*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[Jarquis]

If Finn can keep a lid on things I reckon he can bowl some decent length spells.

 

[social]

If Finn can keep a lid on things I reckon he can bowl some decent length spells.

He could be blown over by the Doctor

Anderson should bowl down wind and Swann against it

Other than that, it's anyone's guess and that's why it's a difficult place to play at

 

[Howe_zat]

From an Australian perspective, that's a shame as Tremlett is far more likely to have an impact than Bresnan

On the other hand, who'll bowl into the Fremantle Doctor other than Swann?

Broad is a big loss IMO

He could be blown over by the Doctor

Anderson should bowl down wind and Swann against it

Other than that, it's anyone's guess and that's why it's a difficult place to play at

Think the Doctor is pretty overhyped tbh. Not as much as the pitch, of course. Picking Tremlett over Bresnan probably says Flower doesn't give it much credit.

That said, if the wind really does pick up, I'd back Hilfenhaus to get the most out of it.

 

[social]

Think the Doctor is pretty overhyped tbh. Not as much as the pitch, of course. Picking Tremlett over Bresnan probably says Flower doesn't give it much credit.

That said, if the wind really does pick up, I'd back Hilfenhaus to get the most out of it.

The only thing that isnt hyped about the WACA is the fact that the wind will blow strongly from one direction on most days of the year

It's literally like night following day

 

[Ausage]

Think the Doctor is pretty overhyped tbh. Not as much as the pitch, of course.

Have you ever been to Perth?

 

[Evilhoopler]

Have you ever been to Perth?

I don't think our friend here has actually...

 

[vic_orthdox]

In spite of whether or not the wicket is "quick", the grass that will be kept on the wicket should help the ball swing conventionally for longer. We saw India get some genuine swing when they knocked over Australia at the WACA, and I wouldn't be surprised to see that occur again.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Have you ever been to Perth?

I have, nice racecourse in Scotland.

Bet the wind there is harder tonight than in Australia.

 

[GotSpin]

Think the Doctor is pretty overhyped tbh. Not as much as the pitch, of course. Picking Tremlett over Bresnan probably says Flower doesn't give it much credit.

That said, if the wind really does pick up, I'd back Hilfenhaus to get the most out of it.

I'll now know not to take your future posts seriously

 

[Ausage]

Bet the wind there is harder tonight than in Australia.

Bet they're not playing an Ashes test there so it's completely irrelevant how hard the wind is blowing.

 

[Howe_zat]

The only thing that isnt hyped about the WACA is the fact that the wind will blow strongly from one direction on most days of the year

It's literally like night following day

Have you ever been to Perth?

I don't think our friend here has actually...

I'll now know not to take your future posts seriously

Okay. I'm not saying it doesn't exist. I'm saying that it's talked about a bit more than it really should be.

Just saying that I, personally, don't think that windy conditions will provide clear-cut selection criteria. I think that whoever bowls better is more likely to take wickets more or less regardless of conditions. While Bresnan may be a touch more suited to it than Tremlett, for example, I don't think it would be enough of a difference to justify selecting the more defensive bowler in a four-man attack.

Generally speaking, I get the impression conditions as a whole tend to be talked up more than they deserve in previews and punditry because it gives someone a valid, if circumstantial, opinion to voice, rather than because they often change the course of matches.

 

[Tom 1972]

So if Ricky wins the toss, does he bat or bowl?

I almost want Strauss to win the toss so Ponting cannot be accountable for the wrong decision (of course there are obvious pros and cons to either decision).

For what it's worth, I think that if Strauss wins the toss he will bat. Swan on a wearing/cracking pitch is his Ace in the hole and I suspect it is generally harder to lose a game batting first.

If Aus bowl first we are going to have to make the Poms play as seasoned batters at the WACA have historically left plenty of balls on length. Oh I wish Ooh Ahh was playing.

 

[Burgey]

Every ground in Australia has the commentator's favourite thing to spruik about it. I suppose it's the same in England too.

Adelaide - prettiest ground going
Sydney - turnfest
Melbourne - "traditional" Boxing Day test (since about 1980)
Brisbane - the Gabba "greentop" and thunderstorms there
Perth - the Doctor

Whether or not many of these things actually exist any more is up for debate. Though I think the breeze in Perth is one of the things that's genuine. Having said that, if it doesn't come in, it will get ridiculously hot there.

Edit: Warney via Twitter making some interesting comments (not about Liz Hurley btw):

You don't pick a team just for the 1st innings it's a 4 innings match.. I think Australia will win here in Perth. But must pick right team

Smith is a future star.And is a very good cricketer, his bowling is a work in progress and will be good . great kid to. Beer and smith 4 me

Nice day here in Perth... Bit of talk about 5 Seamers and smith.. No beer - no matter how green always play a spinner.

ITSTL

 

[Burgey]

And still more:

3 quicks , Watson , smith and beer gives Ricky variety and plenty of options. Beer is a specialist spinner.. You need 1 in Perth...

TBF to Warne, he's always subscribed to the theory "if it seams, it will spin".

No bollinger no beer Mmmmmm hard to know what to drink after a days play Hahahah must play beer ...

 

[TumTum]

Perth has been stinking hot and dry all season, in complete contrast to the rest of the country.

 

[andyc]

Warne's clearly realised just how much influence he has over the selectors and is just going hell for leather now.

 

[Burgey]

Warne's clearly realised just how much influence he has over the selectors and is just going hell for leather now.

Haha yeah.

Waiting for an "I'd pick Darren Berry" tweet followed by a surprise come back from Chuck.

 

[Ausage]

So if Ricky wins the toss, does he bat or bowl?

I almost want Strauss to win the toss so Ponting cannot be accountable for the wrong decision (of course there are obvious pros and cons to either decision).

For what it's worth, I think that if Strauss wins the toss he will bat. Swan on a wearing/cracking pitch is his Ace in the hole and I suspect it is generally harder to lose a game batting first.

If Aus bowl first we are going to have to make the Poms play as seasoned batters at the WACA have historically left plenty of balls on length. Oh I wish Ooh Ahh was playing.

I think whoever wins the toss will bat, though I'll admit I haven't seen the pitch). Ponting very rarely sends a team in first, and considering Swann is arguably Englands most dangerous weapon he'll be weary of facing him on days 4 or 5. I also think he'll want to have England experience a grind in the field on a hot day before we have to. Strauss will do the same to get the most out of Swann (as you mentioned), and to give his in form batsman a chance of getting on top of us early on.

I definitely wouldn't want Strauss to win the toss. Bugger Ponting being accountable, if the guy gets luck going his way and makes a hash of it he deserves to be held accountable.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Every ground in Australia has the commentator's favourite thing to spruik about it. I suppose it's the same in England too.

Adelaide - prettiest ground going
Sydney - turnfest
Melbourne - "traditional" Boxing Day test (since about 1980)
Brisbane - the Gabba "greentop" and thunderstorms there
Perth - the Doctor

It's the same in NZud though

Wellington - gale force winds
Hamilton - lovely, scenic ground, small boundaries
Canterbury - shouldn't they be playing rugby here? Oooh and aren't the boundaries small.
Auckland - look out for the projectiles being thrown at you. And blow me if the boundaries aren't small.

 

[Tom 1972]

I think whoever wins the toss will bat, though I'll admit I haven't seen the pitch). Ponting very rarely sends a team in first, and considering Swann is arguably Englands most dangerous weapon he'll be weary of facing him on days 4 or 5. I also think he'll want to have England experience a grind in the field on a hot day before we have to. Strauss will do the same to get the most out of Swann (as you mentioned), and to give his in form batsman a chance of getting on top of us early on.

I definitely wouldn't want Strauss to win the toss. Bugger Ponting being accountable, if the guy gets luck going his way and makes a hash of it he deserves to be held accountable.

Fair enough. Good points & I agree.

Australia 2/300 at stumps on day 1 sounds like a plan. Watson 50. Hughes 160 n.o. Ponting 60 odd. Clarke (miraculously) 15 n.o.