Aussie A bowlers testing out whether Trott is vulnerable to the half-volley. Answer: no.

 

[zaremba]

Proper coverage of a warm-up match is a pretty big bonus. In HD too. Rupert Murdoch may be evil scum (except for having gone to the right College) but the sports coverage on Sky is pretty damn good.

 

[Howe_zat]

I'm a few mins behind (Sky+) and just watching the Aussie A bowlers testing out whether Trott is vulnerable to the half-volley. Answer: no.

Cover drives are so defining. Bell's is classically elegant, Trott's is just a straightforward finisher. As if to say, "Yes. I have won that. Obviously. Try again."

 

[zaremba]

Cover drives are so defining. Bell's is classically elegant, Trott's is just a straightforward finisher. As if to say, "Yes. I have won that. Obviously. Try again."

 

[zaremba]

This O'Keefe has got some pretty good numbers from his FC career to date. Averages 54 with the bat and 25 with the ball. Now I've no idea if those figures are misleading (this is only his 10th FC match) but if the Crims are scrabbling around for a spinner, they might do worse than him, particularly given KP's problems with SLAs.

 

[BoyBrumby]

O'Keefe gets some serious drift for a bloke with such a round armed action. Very, very clever bowling to set up KP for the one that turned just ever-so-slightly.

 

[Howe_zat]

This O'Keefe has got some pretty good numbers from his FC career to date. Averages 54 with the bat and 25 with the ball. Now I've no idea if those figures are misleading (this is only his 10th FC match) but if the Crims are scrabbling around for a spinner, they might do worse than him, particularly given KP's problems with SLAs.

I'm really not sure what's keeping him behind Doherty in the pecking order. Doesn't Xavier have a FC average of 40-odd?

I could understand not playing someone as a bowler who is tagged as an all-rounder, but they have picked Smith as a spinner. And I could understand not picking someone without much Shield experience, but they've already had Starc in internationals.

Say what you like about the Australian selections, but they're definitely not consistent.

 

[outbreak]

Ponting has the hots for Doherty i think. Doherty's FC record could be misleading aswell as he has improved alot since he started. I agree though O'Keefe should be above him for test consideration. I mean a side is going to also bat very deep with O'keefe and johnson both in the tail....
Just need to see if he can keep his bowling average under 30.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Seen both chaps bowl precisely once each but, stats notwithstanding, Doherty looked to be the better bowler to my inexpert eyes; much, much bigger turner of the ball.

Think vic alluded to the fact earlier in the thread that O'Keefe's figures are skewed by a 7/30 he took on an outrageous bunsen.

 

[zaremba]

Doherty's bowling average is an X-rated 48.8

 

[BoyBrumby]

The current crim incumbent twirler's FC average similarly north of 40 too tbf; reckon Oz is such a graveyard for spinners we have to treat their stats with a pinch of salt.

 

[Howe_zat]

Doherty's bowling average is an X-rated 48.8

Truly X-trodinary. Perhaps he's X-cellent and we should X-pect the un-X-pected? Or is it X-actly what the Aussies need for him to make a X-tra quick X-it? Am I right!?

(Sorry)

(Truly sorry)

(I am not right)

 

[zaremba]

The current crim incumbent twirler's FC average similarly north of 40 too tbf; reckon Oz is such a graveyard for spinners we have to treat their stats with a pinch of salt.

I seem to recall Krejza's FC average being in the region of 23,400 when he was called up

 

[four_or_six]

Truly X-trodinary. Perhaps he's X-cellent and we should X-pect the un-X-pected? Or is it X-actly what the Aussies need for him to make a X-tra quick X-it? Am I right!?

(Sorry)

(Truly sorry)

(I am not right)

You are indeed. You X-press yourself very well.

 

[NUFAN]

I suspect Aussie spinner averages to go south soon because our domestic batsman on the whole are now weaker against spin compared with any period in the last 20 years.

I think England should bat on for about 1 1/2 hours, making Oz A bat for 4-5 overs before lunch being about 200 behind.

 

[Burgey]

I suppose what X has going for him is he seems to at least be bowling with some confidence right now. We in Australia have also long preferred spinners who turn the ball away from the bat. His FC average is rubbish tbf, but I haven't dissected it to see if he's been better the last couple of years. Mind you, I think Crayfish has been ahead of him for Tassie for a while.

 

[zaremba]

I've only just realised this was a 4 day game. In normal circumstances you'd expect England to bat on until tea (unless bowled out). But given the single-mindedness of their preparation so far, I'd expect them to declare once the Test players (Colly, Bell and Prior) are out, then have a bowl, and if the batsmen get another go to chase down a total, so much the better.

 

[Howe_zat]

I suspect Aussie spinner averages to go south soon because our domestic batsman on the whole are now weaker against spin compared with any period in the last 20 years.

I think England should bat on for about 1 1/2 hours, making Oz A bat for 4-5 overs before lunch being about 200 behind.

I think it depends on the conditions really. If they're struggling with the movement declare, if not, push the advantage. A declaration any time today would still give them three full sessions to have a bowl.