Ponting's streak of 16 vs Waugh's streak of 16

[Craig]

Possibly because the team wasn't as dominating and the games seemed more competitive.

Yeah that would be the best way of summing it up. Because there was times when Australia could of easily lost. I think of the New Zealand tour in 99/00, had New Zealand taken more of their chances they could of won or come even more closer to win. The Hamilton Test was bit of a heart breaker considering the position Australia were in, New Zealand should of really have got a lead, even of 20 or 30 runs insead of being 20 runs behind (IIRC). Plus Martyn batted so well.

The six hit from Chris Cairns off Brett Lee in Wellington was impressive. It just went so high and far.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Pontings team may have done it against better opposition, but I do question the oft repeated statements on this thread that it has a weaker bowling attack. Really? Did not Warne and McGrath play for most of this streak (Warne certainly and Mcgrath for half iirc)? Further, iirc, were they not better bowlers post 2001 than before? There has also been a great support cast in Clark (sub 20 avg for most of it) and Lee (who has been improving and whose improvement this summer no one would have thought possible). So, I dont see where all this comment about weaker bowling attack is coming from.

However, as some have said, Waugh's team seemed to possess some intangibles that Ponting's team does not, and I just plain liked that team better (to watch and otherwise). And my vote reflects that.

I think it's certainly arguable that McGrath and Warne weren't in their prime.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I think this Aussie team will certainly pass 16 now, with Perth coming up. WIth that said, I am anxiously waiting for the Australian tour to India in October. That should be a cracking series - one which could go down to the wire.

Yeah absolutely. Will be a huge test for Ponting's side, just like it was for Waugh's in 2001. I think in '04 Australia had basically the perfect balance to beat India at home, had McGrath and Gillespie both bowling brilliantly and Kasprowicz filling the third seam slot in well, and Warne had his only reasonable tour of India. It's the bowling more than the batting that is a massive test for Australian teams touring India IMO, simply because Indians play spin so well and the pitches are so different from in Australia in terms of what they offer the quicks. I imagine Australia will be fine making competitive totals, but having Clark, Lee and whoever the other two are consistently take 20 wickets will be the big issue.

Already a bunch of individual matchups I'm looking forward to as well. Big test for Hussey and Ponting on Indian pitches, huge series for Lee in terms of cementing his place as a quality test bowler, and also for whichever spinner Australia ends up taking. Most exciting test series since the last two Ashes series.

 

[Top_Cat]

Further, iirc, were they not better bowlers post 2001 than before?

Warnie definitely wasn't at his peak during the first streak, McGrath, well, was McGrath. Dude in 2007 is barely a different bowler than he was in 1995. He was quicker then and a bit 'zippier' but was still bowling so well. Mind you, I think in the first streak he was the undisputed leader of the attack and its sharpest edge. Was the go-to guy for the whole period as Warnie recovered from injury, Fleming supported him and Lee was finding his feet. For the current streak, was still the leader in a lot of ways but not by much.

Yeah absolutely. Will be a huge test for Ponting's side, just like it was for Waugh's in 2001. I think in '04 Australia had basically the perfect balance to beat India at home, had McGrath and Gillespie both bowling brilliantly and Kasprowicz filling the third seam slot in well, and Warne had his only reasonable tour of India. It's the bowling more than the batting that is a massive test for Australian teams touring India IMO, simply because Indians play spin so well and the pitches are so different from in Australia in terms of what they offer the quicks.

Already a bunch of individual matchups I'm looking forward to as well. Big test for Hussey and Ponting on Indian pitches, huge series for Lee in terms of cementing his place as a quality test bowler, and also for whichever spinner Australia ends up taking. Most exciting test series since the last two Ashes series.

Just my humble opinion of course but I don't think it's going to be close at all. Basically, none of the Indian batsmen have done anything out of the ordinary. Laxman and Tendulkar did well in Sydney but we expected that, Ganguly has looked okay but considering his form coming into the series, that was to be expected too. WIll require a monumental effort from their pace bowlers to win, I reckon.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Warnie definitely wasn't at his peak during the first streak, McGrath, well, was McGrath. Dude in 2007 is barely a different bowler than he was in 1995. He was quicker then and a bit 'zippier' but was still bowling so well. Mind you, I think in the first streak he was the undisputed leader of the attack and its sharpest edge. Was the go-to guy for the whole period as Warnie recovered from injury, Fleming supported him and Lee was finding his feet. For the current streak, was still the leader in a lot of ways but not by much.



Just my humble opinion of course but I don't think it's going to be close at all. Basically, none of the Indian batsmen have done anything out of the ordinary. Laxman and Tendulkar did well in Sydney but we expected that, Ganguly has looked okay but considering his form coming into the series, that was to be expected too. WIll require a monumental effort from their pace bowlers to win, I reckon.

I believe they're talking about the Tests in India coming up later this year (if I remember correctly).

 

[Top_Cat]

I believe they're talking about the Tests in India coming up later this year (if I remember correctly).

Yep, still think Aussies will win but I don't think it'll be close.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Can envisage Clark having incredible success in Pakistan and India. The fortunes of the other three quicks will depend on their proficiency in reverse swing, I reckon.

 

[Craig]

Can envisage Clark having incredible success in Pakistan and India. The fortunes of the other three quicks will depend on their proficiency in reverse swing, I reckon.

If they go that is.