*Official* Fifth Test at the SCG

[TumTum]

Maybe the captain needs to use him differently then. I can see an argument for dropping him but who replaces him?

Copeland and Bollinger atm.

 

[Teja.]

Lol @ Johnson copping the criticism when Hilfeh and Siddle were as expensive and took 2 wickets less. I'm aware that when Johnson is having a bad spell he looks completely unpenetrative unlike the others but surely not the bowler to criticize for this match?

 

[four_or_six]

I'd play Siddle and bring Bollinger back... I don't know who'd be the third.

 

[Athlai]

What has Bollinger done wrong? What has Hauritz done wrong?

 

[Teja.]

I'd drop Hilf ASAP.

 

[Spark]

Drop Hilf. Bring back Bollinger. Get Copeland around the setup.

 

[Bun]

Ian Bell

Nice to hear plenty of boos from the classy home crowd

Yeah dire stuff.. hooligans..

 

[vcs]

Lol @ Johnson copping the criticism when Hilfeh and Siddle were as expensive and took 2 wickets less. I'm aware that when Johnson is having a bad spell he looks completely unpenetrative unlike the others but surely not the bowler to criticize for this match?

He is not the one to blame.. but I reckon if he took some time off the pressures of Test cricket to work on his own game, understand it better and bring some semblance of consistency, it would work well for all concerned. Maybe he can do it in the long break that Australia will have after the Ashes.

 

[howardj]

Cook

That's Test Match batting.

Application, patience and an 'over my dead body' mindset

 

[GotSpin]

Are any of the guys not around the OD set up planning on playing county cricket - Khawaja, Copeland, Hughes and so on

 

[howardj]

Time to move beyond the Hilf, Sid, Johnson triumvirate.

Not dropping them all at once, but at least taking a peak at Copeland, Cameron, George, Cutting etc.

 

[Teja.]

He is not the one to blame.. but I reckon if he took some time off the pressures of Test cricket to work on his own game, understand it better and bring some semblance of consistency, it would work well for all concerned. Maybe he can do it in the long break that Australia will have after the Ashes.

Yeah but while he has a vast scope to improve, Even at his current quality, He should defo. make the team, IMHO. He can certainly become a much better bowler though, as his inconsistencies appear to be due to internal factors rather than external factors like pitches.

 

[GotSpin]

Time to move beyond the Hilf, Sid, Johnson triumvirate.

Not dropping them all at once, but at least taking a peak at Copeland, Cameron, George, Cutting etc.

Reckon Siddle has a better future than Johnson IMO

 

[four_or_six]

What has Bollinger done wrong? What has Hauritz done wrong?

Bollinger makes rough where Swann would bowl, so they're too scared to play him. And Hauritz isn't allowed to play because they want a left-arm finger spinner, because right-arm off-spin is ineffective in Australia.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Deafening silence from the English posters who pasted Hughes about Bell gaming the system. Isn't hypocrisy fun.

Personally i thought Bell was out. The thing is, both incidents were referred and the 3rd umpire gave a decision. End of discussion.

Ratfaced Hughes still claimed a bump ball catch whatever you may think of Bell.

 

[howardj]

Reckon Siddle has a better future than Johnson IMO

Fair call, geez they've boned up on Johnson (leaving his angled deliveries and literally forcing him to either bowl at their body or swing the ball back in which he can rarely do).

 

[GotSpin]

Personally i thought Bell was out. The thing is, both incidents were referred and the 3rd umpire gave a decision. End of discussion.

Ratfaced Hughes still claimed a bump ball catch whatever you may think of Bell.

Harsh against Hughes. It's not like he threw the ball up in celebration...oh wait

 

[Ruckus]

Just got back from work hoping to see another Johnson blitz with Australia with a first innings lead. Can't say I'm the least bit suprised about the score. This whole series is groundhog day for Australia.

Hilf proving his worth again, great job selectors. This must be starting to get seriously embarrassing for them now.

 

[howardj]

In fairness, Hilf bowled well to Pup in the nets pre-game. lol

 

[GotSpin]

Fair call, geez they've boned up on Johnson (leaving his angled deliveries and literally forcing him to either bowl at their body or swing the ball back in which he can rarely do).

Reckon Siddle has a decent chance at being a good long term support bowler. I really do like his bowling when he pitches it up and he has an awesome inswinging yorker.

But bloody oath, one in five match Johnson. We've already got our inconsistent batting to worry about