*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[Burgey]

How does this Ashes performance rank against Ponting's others I wonder

Would be his worst by far I'd imagine, with the bat.

I'd expect him to have a say sometime in the series though.

 

[TumTum]

Only if they try to play a relatively straight ball on middle and off through mid-wicket.

None of us would have thought that Tremlet could have moved that ball from a length. Batsman work the ball square all the time, but most do that after they get their eye in, which is what Hughes didn't do. Anyways this is just a small tactical mistake and has nothing to do with his technique.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah and if he doesn't get runs he should be dropped imo. I am grateful for Ponting that he didn't bowl him.

You should be grateful if he makes a few runs and jags a couple of wickets, frankly.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah and if he doesn't get runs he should be dropped imo. I am grateful for Ponting that he didn't bowl him.

The way the innings panned out Smith was not required. A spinner is very likely to be needed in the fourth innings of this match though and we'll need one at the G, so either Smith is that spinner or I agree he should be dropped if he doesn't get runs today.

 

[Ruckus]

Would be his worst by far I'd imagine, with the bat.

I'd expect him to have a say sometime in the series though.

At the moment I just can't see Ponting getting past 20 ever again If there is a way to get out, he consistently finds it these days.

 

[Burgey]

None of us would have thought that Tremlet could have moved that ball from a length. Batsman work the ball square all the time, but most do that after they get their eye in, which is what Hughes didn't do. Anyways this is just a small tactical mistake and has nothing to do with his technique.

Mate I'm sorry, but that's just wrong.

You think bowlers don't move the new ball around day one? He's am opener, it's his job to deal with it. Batsmen do play those balls to leg, but they generally do it when they're set, not in the second over, as you said.

Hughes, because of his technique, will always come under closer scrutiny than others. He'll deal with it, but I'm worried as to whether you will.

 

[TumTum]

The way the innings panned out Smith was not required. A spinner is very likely to be needed in the fourth innings of this match though and we'll need one at the G, so either Smith is that spinner or I agree he should be dropped if he doesn't get runs today.

Well he bowls flat and many pies. I was watching Sachin bowl the other day and guess what, he bowled a googly, something I never seen Smith bowl ever. He also gave the ball more flight than Smith does. Even Katich is a better leggy than Smith, probably bowls less pies too.

 

[TumTum]

Mate I'm sorry, but that's just wrong.

You think bowlers don't move the new ball around day one? He's am opener, it's his job to deal with it. Batsmen do play those balls to leg, but they generally do it when they're set, not in the second over, as you said.

Hughes, because of his technique, will always come infer closer scrutiny than others. Jell deal with it, but I'm worried as to whether you will.

Yea I have already said it was a bad tactical decision. Nothing to do with his technique though.

 

[NUFAN]

Hughes could learn a fair bit from watching the way Mike Hussey is playing at the moment.

Just an update on Beer, he's made a duck and taken 0/27 from 8 overs in the Shield match so far, great signs hey..

 

[NUFAN]

Well he bowls flat and many pies. I was watching Sachin bowl the other day and guess what, he bowled a googly, something I never seen Smith bowl ever. He also gave the ball more flight than Smith does. Even Katich is a better leggy than Smith, probably bowls less pies too.

I know how he bowls,, He doesn't make my full strength Australia or Australia A Test team at this stage in his career.

 

[Ruckus]

Well he bowls flat and many pies. I was watching Sachin bowl the other day and guess what, he bowled a googly, something I never seen Smith bowl ever. He also gave the ball more flight than Smith does. Even Katich is a better leggy than Smith, probably bowls less pies too.

I don't understand, what's your beef with Smith? Do you know him personally or something? Most people agree that his bowling is not very good at the moment, but as an all-round cricketer (which is what he is) he is an exciting, and talented, prospect. Whether you like it or not I would be almost certain Smith will play a big role for Australian cricket in the future.

 

[Nate]

"Responding to TumTum's posts makes your dumber than TumTum."

- Australian Test All-Rounder Steve Smith earlier today.

 

[Tom 1972]

If there is a way to get out, he consistently finds it these days.

Agreed.

tbf, he has been caught twice down the leg side and Collingwood's catch was the best we'll see this summer.

3 years ago he would have spanked those leg side deliveries.

 

[TumTum]

I don't understand, what's your beef with Smith? Do you know him personally or something? Most people agree that his bowling is not very good at the moment, but as an all-round cricketer (which is what he is) he is an exciting, and talented, prospect. Whether you like it or not I would be almost certain Smith will play a big role for Australian cricket in the future.

It's because he holds a crucial spot in the team and doesn't deserve it.

People take Smith over guys like Khawaja, Ferguson because he can bowl. What they don't realize is that his bowling would have a negative impact on the team rather than a positive one. So basically we are getting screwed in both ways, he is not a good batsman and his bowling could lose us matches.

 

[vicleggie]

Yes but Johnson will do it once every 19 years, so there's a kind of similarity.

actually he's done it probably 10-15 times in the last 3 years ****

 

[Ruckus]

Agreed.

tbf, he has been caught twice down the leg side and Collingwood's catch was the best we'll see this summer.

3 years ago he would have spanked those leg side deliveries.

He has been a tad unlucky, in that catches like Collingwood's wouldn't be taken a lot of the time, but it's no excuse. You make your own luck in this game. I reckon his confidence is just shot at the moment. He looks like a man going in with the expectation of getting out straight away. With every dismissal his reaction is becoming more and more nonchalant. I truly believe Ponting's form slump is all in his head though - hence when there is no pressure like in the second innings at the Gabba, he blasts a 50 not-out and looks in perfect touch.

After 3+ years of this mediocre form though, I'm really beginning to doubt whether Ponting will be able to overcome this trough in his career.

 

[Mike5181]

It's because he holds a crucial spot in the team and doesn't deserve it.

People take Smith over guys like Khawaja, Ferguson because he can bowl. What they don't realize is that his bowling would have a negative impact on the team rather than a positive one. So basically we are getting screwed in both ways, he is not a good batsman and his bowling could lose us matches.

I can see what your saying there and i agree. Khawaja and Ferguson would add more with the bat and the bowling wouldn't lose much because well? Smith doesn't bowl much anyway? and when he does he is just a part timer like Marcus North.

 

[vicleggie]

Magic Johnson yesterday. I don't think he knows much about bowling, but when he's confidence is up he just gets in a groove. He really got into the game with the bat. It made him feel good about his cricket which he probably hasn't felt for a while.

.

aye.
i think most very good professional cricketers/sportsmen have 3 phases.

1)burst onto the scene as a tearaway. completely following their natural inclinations, loving their bowling, not analysing their game, not knowing much about it but just in the grooove

2)losing a bit of form, and the subsequent criticism and pressure. sort of losing their way, not understanding how to get back to what they were doing

3)maturation phase- after hard work, getting themselves back, realising their trigger points and exactly WHY they were so good, and what worked for them, and understanding what THEY need to do for the rest of their career to do that.


in recent times, perhaps guys like steyn, anderson, zaheer khan, pietersen (now?) come to mind.

lets hope, after being a green, wideeyed young kid who didnt know too much about his game, johnson understands what he needs to do now.

i liked how even inbetween overs after he'd taken a wicket, he was practicing his action on the boundry, emphasizing his need to keep his arm straight. Lets hope he realises what he needs to do now, and doesnt fall into the wilderness of the last few months or so!

 

[Pothas]

Hughes could learn a fair bit from watching the way Mike Hussey is playing at the moment.

Just an update on Beer, he's made a duck and taken 0/27 from 8 overs in the Shield match so far, great signs hey..

You think he will be in the squad come the next test? They clearly picked the guy out of thin air and rekon the criticism has stung them a bit.

I guess if you win this test then they can stick with the same formula so he can be in the squad again but miss out but there will have to be a specialist spinner at Sidney.

Haurtiz to play to be honest.

Really want to see the back of Mr bloody Cricket early, am going to sleep in protest otherwise.

 

[NUFAN]

Pothas, I think Beer will be in the 12 in Melbourne, but with these selectors who knows.