***Official*** West Indies in Australia

[Jono]

My opinion of Bracken changes almost every few months. Its hard to decide how good he is, or if he's any good at all. The idea that he is a wicket-taker when conditions favour him and crap when they don't is one way to look at it, but I don't believe its 100% accurate. His speed is a worry, but as others have mentioned he can get it to cut back off the seam and I think he's a fairly accurate bowler at times to he can possibly dry up the runs. Despite him being around for a while now, my opinion of him is still in the air. If he gets an extended run this time around, and with McGrath and Warne around him, it'll be interesting to see how he goes and will probably be easier to guage just how good a bowler he is.

 

[Dasa]

But yes, Test matches are another game, SA is weak, blah! Even if it doesn`t swing, I don`t think he`ll get carted, as he`ll go for L&L for some result. Best of luck 12 Sep, Leftie, Nath man. And Bracken too.

Yeah, even against India in Sydney when they racked up 700 he didn't get carted...but was just completely unthreatening. I remember he reverted to bowling off-cutters wide of off stump in that match. I expect he'll be more of a threat against WI though, simply because with McGrath and Warne keeping up the pressure, any bowler is a larger threat.

 

[vic_orthdox]

overnight? duh no, but over time, yes, Michael Clarke will improve over time though too?


as for Openers in the middle order, its a myth for mine. all in the mind. something that Hussey in particular would overcome fairly easily, hes a very versatile bat. Jaques iim sure ive seen bat at 3 and 4 before too.

Hussey has been moving himself around the order for years in FC (and OD) cricket and has already turned himself into a versatile batsman. You can't expect someone to be doing that experimentation for the first time at Test level.

 

[howardj]

Im off to the 'Gabba right now. Should be awesome. The first ball of the first Test always, for me, denotes the start of summer. That, and a Shane Warne scandal.

 

[Pratters]

Im off to the 'Gabba right now. Should be awesome. The first ball of the first Test always, for me, denotes the start of summer. That, and a Shane Warne scandal.

Ah have a nice day. Hope this test witnesses some special performances from the West Indies.

 

[Top_Cat]

overnight? duh no, but over time, yes, Michael Clarke will improve over time though too?

Yes by batting in the exact same position as he has for NSW, not by swapping to another completely different position in the order like you're advocating Hussey, Rogers etc. do.

as for Openers in the middle order, its a myth for mine. all in the mind. something that Hussey in particular would overcome fairly easily, hes a very versatile bat. Jaques iim sure ive seen bat at 3 and 4 before too.

And of course, your extensive experience at facing top-level bowlers gives you the credibility to over-rule years of evidence to the contrary by saying "its a myth for mine. all in the mind."? Right...... In Hussey's case, he's a very versatile bat in OD matches; in FC matches, he's just about always opened the batting. Now why do you think that would be, particularly since if there's one thing WA has never been short of, it's opening batsmen?

At FC level it's been observed rarely but it's TEST level we're talking about here. Give me one example of a player who has moved from middle order to opener and succeeded at TEST level.

I can give you one; Graham Gooch. Can you name any others?

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Chanderpaul wins the toss and bowls. Not sure it's a great move, as the wicket will probably be fairly flat after a short time.

Hoping Hussey goes well... he sure deserves it.

 

[chalky]

Chanderpaul wins the toss and bowls. Not sure it's a great move, as the wicket will probably be fairly flat after a short time.

Hoping Hussey goes well... he sure deserves it.

Another Nasser Hussain? Hope not.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Wow, there's actually quite a lot of grass on the wicket. Could be very interesting.

 

[chalky]

Whoo Hoo Mark Nicholas is there

 

[chalky]

Wow, there's actually quite a lot of grass on the wicket. Could be very interesting.

Do you think there will be a lot of movement Faaip? Fancy a bet against Australia 1st innings just waiting for sporting index to update.

Edit: Australia Quoted at 435-455 1st innings seems a bit generous considering the conditions & the unproven middle order.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Do you think there will be a lot of movement Faaip? Fancy a bet against Australia 1st innings just waiting for sporting index to update.

Edit: Australia Quoted at 435-455 1st innings seems a bit generous considering the conditions & the unproven middle order.

The sun's come out a bit since the toss, but there'll be swing with the new ball and probably a bit of seam movement for the whole game, like there was in the Super Test. I think it'll be a pretty decent wicket for batting once you see off the new ball though, it's not a raging greentop or anything. 400 wouldn't be outrageous.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Do you think there will be a lot of movement Faaip? Fancy a bet against Australia 1st innings just waiting for sporting index to update.

Edit: Australia Quoted at 435-455 1st innings seems a bit generous considering the conditions & the unproven middle order.

Instinct would be to sell that short... if the WI seamers fire you could stand for a big gain, and I don't see anything vastly above 450, surely?

 

[Slow Love™]

Whoo Hoo Mark Nicholas is there

Looked like he was a bit non-plussed at Richie's rambling there. I think Richie's hanging on too long personally - he should have retired after the English season.

 

[chalky]

Instinct would be to sell that short... if the WI seamers fire you could stand for a big gain, and I don't see anything vastly above 450, surely?

I agree seems very generous will buy @ £3.00 a run.

Crosses fingers, toes & prays to a picture of Corey Collymore.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Both bowlers accurate and disciplined so far. I really like the look of Powell too.

 

[Jono]

Powell has Hussey out trying to pull!

 

[Slow Love™]

What a scratchy first test innings from Hussey - one best forgotten ASAP...

 

[chalky]

Hussey late on the pull shot there Powell a bit too quick for him.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Are you Ian, are you Ian, are you Ian Bell in disguise?