Cricket Thread

[Amobokoboko]

I hope to see some quality cricket. Steyn vs Mitchell.

 

[Darwin]

So, are there anyone else that's excited about the SA vs Aus test series starting next week?

The Proteas will play a warm-up game from Wednesday to Saturday. The team they will play against is the remaining members of the test squad, along with 7 uncapped players that has played against Aus A last year. What's interesting for me is the inclusion of a new young fast bowler Reeza Hendricks. He is a left arm fast bowler, that has almost the same action as Mitchell Johnson.

I'm certainly looking forward to it. It will be interesting to see how both sides fare. How South Africa will cope without one of the greatest all-rounders of all-time is going to be very interesting - he is going to leave a massive hole in the that South African lineup. From the sounds of things du Plessis will move up to number 4 in the batting lineup and they will add an all-rounder (McLaren, Parnell) into the squad. This will probably further strengthen the bowling lineup, but will without doubt leave South Africa with a noticeably weaker batting lineup.

Despite a comprehensive demolition of England I still think there are big question marks over the Australian side. It was hard to tell whether Australia were really that good, or England just made them look good! The bowling lineup is very strong as long as Ryan Harris remains fit (and Johnson continues to bowl like he did vs England). I'm still not convinced about the Australian batting lineup. Warner and Rogers are a handy opening combination, Clarke is outstanding, and Haddin is in great form, but rest of the batting order looks vulnerable (especially against Steyn, Morkel, Philander and co.!). Doolan and Hughes look set to battle it out for the number 3 slot. Doolan is uncapped (and his first class record is hardly outstanding), while Hughes has been in and out of the side countless times in the last few years. Steve Smith showed some good signs versus England with two fighting centuries but needs to get some consistency, while Shane Watson is a mediocre test batsmen (though his bowling in handy).

Meanwhile the NZ vs India test series starts tomorrow. Based on world rankings you would think India would start as huge favourites, but based on what what we have seen in the ODI series over the last few weeks New Zealand may enter the test series as favourites. Obviously ODI cricket and test cricket are very different, but the Indian bowlers struggled to trouble the NZ top order during the ODI series - hopefully that continues! If New Zealand can find a way of dismissing Kohli and Pujara early in their innings (far easier said than done) we could well win the test series too....

 

[TRF_heineken]

I'm certainly looking forward to it. It will be interesting to see how both sides fare. How South Africa will cope without one of the greatest all-rounders of all-time is going to be very interesting - he is going to leave a massive hole in the that South African lineup. From the sounds of things du Plessis will move up to number 4 in the batting lineup and they will add an all-rounder (McLaren, Parnell) into the squad. This will probably further strengthen the bowling lineup, but will without doubt leave South Africa with a noticeably weaker batting lineup.

I think this is an ideal time to look at the options available. Vernon Philander is an all-rounder. And he is proving it with each game he plays. He scored 58 not out yesterday in the warm-up game's first innings. I personally wouldn't go for Mclaren or Kleinveldt. I would go for Simon Harmer. He's spinner that has a very good first class record, and is no slouch with the bat. In the T20 formats, he comes in at 3.

As for Faf moving to 4, I think it's a great move. He's a resilient batsmen, that doesn't give away his wicket. A bit like Steve Waugh.

 

[Darwin]

I think this is an ideal time to look at the options available. Vernon Philander is an all-rounder. And he is proving it with each game he plays. He scored 58 not out yesterday in the warm-up game's first innings. I personally wouldn't go for Mclaren or Kleinveldt. I would go for Simon Harmer. He's spinner that has a very good first class record, and is no slouch with the bat. In the T20 formats, he comes in at 3.

As for Faf moving to 4, I think it's a great move. He's a resilient batsmen, that doesn't give away his wicket. A bit like Steve Waugh.

It is certainly a good chance for South Africa to test out their options. Harmer looks a good prospect - I see he has been getting quite a few wickets for the A side, including 8-87 against Australia A in a recent series. However I wouldn't have thought there was any need for two specialist spinners in South African conditions (especially when you consider Duminy is handy enough for a part-timer too)? Though Harmer isn't in the test squad it looks like he has overtaken Tahir in the pecking order - if he keeps taking wickets he could put a lot of pressure on Peterson (who is solid, but not spectacular as a test spinner).

Just looking through the South African squad I noticed that Kyle Abbott can't even make the squad. The fact that a bowler can get 7-29 on debut but not get another test shows just how much depth South Africa have in their pace bowlers!

 

[TRF_heineken]

It is certainly a good chance for South Africa to test out their options. Harmer looks a good prospect - I see he has been getting quite a few wickets for the A side, including 8-87 against Australia A in a recent series. However I wouldn't have thought there was any need for two specialist spinners in South African conditions (especially when you consider Duminy is handy enough for a part-timer too)? Though Harmer isn't in the test squad it looks like he has overtaken Tahir in the pecking order - if he keeps taking wickets he could put a lot of pressure on Peterson (who is solid, but not spectacular as a test spinner).

Just looking through the South African squad I noticed that Kyle Abbott can't even make the squad. The fact that a bowler can get 7-29 on debut but not get another test shows just how much depth South Africa have in their pace bowlers!

Yeah, Abbot is a bit lower on the pecking order, mainly because the guys getting called up ahead of him, has a decent average with the bat too. Abbot was however the back-up to Morne Morkel in the last test against India.

As for Tahir, it's a pity that he's not making the cut. I like him a lot, he's got gusto and really enjoys his cricket. But he is too expensive in tests, and only really effective when we play in the sub-continent. As for Harmer, I rate him above Pieterson. Harmer can at least get some spin on the ball on greener pitches too.

My Idea is that we start playing 2 spinners. that can give our quick bowlers more time to rest, which will keep them fresher, and steaming in a lot more. But I get your point about Duminy, and he has that magic-arm that has worked so well in the past.

With Kallis now out of the picture, we have to fill a gap, and whether it is to add a bowler or a batsmen, or to demote a specialist in the squad, and add 2 all-rounders...

 

[Larksea]

wow, NZ sweap india 4-0 in a ODI series and now on top in a test match looking at 500+ after being sent into bat on a green pitch, McCullum picking up a double ton.

man its a frustrating life being a black caps supporter but boy have they come good right now. I think generally people know how much potential the black caps have and how they generally fail to reach that potential. What we are seeing is a team right at the top of their game.

A lot to come in this game. But I think Boult and Southee will do a LOT better than the Indian seamers have done so far. They will charge in at indian batsman that have spent almost two days in the field chasing balls to the boundary.

 

[Amobokoboko]

It was a great first innings by NZ today.

 

[Darwin]

Certainly an impressive start to the test by NZ - it was good to see Brendon McCullum get a double hundred, as there were a few question marks over his place in the test side.

However it is disappointing to see that Jessie Ryder and Doug Bracewell in trouble yet again. I haven't seen the full details, but the words bar, alcohol, and early morning were all prominent in the article I read. Surprise, surprise. Doug Bracewell managed to break a bone in foot too - if people recall he badly cut his foot during a drinking escapade less than a year ago......

 

[Darwin]

Great test victory for NZ. I thought we had blown it after collapsing for 100 in our second innings, but some superb bowling this afternoon was enough to earn us the win. It was great to see Wagner get 8 wickets in the match (including some key wickets in the final afternoon) as there have been some questions asked over his place in the side. Sodhi again showed he isn't really up to test cricket - not only was he not taking wickets, but he was very expensive in the 2nd innings (15-0-78), and needs to work on his fielding. I'm sure the selectors will persist with him, but I still think 4 pace bowlers would be a better option in NZ conditions. We are unlikely to see NZ change a winning side, but both Fulton and Rutherford must be on their last lives....

 

[Larksea]

yeah wow what a test match, so many tests are pretty boring but this one was great, yesterday started and it seemed there was going to be a result and either team could win it!

Huge Result for NZ, I think in recent years NZ has been seen as a lower tier nation but this test win should elevate them in the eyes of the cricketing world.

Watched a bit early on yesterday and India were starting to get on top and it became more and more clear that the 2nd new Ball would decide the game. NZ got a lucky wicket before the new ball and Boult got one as soon as it was taken then it once again came down to Wagner who again took the key wickets.

Bit of a worry that Anderson and Sodi have not made any impact in this test but Southee, Boult and Wagner were superb. IT seems like they have just developed into a really great combination. The figures dont say it, all though wagner too the 8 wickets but all in all I would say Southee was the better bowler. Dont want to take away from Wagners effort but a lot of his wickets were more due to silly erratic shots. Like Doni slashing that short wide slow bouncer onto his stumps. Some Credit to wagner though because he did bowl some really good bouncers, it just seemed like he got wickets from the crap bouncers he bowled!

Holy crap so Jessie and Dougie are at it again.

The sad thing is if these kids just kept their arses clean they would both be in the test side and we would be better off for it. Heck it wasn't long ago Dougie Genuinely bowled us to victory over Australia. Now hes out and back to square 1 again. Anywhere near his best he should easily take Wagners spot. All Due respect to Wagner but dougie IMO is a better bowler and he is also a different kind of bowler to Southee, Boult and Wagner - hes more a genuine seam bowler and hits the deck harder rather than a swing bowler. Plus he doesn't just bowl hes almost a genuine all rounder. Same for Jessie, hes the most naturally talented batsman NZ has had in a long time and should be opening for NZ right now in all forms of the game.

Jessie and Dougie are now the class clowns of all of NZ sport. I mean look at all our successful codes, Rugby, league, rowing, Netball, Basketball, track & field, swimming all full of amazing people who are also great ambassadors for New Zealand. Then you have Dougie and Jessie, its fricken hilarious and sad at the same time.

Ok the only obvious exception is Zac Guildford

The worst part is its happened at a time where the NZ public and Media have all got behind Jessie, so have his team mates and have been behind him for some time. Now it feels like square 1 and Jessie is no young emerging talented kid anymore hes 29.5 years old and spent most of his carrier out of the tippity top flight because hes been a dousche hose.

 

[smartcooky]

We were lucky that we managed to turn it around after what has to be one of the worst captain's decisions I can remember; the decision by McCullum not to enforce the follow on.

To be clear, this was not some situation where we had made, say 580+ and then taken five sessions in the field to bowl the opposition out for 370, leaving his bowlers tired and needing rest. We had a 300+ lead on the first innings, having bowled them out in 60 overs; slightly over two sessions of playing time. Better yet, we had taken their Last 6 wickets for just 72 runs, the ball was swinging and moving off the seam, and the Indian batsmen were absolutely shell-shocked. So what did McCullum do... he handed the Indian bowlers pitch that was very much in their favour and effectively said, "here you go, try to knock us over cheaply"....and they did! Crazy stuff!

McCullum has since stated that at no time did he regret not enforcing the follow on, but I don't believe him. With his side at 15/4, with Williamson and himself both gone, I don't believe he would not be thinking that his decision might have been a mistake. OK, he got away with it this time, but India were just a few lusty blows away from winning that test, and had they done so, the decision not to enforce the follow on would have been brought into sharp focus!

 

[Larksea]

yeah well maybe it was a bad decision but we dont know all the factors. I look at it another way.

He usually takes the aggressive option but maybe Southee and Boult needed a break or had a ****le, the bowling situation was clear that anderson and Sodi had not made an impact, enforcing the follow on would mean that Sodi would basically be a non factor in the game as India would not be batting late on day 4 onwards when spin would become more of a factor.

Indias first innings was was only 60 overs BUT boult/southee bowled 36 of those, southee himself bowled 19 (Anderson only bowled 5, Sodhi 6, Williamson 2) if india followed on you would be asking Southee to go out and start all over again.

I think if the bowling workload have been move evenly distributed, then India would have been sent out again.

As it turned out the rain the night before meant the pitch was at its best condition for bowlers for the test.

Not like he would have made this choice on his own he would have made it after input from southee/boult and Williamson/taylor

the batsmen just failed, I mean all they really needed was ~160+ to make the match safe and all that needs is one guy to make a good 50 and a couple of partnerships but it didn't happen. It was really worse case scenario situation only scoring 100 odd and leaving india with a shot at winning.

As for this next test Ryder has totally f$&ked up his chance and probably given it to Tom Latham, and you would have to think that is how it will be for some time. I also think they should persevere with Hamish Rudders but two meter peter must be on his last ticket. Sure he had one astonishing test last year but how long can his test carrier continue? His average is down in the 20's and at 35 he will never play long enough to get his average up to anything respectable. Let him go, he can be proud of that one test and what he did but hes unlikely to ever repeat that without failing a lot to get there.

 

[Darwin]

While I do agree that in hindsight McCullum decision not to enforce may have been wrong, but at the time I don't think it was that bad a decision. Personally I would have preferred if they had enforced the follow on, but I really though it was a 50:50 call. As Larksea pointed out Southee and Boult had already bowled quite a few overs between them - they would have certainly have been a bit tired, and if NZ didn't get some early Indian wickets we could have been in a bit of trouble. If India had scored decent total (entirely possible if we had not taken early wickets) we could have found ourselves chasing a tricky little target on the final day. We struggle against quality spin bowlers, so even chasing a target of much more than 100 could have proved an issue (we struggled to get to 100 under no pressure at all!).

The real problem wasn't that McCullum didn't enforce the follow-on. It was that we batted appallingly, and that India bowled uncharacteristically (based on what we have seen so far this tour) well. Perhaps McCullum did mis-read the pitch conditions, but it didn't appear to me as though the pitch was offering that much to the bowlers - there was no way we should have been bowled out for such a pitiful total. In the end however we won the test - it is impossible to know for certain what would have happened if we had enforced the follow-on. If we had lost the test (which looked a distinct possibility for most of the final day!) I'm sure there would be far more questions asked about McCullums decision though (as Smartcooky rightly points out)!

 

[TRF_heineken]

So the First Test between SA and Aus is about to start. SA won the toss and decided to bowl first. Awesome!!

 

[Darwin]

So the First Test between SA and Aus is about to start. SA won the toss and decided to bowl first. Awesome!!

Warner out early - pressure now on Doolan on debut. With Watson ruled out with injury Shaun Marsh comes into the side at 6. It means Australia will be relying very heavily on their 4-main bowlers - it is a bit of worry considering Harris is very injury prone. Meanwhile McLaren gets the first shot at filling the spot left by Kallis.....

On another note, Australia have named their side for the T20 cricket world cup and it includes the 39 year-old Brad Hodge and the 43 year-old Brad Hogg.... T20 cricket is obviously an old-mans game!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Warner out early - pressure now on Doolan on debut. With Watson ruled out with injury Shaun Marsh comes into the side at 6. It means Australia will be relying very heavily on their 4-main bowlers - it is a bit of worry considering Harris is very injury prone. Meanwhile McLaren gets the first shot at filling the spot left by Kallis.....

Watson chopping onto the wickets!! Great start for the Phalaborwa-Express

Looking at both squads I have to say SA looks a little bit stronger. I don't think Lyon and Peterson will get much bowling time...

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

My word, I forgot about the test! Will put the tv on to have a bit of a look-in every now and then..

 

[TRF_heineken]

My word, I forgot about the test! Will put the tv on to have a bit of a look-in every now and then..

WTF!!!

Australia now 50/2 with Rogers joining Warner back in the change room.

 

[smartcooky]

Shaun Marsh and Steven Smith (again) bail Australia out of trouble to be 297 for 4 at stumps on day 1

 

[Darwin]

Excellent first day for Australia, especially when you consider they were 98-4 at one stage! I see Marsh got dropped a couple of times, but he really repaid the faith shown in him by the Australian selectors. There were big question marks over him when he was picked as he had shown no first-class form of note. He was then forced to withdraw with a calf injury - the only reason he was back in the side again was because Watson withdrew with injury (and Marsh made a quicker than expected recovery). Australia really need to push on now and get a decent (450+) first innings total, as it seems a pretty good pitch for batting once you get in.

2nd India vs NZ test starts tomorrow. Looks like it will be pretty good pitch for seam bowling so we may see Neesham come in for Sodhi. Personally I think it is a good idea. Neesham will add a lot to the batting lineup - he would bat at 8, but he is really a middle order batsman (he scored 147 a couple of days ago for Otago). He scores his runs very quickly too, which can be useful at times. He is a much better fielder than Sodhi, and while he is probably doesn't warrant a spot in the NZ test lineup on bowling alone he is capable of picking up a few wickets with the ball. He can actually bowl deceptively quick at times (into the low 140s), and I feel he will be more of a threat to India than Sodhi. The bad news for NZ is it looks like Ross Taylor will miss the match as wife is due to give birth - unless she has it very soon it looks like Tom Latham will get his test debut in the middle order. Latham is a good young player, but we will lose a lot if Taylor is not available....