Tour To Australia !! - News , Views , Results

[Tom Halsey]

And dropped for a can't-bat-can't-bowl-all-rounder.

I got a solution! Pick me! I am a can-bat-can-bowl-all-rounder!

 

[lord_of_darkness]

Which it wasn't. It was a selection between Top_Cat and Rik, which was narrowly won.

we felt at that time our batting lineup just needed backup and top cats overall form was very poor, we could have even selected david who almost has the same stats as Top Cat does. the selection wasnt narrowly won by top cat. I clearly remember at the board meeting including the captain, it was decided fully by all 3 people that Top Cat would be injury replacement.

Yet how, all of a sudden, is Lord_of_Darkness, a regular Test player?

With all due respect he's really not done anything noteworthy at the highest level to be included as first choice spinner - unline Pickup, who has a proven Test record.

As Liam said his test record of 36,37 is no easy feat at the highest level in cricket, and Neil pickup has been dropped due to lack of form as said before.. as was Harbajan Singh from India now he is a top spinner for them too but he was rested.
Based on Current Form

Neil pickup 32-?-167-2 Current Avg: 83.2
Lord of Darkness 24-?-45-2 Current Avg:22.5 + 43 and 9 in the 4th test

 

[Andre]

The fact remains your not good enough to be played as the lone spinner in the side - you are picked to take wickets and over your career you have struggled to do so.

Liam stated that you serve a purpose as a second spinner - by no means are you up to the job of first spinner in a Test squad. Form is temporary, class is permanent.

It may be just be but I'd be interested to see if you got a game without being on the selection panel.

 

[Tom Halsey]

I'm with Andre. A Test bowling average of 35 or whatever it is is not very good.

 

[marc71178]

Well, I reckon I should be the first choice spinner.

Not a hope without seasons of performing in the minor leagues!

 

[lord_of_darkness]

The fact remains your not good enough to be played as the lone spinner in the side - you are picked to take wickets and over your career you have struggled to do so.

The fact remains your not good enough to be played as the lone spinner in the side - you are picked to take wickets and over your career you have struggled to do so.

Adding to the fact that neil went through a proper system of upbringing in FC cricket and had that right from the start where his peformances helped his averages that go onto the test areana..whereas people like blewy , me , top cat had no such opportunity hence our averages might be a false interpretation. There is no doubt in real or in there that if Top and ponting had started of , Top cat would have started of far better and would have maintained his position throughout as would have I..
I always thought averages can be looked as just a bowlers stats throughout the years and they do not show his stats in different countries playing different teams.

Harbajan and Kumble are India's premier spinners and currently it can be seen as Harbajan is favoured to be the premier spinner and if he doesnt peform well enough the duties are given to kumble who could be seen as second choice. ( showing comparison )

I dont know what the big fuss is all about. if u ask to play the best XI , the board plays the best XI on current form and strength.

 

[marc71178]

There is no doubt in real or in there that if Top and ponting had started of , Top cat would have started of far better and would have maintained his position throughout as would have I..

How would you have done, based on your performances in Tests?

Anyway performing like that's place would come under threat.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

TWO MATCHES!! And dropped for a can't-bat-can't-bowl-all-rounder.

India don't drop Tendulkar for Yuvraj after a few bad games.

It's biased, self-serving selection.

You also took 18 wickets @ 36.94 in England, SR of 75.39.

 

[Tom Halsey]

It's biased, self-serving selection.

Considering Liam also dropped himself, I don't think you can call it that. :P

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Interesting voice being shown. This conversation is quite relevant and to regain peace amongst the players and supporters, I have suggested something to Reuben which if instituted, will serve to this end.

I welcome everyones input in the situation though - Dev League players as well as CW XI players.

 

[marc71178]

You also took 18 wickets @ 36.94 in England, SR of 75.39.

Which in English conditions is not that bad for a spinner.

 

[Cloete]

ok well i'm back

as vice-captain i feel i should get a say in some of these matters. my feelings are:

Neil should be picked over Lord.

Masterblaster should also be given his chance, Lord can't just come back from an extended period and waltz bzck into the team. he needsd to atleast play 1 or 2 warm-up matches and prove himself.

anyway i'm pleased with my form so far on tour. i think i've been the best batsman so far. a 30 odd and 70 in that last match was pretty good as well.

but i still want to know when our next tour to bangladesh or zimbabwe is. as i'm itching to improve my bowling in the devs. so i was wondering if i could pass-on the vice-captaincy to BLewy for one of those tours. maybe i can bat as low as you like down the order as long as i can get a decent amoun of overs each match. if i can develop my bowlng enough i can possibly get to the second spinner position. which would solve alot of problems, becasue i am batting at over 50 in tests. and my owling i think is 60 odd?? but i haven't bowled to much. also i think my fc bowling average is 35??

well anyway... just the thoughts of the vice-captain.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

The next tour is to New Zealand for 2 Tests and 5 ODI's. After that it's the World Cup, which I'm sure you won't mind missing . If you wish, you can be rested during the NZ short tour.

Also, you are the second best batsman on the current Australian tour. Eclipse has 503 runs at 71.86 per' with 2 fifties and 2 hundreds. You have 408 runs at 58.29 with 3 fifties and a hundred.

Rich_2001 (308 @ 38.5) is third.

 

[lord_of_darkness]

the vice captain hasn't got a voice except in team decisions at matches :P

playing master blaster would mean we would play 0 spinners at all. and as already said and backed up with facts neil is currently not in top form which lord is hence the chance is given to lord. its not a biased decision made by the board or any favoritism , although if you call it that you can be stood down.
we are looking to play a positive in form XI against australia for the 5th test and the future will tell.. For now the board will carry on to handle the situation as it is.

 

[marc71178]

backed up with facts neil is currently not in top form which lord is hence the chance is given to lord.

Erm, how is being injured "in top form"?

its not a biased decision made by the board or any favoritism , although if you call it that you can be stood down.

That is bias and abuse of position.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

It would be interesting to hear the captain's thoughts on the issue...

CW XI for New Year's Day Test
Rich_2001 *
Broncoman
Eclipse
Cloete (vc)
Blewy
Peter Young +
Lord of Darkness
Lucky Eddie
Mr Ponting
Top Cat
Neil Pickup

12th Man: Andre

Neil recalled, lord retained and Blewy retained. We'll see how it goes...

Game Plan: neutralize Andy Bichel and Matthew Hayden.

Australia
JL Langer
ML Hayden
RT Ponting
ML Love
SR Waugh *
MJ Clarke
AC Gilchrist +
AJ Bichel
B Lee
JN Gillespie
SCG MacGill

Debut : MJ Clarke

 

[Andre]

Common courtesy suggests that while the squad is unhappy with Lord_of_Darkness, he should be withdrawn from the squad?

 

[masterblaster]

**Groans in discontentment**

What do I have to do to get a call up?

Man of the match in the warmup, handy with bat and ball in the second warmup, handy with bat on test debut...

**sighs**

Now I know how Balaji feels....

 

[marc71178]

Now I know how Balaji feels....

Apart from the fact he wasn't actually that good when he played!

 

[marc71178]

Common courtesy suggests that while the squad is unhappy with Lord_of_Darkness, he should be withdrawn from the squad?

But that would involve him having to show guts and responsiblity, whilst being a proper man!