**Official**VB Series 2005 Australia,Pakistan,West Indies.

[tooextracool]

I think this:



might have been said with some sarcasim.

I could be wrong though.

you might want to note that when i say that 'i dont not rate lee' it means the opposite of not rating him......

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

When i stopped watching the Windies were on top then lost it but Samuels was introduced and they looked ok.I check back in and we're 177/9!!Utterly disappointed.

We didn't really play poorly IMO. We were just completely outplayed... as expected.

 

[Mr Casson]

We didn't really play poorly IMO. We were just completely outplayed... as expected.

It could have gone either way at the start, though. Clarke and Ponting offered their chances (tough ones). I think the big problem teams are having is with Damien Martyn; he just never looks like he offers a chance, and he's breezed past 50 before you know it.

 

[Mr Casson]

With Gilchrist now injured and Hayden unlikely to be summoned from his retreat, might we see the fresh-faced pairing of Michael Clarke and Simon Katich at the top of the order next Friday? It looks likely given Ponting's comments about the value of Martyn and Lehmann in the middle order. Given Brad Haddin's recent form he'll probably be called up in Gilchrist's absence and might even go to the top of the order, but hey, we all know he'll fail again anyway.

 

[Pratters]

I think the big problem teams are having is with Damien Martyn; he just never looks like he offers a chance, and he's breezed past 50 before you know it.

He is an awesome player who could have so easily played in the World XI over Stephen Fleming.

 

[vandemataram]

The perfomance of WI team was awful, with Pakistan being the other team in this VB series, i think the series is going to be a bit boring and very predictive with Australia probably winning nearly all oftheir matches.

 

[cameeel]

Australia will win every match and will beat the Windies 2-0 in the finals

 

[Adamc]

Went to the MCG yesterday to see the match, ended disappointingly but up until Lara got out WI looked a genuine chance (as is so often the case). Baffled as to how Brad Hogg can get five wickets.

Best:
- Bravo's catch
- Any of Lara's boundaries (slight bias on my part, but all of them were quite remarkable, none of them run-of-the-mill boundaries)
- Symonds' fielding, incredible

Worst:
- Hogg getting 5 wickets (and Lara getting out at all )
- Mervyn Dillon (Pedro Collins please)
- Gayle and Sarwan failing

Brett Lee was also remarkably quick, I think about two dozen balls over 150km/h. I also don't think Courtney Browne would be out of place up the order, looked very comfortable against Lee (although he was 10k's slower in his second spell).

West Indies picked the wrong team IMO, I think they have got to get over the 'pick only two bowlers so we can chase in the second innings' mentality. I fully agree that Sarwan should be used more with the ball but nine overs was ridiculous, especially when Gayle bowled only three. They were lucky to get away with 301 to be honest, Australia could and should have accelerated a long time before they did: given the wickets in hand they could have managed 350. The WI batting wasn't as bad as perhaps it looked - the first four wickets were the result of good cricket from Australia rather than poor shots from WI. The field settings were also frustratingly perfect most of the time, preventing WI from really accelerating.

 

[Linda]

With Gilchrist now injured and Hayden unlikely to be summoned from his retreat, might we see the fresh-faced pairing of Michael Clarke and Simon Katich at the top of the order next Friday?

You only have to wait until Sunday...

As much as Id love to see Martyn open again, I think its best to leave him where he is. Theres nothing wrong with number 4, I think its good to have a bit of stability.

 

[bryce]

that short of a length ball outside off that lifts a bit that brett lee bowls is near unplayable(got sarwan and marshall aswell as astle in the C/H series) - in fact i think the only way to survive it is to not play a shot which is easier said than done at 150km, i still have doubts about his bowling to left handers where his only real wicket taking delivery is a full inswinger

 

[marc71178]

Haveing said that there isn't really a good reason for him to be in the ODI team.

So who do you think should take that spot out of interest?

 

[Linda]

Katich is coming back.

 

[Jono]

Went to the MCG yesterday to see the match, ended disappointingly but up until Lara got out WI looked a genuine chance (as is so often the case). Baffled as to how Brad Hogg can get five wickets.

Best:
- Bravo's catch
- Any of Lara's boundaries (slight bias on my part, but all of them were quite remarkable, none of them run-of-the-mill boundaries)
- Symonds' fielding, incredible

Worst:
- Hogg getting 5 wickets (and Lara getting out at all )
- Mervyn Dillon (Pedro Collins please)
- Gayle and Sarwan failing

Brett Lee was also remarkably quick, I think about two dozen balls over 150km/h. I also don't think Courtney Browne would be out of place up the order, looked very comfortable against Lee (although he was 10k's slower in his second spell).

West Indies picked the wrong team IMO, I think they have got to get over the 'pick only two bowlers so we can chase in the second innings' mentality. I fully agree that Sarwan should be used more with the ball but nine overs was ridiculous, especially when Gayle bowled only three. They were lucky to get away with 301 to be honest, Australia could and should have accelerated a long time before they did: given the wickets in hand they could have managed 350. The WI batting wasn't as bad as perhaps it looked - the first four wickets were the result of good cricket from Australia rather than poor shots from WI. The field settings were also frustratingly perfect most of the time, preventing WI from really accelerating.

Agree with just about everything in that post, including being at the MCG. Where were you sitting?

I thought WI would have been happy with 301, considering their bowling line-up. Hell, at one stage Australia looked like they wouldn't even get there, which left the door wide open for a WI win if they batted well enough. Without McGrath in the team, there was always a chance. If Gayle had got WI to a good start, Lara and Chanderpaul may have been able to get them closer (not to mention Sarwan, who unfortunately failed ).

I expected Australia to get close to 330. During the innings break I truly felt like the WI had a chance. At 4 down, I had almost lost hope and was just relying on a Lara 100 to make my day, even if the WI lost. Didn't get it.

 

[Josh]

two words to say - BOWLING HOGGY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At least someone's with me

 

[garage flower]

Went to the MCG yesterday to see the match, ended disappointingly but up until Lara got out WI looked a genuine chance (as is so often the case). Baffled as to how Brad Hogg can get five wickets.

Best:
- Bravo's catch
- Any of Lara's boundaries (slight bias on my part, but all of them were quite remarkable, none of them run-of-the-mill boundaries)
- Symonds' fielding, incredible

Worst:
- Hogg getting 5 wickets (and Lara getting out at all )
- Mervyn Dillon (Pedro Collins please)
- Gayle and Sarwan failing

Brett Lee was also remarkably quick, I think about two dozen balls over 150km/h. I also don't think Courtney Browne would be out of place up the order, looked very comfortable against Lee (although he was 10k's slower in his second spell).

West Indies picked the wrong team IMO, I think they have got to get over the 'pick only two bowlers so we can chase in the second innings' mentality. I fully agree that Sarwan should be used more with the ball but nine overs was ridiculous, especially when Gayle bowled only three. They were lucky to get away with 301 to be honest, Australia could and should have accelerated a long time before they did: given the wickets in hand they could have managed 350. The WI batting wasn't as bad as perhaps it looked - the first four wickets were the result of good cricket from Australia rather than poor shots from WI.

Largely agree with this and Mr M's comment that Windies didn't play particularly poorly (Dillon aside), but rather were steamrollered by the best team in the world playing close to their best.

I'm surprised Sarwan batted at 3, particularly as Brett Lee was bowling 95 mph outswingers to the right-handers. Sarwan can be a real Bevan-style specialist "finisher" and I'd prefer to see him at 5, after Lara and Shiv.

Marshall didn't make many, but I was really encouraged that his natural inclination was to drive straight down the ground rather than play across the line as so many Windies batsmen tend to do. Looks a real prospect to me.

I'm not as convinced as most people seem to be, that the 2-bowler policy is wrong. If Gayle had been fit, Australia might still have been restricted to around 280, which would have been a reasonable effort. Dillon should now be out of contention for the series and though Collins must be brought in (and should have been in from the start), I'm not sure about Reon King. He's taken a few wickets on the tour, but been worryingly expensive.

Bravo's batting continues to be a real concern. He certainly isn't justifying the tag of all-rounder, though he is still worth a place for his bowling and scintillating fielding. Powell should probably come into the side if they're sticking with the 2-bowler policy, though I'd like to see more of Marshall, who would probably be the one to make way. Hinds and Samuels also need runs pretty quickly, but their bowling should keep them in the side unless 3 specialists are picked.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

that short of a length ball outside off that lifts a bit that brett lee bowls is near unplayable(got sarwan and marshall aswell as astle in the C/H series) - in fact i think the only way to survive it is to not play a shot which is easier said than done at 150km, i still have doubts about his bowling to left handers where his only real wicket taking delivery is a full inswinger

The one he got Sarwan with was average at best. The Marshall delivery was more outstanding IMO.

 

[roseboy64]

We didn't really play poorly IMO. We were just completely outplayed... as expected.

Yeah but i never expected us to be that outplayed!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Largely agree with this and Mr M's comment that Windies didn't play particularly poorly (Dillon aside), but rather were steamrollered by the best team in the world playing close to their best.

One of things I noted about the West Indies performance is that they did seem to get a little deflated when Marshall dropped that catch. Until then they looked superb - quick in the field with athletic stops, even Dillon was bowling well. Had that catch been taken, I'm convinced things would have been a lot different. Until that point it looked like that CT magic was still about.

I'm surprised Sarwan batted at 3, particularly as Brett Lee was bowling 95 mph outswingers to the right-handers. Sarwan can be a real Bevan-style specialist "finisher" and I'd prefer to see him at 5, after Lara and Shiv.

I'd prefer Sarwan at 4 actually, as I think Chanderpaul is also an excellent finisher and he's more reliable in a crisis. That is, of course, if Chanders isn't opening. If he's not opening the batting, I think Marshall should be. Let the young man bat in his position and let Hinds do the same.

Marshall didn't make many, but I was really encouraged that his natural inclination was to drive straight down the ground rather than play across the line as so many Windies batsmen tend to do. Looks a real prospect to me.

I'm still convinced that Marshall isn't ready and that he should be opening the batting for Jamaica now, but I think he looked good on debut. He played that loved on-drive and did get a really good one from Lee. His fielding was also quite impressive.

I'm not as convinced as most people seem to be, that the 2-bowler policy is wrong. If Gayle had been fit, Australia might still have been restricted to around 280, which would have been a reasonable effort. Dillon should now be out of contention for the series and though Collins must be brought in (and should have been in from the start), I'm not sure about Reon King. He's taken a few wickets on the tour, but been worryingly expensive.

Kind of harsh on Dillon there. Yes, he was terrible, but that shouldn't rule him out of the series. He's still one of the bowlers with experience in Australian conditions and he's had good success there in the past. They MUST go with a 3-seam attack next time around and Collins MUST play. Not sure what fear the selectors seem to have of picking Collins in ODIs. He's arguably our best seamer.

Bravo's batting continues to be a real concern. He certainly isn't justifying the tag of all-rounder, though he is still worth a place for his bowling and scintillating fielding. Powell should probably come into the side if they're sticking with the 2-bowler policy, though I'd like to see more of Marshall, who would probably be the one to make way. Hinds and Samuels also need runs pretty quickly, but their bowling should keep them in the side unless 3 specialists are picked.

In fairness to Bravo, his real struggles have been against the spinners and batting where he does he'll be doing a lot of a) getting in against spinners, and/or b) hitting quick runs. I think he'd fair better up the order, so that he's set by the time the spinners are on. However there's no space for him there right now.

Powell should probably come into the side if they're sticking with the 2-bowler policy, though I'd like to see more of Marshall, who would probably be the one to make way. Hinds and Samuels also need runs pretty quickly, but their bowling should keep them in the side unless 3 specialists are picked.

I actually envision Samuels getting a score very soon, but Hinds is like Trescothick in my eyes. I never expect him to score runs, even when he's doing so.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Yeah but i never expected us to be that outplayed!

It's Australia! We were batting under lights! Do you not watch West Indies cricket?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I thought WI would have been happy with 301, considering their bowling line-up. Hell, at one stage Australia looked like they wouldn't even get there, which left the door wide open for a WI win if they batted well enough. Without McGrath in the team, there was always a chance. If Gayle had got WI to a good start, Lara and Chanderpaul may have been able to get them closer (not to mention Sarwan, who unfortunately failed ).

Brett Lee was clearly the key. He's a good ODI bowler, but I don't think anyone honestly expected him to so superb on the day.