*Official* First Test at the Gabba

[vcs]

By simple definition ATGs implies that world cricket won't always have bowling line ups full of them. As such, pitches need to be made far more accommodating for bowlers in order to address this imbalance.

Probably. Applies to every country though, as this Test match demonstrates. Unless you have overcast weather like England.

 

[GotSpin]

Probably. Applies to every country though, as this Test match demonstrates. Unless you have overcast weather like England.

Well they live in a terrible climate so they're good for something

 

[Ruckus]

Because of overhead conditions. The sky isn't the pitch.

Na the pitch itself was offerering more assistance before, e.g. Watson's delivery to Trott in the first innings. If it was all to do with overhead conditions then today should arguably be the best if anything, as it has been the most overcast.

 

[GIMH]

Surely a dreary topic like the merits of wickets v those in the subcontinent can be discussed somewhere I don't have to bored to sleep by it?

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Na the pitch itself was offerering more assistance before, e.g. Watson's delivery to Trott in the first innings. If it was all to do with overhead conditions then today should arguably be the best if anything, as it has been the most overcast.

Agree, I don't think I've seen any sun today. We can still be perfectly justified in mocking Johnson.

 

[Nate]

Top application Cook.

 

[Ruckus]

Ponting looks a defeated man...

 

[Goughy]

Surely a dreary topic like the merits of wickets v those in the subcontinent can be discussed somewhere I don't have to bored to sleep by it?

All this talk of pitches etc and all Ive been able to think all day is thank **** McGrath retired.
Often tracks are only as flat at the talents of the bowlers bowling on them.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Ponting looks a defeated man...

As consolation, I'm looking forward to his description of Johnson today in next year's Captain's Diary.

 

[Pothas]

All this talk of pitches etc and all Ive been able to think all day is thank **** McGrath retired.
Often tracks are only as flat at the talents of the bowlers bowling on them.

Yep, had this been any of the previous few tours of Australia and we would have limped to something like 260 all out and a 10 wicket defeat regardless of the pitch. That has something to do with this current England side but if you ever needed an illustration of what this Australian side is missing this was it.

 

[vcs]

All this talk of pitches etc and all Ive been able to think all day is thank **** McGrath retired.
Often tracks are only as flat at the talents of the bowlers bowling on them.

AWTA so, so, so much.

 

[Jono]

Surely a dreary topic like the merits of wickets v those in the subcontinent can be discussed somewhere I don't have to bored to sleep by it?

Nah today's cricket after tea should have already put you to sleep.

 

[Nate]

If you're not enjoying it, then post somewhere else Jono.

 

[JBH001]

Spent the whole day today on the couch watching the cricket - for the first time in a long time. That was outstanding by England. Great knock by Strauss, and more so by Cook (I've said a few harsh things about his technique before, but it has improved and his mental game is of a kind I have rarely seen). Trott looked totally at home out there, and determined and calm. I really expected England to be 5 - 6 wickets down today, so this was real unexpected.

That said, I don't see the point in declaring if and when England have a 200 - 250 lead. The wicket is still good and likely to stay that way tomorrow. England, IMO, should just bat and bat and bat and ideally grind the Australian bowlers into the ground with the second test due to start on Thursday.

Mitch looked the worst I've ever seen him. Never consistently looked like getting a wicket. Just bowled lots of slow (for him) rubbish.

 

[pasag]

It may be flat but the Aussies here have been very unprofessional in their attack. Running up and hoping for a wicket rather than executing plans. Its all so random.

Pretty much the way Australia's played its cricket since 06/07 - just bowl fast and hope to get wickets.

 

[Xuhaib]

Cook could not buy a run whole summer and here he looks immovable incredible what a couple of months break do to your game.

 

[Son Of Coco]

You cannot honestly tell me that this is a 260 pitch. England batted very poorly in the first innings, par score on this wicket is 400+

Today? Or on Day 1?

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Pretty much the way Australia's played its cricket since 06/07 - just bowl fast and hope to get wickets.

Excluding Lee and Clark, surely?

 

[Ruckus]

We desperately need a bowler who can actually do something more with the ball than just bowl fast and hit the deck hard etc. At the moment Copeland looks the most promising, so I hope his golden run continues.

 

[Xuhaib]

Deus Ex must be happy Cook,Straus and Trott are chipping away from their quota of runs alloted to them.