Scaly piscine
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I wish someone would shoot the TalkSport commentators that keep saying 'that just opens the door for SA' after every wicket.
Yup. As I said earlier, Bannister has been beyond the pale today. IMHO, anyway.Scaly piscine said:I wish someone would shoot the TalkSport commentators that keep saying 'that just opens the door for SA' after every wicket.
Wharf should practise his six-hitting- that will make him very useful and back up Flintoff in ODI's. He has shown a glimpse of his hitting ability in the third Natwest Challenge ODI.All true, but I still wouldn't want to risk Harmy & Flintoff's injuries. Like you, I don't see Gough & Wharf being very effective in this series, so hopefully we'll learn something about Jones & Hoggard in this form of the game.
They have struggled for a long time under Nasser Hussain, but improvements were seen in Vaughan's first series- the 2003 Natwest Challenge and Natwest series victories. However, not counting Bangladesh, they have not won an ODI series in a long time. They were terrible in SL, lucky not to lose the series in WI and terrible in the Natwest Series at home. Their fielding was sub-par, their bowling attack lacked penetration and they depended far too much on Flintoff, Harmison and Trescothick. Victory against the no-hopers known as the Indian ODI side was a formality, yet they had to have both Flintoff and Harmison to win that series. In the Champions Trophy final, they didn't have enough backp for the two star players as old hand Gough and support acts Wharf and Collingwood had a bad time.Actually, our form in the ondayers hasn't been a complete disaster in the past couple of years. We beat Pakistan & SA at home in 2003, as well as beating India & reaching the final of the ICC tourny in 2004. I know we've also turned in some terrible performances, but things haven't been all bad.
That can backfire badly, as it has with WI, India and SL. They need regular bowling options and at least one of them must regularly bowl 10 overs in every match.I think with Bell, Pietersen & Collingwood (maybe Tres & Vaughan himself at a push) we have enough of a "5th bowler" to cobble together 10 overs somewhere between the 15th & 40th overs.
Hoggard has never been an automatic choice for ODI's. He's only a little over medium-pace, has an economy of over 5 and just one 5-wicket haul. Hopefully he'll bowl like a true strike bowler in the ODI's.I thought I read that he was staying due the injuries to Fred & Harmy.
Hoggard was doing OK in ODI's until Jayasuria really went after him in one of the 2002 games. Thereafter he had a couple of mares in Aus when his confidence was pretty much shattered anyway, and we haven't seen much of him since. I suppose how he gets on depends on conditions. If the ball does swing, especially under the lights, it would be daft not to have someone who could take advantage. If nothing else, his confidence must be higher than a couple of years ago, so I'm happy to give a go and see what happens.Arjun said:Hoggard has never been an automatic choice for ODI's. He's only a little over medium-pace, has an economy of over 5 and just one 5-wicket haul. Hopefully he'll bowl like a true strike bowler in the ODI's.
Freddy has no 5-wicket hauls in ODI, and only a slightly better sr. In FC limited overs hoggard has performed very well, i think its worth a try. I'd pick him over wharf any day.Arjun said:Hoggard has never been an automatic choice for ODI's. He's only a little over medium-pace, has an economy of over 5 and just one 5-wicket haul. Hopefully he'll bowl like a true strike bowler in the ODI's.
Winner. Should be a matter of time with De villiers as well.Samuel_Vimes said:Flintoff's at it again...
My guess would be that by not bowling a small spell tonight he would be less likely to be stiff tomorrow with his calf.twctopcat said:Anyone know why harmy isn't bowling(apart from the obvious one)?
He could hardly chase the ball this evening, so i think bowling is out of the question.twctopcat said:Anyone know why harmy isn't bowling(apart from the obvious one)?
No sour grapes from me matePratyush said:And yes, my prediction/estimation of who would win went wrong. So slay me. Thank you
IIRC all strauss did against NZ was score runs at lords. england winning against NZ and the WI had all to do with teamwork, everyone in the side contributed in one way or another, something that has continued here, bar the occasional player- harmisonPratyush said:Andrew Strauss was a significant reason for England winning the series vs the Kiwis. He played a key role in this series as well. Two words for him - pure class.
He made a 50 @ Headingly too, IIRC.tooextracool said:IIRC all strauss did against NZ was score runs at lords. england winning against NZ and the WI had all to do with teamwork, everyone in the side contributed in one way or another, something that has continued here, bar the occasional player- harmison
If Bell even bowls (unless in a disaster) then we've regressed to bits and pieces again.Arjun said:If Ian Bell can contribute at least 8 overs regularly, the fifth bowler problem may be solved, but he won't be as effective.