***Official*** Australia in England (The Ashes)

[FaaipDeOiad]

how fast is Tait ? it seems like his action might be the reason he might be hard to play at times.

He's not played international cricket, so it's hard to say, but you can expect him to be consistently above 90 I'm sure.

 

[Nate]

McGrath 'major concern'

Australia captain Ricky Ponting confirmed Kasprowicz would play if McGrath did not.

 

[Nuffy]

I think its fair to say that he'll play, Alcott sounded like he was hedging his bets.

 

[andyc]

McGrath 'major concern'

Ouch. Not looking good for us Aussies. Who would open the bowling with Lee? Can't say I've seen Tait, so I've not got much idea.

 

[Mister Wright]

Ouch. Not looking good for us Aussies. Who would open the bowling with Lee? Can't say I've seen Tait, so I've not got much idea.

It would have to be Tait. It depends if they want to keep the pace for longer meaning Tait would be first change, but it would have to be very tempting to let them both go at the start.

 

[Nate]

Tait, easy.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

It would have to be Tait. It depends if they want to keep the pace for longer meaning Tait would be first change, but it would have to be very tempting to let them both go at the start.

Yeah. Kasprowicz is an ideal first change bowler anyway. Tait and Lee can both swing the new ball (conditions permitting), and you have to give it to them. I gather this pitch is likely to be less abrasive than Old Trafford, meaning less reverse swing. If Australia bat first I'd probably expect them to win, McGrath or no McGrath. If they have to bowl or get knocked over for 300 or less again, that's when you'll start to feel Glenn's absence.

 

[Nate]

One way batsmen have successfully combated Tait, is by standing out of their crease by quite a distance. This seems to put him off his length quite a bit.

 

[vic_orthdox]

One way batsmen have successfully combated Tait, is by standing out of their crease by quite a distance. This seems to put him off his length quite a bit.

That makes a ball that was going to hit your groin hit your chest instead. Ribs, anyone?

News update just said "McGrath out" very very definitively.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

That makes a ball that was going to hit your groin hit your chest instead. Ribs, anyone?

News update just said "McGrath out" very very definitively.

Of course he is.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Of course he is.

I'd suspect he won't play. Alcott is usually fairly up front, as seen in the OT test. He said he was a chance, and he played. This time he says he's doubtful, so I expect him to miss. Just means Australia's batting has to fire, or the fifth test will decide the Ashes.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

I'd suspect he won't play. Alcott is usually fairly up front, as seen in the OT test. He said he was a chance, and he played. This time he says he's doubtful, so I expect him to miss. Just means Australia's batting has to fire, or the fifth test will decide the Ashes.

Without Pidgeon? Tricky...

Well I dunno, it was a miracle that he recovered for the last one, who's to say he can't baffle the doctors once more?

 

[Mister Wright]

That makes a ball that was going to hit your groin hit your chest instead. Ribs, anyone?

News update just said "McGrath out" very very definitively.

I stand out of my crease almost a metre, basically that was because I couldn't play the yorker, it has since helped that problem and I get more pull shots.

 

[andyc]

F***...

 

[vic_orthdox]

I stand out of my crease almost a metre, basically that was because I couldn't play the yorker, it has since helped that problem and I get more pull shots.

LOL, if you want to reduce the reaction time available to a guy bowling 140km/h plus, then I ain't going to stop you.

Especially when the guy concerned probably has less idea than you where the next ball is heading

But in all honesty, big difference between what your talking about - a technical deficiency (sorry, might sound a bit harsh, but just trying to simplify it) as opposed to trying to expose the weakness of a bowler.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

....but captain Ricky Ponting is confident the veteran bowler will be fit.

He said: "Kasprowicz is on standby for McGrath but listening to Errol there is a good chance he will be OK."

Link

 

[Mister Wright]

LOL, if you want to reduce the reaction time available to a guy bowling 140km/h plus, then I ain't going to stop you.

Especially when the guy concerned probably has less idea than you where the next ball is heading

But in all honesty, big difference between what your talking about - a technical deficiency (sorry, might sound a bit harsh, but just trying to simplify it) as opposed to trying to expose the weakness of a bowler.

Yeah, well I'm not exactly facing anything that quick.

Facing Tait out of your crease could mean you get a few full tosses.

 

[tassietiger]

Need more Test experience in the bowling lineup without McGrath. Tait can wait (rhymes). Kasp, Gillespie, Lee.

(note: I'm aware that I'm clutching on to straws as I desperately want to see Gillespie back in form soon.)

 

[luckyeddie]

F***...

Fish?

I didn't know you were Norwegian.

 

[tooextracool]

A lot depends on field placings.

One can assume that Tait wouldnt have had many people in run saving positions in his career. Therefore, a simple defensive push can often yield runs.

Likewise, because of their extra pace, a lot of boundaries are scored off express bowlers through fine leg and third man whereas they are routinely cut off by fieldsmen to bowlers of slower pace.

Strike-rate and average are far more important indicators to fast bowlers than economy rates.

yea i agree with that. maybe taits ER doesnt go to show how accurate or inaccurate he really is, and it happens to a few bowlers. but from what i've heard about his bowling action, i cant really see him being too accurate at any point in his career. i am looking forward to watching him bowl tomorrow, because from the descriptions of some of the members on here he seems to be completely different from any bowler that i've seen in test match cricket.