*Official Third Test at Edgbaston

[Woodster]

Sometimes, just sometimes

I suppose I agree with your basic point though. We really ought to try to win this.

Yes a draw was certainly most welcome here, although the intent generally remained positive, well a certain man spanking 15 fours and seven sixes keeps things pretty interesting. We need to his them hard early in this next Test, remain on top and don't let them get back up. Somewhat easier said than done mind.

 

[Richard]

Never works when a side, especially England, tries to set the stall out not to lose. Let's get out there and continue to go at them, and get a 2-0 lead.

Works plenty of the time TBH, but when there's three Tests still remaining it's not a good attitude at all.

 

[Burgey]

Yes a draw was certainly most welcome here, although the intent generally remained positive, well a certain man spanking 15 fours and seven sixes keeps things pretty interesting. We need to his them hard early in this next Test, remain on top and don't let them get back up. Somewhat easier said than done mind.

England to be positive, launch at Johnson, gift him two early wickets, get his confidence back up and see him take 8 for the match.

</optimism.jpeg/>

 

[Richard]

It's optimistic, from an Australian POV, but it's not entirely unrealistic. Similar has happened on plenty of occasions.

Often in trying too hard to keep a bowler down you give him the easiest way up. Best way as a batsman is always to play the ball - don't, ever, play the man.

 

[Burgey]

And TBF England did this very well to Gillespie in 05.

 

[Scaly piscine]

By the way I will go on a killing spree if Donkey Panesar plays on Thursday. Bad enough having Broad.

Particularly when the two guys involved in forcing the only positive FC result at the ground this season were Onions and Harmison.

 

[pup11]

It's optimistic, from an Australian POV, but it's not entirely unrealistic. Similar has happened on plenty of occasions.

Often in trying too hard to keep a bowler down you give him the easiest way up. Best way as a batsman is always to play the ball - don't, ever, play the man.

Though what you are saying is true, but if Johnson continues to bowl the way he did at Lord's or in the last tour game, then English batsmen really won't have to try hard to get on top of him, Mitch would himself provide a lot of freebies to them to feast on.

If Mitch has to succeed then he would have to bowl with a bit more consistency in his line and length, which is something he has failed to do so far in this series, but if he succeeds in doing so, then he is good enough a bowler to get people out, without having to wait to for them to make a mistake.

Moving on, the other thing is the Australian think-tank shouldn't really give any attention to all the stuff that is currently being said about the Edgbaston pitch, by the curator and many others, we shouldn't make the mistake of falling in the same trap like we did the last time around.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Seamer's paradise spins out Nathan Hauritz | The Australian

Personally I think Steve Rouse should just worry about doing his own job.

 

[aussie]

Ha, well if he is right. FINALLY AUS can play to their bowling strenght & pick 4-seamers.

 

[Top_Cat]

Seamer's paradise spins out Nathan Hauritz | The Australian

Personally I think Steve Rouse should just worry about doing his own job.

Besides which, it's probably bull****.

 

[Woodster]

Works plenty of the time TBH, but when there's three Tests still remaining it's not a good attitude at all.

I'm sure it has worked, plenty of times? Not sure about that. It is a mindset that has failed more than it's succeeded. Yes if you get yourself into a position where you can start thinking about holding on for a draw as the Test progresses, it may work, but you certainly do not set out with that in mind.

 

[GIMH]

Worked for the West Indies earlier in the year

 

[Uppercut]

West Indies can rely on sunshine though. In England, you can make the pitches as flat as you like, but if the weather's not good batting will still be very difficult. Playing for a draw when conditions make a result inevitable could mean you lose a game you otherwise would have won.

 

[Pigeon]

Playing for a draw? That too against the Australians?

 

[simmy]

Ha, well if he is right. FINALLY AUS can play to their bowling strenght & pick 4-seamers.

Is this ironic?

 

[Son Of Coco]

Playing for a draw? That too against the Australians?

See Adelaide 2006 for one of your more successful attempts at it

Admittedly, you went a bit better playing for a draw in the 4th innings rather than the third.

 

[pup11]

Besides which, it's probably bull****.

Haha.. so true, as I already mentioned Ponting and other members of the Australian side shouldn't listen to anything he says, duped Ponting big-time during the last Edgbaston test, and Ponting would be really foolish to let that happen to him all over again.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Think Rouse is unfairly copping it here. What he says about spinners taking their wickets at Edgbaston for 60-ish apiece is, if true (CBA to check), easily verifiable.

Imagine Messers North & Johnson considered his words sage indeed too.

 

[Richard]

Haha.. so true, as I already mentioned Ponting and other members of the Australian side shouldn't listen to anything he says, duped Ponting big-time during the last Edgbaston test, and Ponting would be really foolish to let that happen to him all over again.

Equally, he'd be foolish to concentrate more on doing the opposite of what Rouse suggests than assessing the conditions on their own merit.

Either way think the most important thing to come out of that piece SOC posted was the assertion that England won't play Swann and MSP... let's hope so.

 

[Richard]

Though what you are saying is true, but if Johnson continues to bowl the way he did at Lord's or in the last tour game, then English batsmen really won't have to try hard to get on top of him, Mitch would himself provide a lot of freebies to them to feast on.

Yeah, exactly. If Johnson continues to bowl the heap of crap he's been bowling almost throughout the tour the worst thing to do would be to go in with a "let's go after him" attitude. Just play the ball, and you'll score quickly enough anyway.