*Official* Second Test at the Adelaide Oval

[Ruckus]

Yeah I don't rate Doherty at all right now. Doesn't give the ball any flight and he just bowls 90 km/h darts

I thought he did alright tbh. Even Swann, arguably the greatest spinner in the world atm, didn't do well. It's just North keeps showing he is as good as any specialist spinner we have, so their place in the team is kind of a waste...

 

[Nate]

Frankly I don't trust it at the moment.

All the teams are playing at the same mediocre standard and hardly anyone is standing out from the crowd.

The players who are standing out deserve to be mentioned on here like Copeland, but how confident are you that he'll do a reasonable job against one of the best Test batting lineups?

Hve you seen him bowl NUFAN?

 

[pasag]

Yeah people are being so harsh on North. His part-timers are so very useful. Easily our best bowler second innings, flight and accuracy.

Will be quite useful for WA.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

So i presume the Adelaide pitch will be as flat as a pancake then.Draw number 2 on the way.

 

[GotSpin]

Frankly I don't trust it at the moment.

All the teams are playing at the same mediocre standard and hardly anyone is standing out from the crowd.

The players who are standing out deserve to be mentioned on here like Copeland, but how confident are you that he'll do a reasonable job against one of the best Test batting lineups?

No idea but I'd back him to do better than a wayward Johnson. In saying that, my bowling pecking order would be (not included from this test match)

Bollinger
Harris
Copeland
Cameron
George
Plethora of ****ty spinners

 

[NUFAN]

Hve you seen him bowl NUFAN?

I have indeed Nnanden.

My point isn't exactly against Copeland, it's more against the domestic structure and the players getting picked at the moment. I used to feel very confident that a player performing domestically would be able to handle the step up easily, I don't feel that way at all now.

 

[GotSpin]

I thought he did alright tbh. Even Swann, arguably the greatest spinner in the world atm, didn't do well. It's just North keeps showing he is as good as any specialist spinner we have, so their place in the team is kind of a waste...

He bowled decent, I admit, but showed real little future prospects in terms of wicket taking ability

 

[NUFAN]

No idea but I'd back him to do better than a wayward Johnson. In saying that, my bowling pecking order would be (not included from this test match)

Bollinger
Harris
Copeland
Cameron
George
Plethora of ****ty spinners

Yeah I would back him to do better than Johnson too, I don't think anyone apart from maybe Clapo thinks if MJ plays next Test, he will dominate.

 

[Nate]

I have indeed Nnanden.

My point isn't exactly against Copeland, it's more against the domestic structure and the players getting picked at the moment. I used to feel very confident that a player performing domestically would be able to handle the step up easily, I don't feel that way at all now.

I agree with you there I think. Some statistically successful State Cricketers aren't ready/won't ever be ready for the Test Level. But it's a helpful indicator.

 

[Ruckus]

I have indeed Nnanden.

My point isn't exactly against Copeland, it's more against the domestic structure and the players getting picked at the moment. I used to feel very confident that a player performing domestically would be able to handle the step up easily, I don't feel that way at all now.

Who are you talking about specifically? Some of our recent picks like Bollinger and Harris have made the transition with excellent results.

 

[GotSpin]

Yeah I would back him to do better than Johnson too, I don't think anyone apart from maybe Clapo thinks if MJ plays next Test, he will dominate.

Ideally the selectors would forgo the overriding theory that a spinner must play, and instead, have our 4 best bowlers.

For me they are going to be

Bollinger
Siddle
Harris
Copeland

Doherty did a reasonable job but he isn't going to run through any side or string together wickets.

 

[Noble One]

North to retain his spot? Worst piece of selection policy. I would really like to be inside the selectors meeting to understand the exact justification for the persistence with North. The selectors aren’t complete idiots, and I just wish I could understand the logic behind his continued selection. If they don't believe Khawaja, White or Ferguson would make an improvement, I'd like to know that.

I would like to see the inclusion of both Bollinger and Harris. Hilfenhaus and Johnson to miss out. I have always supported Johnson, but that was the single worst bowling performance I have seen from an Australian seamer since Jason Gillespie's career disintegrated in England 05. Harris appears fit and really it is only a matter of time before he breaks down again, so we need to use him whilst he is back playing.

I have a bad feeling we will see an unchanged bowling lineup.

 

[Spark]

Oh I'm not saying he should be retained. I'm just saying that to say he was useless/passenger this match is pretty odd when he was our best bowler in a 150-over innings...

 

[Ruckus]

I have a bad feeling we will see an unchanged bowling lineup.

Hmmm...I reckon there's about an 80% chance Bollinger will come in, at least.

 

[Prince EWS]

I agree with you there I think. Some statistically successful State Cricketers aren't ready/won't ever be ready for the Test Level. But it's a helpful indicator.

Haha yeah, Butterworth definitely springs to mind. 101 wickets @ 26 to go with two First Class hundreds at a batting average of 27, and I still reckon he'd get pumped at Test level.

 

[Noble One]

Haha yeah, Butterworth definitely springs to mind. 101 wickets @ 26 to go with two First Class hundreds at a batting average of 27, and I still reckon he'd get pumped at Test level.

James Faulkner thread.

 

[Howe_zat]

Hmmm...I reckon there's about an 80% chance Bollinger will come in, at least.

The thing is, for who? Siddle was the only reason England were kept to a low 1st-dig score. Hilfenhaus was the best, most reliable bowler in the long second innings. Doherty coming out would mean a radical change of tactics. Johnson was the cricketer of the year 12 months ago and removing him would severely weaken the tail.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with Doherty, but the selectors clearly see things differently. Wouldn't be surprised - and would be pleased - to see an unchanged attack.

 

[Spark]

Johnson is a confidence cricketer. And he has none right now.

 

[NUFAN]

Who are you talking about specifically? Some of our recent picks like Bollinger and Harris have made the transition with excellent results.

Mainly the younger guys like Peter George and Steve Smith.

They've come into Test Cricket and had hardly any chance of performing to Test standard because they have been picked too early and are not a complete cricketer at their chosen discipline.

We also saw when McKay, George and Cameron bowled to England, that the step up is a fair bit bigger now compared with before.

I don't hate Copeland at all, I think he has a chance of getting a bowling spot on our next overseas tour.

 

[Ruckus]

The thing is, for who? Siddle was the only reason England were kept to a low 1st-dig score. Hilfenhaus was the best, most reliable bowler in the long second innings. Doherty coming out would mean a radical change of tactics. Johnson was the cricketer of the year 12 months ago and removing him would severely weaken the tail.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with Doherty, but the selectors clearly see things differently.

I would hazard a guess as Hilfenhaus being the most likely candidate, because Bollinger would suit Adelaide conditions far better than him. But I wouldn't be suprised if Harris comes in for Johnson (either in addition to Bollinger, or alone), as Ponting seems to be particularly keen on him and his batting is roughly on par with Johnson's.