***Official*** Top End Series

[NZTailender]

Well, not any international side, but a few years ago, with the Waughs, Taylor, Slater, Bevan, McGrath, Lee and MacGill, you did have one hell of a strong team.

Yeah, that was a few years ago. Probably the strongest state/county sides I've ever seen.
Though I can't remember Slater, Taylor, the Waughs, Lee, McGrath, MacGill and Bevan turning out for the Blues in the same match after the year 2000...?

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Yeah, that was a few years ago. Probably the strongest state/county sides I've ever seen.
Though I can't remember Slater, Taylor, the Waughs, Lee, McGrath, MacGill and Bevan turning out for the Blues in the same match after the year 2000...?

Wasn't Taylor retired by 2000? The sides like that would be pre-2000, and they would have Shane Lee rather than Brett. Still a very fine side of course.

 

[howardj]

I think most of it comes from Shane Watson looking out for Shane Watson, and not much else...

BAM

 

[Sw1fty]

India A are currently 6/175 after 40 overs
Gambhir is the top scorer so far with 64

Gillespie has 2 wickets
McSkimming 1 wicket
N McCullum 2 wickets

 

[Haddin]

India "A" were un-done by Mark Gillespie, tell me how old is he? He took 5/35. India were bowled out for 216.

 

[Sw1fty]

He is about 26 or 27

 

[Tim]

Yeah he's 27 I think. Bowls mid to low 140's and be quite aggressive at times. He's been impressive for NZ 'A', but im pretty sure the selectors are wanting him to sharpen up on fielding.

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a call-up to the NZ team soon.

 

[Haddin]

What an innings by Ryder. He made 114 off just 84 balls, with 10 fours and 6 sixes. New Zealand "A" are 3/193.

 

[Matt52]

What an innings by Ryder. He made 114 off just 84 balls, with 10 fours and 6 sixes. New Zealand "A" are 3/193.

Yeah, not bad. I hope the New Zealand selectors are watching... I hope he gets in the team before the world cup. Strange though to note his domestic one day record is pretty average. Averaging about 25 as an opening batsman, (his 4 day stats are way better), but when he comes to Academy series or "A" series against quality opposition he seems to do much better.

Conversely, Ross Taylor seems to blow everyone away in domestic cricket (he averaged about 69 last season to bring his NZ domestic average to , I think just over fifty.) and really struggle in Academy or "A" tournaments..(thats why his List A average is only 41 or something)

 

[Tim]

Yep, watch out for Ryder in the next few years...big star in the making. He has to be one of the players of the tournament up there.

I think Taylor can handle the step up too. He looked pretty good in the couple of ODI's he played last season, but the way he plays..he is always going to give chances.

 

[Goughy]

He strikes me as a very highly strung (in an emotional sense), and anxious cricketer. I fear such a make-up will make it harder for him at the highest level. I'd imagine he'd be likely to feel the inevitable setbacks at that level more keenly than most.

Australia should learn from the mistakes England made with players like Ramprakash and Hick. Different players require different handling methods and I fear Watson is not getting the arm around the shoulder he needs. It does not make him weak just different and coaches and selectors should be wise enough to know the different make-up of all their players.

I think most of it comes from Shane Watson looking out for Shane Watson, and not much else...

And so he should. Its the only way to make it. There are not many jobs in this world subject to the same pressures. Imagine if the average person walked into the office and finds someone waiting in reception and was told if you have a bad day at work that the other person was taking their job.

Top quality professional athletes have to be selfish. Fans may not like it but it is neccessary.

 

[Xuhaib]

It seems Doomsday is getting close because NZL have a bunch of talented batsmen coming through.

On a serious note is this Ryder guy a proper bat like Shewag or hit and miss ala Afridi.

 

[Tim]

Na Ryder is gifted. I have seen him bat a number of times...he plays aggressive shots but they are calculated and flawlessly played. The way he plays, he's got a bit of Sehwag and Pietersen in him..but obviously, he may not ever reach their standards but hear's hoping!.

 

[James]

I agree with Tim.

His main problems are weight and fitness from what I know. I don't know whether he's improved, but I would imagine he could struggle to make the next step up if he hasn't improved these areas.

 

[Matt52]

It seems Doomsday is getting close because NZL have a bunch of talented batsmen coming through.

QUOTE]
Haha lol, good stuff. Everytime Ryder or Taylor score a century a few more people back home head for the hills and take 10 years of emergency supplies with them.

I think Nostradamus wrote something about those guys,............

Something even more scary though, With Bond, Butler (when fit), Sherlock, Te Ahu Davis,, and Mark Gillespie ( sometimes) ....NZ actually has 5 (count them 5!) bowlers that bowl quicker than 140kph! There could be a time in the near future that our boys don't have any dibbly dobbers (slow, boring seamers) in our team.......We may win a few games through the surprise factor........

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Marsh and Cosgrove both made 80 odd today, with Australia A making 8/233 off 50. Watson opened the batting, interestingly, with Jaques and Cosgrove down the order.

Mohammad Hafeez made 96 in the reply, and Pakistan A are currently 5/215 with 15 balls remaining, needing 19 to win. Two new batsmen at the crease.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Good death over from Watson in the 49th, with 5 runs and the wicket of Rehman. He finishes with 1/40 off 8.

Pakistan A need 9 runs off the last over now, with Mitchell Johnson to bowl it.

As I type, a pair of twos to Alam, then dismissed by Johnson. 5 off 3 with 7 down now.

edit: Geez... Mohammad Salman hits a 4 first ball, then Johnson gets him out. Scores level with 8 down and one ball left. Pakistan A should win, surely...

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Mitchell Johnson runs out Irshad first ball! Three wickets and eight runs off the last over, and it's a tie.

 

[honestbharani]

wow, sounds like a very exciting game.

 

[Xuhaib]

I feel Hafeez is now ready for the step up and should be a fixture in Pakistan's top order.