*Official* England in Australia (2 T20 & 7 ODIs)

[vicleggie]

was at the game last night- very good performance from Australia. Was impressed with White's captaincy. I was sitting right behind the feilder who caught morgan- just as johnson was running in, you could see White point to the fielder to run to his righ- and what do you know- morgan hits it 30m to his right- he wouldn't have caught it without White's instruction- brilliant captaincy and understanding of the game.

Really dont see a place for smith, even in the T20s. He is a LEG SPINNING WORK IN PROGRESS, you wouldn't back him to not go for 15 runs in an over, and his batting is worthy of a number 8. Just a waste of a position really, until he starts warranting selection for either batting or bowling alone.

Good to see some exuberance in the field too. Wish White took over in ODIs as well- just great, calm, thoughtful and proactive captaincy.

 

[TumTum]

Odd that Smith didn't get a single bowl in either game, tbh. Maybe White doesn't rate his bowling?

White wanted to win tbf.

 

[marc71178]

Woakes can bat by anyone's standards. Knighty said he's Warks' best young bat since Ian Bell, but then, a lot of what Knighty says should be taken with a pinch* of salt.

To be fair he might well be right there, struggling to remember a batsman come in since Bell who scored any runs.

 

[vicleggie]

White wanted to win tbf.

this.
it wasn't a test match that was already lost, no time to give pookickers like smith 'a go'

 

[Spark]

Marsh faces World Cup axe ... because he can't bowl! - The West Australian

Someone get these morons and drop them off a cliff pls.

 

[social]

Marsh faces World Cup axe ... because he can't bowl! - The West Australian

Someone get these morons and drop them off a cliff pls.

Truly

Shaun Marsh is the fastest player to 1000 odi runs in Oz history and in career best form

Ferguson has an outstanding short format career and is in form in that arena but seems to be paying the penalty for his fc performances (which have **** all to do with odis anyway)

 

[Spark]

Indeed. Neither of them actually make my first XI for the WC but as backup players, they're very very good. One opener, both can play in the middle orders in a variety of roles.

But no, we don't want them because we need eight ****ing bowling options in every match. I mean, really.

 

[andyc]

this.
it wasn't a test match that was already lost, no time to give pookickers like smith 'a go'

Say what you will about his bowling in Test matches, but Smith's a proven wicket taker in T20s. Finished his first Big Bash season as highest wicket taker IIRC.

Also, will be livid if that article is true. With Watson and probably Smith in your team alongside the bowlers, you don't need any other options.

 

[Spark]

Did well in the WC too. I'm not a fan of carrying Test results into ODIs or v.v. but to do it with T20s is just silly.

 

[Uppercut]

I think Smith's brand of bowling just didn't happen to be required at any stage. Maybe could have bowled instead of Tait or Lee when they were getting smashed but it would've been a properly brave call.

 

[Spark]

I reckon he could've bowled him at about the 8th/9th over instead of Duss and bowled Duss much earlier in the innings. I can understand why he didn't, but if you need wickets fast he's not a bad option.

 

[NUFAN]

Just on Aussie spinners, I wonder if Aaron O'Briens name gets talked about at all? He's very Michael Yardy-esque, not really a typical Aussie selection though.

 

[Uppercut]

I reckon he could've bowled him at about the 8th/9th over instead of Duss and bowled Duss much earlier in the innings. I can understand why he didn't, but if you need wickets fast he's not a bad option.

Mmm, he's not, but with Watto and Johnson in the side and the pitch not really favouring spin you'd be holding back better wicket-taking options for first and second change.

 

[Prince EWS]

Mmm, he's not, but with Watto and Johnson in the side and the pitch not really favouring spin you'd be holding back better wicket-taking options for first and second change.

Pitch was favouring spin IMO.

 

[Spark]

I think the pitch was though. Swann got a few to turn very sharply and it certainly was on the slower side.

Also there is the fact that the MCG really isn't the place to try and hit every ball for six.

EDIT: Can anyone tell me why Hauritz was picked in the 14-man squad if "he was never going to play anyway"? FFS. Seriously.

 

[Uppercut]

Probably right, I didn't watch the first innings

In any case, it's not like we were all sitting thinking "wtf, why not Smith instead of this hack" at any stage.

 

[Spark]

Oh yeah of course not. I'm just surprised Smith wasn't bowled at any stage. I suppose wickets weren't really the be-all-and-end-all though in the second match though.

I do feel White missed a trick by having seven of the first eight overs bowled by quicks though.

 

[Furball]

Probably right, I didn't watch the first innings

In any case, it's not like we were all sitting thinking "wtf, why not Smith instead of this hack" at any stage.

Would have bowled him ahead of Hussey, although Hussey's T20 economy rate was suprising. Such a nothing bowler.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Would have bowled him ahead of Hussey, although Hussey's T20 economy rate was suprising. Such a nothing bowler.

"The Australian Chris Gayle," he says, continuing his streak of linking West Indians where they've no place to be.

 

[Prince EWS]

Would have bowled him ahead of Hussey, although Hussey's T20 economy rate was suprising. Such a nothing bowler.

Yeah Hussey's a genuine allrounder in T20 cricket, for Victoria at least. Got bashed around in the IPL IIRC.