Doesn't explain the assertion that Morkel is better than De Lange based on what we have or haven't seen.Because if you judged Morkel completely based on one random game that happened to be his best ever, he'd look ****ing good as well.
He's been fantastic.Samaraweera, because he's so awesome.
De Lange's record in franchise cricket:Doesn't explain the assertion that Morkel is better than De Lange based on what we have or haven't seen.
The Boucher disease.Now Morkel drops a sitter....
Point well made. But I'll tend to give a bowler's performance in his debut Test (along with my own eyes) more weight than early FC figures (same goes for Cummins, Lyon, Harris and many others). But I'm not suggesting dropping a top bowler in prime form.. Morkel's average has always been around the 30 mark... and he's not bowling to his usual standard at the moment even... so it all depends where you set your standards really, and how long a rope you want to give. In an interesting related example, Eng dropped Steve Finn in the last Ashes even when his stats were good, but they just felt he wasn't putting the pressure on enough. So I would tend to err rather on the aggressive side of selection than the passive side. But, if you felt Morkel would be the better bowler in the mid to long term, then by all means stick with him. I think he's bowling rubbishDe Lange's record in franchise cricket:
11 wickets @ 47.
Now you can overlook that if someone is truly and obviously a special talent AND the cupboard is pretty bare, but there's just no reason to do that all all when you have Steyn, Philander and Morkel to choose from. That's three absolutely inarguable top fifteen bowlers in the world, AFAIC, so taking a random punt on someone based on one game and no natural tools that the bloke you're dropping doesn't have anyway is just needlessly overbearing selection.
If De Lange's better than Morkel, he can prove it by taking some wickets in more than one Test, our tour game and a handful of glorified park cricket games in the 3-day amateur league for Easterns. This isn't Tstosobe he needs to get past; it's a proven Test performer in the prime of his career (in terms of age); little rough patch or not.
So so close to making SA bat again but.....Over before tea
Finn was dropped for a gun bowler with a good long-term record in professional cricket though; I supported that decision.Point well made. But I'll tend to give a bowler's performance in his debut Test (along with my own eyes) more weight than early FC figures (same goes for Cummins, Lyon, Harris and many others). But I'm not suggesting dropping a top bowler in prime form.. Morkel's average has always been around the 30 mark... and he's not bowling to his usual standard at the moment even... so it all depends where you set your standards really, and how long a rope you want to give. In an interesting related example, Eng dropped Steve Finn in the last Ashes even when his stats were good, but they just felt he wasn't putting the pressure on enough. So I would tend to err rather on the aggressive side of selection than the passive side. But, if you felt Morkel would be the better bowler in the mid to long term, then by all means stick with him. I think he's bowling rubbish
I dunno... new blood just seems to change everything... look how it's transformed Oz.. and looks like doing the same for SA, and even NZ... You could stick with Morkel... but it just doesn't *feel* like the way forward right now to me... I guess you are saying stick with him until someone proves they are better... whereas I say get em in there and let em prove it nowFinn was dropped for a gun bowler with a good long-term record in professional cricket though; I supported that decision.
If De Lange actually had more than two performances of note in his entire professional career then it'd be a lot different. There's no need to rush someone like that if you have Morkel - and trust me, I've been of the biggest Morkel detractors on this forum traditionally. Ask Uppercut.
Tehe 2 runs.... isn't that kind of somehow more embarassing than losing by an innings and not having to hang around for the tea break and go out to field just for 2 runs?Smith to bat again
Welegedera WAG
lolololRob C says
I bet on South Africa to win by an innings at the start of the match, and it was paying 5.20
And they didn't... they have to chase ONE run to win in their second innings. FML
Woakes.lololol