Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[GarlicJam]

Yesterday I saw a bit of an interview with Glenn McGrath (pink test) and it got me thinking about the McGrath/Gillespie combination. I was thinking that they probably were more effective than Thommo/Lillee.

Then this morning, I read this article. It tells me that Starc and Hazelwood have eclipsed the Lillee/Thompson partnership (in terms of wickets maybe, but not in soiled underpants).

It has McGrath/Gillespie rated as Aus' top opening pair, but the current pair likely to catch up/overtake as they mature - health and fitness permitting

[dan08]

Just noticed Taunton is hosting an international this year.

[yuppie]

Just noticed Taunton is hosting an international this year.

Is that the first one since the world cup?

[dan08]

Just noticed Taunton is hosting an international this year.

Is that the first one since the world cup?

Yes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

MSD steps down as India's limited overs captain. Will continue as a player (if selected).

[andy]

I'd thought he would be selected due to their not really being anyone else in limited overs cricket..

[sussexpob]

Yesterday I saw a bit of an interview with Glenn McGrath (pink test) and it got me thinking about the McGrath/Gillespie combination. I was thinking that they probably were more effective than Thommo/Lillee. It has McGrath/Gillespie rated as Aus' top opening pair, but the current pair likely to catch up/overtake as they mature - health and fitness permitting

I always thought Dizzy was over-rated, not because of his own fault, but because Australia seemed to want to turn him into McGrath's support act rather than let him loose on his own. At his youngest, he was a tearaway quick with accuracy and all the tools to make it, but quickly turned into a rather middle of the road line and length bowler who looked to play restrictive cricket. You could argue the tactic worked, as most batsman turned off when he came on (most batsman were happy to be alive after Brett Lee had finished a spell at his quickest, or happy just to stay in with McGrath or Warne), and he had a very good career. But I remember watching him in the late 90s thinking he could have really taken off and become the best bowler in the world, it just never happened.

[yuppie]

I remember reading that some of the Australian batsman thought Dizzy was actually quicker than Lee.

I also remember being at Trent Bridge in 2001 and you could see that Gilly was standing further back to Dizzy than he was to Lee. You could also hear the ball hitting Gillys gloves hard but when Lee was bowling it was not making the same sound. Maybe its because of the length he bowled the speed gun never measured the same speeds?

If anything i would say Dizzy was one of the most underrated bowlers of his time. The Australian teams generally bowl as a unit, they all have a role to play. Dizzy played his role exceptionally well.

[sussexpob]

I think it was that 3 year period 1996-99 by memory that Dizzy looked the business. Stats might not back up the point, but at this stage he was rapid, he had vicious late swing and could reverse it, he pitched up the ball full and at the stumps. Just the type of bowler you wanted to see.

After Brett Lee tore India a new one in 1999-2000 he changed, and after that he was never a spectacle bowler to watch. He bowled slower, shorter, and seemed to take wickets based on sloppy play from batsman struggling to cope with other people in the attack, and who didnt concentrate.

[andy]

Remeber he could bat as well

[sussexpob]

Id make the same point about Brett Lee though. He was a wonderful bowler to watch in that first couple of years, so much more than a simply quick bowler. But he was often thrown the ball and seemingly told to bowl bouncers and yorkers, and after a while he became a rather average player, devoid of craft.

[yuppie]

I think it was in 99 in SL that Dizzy and Waugh had that sickening collision n the outfield.

Dizzy broke his leg from memory.

[sussexpob]

Would have been about then. But he did have other injuries to cope with as well. Maybe the reason he lost pace.

By 2005, he was not that much over a medium pacer. Quite how he was in the team that English summer would be anyones guess.

[yuppie]

Also from Memory DIzzy had an exceptional record in India. Not many quicks would have a better record than him in those conditions.

[yuppie]

Would have been about then. But he did have other injuries to cope with as well. Maybe the reason he lost pace.

By 2005, he was not that much over a medium pacer. Quite how he was in the team that English summer would be anyones guess.

Previous achievements i guess. The pace seemed to suddenly go, and he was exposed.