***Official*** 5th Test at the SCG

[quincywagstaff]

Woakes an underrated loss; he's improved as the series has progressed and his batting has been valuable at times. Is Moeen Ali keeping his spot? I'm pretty amazed at that. He's gotten worse as the series has progressed and his innings in Melbourne seemed like a cry for help to rest him from the side.

 

[theegyptian]

Kerrigan they seemed to suggest was weak mentally, couldn't really deal with the situation. Crane from everything I can gather is a bit more combative and strong mentally. If he goes at 4 or 5 rpo (which is likely) and doesn't take a wicket initally he will keep going and improve and I belief they don't think it will have an impact on the rest of his career. I do think people underestimate how good and strong mentally Crane must have been to get selected for NSW at age 20.

I will defend Crane's first class record a bit also. Hampshire haven't generally got first innings runs on the board the three years since Crane has debuted so they've been stuck with Crane in unfavourable situations. They've always been fighting relegation more or less in that time. Not exactly an ideal situation for a young leggie. It's also been generally quite flat and low at Southampton with a little nibble in the wicket for seamers but no real spin.

I don't think he's ready as a bowler to be debuted in test cricket (not sure any english spinner really is tbh) - and having not much cricket behind him in recent weeks will do him no favours - however I don't think him taking 0-160 from 30 overs will do any long term damage to his career.

England when at full strength do have the option of a luxury player - due to the dual roles of Stokes, Bairstow and Ali/Woakes. And they do struggle (moreso than other teams) to take wickets on flat wickets. So I can certainly see the reasons behind trying to get Crane into the team. Crane at least will have more chance of getting Smith out that the rest of the English bowlers have so far on this tour.

 

[Spark]

I dont think Spark was saying that at all.

He was saying that we have small grounds so they sell out more than the big grounds in Aus......which is true.

This whole argument has been a wild excursion into incredible density, really. The sort it takes to fail to comprehend the basic point that "bigger stadiums let more people watch the game, even if those stadiums aren't packed"

 

[Spikey]

spark size doesn't matter it's how you use it

 

[Bijed]

According to this BBC article:

Crane is the first leg-spinner England have selected since Scott Borthwick made his debut, also in the Sydney Test, during the 2013-14 series.

Apparently Rashid is now so out of favour that our national broadcaster and news service won't even acknowledge that he exists.

 

[JRC67]

Borthwick hardly even bowled didn't he? IIRC he came on mostly at unimportant times of the game, got hit around a bit but also took some meaningless wickets when Aussies were slogging

At the time he was a bowler who batted. Quickly changed to a batsman and part time spinner after his one test.

 

[JRC67]

His first class figures were better than Crane's at the time.

His First Class bowling figures are still better. Going to be interesting.... have to wish Crane good luck.

 

[Spikey]

At the time he was a bowler who batted. Quickly changed to a batsman and part time spinner after his one test.

As I recall, even then everyone was of the view that this was, if not what he already was, well in the direction of becoming

 

[JRC67]

As I recall, even then everyone was of the view that this was, if not what he already was, well in the direction of becoming

He batted at 6/ 7 the season before for Durham.

 

[NUFAN]

Overcast conditions today. Hopefully we get through the full 88 overs today （ive factored in the 2 overs lost after England are bowled out）

 

[fredfertang]

Overcast conditions today. Hopefully we get through the full 88 overs today （ive factored in the 2 overs lost after England are bowled out）

Looking forward to quoting this one again in about 12 hours

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Well glad we have gone for Crane over Ball, that is about all we can say really.

What odds on Malan bowling more than Crane or Ali in this test ?

 

[fredfertang]

Well glad we have gone for Crane over Ball, that is about all we can say really.

What odds on Malan bowling more than Crane or Ali in this test ?

Come the weekend we'll be calling them the Holy Trinity

 

[Burgey]

spark size doesn't matter it's how you use it

Spoken like a man with a small stadium

 

[burr]

This has been a most disappointing Australian Ashes, weather wise.

 

[Gnske]

As I recall, even then everyone was of the view that this was, if not what he already was, well in the direction of becoming

Big, if true.

Large, if verifiable.

 

[Gnske]

Hahahaha leaving out Voges in the montage of 60 average batsmen.

 

[Burgey]

Might be some Slats input there. Was massively derisive of Voges when he was playing.

 

[Gnske]

Might be some Slats input there. Was massively derisive of Voges when he was playing.

Didn't he constantly slag off Rogers during his career too?

 

[Burgey]

Yeah but not to the same extent he did Voges. And good on him too.