I'm an Oz cricketer, get me to a hospital!

[Arthur Crabtree]

He did go off at the Oval. Typical of his status in the side, when KP was going crazy, Harris came back onto the field and got Kevin out, and then went off again.

I wonder why a connection hasn't been made between Rhino's excellent bowling, and the underachievement of the England top three? If Harris is missing for the return, can Australia be as confident of the ascendency they have established over Cook, Root, and Trott?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Also note the pattern of Siddle fading over a series.

[from_the_stands]

Also note the pattern of Siddle fading over a series.

I noticed that as well. I reckon he needs to get back to eating meat. Siddle has been our best bowler over the past two years, yet I can see him losing favour very quickly, especially should James Pattinson return to full fitness and Mitchell Starc finds a way to nail down a regular spot in the Oz team.

[hopeforthebest]

Also note the pattern of Siddle fading over a series.

I noticed that as well. I reckon he needs to get back to eating meat. Siddle has been our best bowler over the past two years, yet I can see him losing favour very quickly, especially should James Pattinson return to full fitness and Mitchell Starc finds a way to nail down a regular spot in the Oz team.

I remember Boycott talking about the failure of India to find top fast bowlers compared to Pakistan. The said the fact that Pakistani bowlers were meat eaters and India vegetarian might be an influence.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Don't know if that stands up? Do meat eaters have more stamina than vegetarians? Why would that be. I presume Siddle is checked for red blood cells, blood chemistry, protein levels...

But I suppose it could be that. I can't imagine Boycott speaks with much authority on the subject though. If it was Siddle's diet, wouldn't he always lacking in stamina?

[KipperJohn]

Harris out for at least 2 months - at 33 and with his record of injuries that's not good news for Australia. Their most potent weapon is the pace attack, but with Cummins, Harris and Pattinson all injured that hardly helps.

[greyblazer]

When it comes to India I believe it is to do with them having a rich tradition of producing batsmen and as a result no one wants to become a fast bowler. Pakistan though have tended to produce more fast bowlers but not many great batsmen. You need a hero for a youngster to emulate his heroics and in India it has to be Tendulkar haha.

In the last decade India have produced some promising pacers but due to a variety of reasons have disappeared into the oblivion. As far as I know the only out and out vegetarian pacer to play for India in the last two decades was Prasad.

Of course you should have the physical attributes to be a pacer but for me it depends on whether you have the mental toughness to bowl 20 overs in a day in tough conditions. I mean when I first saw Munaf Patel against England he looked like a very good quick but that guy just doesn't have the fire in his belly. You should also have some luck with injuries and I believe Pat Cummins's injuries is down to sheer bad luck. Having said all that I'm not an expert on it

[greyblazer]

As far as Siddle is concerned I believe in the last two tests England's batsmen showed the respect that he deserved to. I thought especially in the first test England's batsmen just didn't show the kind of respect you expect them to show when up against a fine bowler. On the other end of the spectrum you have Ryan Harris who has more weapons in his kitty and continued to succeed. Siddle's only weapon is perhaps to use the crease and he does that brilliantly. Eating habits? Of course I'm not qualified to talk about it

[dan08]

Starc's injured now...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Of the pace bowlers, Starc, Harris, Bird and Pattinson have gone home injured. Also Cummins from the A team.

Siddle must sleep with balls of scrunched up newspaper scattered around his bed.

[hopeforthebest]

The Hospital team will probably win the big bash this summer.

[KipperJohn]

Whilst we give Anderson, Broad and Swann a rest.

[greyblazer]

Similar to what would happen to England in the 90s. I remember poor White was flown in as a replacement for some pacer maybe in the 1996 WC and he bowled 6 overs before being down with a side-strain problem. So he came all the way to SC to play in a tournament and bowl 6 overs!

[hopeforthebest]

Move over fellas make room for a bus load from Warwickshire.

[GarlicJam]

Starc's injured now...

out for a "prolonged period".