*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[Woodster]

The pitch isn't condusive to pace bowling unless the ball is swinging or you're un-erring in your accuracy. Neither side have done this for long periods although Finn and Siddle showed signs of it.

I was talking in general rather than this specific Test. But quicks can take the pitch out of the equation, if you have the pace of a Shoaib.

 

[Jacknife]

Tbh I'm not sure what Broad is on his way to becoming. He's improved no end as a bowler but not entirely what exact type of bowler he is or will become. I don't think he'll ever be a consistenly quick and hostile bowler in the Shoaib/Lee style. We know he's capable of very fiery spells at very quick pace, but not every spell, only perhaps when the situation demands. His average pace in this Test must only be around 83/84 mph.

I'm not so sure what you can take from the speed gun, last years Ashes Broad,Siddle and Johnson were always around 90mph, but during this Test every bowler is in the 80's.

 

[Woodster]

I'm not so sure what you can take from the speed gun, last years Ashes Broad,Siddle and Johnson were always around 90mph, but during this Test every bowler is in the 80's.

Yes they do all seem to be lower here, but they say they're using exactly the same equipment. Even so I wouldn't put Broad in the express pace category, in the odd spell yes, but not frequently enough to be classed as a genuine quick.

 

[marc71178]

Ha ha, talking about what people are doing on the days between the 1st and 2nd Test.

Atherton: "So what are you doing then Nass?"
Hussain: "What's it to you? I'll be spending some time as far away from you as possible"

 

[robelinda]

I dont think ive ever seen a bowler get so many edges through 4th slip than Siddle. Last season at Adelaide he must have leaked 40 or so runs through there, PLUG IT PUNTER! At least 2 catches have gone through there.

 

[Blocky]

I was talking in general rather than this specific Test. But quicks can take the pitch out of the equation, if you have the pace of a Shoaib.

Yeah, but with the exception of the few purple points of Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee, Dale Steyn and Shane Bond when he wasn't broken down - those guys just don't exist. I can guarantee you that had Stuart Clark been playing or even better, Glenn McGrath, England would not be 320/1 after 105 overs.

 

[Woodster]

Yeah, but with the exception of the few purple points of Shoaib Akhtar and Brett Lee, Dale Steyn and Shane Bond when he wasn't broken down - those guys just don't exist. I can guarantee you that had Stuart Clark been playing or even better, Glenn McGrath, England would not be 320/1 after 105 overs.

There are not many around now, that's what we were saying. There have been plenty more over the years, but currently there are very few.

 

[Sam Handwich]

I wonder how Johnson will go today. They should give him the ball now, the Haus isn't looking very scary.

 

[Spark]

Oh FFS

DON'T GIVE THEM SINGLES TO SQUARE LEG PONTING

 

[zaremba]

Aussie players can't like the fact that none of their countrymen have bothered to turn out to support them today. Incredibly poor crowd, without the English fans there'd be just the cameramen there

 

[pskov]

Aussie players can't like the fact that none of their countrymen have bothered to turn out to support them today. Incredibly poor crowd, without the English fans there'd be just the cameramen there

They're lucky the seats are painted in a hideous blue and yellow pattern so you can't easily tell just how empty it is.

 

[Blocky]

There are not many around now, that's what we were saying. There have been plenty more over the years, but currently there are very few.

I think certain guys had their pace over-rated. Like Dennis Lillee for instance, there is no doubt he was a genuinely quick guy but measured with the some equipment of today, would he really be any better than 145?

I think by stealth, they've changed the radar measurements just recently - it always seemed a bit fishy that bowlers gained 5-10kph when in Australia and Pakistan at the same time Lee and Akhtar were gunning for the record.

But in most situations, pace will only get you out if you're intimidated or if you combine it with late movement. It's bounce that gets wickets.

 

[Woodster]

Aussie players can't like the fact that none of their countrymen have bothered to turn out to support them today. Incredibly poor crowd, without the English fans there'd be just the cameramen there

Yes that is really poor regardless of the match situation.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Loving Botham on spot the Aussie watch.

Serene progress so far,Hilfenhaus looks totally unthreatening so far.Trott has not had to play at hardly anything from him.

Fill your boots lads and get those averages up as the only way you'll get out is by giving your wicket away like Strauss did.

 

[Jacknife]

Well done Cooky, now go on and take it as far as you can.

 

[Furball]

I wonder if we will see a declaration from England at lunch with a lead of say, two hundred or thereabouts.

No. Would be ridiculously generous. Why risk going 1-0 behind in a 5 match series?

Ideally, bat all day, giving your bowling attack a rest with the Test in Adelaide starting on Friday. Australia would have been in the field for 2 days, hardly ideal with the 2nd Test starting in 4 days on a pitch that will be a complete featherbed.

 

[Spark]

Here we go.

EDIT: Another single to deep ****ing square leg...

 

[MW1304]

Well done Cookie! Best he's played all year.

Ooo Johnno's up.

 

[Woodster]

I think certain guys had their pace over-rated. Like Dennis Lillee for instance, there is no doubt he was a genuinely quick guy but measured with the some equipment of today, would he really be any better than 145?

I think by stealth, they've changed the radar measurements just recently - it always seemed a bit fishy that bowlers gained 5-10kph when in Australia and Pakistan at the same time Lee and Akhtar were gunning for the record.

But in most situations, pace will only get you out if you're intimidated or if you combine it with late movement. It's bounce that gets wickets.

Pace does strange things to batsmen. No-one likes facing 90mph plus missiles aimed at their throat region, or crushing into their toes. Some guys pace probably has been over-rated in the past, but bowlers such as Holding, Croft, Roberts and a number of other WI bowlers. Jeff Thompson, Allan Donald, Waqar, and plenty of others were real quicks. Even Shaun Tait, but only in two over bursts.

 

[pskov]

No. Would be ridiculously generous. Why risk going 1-0 behind in a 5 match series?

Ideally, bat all day, giving your bowling attack a rest with the Test in Adelaide starting on Friday. Australia would have been in the field for 2 days, hardly ideal with the 2nd Test starting in 4 days on a pitch that will be a complete featherbed.

I dunno, tiring out the Aussie attack may not be the best idea. It may force them to pick some different bowlers.