***Official*** New Zealand in Australia 2011

[Woodster]

Bloody hell, if you watch the guy bowl you realise he's a top bowler, irrespective of how many games he's played. And the idea that you won't know his 'form' when he's in and out of the side is not true imo, he's just a very consistent bowler who knows what he's doing.

And the idea that batsman can 'work out' someone who bowls consistent line and length at 140kph is again not true. This isn't just a golden patch for him, if you watched him in ODI's you can tell what a well-rounded bowler he is.

Begs the question why such a top bowler had to wait till the age of 30 to make his Test debut, despite any injury issues he has had in years gone by.

 

[SteveNZ]

The one where the Kiwi obstructed the field you mean?

No way should the batsman concerned gotten away with through 'good sportsmanship' because it was a very good chance of a run out anyway. The only truly fair way to have settled it would have been to re-run the run out opportunity. Anything else was unfair to one side or the other, but since it was the Kiwi's fault the only realistic options erred on England's side.

Now I'm absolutely sure you're a parody. Nice bit.

 

[Noble One]

Begs the question why such a top bowler had to wait till the age of 30 to make his Test debut, despite any injury issues he has had in years gone by.

Largely because he was an all-rounder who bowled high 120's until late in his career (27-28). One of the more remarkable skill gains I have ever seen from a bowler.

 

[Top_Cat]

But we don't know Harris' current form! That's the point.

He plays like one test match at a time, so it's impossible to know what form he is in.

Adding to that, players with limited international experience can often experience a honeymoon period where teams don't know what they bowl and how they bowl it.

Harris enjoys the best of both worlds. He's played alot of cricket so he's experienced, but he hasn't played much test cricket, so he hasn't been found out. Stuart Clark enjoyed the same thing.

He might have the ability to be in the top three in the world, but that's for him to prove.

Strongly agree with this. Despite my bro-love for the guy, no way has he proven himself to be anywhere near someone like Steyn. As the **** above me said, when a bloke is as in-and-out as Harris, there's always an unknown quantity about him to opposition players. Plus, because he knows the next injury isn't far away, he can bowl as hard as he can whenever he can so he'll pick up wickets in bursts which will keep his average down. Every game he bowls, because they're so rare, he'll be relatively fresh.

There's no surprises with Steyn, bowls the same way day-in, day-out, fatigue and all and he still dominates. Champion.

 

[Top_Cat]

Begs the question why such a top bowler had to wait till the age of 30 to make his Test debut, despite any injury issues he has had in years gone by.

Definitely was not a top-notch bowler until mid/late 20's. Factory-standard Adelaide Oval med-quick until then.

 

[straw man]

My feeling coming into this match is that we are going to pick up where we left off last match and get thumped, to the tune of two innings of 200 chasing one innings of 500. Australia will be full of confidence and this = bad.

Only way I can see us competing is if we have a stunning first session or two, to put Aus under pressure and remind ourselves that we are capable. Something like 150/0 when batting or have Aus 80/5. Otherwise I think it will be quite one-sided.

 

[Ruckus]

Strongly agree with this. Despite my bro-love for the guy, no way has he proven himself to be anywhere near someone like Steyn. As the **** above me said, when a bloke is as in-and-out as Harris, there's always an unknown quantity about him to opposition players. Plus, because he knows the next injury isn't far away, he can bowl as hard as he can whenever he can so he'll pick up wickets in bursts which will keep his average down. Every game he bowls, because they're so rare, he'll be relatively fresh.

There's no surprises with Steyn, bowls the same way day-in, day-out, fatigue and all and he still dominates. Champion.

I seriously doubt that when someone like Steyn runs into bowl every match he doesn't put in 100% effort like you are saying Harris does. The only difference to me is that Steyn's body can take it, where as Harris' can't. On one hand as well, yeh Harris might be relatively fresh from a stamina point of view, but on the other hand each time he comes into a game after being out of it due to injury he has to get back into the swing of things and find rhythm again. Bit of mixed bag for me.

I really can't agree with the unknown quality thing with respect to Harris either. He gets most of his wickets by bowling quick, line and length stuff that usually just moves enough of the seam or through the air to take the edge. No matter how much you study him as a bowler, when it comes down to playing him you can't do much to negate that. Good bowling is good bowling.

 

[Top_Cat]

I seriously doubt that when someone like Steyn runs into bowl every match he doesn't put in 100% effort like you are saying Harris does. The only difference to me is that Steyn's body can take it, where as Harris' can't. On one hand as well, yeh Harris might be relatively fresh from a stamina point of view, but on the other hand each time he comes into a game after being out of it due to injury he has to get back into the swing of things and find rhythm again. Bit of mixed bag for me.

There's no way Steyn (or any regular in a Test, ODI and T20 side) could run in and send them down 100% every game. It's just too much cricket. Steyn's said so himself anyway. And on finding rhythm, you could say Harris is well accustomed to coming back from injury and finding rhythm quickly. Swings, roundabouts, etc.

Regardless, putting Harris up with Steyn is premature, for mine. I find Steyn to just be a much better bowler in general. Quicker on average, more accurate, more movement and I don't think it would even be a debate if they were playing the same amount of cricket over the same time with blokes getting as exposed to Harris as Steyn.

 

[Ruckus]

Yeah there is no disagreement on the last paragraph. I don't think Harris is as good as Steyn, but I think if you just take what he has shown so far, imo his bowling has been equal to others in the top echelon like Zaheer etc. Whether he can continue to bowl as good as that is different question though, and frankly too hard to even bother to muse about given his injuries...

 

[Nate]

Can't believe Starc is playing a second Test. Best of luck to the young fella I guess, but from Australia's POV, it's best he's found out now before the India Test Series.

Not that I'm talking about it yet.

 

[Spikey]

on the other hand, if Daniel Christian had played....


brydoncoverdale
Hobart pitch is so green it's hard to distinguish from rest of square. Might change a bit, but tough for batting on day 1. #cricket #ausvnz

 

[Ruckus]

I'm happy with the decision. Probably would have been to many alterations to the batting order etc. if Christian played. Can't wait to see Warner have a proper bat.

 

[Top_Cat]

Geez, Clarke will do anything to avoid batting at 4, even playing Starc.

 

[Spikey]

i've done the math and had Clarke batted at 4, Starc would have had to take 7/86 for the match to make up for it. As it is Starc only has to take 1/211

 

[Ruckus]

So basically we're screwed either way then?

 

[sudhindra9]

Good thing Dan's out. Because you don't want to fiddle with a winning combination and if three quickies can't do the job on a green top the you can't expect a fourth to do it.

 

[benchmark00]

Oh no, forecast for Hobart:

Hobart local forecast | Yahoo!7

 

[Ruckus]

Ha, it's actually looking seriously ****e though.

http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts/hobart.shtml

 

[Ausage]

Oh no, forecast for Hobart:

Hobart local forecast | Yahoo!7

Ha, it's actually looking seriously ****e though.

http://www.bom.gov.au/tas/forecasts/hobart.shtml

Why you little....

 

[Days of Grace]

****s.