***Official** Malaysia Tri-Series

[dontcloseyoureyes]

He's also proven a failure for half his test career. Should be Watson's #6 spot come The GABBA.

 

[RolledOver]

Well India should win this game and try to make up for the dissapointment the hockey lovers had all week long. Indian hockey team seems to be losing to Argentina and would probably play against South Africa to decide the last two team in the men's competition.What a shame!

Indian hocket team needs a Munaf Patel

 

[alternative]

Harbajan what a gun!!!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Good knocks from Watson and Clarke today. Watson was obviously a bit shaky early on, and benefitted from some pretty unimpressive bowling, but he showed what he can do when he gets a decent amount of time to bat. Jaques looking pretty awful at the moment, certainly not anywhere near cementing his spot.

Harbhajan was fantastic, and I thought Munaf Patel bowled pretty well too, and looks to have plenty of potential. McGrath and Johnson were both excellent before the rain. Johnson's definitely one of the three guys who are competing for the third seamer spot in the Ashes, and is a fair way clear of the likes of Tait, Bracken and Kasprowicz now, based purely on potential.

 

[Gajanayake]

Well India should win this game and try to make up for the dissapointment the hockey lovers had all week long. Indian hockey team seems to be losing to Argentina and would probably play against South Africa to decide the last two team in the men's competition.What a shame!

Indian hocket team needs a Munaf Patel

I can't belive that result...well, maybe I can ----- India should have pumped in 4-5 goals in the first half alone....that's how much they dominated and yet they concede 3 penalty corners in the 2nd half ....the Argies score twice and India go down.

An absolute disgrace to the once proud image of Indian hockey --- only Ric Charlesworth and a new hockey regime can save Indian hockey....but the IHF are too pig headed to hire Ric.

Rant over.

 

[Gajanayake]

Johnson's definitely one of the three guys who are competing for the third seamer spot in the Ashes, and is a fair way clear of the likes of Tait, Bracken and Kasprowicz now, based purely on potential.

I agree - Johnson looks to have more potential than TAit and Bracken, IMO.

 

[Nate]

I'd say Bracken is well ahead of Johnson, considering his OD and Domestic FC stats.

Oh how I wish it were Smith. But I think it`s pretty clear the selectors really want Johnson to prove himself worthy above him.

 

[Johnners]

He's also proven a failure for half his test career. Should be Watson's #6 spot come The GABBA.

So did Ponting...look where he is now!!!

 

[social]

First time I've seen the Indian seamers in a while and I can see why Patel, AA and Pathan are inconsistent - they've all got glaring technical flaws in their actions.

You simply cannot hope to bowl consistent line and length if the mechancis arent right.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Oh how I wish it were Smith. But I think it`s pretty clear the selectors really want Johnson to prove himself worthy above him.

I like Bracken and all, but I think Johnson is more likely to be a genuinely good test bowler. Bracken will always be a bit toothless when the ball isn't swinging, and isn't likely to get to bowl with the new ball in tests any time in the forseeable future. If Johnson has a really good run in ODIs or someone like Lee gets injured during the Ashes I think he'll be the next bowler to play tests.

 

[social]

I'd say Bracken is well ahead of Johnson, considering his OD and Domestic FC stats.

Bracken is a looooong way behind Johnson.

Johnson does everything Bracken does plus has 10mph more pace - all he needs is experience and that's obviously what the selectors are trying to give him.

 

[Nate]

L&L? Proven worth at ODI level? Give me something!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Interesting to note Watson's stats since the Ashes in ODIs.

207 runs @ 41.60 and 16 wickets @ 18.38

I don't think he's actually bowled anything like that well, but it's telling nonetheless. He's certainly improved in both areas of his game.

 

[social]

I like Bracken and all, but I think Johnson is more likely to be a genuinely good test bowler. Bracken will always be a bit toothless when the ball isn't swinging, and isn't likely to get to bowl with the new ball in tests any time in the forseeable future. If Johnson has a really good run in ODIs or someone like Lee gets injured during the Ashes I think he'll be the next bowler to play tests.

As long as McGrath is fit, I've no problem in blooding Johnson as McGrath/Warne will bowl a truck-load of overs with the balance going to Lee/Johnson/Watson - that's easily enough bowling to take 20 wickets and get thru 90 overs per day.

That being said, Clark deserves a chance after SA and is more a case of knowing what you'll get. Whether he has the wicket taking potential of Johnson over the medium term is debatable and the latter also has the adding variety.

 

[social]

Interesting to note Watson's stats since the Ashes in ODIs.

207 runs @ 41.60 and 16 wickets @ 18.38

I don't think he's actually bowled anything like that well, but it's telling nonetheless. He's certainly improved in both areas of his game.

Definitely a confidence player (his bowling speed increased markedly after taking a wicket the other night) and is a quality bat given time to settle.

 

[social]

L&L? Proven worth at ODI level? Give me something!

Potential - something he has infinitely more of than Bracken I'm afraid.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Looks like we're going to get a restart.

 

[Nate]

C`mon Aussies. Let`s see how Jonners goes.

 

[Dravid]

If rain screws over India again then omg I'm gonna punch my TV. It's being changed to a 32 over game...how much will India need to score?

 

[Dravid]

Official word has come out. 29 overs, 169 required. I hate D/L with passion.