*Official* Zimbabwe in Australia Thread

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I was going to say that this was a nice blunt first post, greetings.

1, Elegance isn't everything but I do agree that he doesn't appear classy as some of the players you mention.
2, You can only beat who you're put up against, he did that comprehensively.
3, Will anyone ever get such a big score against anyone who you regard as a proper team? IMO there won't be for a long time.

In my mind Lara still holds the record. This is not bias on my part, because I am sure that if any West Indian (Lara inclusive) were to score 375+ against this attack, I just would not be able to come to terms with it as the all-time Test record.

That said, I'm sure it was a fantastic innings worthy of acclaim and I won't begrudge him that.

 

[Mr. P]

Yeah, I'd call Hayden inelegant - just a biffer, a banger, a swinger. No style whatsoever. Just like Flintoff.
I don't begrudge them their runs if they score them, but I can't enjoy watching them.
You want a bit of Hussain, a bit of Aravinda, bit of Mark Waugh - that's good viewing

Not Hussain.

 

[marc71178]

In my mind Lara still holds the record.

Although I appreciate where you're coming from, no-one can deny the fact that Hayden scored 380 in a Test Match, and Lara *only* made 375.

 

[Rich2001]

Not Hussain.

I think what my namesake is saying is he rather watch a techincally correct player, build a innings rather than smacking the ball into next week every ball, now you would need to put your thinking cap on to think the last time you saw Nasser be aggressive!

So why not him?

 

[Mr. P]

I think what my namesake is saying is he rather watch a techincally correct player, build a innings rather than smacking the ball into next week every ball, now you would need to put your thinking cap on to think the last time you saw Nasser be aggressive!

So why not him?

He is technically correct, but IMO not such a good player to watch, as Richard implys. And Hussain is not that elegant.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Hussain is more of a grinder than a strokeplayer, that's the point.

However, Flintoff hits things out the middle of the bat from straight bat shots and his cover driving is up close to Vaughan and Butcher for England, and Hayden's sheer power on cover drives makes up for the fact that he's not quite so good technically as Lara, SRT and Ponting.

 

[Richard]

Some complaints of my description of Hussain as aesthetically pleasing:
For me, there is no better stroke to watch than the Hussain cover-drive. A few shots equal it; just about everything Aravinda ever played, the Mark Waugh clip through mid-wicket, the Stewart flick off the hips, the Knight back-foot punch, the Lara cut, the Goodwin on-drive, I could go on.
Flintoff's cover-drive, like Hayden's, is just a big swing of the arms, no wrist, no flow of the bat.
Style is a MOO (Matter Of Opinion) totally, entertainment value likewise (I'd prefer see Boycott score a ton than Flintoff any time, I place more value on style than speed).
I do not begrudge efforts of skill, though if you ask me Lara's 375 took about three times the skill Hayden's 380 did. To score a chanceless 380 in any proper cricket-match at any time takes some concentration, no matter how inaccurate the bowling.
However, to call Hayden technically correct is, for me, very silly. He has always had a clear, blatant weakness against the in-swinger, even if he eats most spinners for lunch (especially when there's no turn). When you get bowlers (like Blignaut and Ervine) who can't bowl the in-swinger, he has the ability to cash-in with a longevity not many can achieve. However, he is, for me, a flat-track-clear-air bully, not an all-time great contender.

 

[gibbsnsmith]

Boycott has more entertainment value than Flintoff?

i have 2 questions..

your age?
and
how are you feeling today?

 

[Mr. P]

Some complaints of my description of Hussain as aesthetically pleasing:
For me, there is no better stroke to watch than the Hussain cover-drive. A few shots equal it; just about everything Aravinda ever played, the Mark Waugh clip through mid-wicket, the Stewart flick off the hips, the Knight back-foot punch, the Lara cut, the Goodwin on-drive, I could go on.
Flintoff's cover-drive, like Hayden's, is just a big swing of the arms, no wrist, no flow of the bat.
Style is a MOO (Matter Of Opinion) totally, entertainment value likewise (I'd prefer see Boycott score a ton than Flintoff any time, I place more value on style than speed).
I do not begrudge efforts of skill, though if you ask me Lara's 375 took about three times the skill Hayden's 380 did. To score a chanceless 380 in any proper cricket-match at any time takes some concentration, no matter how inaccurate the bowling.
However, to call Hayden technically correct is, for me, very silly. He has always had a clear, blatant weakness against the in-swinger, even if he eats most spinners for lunch (especially when there's no turn). When you get bowlers (like Blignaut and Ervine) who can't bowl the in-swinger, he has the ability to cash-in with a longevity not many can achieve. However, he is, for me, a flat-track-clear-air bully, not an all-time great contender.

Style is probably, yeah, a 'MOO'. (As you call it ) But IMO Hussain is not brilliant to watch and his shots don't excite me as a viewer. Its not like with a guy like, say Mark Waugh, whom i agree was very elegant and stylish. When guys like him get to the crease, people are always expecting brilliance and style. Hussain is a very boring player and even if he is technically correct, thats not the same as elegant.

 

[Richard]

I am 18 years of age - I am feeling perfectly fine in most departments - slightly sore throat, but the promise of Australia v. Zimbabwe in a few hours time. No real worry.
Like I say, I prefer style to speed. That is all. I never saw Boycott bat live, but one thing we all know is that he played a big part in winning a hell of a lot of matches.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Boycott has more entertainment value than Flintoff?

i have 2 questions..

your age?
and
how are you feeling today?

"Style is a MOO (Matter Of Opinion) totally, entertainment value likewise"

He's entitled to his opinion. To each his (or her) own.

For most people today "entertainment" is very much stereotyped. People seem to think that entertainment is purely based on excitement and adrenaline, but in reality it is whatever sights enjoyment in the mind of the spectator.

 

[Richard]

Style is probably, yeah, a 'MOO'. (As you call it ) But IMO Hussain is not brilliant to watch and his shots don't excite me as a viewer. Its not like with a guy like, say Mark Waugh, whom i agree was very elegant and stylish. When guys like him get to the crease, people are always expecting brilliance and style. Hussain is a very boring player and even if he is technically correct, thats not the same as elegant.

Well, like I say style is entirely opinion.
Few shots, however, please my eye more than the Hussain cover-drive. Sometimes his face-opening can make him look incorrect technically, but how often does it get him out?
I really don't mind how few shots people play, as long as they're worth waiting for.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I really don't mind how few shots people play, as long as they're worth waiting for.

That is exceptionally stated. You should definitely look into patenting that.

 

[gibbsnsmith]

i dont disagree with you there
but a shot i love to watch is Pontings on drive and Hussains, it justs so good!

 

[Langeveldt]

Richard i completely agree with you, Im not saying they are better but I appreciate the likes of Dravid and Attapattu who have brilliant defensive games more than guys who just give it a whack... It is definitely personal opinion though..

Anyway welcome to the forums, you have an awesome name!

 

[Mr. P]

i dont disagree with you there
but a shot i love to watch is Pontings on drive and Hussains, it justs so good!

If you want a good shot from Ponting watch his pulls and hooks. I dont think anyone would disagree with me that Punter plays these shots better or as good as anyone in the world.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Richard i completely agree with you, Im not saying they are better but I appreciate the likes of Dravid and Attapattu who have brilliant defensive games more than guys who just give it a whack... It is definitely personal opinion though..

My favourite players tend to be those who blend the aggression with top technical proficiency, such as Tendulkar, Lara, Sarwan, Ponting and of course Mark Waugh.

 

[gibbsnsmith]

No its not a great name, its a decent name.

Hershuelle Gibbs is a great name!

anyways, Style is very much MOO!

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Hershuelle Gibbs is a great name!

Never heard of him.

Any relation to Herschelle Gibbs?

 

[Richard]

If you want a good shot from Ponting watch his pulls and hooks. I dont think anyone would disagree with me that Punter plays these shots better or as good as anyone in the world.

With Aravinda retired, there is no better player of the back-foot cross-bat leg-side shots. Ponting was heir to Arrie's throne for a long while, and I'll be surprised if there have been many better pullers in history.