*Official* 1st Test at the SWALEC Stadium

[Riggins]

The reason Smith hit the ball in the air against Ali was because he was beaten completely in the flight and desperately tried to get bat on ball lest he get stumped down the legside. Has absolutely nothing to do with any supposed propensity to flick in the air on the legside - not least because this "weakness" would appear against pace, not spin.

Absolutely. Don't see how you can watch him play and think otherwise either.

 

[Riggins]

Just a crazy thought at 5.10am, but what about opening with Watson and Rodgers (Watson has opened enough times to be capable)? Watson can go seriously hard at Anderson and Broad for quick runs and to try and put them off there line and lengths, the same as Warner would do but would protect the key 3 (Warner, Smith and Clarke). Even if it didn't come off its not much to lose and gives the management another reason to drop him (Which would please everyone).

Hideous.

 

[ajdude]

even ch9's ads are bad. "can Australia's big hitting heroes smash their way into the record books? even more words that make it sound really dynamic! and look we have a soundbite of michael slater saying "captain courageous!"."

 

[Spikey]

even ch9's ads are bad. "can Australia's big hitting heroes smash their way into the record books? even more words that make it sound really dynamic! and look we have a soundbite of michael slater saying "captain courageous!"."

A ship in the harbour is safe, but that's not what boats are built for

 

[Furball]

India bowled rubbish to him and not to a field plan.

Wood, Broad and Anderson is a far different proposition to the Indian seam attack, especially at home.

It also goes further than a mere "leg slip" like you would or should for Ian Bell. Did you see where Cook was fielding to Ali? Silly Mid On. There is more to fielding on side than leg slip or leg gully. Close square leg, closer mid wicket, silly mid on, etc.

S Smith may get through it with another Bradmanesque series. He may not. All I'm saying is that I expect the examination to occur during the series. When it does, Smith had better start glancing the ball along the ground, or shut up shop from the flick and wait for balls on off stump or wider to put away.

But if he cannot flick the ball away without it going aerially (which it has been previously, just no fielders there to take catches), and its length/ back of a length on leg stump, and he has moved across to off, going to be quite hard to defend that ball with control. Even where he doesn't move across to off, can het put away the aerial fluck when fielders are waiting for it.

Thank God you're not in charge of bowling plans.

 

[Swingpanzee]

Watson needs to go. Barely bowling enough and not scoring runs.

I'd prefer MMarsh over SMarsh. Shaun has a horrible habit of nicking to the slips by playing some complacent horizontal bat shots. Then again like Nufan said Shaun may still be just a bit better than Mitch atm

 

[aussie tragic]

even ch9's ads are bad. "can Australia's big hitting heroes smash their way into the record books? even more words that make it sound really dynamic! and look we have a soundbite of michael slater saying "captain courageous!"."

Lets break it down. 412 runs needed off 180 overs....so 2.5 runs an over will do it, no "smashing their way to record books" required

 

[Swingpanzee]

Australia's best bet is to get off to a flying start, somewhat like Port Elizabeth 14.

The entire top orders need to perform, which is why I'm not backing us to win. It's possible but England have at least two new balls to wreak havoc

 

[Spikey]

watson has to go.

unless we lose. in which case we should keep him just as a **** you to the horrible policy of only dropping batsman following loses/at the end of the series.

 

[Antihippy]

Port Elizabeth '14 ain't exactly the best example to use for australia chasing.

Though we don't have to face dale steyn bowling reverse this time round.

 

[Son Of Coco]

It's a huge ask to beat Bradman's Invincibles 1948 record Ashes run chase of 404 to win this game. It's made even bigger by the fact only 3 of the current squad played in that match.

 

[TheJediBrah]

The reason Smith hit the ball in the air against Ali was because he was beaten completely in the flight and desperately tried to get bat on ball lest he get stumped down the legside. Has absolutely nothing to do with any supposed propensity to flick in the air on the legside - not least because this "weakness" would appear against pace, not spin.

I think people are over-analyzing it

He just played a moronic shot because he was being a dumbass

 

[Adders]

people in australia.

As if......

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Lets break it down. 412 runs needed off 180 overs....so 2.5 runs an over will do it, no "smashing their way to record books" required

If they play with patience and dig in a bit they have a small chance. They'll probably make about 290 at 4.5 an over.

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

I agree with this 110% - even if it doesn't come off - give it a decent try. Test cricket is supposed to be a thorough examination of someone's technique. If he passes the test so be it. Let's see how he fares.

And if its full on middle and leg stump, lbw is still a possible dismissal as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1FX-EFCDtc

 

[flibbertyjibber]

252

 

[Spikey]

69

 

[Howe_zat]

Gower: 'History alone tells us that England are favourites'

Well, that and the bookies

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

They'll get slaughtered

Smith is massively talented with incredibly fast hands & feet and makes it look as if he is playing across the line when he is actually using a full face

It sounds boring but there is no real secret to Smith (or most players for that matter)

On or about off stump (slightly wider in Smith's case) on a fullish length and look for edges to the cordon as he hangs back a bit

What? He slaughters balls outside off. He regularly moves across closer to off stump. You're just serving him what he wants. The goal is to examine his technique and look for a weakness. Not to play into his strength.

The bowlers will try during this series to get S Smith playing all round himself and out legside flicking caught or lbw missed. S Smith may well beat the challenge. He may not. Even if it merely stops him moving across to off stump, that is a victory for the bowlers judging by all the boundaries he hit against the West Indies and India.

 

[Son Of Coco]

And if its full on middle and leg stump, lbw is still a possible dismissal as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1FX-EFCDtc

I'd take him finally missing one on 199 this innings if it was offered.