*Official* Fourth Test at Chester-le-Street

[Spikey]

Nah, Lyon has to play IMO, you need a somewhat reliable spin option in a test match, whatever the conditions.

 

[Ruckus]

Better wicket taking options to be had with our pace attack.

yeah I don't think it's mandatory to have a proper spinner, and especially in the context of this team atm for a few reasons; 1. Our pace attack has done the job by itself, 2. The main spinners haven't looked particularly threatening even in fairly good conditions for spin, 3. Watson has looked pretty ineffective in terms of actually taking wickets so far this series, so I don't think having 5 pace bowlers is redundant.

It would also mean Bird could play, and take the bulk of the overs from someone like Harris, who could be used in short spells purely as a strike bowler.

 

[wpdavid]

Really hoping for a traditional Durham seamer's paradise.

I'm guessing you're off on your hols on Monday and don't want to miss any of the Ashes.

 

[wpdavid]

yeah I don't think it's mandatory to have a proper spinner, and especially in the context of this team atm for a few reasons; 1. Our pace attack has done the job by itself, 2. The main spinners haven't looked particularly threatening even in fairly good conditions for spin, 3. Watson has looked pretty ineffective in terms of actually taking wickets so far this series, so I don't think having 5 pace bowlers is redundant.

It would also mean Bird could play, and take the bulk of the overs from someone like Harris, who could be used in short spells purely as a strike bowler.

That would be my take on it. Even looking at the English batsmen who were actually troubled by Lyon - Cook and Bairstow iirc - Aus are hardly short of alternatives to remove them.

 

[Spikey]

guys the series is lost and who should be our spinner for the home series remains (imo) a mystery and that is why a spinner should play. jesus christ.

 

[benchmark00]

How is the series lost?

 

[Spikey]

i will end you ****

 

[benchmark00]

I wouldn't play an off spinner, given our stocks, in Brisbane, Perth and perhaps Melbourne also ftr.

 

[benchmark00]

That's not to say Lyon bowled poorly last match. He bowled very well at times. Finger spin in Australia doesn't rub me the way I liked to be rubbed though.

 

[Spikey]

how about ahmed or qadir though?

 

[dermo]

how about ahmed or qadir though?

not referring to whats underneath benchmarks pillow ftr

 

[benchmark00]

how about ahmed or qadir though?

Pretty sure Qadir has been kidnapped and taken back to his homeland, and yeah if Fawad does decently in Shield next season I'd be open to the prospect, but he'd have to be bowling very well to pose a bigger threat than our seamers.

 

[Maximas]

Pretty sure Qadir has been kidnapped and taken back to his homeland, and yeah if Fawad does decently in Shield next season I'd be open to the prospect, but he'd have to be bowling very well to pose a bigger threat than our seamers.

I love him, but he is a leaker, would always be risky IMO, should be given a go at some point though.

 

[Maximas]

I wouldn't play an off spinner, given our stocks, in Brisbane, Perth and perhaps Melbourne also ftr.

Lyon has a decent record at Brisbane, but I see the point,

 

[Goughy]

Nah, Lyon has to play IMO, you need a somewhat reliable spin option in a test match, whatever the conditions.

Why?

Pick the bowlers most likely to take 20 wickets at the lowest cost. Shouldnt matter if that is 0 or 3 spinners

 

[Maximas]

Why?

Pick the bowlers most likely to take 20 wickets at the lowest cost. Shouldnt matter if that is 0 or 3 spinners

Bowlers bowl as a unit to take the wickets, there English batsmen who don't play spin all that well, and the tail-enders fancy a hit, Lyon can target these players, and be more effective against them than seamers. There is also the issue of pace bowler management, a big issue for Australian bowlers and the over-rate issue.

While that is specific for Lyon, there are almost always good reasons to have a spinner in the side, even if it is not a specialist, you want to be able to turn to spin to throw a new challenge at the batsmen or exposes weaknesses.

 

[dermo]

ftr batting order should be

warner
rogers
khawaja
clarke
smith
watson

with watson to **** off for the return series, maddinson, d00lan or hughes to come in

 

[Goughy]

Bowlers bowl as a unit to take the wickets, there English batsmen who don't play spin all that well, and the tail-enders fancy a hit, Lyon can target these players, and be more effective against them than seamers. There is also the issue of pace bowler management, a big issue for Australian bowlers and the over-rate issue.

While that is specific for Lyon, there are almost always good reasons to have a spinner in the side, even if it is not a specialist, you want to be able to turn to spin to throw a new challenge at the batsmen or exposes weaknesses.

I agree with the last part - it certainly nice to have a Richards, Hooper, Border, Clarke or even Smith in a team who can do a job and pose a different challenge. That isnt enough to justify a frontline bowler selection though.

I dont doubt that Aus has the most dangerous attack when they have 4 seamers. Nothing to do with being a seamer itself, they are just happen to be the best available. This being the case when England's batsmen have had their weakness against apin found out in this series where Australia's two frontline spinners have 3 wickets in 3 Tests combined at over 115 a piece.

Spinner for a spinners sake isnt justifiable. There is a trade off. Whatever advantages an average spinner brings are dwarfed, IMO, by those a those brought by a good quick.

 

[91Jmay]

Bowlers bowl as a unit to take the wickets, there English batsmen who don't play spin all that well, and the tail-enders fancy a hit, Lyon can target these players, and be more effective against them than seamers. There is also the issue of pace bowler management, a big issue for Australian bowlers and the over-rate issue.

While that is specific for Lyon, there are almost always good reasons to have a spinner in the side, even if it is not a specialist, you want to be able to turn to spin to throw a new challenge at the batsmen or exposes weaknesses.

England don't play quality spin that well, but they certainly play your spin fine. 4 seamers from the start and Aussies are 1-1 at worst IMO.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

England don't play quality spin that well, but they certainly play your spin fine. 4 seamers from the start and Aussies are 1-1 at worst IMO.

And a suspended Clarke for slow over rate. Not a chance.