*Official* First Test at Swalec Stadium, Cardiff

[Woodster]

Don't think that's what it was for, just a generally 'sub-standard' surface.

The pitch was rated 'poor', the pitch panel upheld the umpires' decision that the pitch had demonstrated excessive spin, that was the reason it was rated poor.

 

[rivera213]

Give me the "poor" wicket in that case.

I'm sure it will be prepared so that it offers assistance ot the spinner, you can't make the Cardiff wicket seamer friendly per se, so you may as well exaggerate it in faourof the spinner. Since a certain Shane Warne is no longer in the ranks, it will be a good move and I have no problem preparing a wicket in favour of the home team. I actually excpect it.

 

[Richard]

Even with Warne in the ranks, if England have a good spinner it actually lessens any advantage rather than adds to it - Warne turned it on anything, while a Swann or Giles would not.

And who took the (formerly Sophia Gardens) out of the thread title?

 

[howardj]

My teams:

Hughes
Katich
God
Clarke
Hussey
Watson (as a batsman if fit, otherwise North)
Haddin
Johnson
Haurtiz
Clark
Siddle

Cook
Strauss
Bopara
KP
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Harmison

 

[BoyBrumby]

Interesting to see what Hauritz does tomorrow (assuming we actually do take the last 2 wickets). If he has another horrible game (and there wasn't a lot of turn for Rashid today) would he really still be a shoo in?

If North and/or Lee outbowls him it seems almost perversely stubborn to pick him solely because he's nominally a specialist twirler. As I believe PEWS said in another thread North's FC bowling record is actually better than his and there's also Plans B & C in Katich & Clarke (back allowing).

 

[Furball]

The pitch was rated 'poor', the pitch panel upheld the umpires' decision that the pitch had demonstrated excessive spin, that was the reason it was rated poor.

Yet on the same day, a pitch at Lord's saw an excessive amount of runs being scored, with no sanction.

Go figure.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Would be pretty surprised if Australia didn't go with four seamers from this point. It was always a possibility before the tour matches, but Hauritz hasn't done anything of note and all the quicks have bowled pretty well. North should get a decent number of overs.

 

[cowboysfan]

depending on the pitch ofcourse but i still think england are better off with 2 spinners.Broad,flintoff and Anderson can do plenty imo and each of them is different so that's a plus.

 

[Richard]

Fuller is back.

 

[aussie]

Once the selectors don't do BS. I'm looking forward to Lee/Johnson/Siddle/Clark, it could be the start of one of the best 4-man pace attacks ever.

 

[NUFAN]

Now that Lee has bowled himself into the team who should take the new ball?

It's out of Johnson, Siddle or Lee now (even if Clark plays I can't see him opening the bowling). It's a difficult task as all 3 have a reason to share the new ball but I can see positive and negatives for all.

 

[Burgey]

Now that Lee has bowled himself into the team who should take the new ball?

It's out of Johnson, Siddle or Lee now (even if Clark plays I can't see him opening the bowling). It's a difficult task as all 3 have a reason to share the new ball but I can see positive and negatives for all.

Lee and Johnson, imo.

 

[ripper868]

Siddle Johnson for mine.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Siddle Johnson for mine.

I'd go with this too I think. I didn't see Lee's opening spell last night, but I'd be worried that a Lee/Johnson combination would help England off to a good start if they didn't bowl well. Siddle looks more consistent.

Whatever though really

 

[Top_Cat]

We all know Lee will take the new cherry. The question, for me, is who the selectors reckon will bowl better with an older ball. Fully expect Lee/Siddle with Johnson first change.

 

[NUFAN]

I think that I would go Lee and Johnson, Lee bowling the first over.

I would take either of them off after say 4 overs if they are not making the batsman play or the batsman look very comfortbale (so not just nicks through the slips).

Very tough call though.

 

[Golaxi]

doesn't really matter how much the pitch turns cause no teams actually have a spinner that can turn the ball. saw rashid the other day, wasn't very impressed his spinning capabilities. still better than hauriballitz

4 overs sounds a bit quick to me nufan? believe me lee will make the batsmen have to play.

rumour has it panesar has magicianed himself back in the lineup out of nowhere despite having terrible county form. he has taken some major scalps out in the subcontinent though.

 

[NUFAN]

Golaxi, I'm imagining that we'll have Siddle and Clark in the team aswell and if a bowler's first spell is a bit wayward take him off! Think getting the early wickets of Strauss and Cook is vital.

 

[inbox24]

I'd have Siddle and Lee. Johnson lacks the radar to make the batsmen play when he's warming up, and that would be a waste of a the red rock.

 

[Golaxi]

yea ur right. strauss and cook early wickets will be vital for oz. they are the type that look to get in and settle for a long time but are also subject to low scores. you could have some luck with strauss there possibly.

a aussie opening bowlers wayward, wow your team really must have gone downhill. out of the whole of cricket mad australia you must have some good opening bowlers that know how to keep a line?