Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby bigfluffylemon » Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:30 am

Arthur Crabtree wrote:If the squad was intended to minimise hope and anticipation, I think the selectors have done a great job.


Good grief, something about the definition of insanity. It's almost the same squad as went last time, minus the one player who pretty much single-handedly prevented us being whitewashed (as he's retired). Who'd have thought Malan, Bairstow and Overton would be back? Crap last time around, so let's spend four years modding around trying to find better players, failing miserably, and going back to the ones who failed last time. Genius.

No Stokes again is a real blow - missing two overseas Ashes is going to be a real blot on his career. Clearly not his fault this time, but it was last time. I hope he can recover, but looking like yet another casualty of the relentless England pressure mill, like Tresco, Harmison and Trott. And of course, we've taken the most promising quick we've had in a while (Archer) and broken him.

Joe needs to continue his stellar form, as I can't see the rest of them making 200 between them.

sussexpob wrote:
But lets face it, with the quality of the Australia attack, I think they could take 10 years of and still plough into this batting line up


Pretty much. Australia have had some phenomenal luck with their bowling attack in the last few years, with very few injuries, especially given Cummins broke down a lot early in his career but now seems to be extraordinarily fit. But of course, Australia have played a fraction of what England have in the last two years. Maybe some correlation, no?

The Australian attack will destroy England. I guess the traditional prediction would be that England could get something out of the day/night test if the ball swings and Jimmy and Woakes have a good game. Australia can be vulnerable if Smith and Warner don't make a lot. But you still have to make enough runs to give your bowlers a crack at getting the opposition under lights.

I can't remember feeling less confident at this stage before an Ashes series. I know we got pummelled in 2006 and 2013, but we had just come off winning summers and had, on paper at least, competitive squads. Of course all went to cr@p with bad selections, injuries and mental health issues with key players, great Australian bowling and a healthy dose of bad luck. But there was reason for optimism in the run up. This time around I can't see us winning a single test. Apart from Anderson, Broad and Root this must be the weakest touring squad we have named in a very, very long time, and none of them have exactly shined on previous tours (except Jimmy in 2010).
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby sussexpob » Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:27 am

I think the main difference with the two sides is, Australia have players who have proven they might not technically be that great to the moving ball in tough conditions, but when runs are to be had in helpful conditions, they will find them in large amounts and bury teams. England on the other hand cant score runs in any situation unless its Root doing the leg work.

Aside from Smith and Warner, Marnus averages 72 at home. Head averages 46 at home. Even guys like Khawaja and Marsh, no longer considered, average 48 and 45 respectively at home since the end of 2017. Ok, Australian pitches have been roads in some series, but England couldnt put up these numbers on roads.

And then you throw in the Australian weaknesses of Harris, Wade and Green (well Green is 21/22 and averages nearly 60, so he might take off soon) - these are offset by English batsman who cant live up to their weak low 30s averages.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby yuppie » Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:37 pm

Englands best hope is loosing the toss at the GABBA, Australia bat and then there is something for their bowler to exploit and they get the aussies out for under 100. Thus putting some pressure onto a fragile Australian team.

There also are a few youngster in the England line up, perhaps this could be the making of them, though the bowling line up is hugely reliant on some old players.

Given no chance perhaps England can do what the 89 Australian ashes team did. Not given a chance by anyone and the rest is history. Got to look for something:)

Thoughts on Australias line up for the first test?
Warner
Pucovksi-Harris
Labuschagne
Smith
Head who else for 5th. great state cricket last season.....
Green
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Hazelwood
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby Durhamfootman » Tue Oct 12, 2021 8:49 pm

I wonder how long Warner will last (I don't doubt that he'll line up for the first test)

Not sure about Starc starting although he will doubtless have a role somewhere in the series
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby bigfluffylemon » Tue Oct 12, 2021 9:52 pm

Durhamfootman wrote:I wonder how long Warner will last (I don't doubt that he'll line up for the first test)

Not sure about Starc starting although he will doubtless have a role somewhere in the series


I have little doubt that both will feature and do well.

Warner hasn't played much long form for a couple of years, but once he gets going on Australian pitches, he's all but unstoppable.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby sussexpob » Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:37 pm

I think Warner is calling it a day for T20s after the World Cup, and has hinted in the recent past he could retire from all but one format to prolong his career. I guess if hes quitting T20s then tests might be his specialty now, but its hard to get where he is at, because he's pretty much said he might pack every format in during the last 2-3 years.

Id expect hes going to play.

Yuppie - Its the side I would play, with WP opening out the too. But Australia picked Matthew Wade last time out, with Head dropped, so I expect they might go for that.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby bigfluffylemon » Wed Oct 13, 2021 3:11 am

I cannot fathom why Australia keep returning to Wade in the long format. His career performance is worse than some of the England bats, and that's saying something. Averages under 30 over 10 years, and it's not as if he gets any better with the bat when not keeping.

He played a very good innings at Edgbaston in 2019. But that is pretty much the only match defining contribution I think he's ever made, in a 10 year test career with nearly 40 matches.

I'd rather have Head, Bancroft, Green, anyone really.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby sussexpob » Wed Oct 13, 2021 8:51 am

He reinvented himself as a middle order specialist who has scored a lot of runs domestically..... averages way over 50 in the last 4 year span. Hasnt come close to looking much of a test bat, but they are still picking him.

I guess Green being 21/22 means he will get a long run. So that number 5 slot is the one really up for grabs. Wade was the man in possession
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby yuppie » Wed Oct 13, 2021 11:34 am

Wade has lost his central contract which with his age makes me wonder if Australia are going to move on from him. I hope so as i never really felt he has shown enough to keep his test spot. But then over the last few years not many have in that middle order.

Of the shield players last season Green, Manus, Head, S Marsh and Harris were the stand out players. Australia have tried S Marsh so many times that i can not see them going back to him. Head has also just hit a quick fire hundred in a one dayer. At 27 i would probably like to see Australia go for him.........again.

Statistically Green should come in at 5 though i would be keen for Australia to keep him protected whilst also not asking him to bowl.

Harris shield form last year justified him getting a game against India and it would be harsh to see him dropped. Im not sure the state that Will is in, but i really hope he can overcome any problems he has and can release his full potential. For a change in recent years there feels like Australia might be getting some batters worthy of a test place.

Indeed if Green can fulfill his undoubted potential at test level, and if Manus and Smith can continue their incredible batting records of late, then Australia might well have one of there best 3 to 5 batting line ups of all time. Ifs and buts but for a few years this could be something special. As long as there are some openers that can stay there for 10 overs.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby sussexpob » Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:45 am

Head making his case with 230 yesterday in a OD game. Came from a staggering 120 balls....

Got to go down as one of the best OD of all time.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby yuppie » Thu Oct 14, 2021 12:21 pm

I think he has to be selected.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby sussexpob » Thu Oct 14, 2021 12:41 pm

yuppie wrote:I think he has to be selected.


The only thing that will hold him back is that disaster stint at Sussex in the summer - averaged 15 odd I think in the CC in around 6 matches. But in fairness, the matches I seen him play were in conditions on the cusp of being unfit for FC cricket. He wont have to deal with ppitches resembling bowling greens in OZ - where his form in the Shield last year and to start this year is top notch.

I dont think he's a great batsman technically, but he's shown enough grit at times to overcome his noticeable weakness in getting forward enough. Certainly has curbed his instincts to attack in the test arena, and has shown a desire to bat out difficult periods by allowing himself time.

In OZ he averages plus 40 in tests too, so should be a shoe in with no other options smashing the door in.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby sussexpob » Thu Oct 14, 2021 1:26 pm

In other, very sad news, the Victorian camp has announced that Will Pucovski has been hit on the head by a bouncer once again during a net session, and subsequent medical tests have confirmed he has suffered another concussion, putting his place in this years Ashes in doubt. According to the Aussie press, this is his TENTH!!!!! confirmed concussion since making his FC debut, and will require him to step away from the game to recover for sometime.

I obviously have no idea what support he is getting from the national team or his state, but I really hope someone close to him can take him aside and have a hard chat about whether or not his cricket career is worth continuing. His record is outstanding, and he scored a 50 against a very good India team on debut - but nothing is worth being killed or seriously injured for. The poor lad has already had resultant mental issues after previous concussions, and to be hit so many times in the head in cricketing terms does point to the fact there is a severe technical issue to short pitched bowling that leaves him dangerously vulnerable to repeated injuries.

No one wants to see a super talented youngster not get the chance to fulfill his potential, but I really fear for his long term safety, especially if teams know he has a weakness and target it.

Australia already lost a super talented 25 year old in similar circumstances, I really hope Pucovski's career doesnt end in a similar way with him being seriously injured.

The recent Netflix documentary about Aaron Hernandez's repeated concussions should serve as a warning to all sportsman who put themselves in danger of repeated head trauma. Ten is already a staggering amount of brain damage to take.
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby Durhamfootman » Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:17 pm

I saw that this morning. 10 concussions is a staggering number and certainly points to a serious technical flaw in his game. We all know what can happen if a batter gets a reputation for being vulnerable to the short ball
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Re: Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

Postby Arthur Crabtree » Wed Nov 24, 2021 6:38 pm

Anyone able to send a general PM for the Ashes fantasy league?
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