*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[howardj]

Harris just asks questions of the batsmen all the time.

He knows where to put the ball.

Yeah, I like him.

 

[Ruckus]

It sure is some transformation as a bowler. His FC average is 30ish, but that no way represents how good he is imo. If he can keep his form up he looks a 25 bowler to me.

 

[Kylez]

It sure is some transformation as a bowler. His FC average is 30ish, but that no way represents how good he is imo. If he can keep his form up he looks a 25 bowler to me.

Doesn't help that he has played most of his cricket on the flat Adelaide Oval pitch. Ever since he gained weight and strength in the off season of 06/07, he has become an awsome bowler.

 

[GotSpin]

It sure is some transformation as a bowler. His FC average is 30ish, but that no way represents how good he is imo. If he can keep his form up he looks a 25 bowler to me.

Lets hope he keeps himself together fitness wise

 

[Ruckus]

Doesn't help that he has played most of his cricket on the flat Adelaide Oval pitch. Ever since he gained weight and strength in the off season of 06/07, he has become an awsome bowler.

Yeah I'd be interested to know actually his recent FC stats (say, the past 2 years) since he started focussing more on his bowling and fitness?

 

[Spark]

Listen to the TMSpecial podcast today. Boycs has an epic rant, with Broad there. Is quite interesting.

Epic epic rant.

 

[Noble One]

It sure is some transformation as a bowler. His FC average is 30ish, but that no way represents how good he is imo. If he can keep his form up he looks a 25 bowler to me.

It is a remarkable transition for Harris. He always bowled with nice outswing, but never faster than 135kmh. Perhaps the less focus on his batting ability has helped his bowling takeoff.

It's an amazing effort for a bowler with just four Tests looks like a fifty Test pro.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah I'd be interested to know actually his recent FC stats (say, the past 2 years) since he started focussing more on his bowling and fitness?

In 2008/2009 - 8 matches, 33 wickets @ 26.48.

He then only played I think the one match in 2009/2010 due to injury and Australia selection.

I firmly believe that if he hadn't of bowled well and taken 8 wickets at 20 that year in the Big Bash he wouldn't have played for Australia as many times as he had.

On the back of the Big Bash form, he played some T20 for Australia, went well, then played ODI'S and went superbly, the rest is history.

 

[TumTum]

Listen to the TMSpecial podcast today. Boycs has an epic rant, with Broad there. Is quite interesting.

Epic epic rant.

Which one is it? Link plz?

 

[robelinda]

Yes link link link!

 

[Spark]

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/fivelive/tms/tms_20101219-0622a.mp3

 

[robelinda]

BBC - Podcasts - The Ashes with Test Match Special

oh

 

[Ruckus]

In 2008/2009 - 8 matches, 33 wickets @ 26.48.

He then only played I think the one match in 2009/2010 due to injury and Australia selection.

I firmly believe that if he hadn't of bowled well and taken 8 wickets at 20 that year in the Big Bash he wouldn't have played for Australia as many times as he had.

On the back of the Big Bash form, he played some T20 for Australia, went well, then played ODI'S and went superbly, the rest is history.

Yeah very impressive stuff. Hopefully his body holds up and he is here to stay.

 

[Spark]

BBC - Podcasts - The Ashes with Test Match Special

oh

Yeah.

 

[Rant0r]

Mildly disappointing effort from the chaps today. First pitch with some life in it and we display all the backbone of a Portuguese Man O' War.

Is there any chance of an MCG pitch that's sporty? Clearly roads suit our skillset better.

4/5 seamers for Oz at Melbourne looks one too many too, I'd suggest. If I were a selector I'd be looking at a specialist. If Punter's broken it might open the door for Hauritz again.

As for ourselves, Finn for Shahzad is my call. Finn will play a lot of tests for England, but with Tremmers in the side we have what he brings to the table covered.

Nice call, I like the look of Shahzad, I really like Finn, but he's young and raw, he could probably do with a match off to think about it, I know he took 6 for in Brisbane but he's been a bit inconsistent.

Well we talk about the balance between bat and ball, but bowlers being able to produce unplayable deliveries tips the scales because batsman have no chance to keep them out, irrespective of how good they are. That Asif ball to Clarke an example, swinging out and then seaming in, good luck.

You have places like this Test match where the ball does move outside off-stump, but you can leave them. As a batsman if you are good enough you can survive. That is a good balance imo.

And just because most pitches around the world favor the bat, we shouldn't be creating bowling paradises to try and counter act that balance.

Are you kidding me ? That pitch was hardly unplayable. Clarke played a crap shot. And batsmen made runs on that same pitch later in the game. Hell forbid it be difficult on a first day wicket.

 

[Spark]

Nice call, I like the look of Shahzad, I really like Finn, but he's young and raw, he could probably do with a match off to think about it, I know he took 6 for in Brisbane but he's been a bit inconsistent.


Are you kidding me ? That pitch was hardly unplayable. Clarke played a crap shot. And batsmen made runs on that same pitch later in the game. Hell forbid it be difficult on a first day wicket.

Yeah that was a really bad shot. The example I provided at Headingley, same bat, same bowler is a much better example of "sometimes you'll get one with your name and number on it and there's ****-all you can do about it"

 

[TumTum]

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/fivelive/tms/tms_20101219-0622a.mp3

That is so good

 

[Uppercut]

Yeah, looking at:

Twatto
Hussey
Johnson
Harris

Mainly those guys.

If we can get Hussey early in Melbourne, I think we'll win. Unfortunately it's a HUGE if.

Yeah, although Watto, Hussey and Harris all were all pretty good/decent at Adelaide too though and Australia still got crushed. It's just Johnson really.

 

[Johnners]

how awkward must Broad have felt....

 

[Jono]

Boycott is one of a king