***Official*** VB Series 2006

[Mister Wright]

wasn't it Richie that commented on that first?

On Katich, while he is doing ok, i really think that Jaques would do better - this season he has been unstoppable and has gone on to post hundreds - something which an international opener should be able to do - it was brought up at the time that Clarke, Lehmann and Martyn all made hundreds within like 4 innnigs of opening the batting. Katich has had a hell of a lot more than that and realisticly, hasn't gone close. He does also take his time abit more than the others - hasn't really been lifting his scoring rate through his innings much of late either.

As for Hopes - the reason why i think he will stay as super sub is that he adds to the team no matter of we bowl or bat first, so it doesn't matter as much if Ponting wins or loses the toss.

Yeah, my bad, I meant Richie.

Katich should go.

Hopes is the allrounder and therefore should be in the side so both his disciplines can be used. I don't know what the perfect situation for a super-sub would be, but it shouldn't be someone who is in the team to use both of their disciplines.

 

[howardj]

And, why on earth do Australia need a 'steady the ship' type player opening the batting anyway? During one of our most successful periods in ODI cricket ever, we had a dynamic opening combination - Hayden and Gilchrist. Why the sudden need for a player of Katich's ilk? In this series, he is striking at 67, while the other batsmen are all in the mid-80's. With our batting going all the way down to Lee at number nine, why the need for a player like Katich? If you want someone to be steady and risk-averse right at the top of the order - which I don't think is the way to go anyway - then just put Hussey there. He can certainly play that role better than Katich.

 

[Top_Cat]

As for your claim that '100+ inside 15 overs (from Jacques and Gilly) would be great, but not a collapse of 4 for not many', there's just no evidence that Jacques is more likely to be dismissed early in the innings than Katich. On the contrary, in his only ODI innings, Jacques produced a higher score than Katich has ever done in 30-odd games. Moreover, Jacques invariably bats through most of the innings in ING Cup games.

Jacques also has a pretty clear Hayden-esque front-foot bias and, like Hayden, gets cramped up when not given room. While he's in super form, it's not really an issue but I think it's a matter of time before he's given a decent run at international level and that fault (which may well result in quite a few edged cut-shots to the 'keeper) is exposed.

Okay, so answer me this; Jacques has 4 ODI tons (at least two of them 150+) opening for NSW this year at home and away and a couple of tons in Pura Cup cricket. Why isn't he in the ODI side?

Kat may not being doing 'the' job yet but he's still doing 'a' job. You can't say to a bloke who's scoring 50's, "That's it, you're outta there. We expect you to at least bat 40 overs and score a few tons now and then!". It may well be a matter of time before he starts doing the Geoff Marsh-type role and batting out the 50 and this period will be looked upon as the period where he was figuring out how he wanted to play at ODI level, rather than the total failure you seem to think it is. Or he could start failing, be dropped and Jacques walk into the side, who knows? It's all about perspective and yours is negative towards Kat and biased towards Jacques.

Finally, that's a total exaggeration regarding Shaun Tait. People, who can't be bothered looking up stats, always exaggerate the number of runs that he concedes, and automatically claim that he's this 'Jekkyl and Hyde' type bowler who is either absolutely brilliant or totally hopeless. His performances do not fluctuate that much.

Not what I was saying. I'm not saying he's 'great or hopeless' in general. Just that there's a reason why even SA doesn't use him at the death. He's brilliant at early wickets in first 15 but generally the last 10 is reserved for Mark Cleary and Jason Gillespie these days, sometimes Dan Cullen.

Granted, he can produce absolute shockers, but his performances in the ING Cup over the last 18 months (where he's conceded only 4.5 per over and taken 28 wickets in 13 games, and can actually do something with the ball) suggest he wouldn't be the worst option for Australia. At least he can bowl yorkers, a dying art if ever there was one.

And, again, you go on stats alone. See I'm one of those people who actually goes out to watch the guys and the reality is a little different.

As for yorkers, Mick Lewis is quite adept. As is Stuart Clark. They're just not super-quick like Lee and Tait are.

 

[Top_Cat]

And, why on earth do Australia need a 'steady the ship' type player opening the batting anyway? During one of our most successful periods in ODI cricket ever, we had a dynamic opening combination - Hayden and Gilchrist.

Don't forget Lehmann and Bevan down the order to 'steady the ship'.

 

[anthonysw]

Well deserved win to Sri Lanka,

Everywhere in the Australian media we were hearing about how the Aussies were going to win. TAB betting was paying $1.25 for an AUS win while Sri Lanka was paying $3.60. On paper the Australians were strong favourites. Even with McGrath out I thought we should do this quit convincingly.

Smart batting helped them get to the total of 274 laying down the challenge to the Aussies. We usually rise to the occasions except for this time. Unforgivable run-outs and other mistakes upped the pressure even more on us. We really needed a player like Michel Bevan to take control of things. Clark looked like the only player who could do this but the situation he came into was too dire.

In the end many will say that our bowling was not effective enough and they should never have gotten 754. Sorry we should have done way better with the bat and taken it right up to Sri Lanka. We have always had the bowling to get us over the line or gloss over ordinary batting performances but things could be changing.


On a brighter note Katich didn’t succeed in taking the record for longest time taken to get to 50 in a one day game. He actually batted slightly more urgently than on other occasions.

 

[33/3from3.3]

Kapugedara you legend
edited

 

[Neil Pickup]

Kapudegeera you legend

*Kapugedara. Not bad for a kid.

I just watched two hours of highlights of the VB game - and what really struck me the most is the body language of the Sri Lankans. It's wonderful! The sheer enthusiasm and excitement as they take wickets, run outs, catches run outs, stumpings and run outs is a joy to behold. It reminds me of watching/coaching Under 11s.

I'm rapidly developing a soft spot for this Lankan team, which is a bit awkward, as I really don't rate it as a cricketing unit. Ah well...

 

[howardj]

Okay, so answer me this; Jacques has 4 ODI tons (at least two of them 150+) opening for NSW this year at home and away and a couple of tons in Pura Cup cricket. Why isn't he in the ODI side?

.

Because Kat is the incumbent, and it's just not the 'done thing' in cricket to drop an incumbent when they have scored a few half-centuries. My point is a broader one - I think whether he deserves to be retained goes beyond just mere numbers of runs, and goes more to the role that you're playing for the team. I just don't see why Australia so urgently need a 'steady the ship' opening batsman, and if they do, then it falls to that player to be there at the end of the innings, or to score a century. Katich, as much as he's trying, is just not doing that. It's an ill-fit, all round.

 

[howardj]

Not what I was saying. I'm not saying he's 'great or hopeless' in general. Just that there's a reason why even SA doesn't use him at the death. He's brilliant at early wickets in first 15 but generally the last 10 is reserved for Mark Cleary and Jason Gillespie these days, sometimes Dan Cullen.

And, again, you go on stats alone. See I'm one of those people who actually goes out to watch the guys and the reality is a little different.

As for yorkers, Mick Lewis is quite adept. As is Stuart Clark. They're just not super-quick like Lee and Tait are.

I just think - looking at Stuart Clark and Mick Lewis in their appearances for Australia this summer - that they are not any less likely to be pumelled in a particular game than Shaun Tait is. Yet Tait is much more likely to take wickets. And, for me, the striking thing about this summer for Australia, is the effect that a wicket-taker (Brett Lee) has on the matches.

If he takes a few, up front, the game is virtually over. Tait, with his striking ability, could hopefully have the same effect, and again I pose the question, is he all that much more likely to go for runs than - looking at their performances for Australia this summer - guys like Lewis and Clark? Whilst those two guys are much less likely to take wickets, in my view.

 

[alternative]

I agree with alot of people here about katich, i think phil jaques is the correct option. Jaques has been consistent with his domestic performance, and him making 94 on debut should give him an opportunity to be in the side..

and on the super sub rule, i think james hopes is the rite option, as he does the job with both bat and the ball which ever way the toss goes for ponting...

 

[JASON]

What an exhillarating win for the Sri Lankans to beat the top Team in World Cricket at their own home !!

Brilliant fielding by Tillekeratne Dilshan. (* The only annoying thing is his hyaena's laugh as he celebrates , and this despite my being a Sri Lankan !! *)

Murali bowled brilliantly and tightened the screws having had the luxury to be able to come on Yesterday in the last over of Power Play than during Power Play.

He is much more useful and wicket taking bowler, when he comes on as a wicket taker after the Power Play than as a run restricter during power play which he has to do most of this VB series. (Which has in part meant that Bandara has been bowling after the Power play when Murali comes off !! May partly explain the disparity in wickets taken by Bandara in 5 ODIs he has played compared to Muralis 9 )

But Yesterday's Victory was a real team effort , with good contributions from most of the batting line up (bar Arnold -who struggled as usual and Mahela) and then the amazing fielding of Dilshan (who would have got the Man of the Match if I was the adjudicator - for his contribution not just in this game but throughout SL's ODI's this year and last year and throughout the VB series) and the bowling of Kulasekera, Murali, Bandara and the others.

Well Done SL !! This is a truly great achievement. Aussies losing a finals game for the first time in 9 years !!! Amazing !!

 

[JASON]

I seriously wonder if SL should rest some of their top players for tomorrow's game given the likely outcome of Aussies coming back with a vengeance to take it to the 3rd Final on Tuesday. ( * Players would be exhausted playing 3 ODIs in a row and resting some like Vaas , Atapattu may be a good thing * )

But Sydney gives SL a real chance of nailing it , wheras if it goes to the 3rd - they are going to struggle at the Wollongabba .

I really don't know the right answer for this puzzle ....And Until the results show,we will not know ...

 

[JASON]

Will the Aussies recall Dizzy under the pretext of injury to one of the bowlers..Will they get McGrath back for the 3rd Final .... Will Katich be replaced by Jacques .....if they take it to the 3rd final..

 

[mikeW]

Will the Aussies recall Dizzy under the pretext of injury to one of the bowlers..Will they get McGrath back for the 3rd Final .... Will Katich be replaced by Jacques .....if they take it to the 3rd final..

Dizzy is no chance not even in the squad and his ING cup form has been poor.

 

[JASON]

The SL team yesterday at Adelaide seems the best combination, except for Arnold .

I wonder if Tharanga should come in and Arnold be dropped.

I would therefore go with -

Jayasuriya
Atapattu
Tharanga
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Mahela
Kapugedera
Bandara
Vaas
Kulasekera
Murali

Super Sub Ruchira Perera

Or make Tharanga a Super sub
ie
Jayasuriya
Atapattu
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Mahela
Kapugedera
Bandara
Vaas
Kulasekera
Murali
Ruchira Perera

Super Sub Tharanga

 

[dinu23]

But Yesterday's Victory was a real team effort , with good contributions from most of the batting line up (bar Arnold -who struggled as usual and Mahela) and then the amazing fielding of Dilshan (who would have got the Man of the Match if I was the adjudicator - for his contribution not just in this game but throughout SL's ODI's this year and last year and throughout the VB series) and the bowling of Kulasekera, Murali, Bandara and the others.

Well Done SL !! This is a truly great achievement. Aussies losing a finals game for the first time in 9 years !!! Amazing !!

don't foget Kapugedeera as the comentators pronounce it.

but seriously, I think he's a good find for SL. most of the guys that debut for us don't really perform well due to the difference in quality of the domestic and international level. Sanga, Bandara are exceptions. Now I think we've found another one, and to perform against the aussies in his debut series is no mean feat. i just hope he gets an extended run in the team.

 

[dinu23]

The SL team yesterday at Adelaide seems the best combination, except for Arnold .

I wonder if Tharanga should come in and Arnold be dropped.

I would therefore go with -

Jayasuriya
Atapattu
Tharanga
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Mahela
Kapugedera
Bandara
Vaas
Kulasekera
Murali

Super Sub Ruchira Perera

Or make Tharanga a Super sub
ie
Jayasuriya
Atapattu
Sangakkara
Dilshan
Mahela
Kapugedera
Bandara
Vaas
Kulasekera
Murali
Ruchira Perera

Super Sub Tharanga

I think bandara is the best option for SS.

 

[JASON]

I think bandara is the best option for SS.

I dunno about that ... they could do with his lusty hitting at the end of the innings ...like Kapugedera yesterday a few clouts that clear the ropes can make a major difference.

Also I think SL rely a lot on winning the toss.

If they happen to lose the toss in the next 2 games , I would like to see how they get about chasing targets against this Aussie bowling line up.

 

[lionheart]

I seriously wonder if SL should rest some of their top players for tomorrow's game given the likely outcome of Aussies coming back with a vengeance to take it to the 3rd Final on Tuesday. ( * Players would be exhausted playing 3 ODIs in a row and resting some like Vaas , Atapattu may be a good thing * )

Seriously man, if you even need to consider the notion of SL resting players as a strategic ploy at the SCG, coupled with the notion dropping Arnold to bring in Tharanga, your knowledge of the game comes under serious question.

A) Sri Lanka will not win this series if it goes to a third game, especially if that game is at the ‘Gabba’ of all places. It's all or nothing come Sunday.

B) I can understand dropping Arnold to slot Bandara directly into the side, in fact I’d endorse it, but to bring in Tharanga in any capacity over Arnold is ludicrous. Arnold's scores so far this series 28* (37), 15* (17), 6 (7), 11 (11), 27* (28), 56 (87), 15 (46), 24 (34). Tharanga's scores so far this series 2 (2), 16 (18), 31 (66). Granted, Tharanga hasn't seen nearly as many games, but when you get outshone by Mubarak, you really don't deserve to. Now I think Tharanga is going to be a great player for us, eventually, but he hasn't shown he can step up and make it count. Until he does show that he can, ala Kupugedera with his worthy performances in his two of three shots at the big time, Arnold (who in a perfect world would have been out of the side a few years ago), should always get preference because he does make it happen when it matters.

If they happen to lose the toss in the next 2 games , I would like to see how they get about chasing targets against this Aussie bowling line up.

Yeah, SL will need to win the toss to give have the best chance of victory. If we don't, it won't be so much the Australian bowling that will dictate as to weather we will chase successfully, but rather the magnitude of the total Australia is allowed to set.

Good performance by the boys last night. Interestingly, I love how the Australian media keeps the loss of the back pages of all the major newspapers; slipping it in with a brief article with the more irrelevant sports news like it was some high school croquette tournament and how the TV news bulletins never once mention that Sri Lanka batted well or that Murali took 3 wickets.

 

[age_master]

i agree dropping Arnold for Tharanga would be silly