The point is these last 3 games are the sort of games Australia of a couple of years ago would have snatched away with some player putting their hand up (in the way England's Test team has over the past 18 months). I don't think there's much between Australia and England, if the close games are going to go to England (for the first time in decades against Australia) then Australia are going to lose frequently this summer.Nnanden said:
First time I've ever been called that.howardj said:
I've never written Vettori off, just said that IMO he's the equal of Giles and nothing more.FaaipDeOiad said:
What makes you say that? If anything, given how heavily Lee relies on swing, I'd think English conditions would suit him fairly well. Of course, he had a poor time of it last time, but I don't think that had much to do with the conditions.Scaly piscine said:
Australia have been out of form though - this team is more than capable of playing better than it has in the first two games this tour, and when they do you're more likely to see people putting their hands up. Also, of course, Australia and England have only played one ODI, and I doubt even you would claim it was anything but a very close thing. If Pietersen had been run out by Ponting's throw for example, Australia would almost certainly have won. It was an even match that was won by England at the end due to a fantastic individual effort. I agree that England and Australia are much closer than they have been, but I'll wait a couple more games before I try and apply any of the results to find some sort of standard for the summer, unless you think Gillespie's going to be bowling 11 ball overs the whole way through and so on.Scaly piscine said:
Around 85 or 86 I think. Certainly not his quickest.shaka said:
Unless Australia get whitewashed or something, his job isn't in danger at all. Australia haven't sacked a captain in a long, long time. Was Bill Lawry in 1969 the last time?Mister Wright said:
Officially. Unofficially Steve Waugh 2004.FaaipDeOiad said:
I just think a few pitches in England tend to nullify the effect of pace, or you get the odd one where extra pace actually comes on to the bat better. Of course I'd hope now that Australia have a load of medium pacers and Brett Lee that most pitches would have a bit more in them for the quicks. I suppose the unusually warm weather will have an effect as well.FaaipDeOiad said:
I must say, it's kind of funny to here England fans dismissing McGrath and Gillespie as "medium pacers", given how completely they have dominated England in the past when McGrath was bowling the same pace he is now, and Gillespie in 2002/03 was the same pace he will be on this tour once he gets his form abotu right, averaging in the 85-86 sort of range. McGrath has always bowled 85 and below, and he's averaged 18 in England in the process.Scaly piscine said:
i'm expecting some nice big partnerships with langer in the ahses. my loins are already quivering in anticipationNnanden said:I`m only talking bout the two real matches, and Hayden hasn`t looked quite solid as yet. But fair enough, I`m sure a big score is coming.
