*Official* 1st Test at the SWALEC Stadium

[Spark]

Bit of a straw man though this, isn't it?

He's the Australia captain. Not like he's the captain of Bangladesh.

Sure, but it certainly isn't as simple as that very crude post suggested.

He has problems sometimes where he's simply not patient enough and tries to blast out wickets rather than just settling the game with orthodox fields, but that hasn't been the problem in this game. You can't set fields for both-sides-of-the-wicket bowling.

Needs to get his head straight when batting though, this is becoming a serious issue.

 

[dfrinku]

Grown men singing at sports will never not be weird

 

[Swingpanzee]

This is the 11th of the 15 overseas test that Australia are going to lose under the captaincy of Clarke and people have the nerve to say he is some sort of amazing captain, its as overrated as his ability to play spin.

he is. unless you're definition of good captain means a guy whose team wins a lot

our top order's good but middle order's been abysmal. Warner, Rogers, Smith, SMarsh, Clarke, Voges, Haddin/Nevill, Johnson, Starc, Lyon, Hazlewood

 

[TheJediBrah]

Maxwell, Faulkner, Nevill/Wade/Whiteman

Tha's the future no. 6-8 for Australia. Mitch Marsh probably in the top 4.

 

[Son Of Coco]

It's fairly unlikely Clarke's a great captain at home, and then a poor one away. But that's basically what results tell us, if we go on win/loss to determine the ability of a captain. Or, you could watch how they go about it in a match.

 

[Flem274*]

look i don't rate him (im sure you're shocked) but it amazes me watson has just the 4 tons from 59 tests. surely at some point you come across a terrible attack or an injury hit one and smash it?

his last ton was in the dead rubber last england ashes wasn't it?

 

[TheJediBrah]

I would trust Faulkner the batsman so much more than Watson or Haddin in tense pressure-filled situations

 

[morgieb]

Maxwell, Faulkner, Nevill/Wade/Whiteman

Tha's the future no. 6-8 for Australia. Mitch Marsh probably in the top 4.

This isn't ODI cricket.

 

[GIMH]

It's fairly unlikely Clarke's a great captain at home, and then a poor one away. But that's basically what results tell us, if we go on win/loss to determine the ability of a captain. Or, you could watch how they go about it in a match.

Been the poorer captain on display in this match, that's for sure

 

[CaptainGrumpy]

I have Root and Ali dead even for man of the match. Both critical to the victory, really.

 

[Spikey]

Maxwell, Faulkner, Nevill/Wade/Whiteman

Tha's the future no. 6-8 for Australia. Mitch Marsh probably in the top 4.

no

 

[Spark]

urgh can we not

 

[Spark]

Been the poorer captain on display in this match, that's for sure

Yeah he's had a bit of a shocker.

But let's just say that it's not something I'd be too worried about at Lord's.

 

[Gnske]

look i don't rate him (im sure you're shocked) but it amazes me watson has just the 4 tons from 59 tests. surely at some point you come across a terrible attack or an injury hit one and smash it?

his last ton was in the dead rubber last england ashes wasn't it?

Its a curse, with his perfect aesthetics, the gods conspire against him scoring anything meaningful.

 

[social]

look i don't rate him (im sure you're shocked) but it amazes me watson has just the 4 tons from 59 tests. surely at some point you come across a terrible attack or an injury hit one and smash it?

his last ton was in the dead rubber last england ashes wasn't it?

Mental pygmy

 

[Howe_zat]

Moeen Ali's spells

2-0-22-0
4-3-1-2

 

[Spark]

look i don't rate him (im sure you're shocked) but it amazes me watson has just the 4 tons from 59 tests. surely at some point you come across a terrible attack or an injury hit one and smash it?

his last ton was in the dead rubber last england ashes wasn't it?

just a great talent on the verge of breaking out on the international stage

 

[Flem274*]

I know Faulkner is pretty good at playing above what people expect in FC but srsly if Nevill makes a go of #6 would Faulkner make for a test #7?

 

[Johnners]

no

Don't respond seriously to stupid posts imo.

 

[Jono]

Nah it's a good top four. If they sort out the middle we could be in trouble.

Until then, mind

YOU'RE **** AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE
YOU'RE **** AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE
YOU'RE **** AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE
YOU'RE **** AND YOU KNOW YOU ARE

Top four is fine. Five to seven is the problem - indeed, it's been the difference between the sides.

Should we restart the Clarke at #5 campaign?

Disagree

Warner, Rogers, Smith and Clarke are all fine players

Problem lies in the fact that they have persevered with Haddin and Watto for 2 years and are paying the penalty

E.g. if Haddin had caught Root, this game would be totally different

So you all agree only 4 out of 7 of the batting are good?

Right so you agree with me that it's a mediocre batting line up. I didn't say a mediocre top order...