5th Test at The Oval, London

[Daemon]

I'm reluctant to say it because he comes across like a good guy, but Paine is a total liability isn't he? Terrible captaincy, terrible batting, WOAT at using reviews, mediocre keeping. Will he be kept around?

I probably chose the wrong time to diss him (right after the 4th test) but I think I can be a bit more confident now - he’s bad. Not a liability just yet, but thoroughly mediocre. If not for the leadership crisis I’d bin him.

 

[Uppercut]

Smith can't get the captaincy until next year so he may have to be kept despite not been good at anything!

It won't matter v Pakistan as they are useless, but carrying such a passenger might be an issue with a proper side in NZ.

Nathan Lyon for captain?

 

[Spark]

It really is annoying that it took us until tea yesterday to actually show up in this game.

 

[Spark]

I probably chose the wrong time to diss him (right after the 4th test) but I think I can be a bit more confident now - he’s bad. Not a liability just yet, but thoroughly mediocre. If not for the leadership crisis I’d bin him.

I don't remember if it was Langer or actually Roberts who said this, but the CA hierarchy is pretty clear that Paine is captain first, keeper second, batsman last. Which would indicate pretty clearly that he's fine regardless of his batting output.

 

[Uppercut]

I don't remember if it was Langer or actually Roberts who said this, but the CA hierarchy is pretty clear that Paine is captain first, keeper second, batsman last. Which would indicate pretty clearly that he's fine regardless of his batting output.

His captaincy is his weakest suit imo.

Though I’d expect him to be very good at the interpersonal/media-facing side of it.

 

[Spark]

His captaincy is his weakest suit imo.

Though I’d expect him to be very good at the interpersonal/media-facing side of it.

Well, man-management too. We can't see it, but getting the team back up after Headingley is no mean feat. The onfield stuff has been... patchy at best, I agree. Had a good game at OT though.

Principally he needs to learn to bat first in like 90% of circumstances.

 

[Uppercut]

Well, man-management too. We can't see it, but getting the team back up after Headingley is no mean feat. The onfield stuff has been... patchy at best, I agree. Had a good game at OT though.

Principally he needs to learn to bat first in like 90% of circumstances.

Dunno, at Headingley he batted when he should have bowled.

Says something about the Lehmann era that Australia have appointed a specialist nice man as captain and it’s not even that unreasonable.

 

[Spark]

Dunno, at Headingley he batted when he should have bowled.

Says something about the Lehmann era that Australia have appointed a specialist nice man as captain and it’s not even that unreasonable.

We were sent in at Headingley. He said he would have batted, which is insane, but Root won the toss.

 

[Daemon]

I don't remember if it was Langer or actually Roberts who said this, but the CA hierarchy is pretty clear that Paine is captain first, keeper second, batsman last. Which would indicate pretty clearly that he's fine regardless of his batting output.

Yeah it’s similar to the Darren Sammy stint in many ways. Both appointed to steady the ship, good guys, good leaders but just a step below test class as players. Sammy probably a better captain though.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

That's a rippah!!!

 

[Burner]

This is the second time that Smith has bottled it in the final innings of a historic series decider (the only innings that matters.) Do we have another mental midget like Tendulkar on our hands! Burgey to comment.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Underrated bowler is Root. He's be a pretty good 2nd spinner I think

 

[Maximas]

Yeah it’s similar to the Darren Sammy stint in many ways. Both appointed to steady the ship, good guys, good leaders but just a step below test class as players. Sammy probably a better captain though.

Sammy arguably a better bat at this stage too

Cummins has a nice little ability to take the sting out of the contest when things heat up, good occupier of the crease, getting back towards the interesting stage, due for another wicket soon

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Wadlles tons up

 

[zaremba]

Well played little man. Really good knock.

 

[Spark]

Really good innings, especially the way he played that Archer spell

 

[ajdude]

set my alarm for 2:30 so i could see what was happening, nice

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Wade wanna throw it all away

 

[Uppercut]

Quality knock.

He looks like Lance Armstrong, which ties nicely into his ‘panto villain’ brand.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Nice rolls of the wrist