it's fair to say i'm getting pumped!

no takers on this line on 9msn cricket!
too easy!


will australia winPosted by: stoph, melbourne, on 8/07/2009 9:22:27 AM

will australia win-who knows! What a stupid question- why bother with a contest if the result is a done deal. What i do know is, this looks to be a far more balanced competition than in previous years. England can win a few ways, but australia can really only lose one way... through bad captaincy on Pontings behalf! Don't get me wrong, Punter is a terrific batsman, but he is a reactionary captain. He has been found lacking a lot of late with his choices and timing of bowlers and their use. When he realises that the best way to use someone like Hauritz is when an aggressive bowler like Siddle is at the other end is when he will get the best mileage from Haury. bringing him on, just because the ball is roughed up and it is 20 overs old is not tactical. stoph downthewicket verismo

Fortune favours Australia with Lee breaking down.

Now don't get me wrong, even though I have not been the biggest Brett Lee fan (understatement), I was genuinley excited about watching him send down some thunderbolts.
10 months out of the game and an aging body look to have conspired to Brett straining his side in the lead up game against the Lions...
The reason I am relieved, although disappointed, is that if it didn't happen in the lead up it most likely would have in the first test.
Lets just hope that he recovers well enough to play a part in the series because he does more than round out our attack.
He more than any other bowler in the team incites the most fear at the top of his run.
And gee, he did look good in the warm up.

And at last, here we are

But where are we?

Logistically we are two days from the start of the most anticipated Ashes series since the last one. England have named their 13 already and have thankfully included the uninspiring and talentless batsman, Ian Bell. Although Bopara will certainly retain the number 3 spot it is amusing that Bell still gets his name thrown around. The selectors are making a point in leaving out Harmison after one of his best bowling efforts for a long time. James Anderson and Alistair Cook have stood up while Flintoff and Pietersen have the opportunity to enact revenge.

Perhaps a comparison down the line is the best way to summise the situation.

Top and Middle order
Hughes, Katich, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey and North VS
Strauss, Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood and Flintoff

The first thing that stand out is 4 lefthanders (Aus) vs 2. Ponting has looked ordinary at times recently but if there's one guy who you want at the crease when you're 3 for 75 it's Steve Waugh. Failing that Ponting will have to do. I am yet to be convinced he's the man for when chips are down but I'm open to persuasion. Katich: enough said. Hughes: I don't think South Africa was a fluke and I rate Steyn and Ntini as highly as the Eng attack. Clarke: still has brain-fades at odd times (particularly against innocuous spin) but makes runs when they're needed most these days. This could not have been said of him 2 years ago. Hussey: you lucky bastard. Talk about making runs when you need to - he hasn't. Noone will be talking about his 150 if he fails at Cardiff. North: this guy has waited a long time to be here and I don't think he'll throw it away like Damien Martyn.

And England: Strauss is a classic English opener - priding his wicket like it's his livelihood. Cook: has impressed over the last year but I'm keen to see how he handles pace outside off stump. Bopara: like Hughes has had one great series so not much to say. Seems to have a bit of flair which can make you look awesome but can show you to be ordinary. Collingwood: best losing 200 ever but a solid bat overall. The rock of the top 6. Pietersen: have never liked him and unlikely to change. Can be the best hitter in the world, can be a thoughtless and selfish batsman. Has played some restrained innings in the last 6 months so perhaps he's changed his tune. Flintoff: if fit essential to Eng getting the Ashes back. Great bowler and good batsman. I think his role (in his and Eng's mind) is that he's a bowler first so will be interesting if he bats ahead or behind Prior.

Wicket keeping
Haddin VS Prior

Closest match up all things considered. Prior: sounds (haven't seen him) decent with the gloves and has made some valuable runs for Eng in the last year. Haddin: makes invaluable runs and I think he's improving with the gloves. Both ensure teams bat to 7 solidly, but Aus has Johnson at 8.

Spin bowling
Clarke, Katich, North and Hauritz VS
Swann and Panesar

It didn't feel good to include Hauritz. Hauritz: well there's not much to say. He looked very good against Pakistan in the ODIs but hasn't looked good at all since. At least he hasn't done a McGain but that may be on the offering. Clarke: can be effective as can hit good areas but not often enough. Good players of spin won't be too troubled by him. He'll probably just get through overs to rest the others. North: why do so many people rave about him? Admittedly I haven't seen him bowl too much but what I have seen has been nothing special. Katich: the best for mine. Wrist spin part-time will generally beat occasional finger-spin. Unless part-timer offies have a very good stock ball, great pace and flight variation (ie like Vettori) they can only be so effective. Katich has a great wrong-un but he'll go for a few runs. If Aus can buy wickets then he should bowl 12 overs an innings.

Swann: most talked up bowler in the squad. We'll see how good he really is but remember that tall left turner from South Africa - did nothing but got some. Big gamble for Eng here: if he's not effective they'll be wishing they picked Harmison instead (or Rashid). Panesar: my god what a joke. Why would you pick someone who bowls darts?

Pace bowling
Johnson, Siddle, Lee, Clark VS
Anderson, Onions (hee hee), Broad, Flintoff

Wow, this is where it gets interesting. I think Johnson, Lee and Siddle onsong will blast Eng out of any test match. Onsong I said. Anderson looks the real deal, we know what Flintoff can do (if 75% fit or better) but I'm not sure about Broad or Onions (hee hee). Johnson: can be lethal and close to unplayable. Consistency will be the key as fast wide outside off stump may get Ponting out but I'm not sure about Strauss and co. Needs to get the new ball but should be used intelligently: let Siddle do the hard yards. Siddle: absolutely the man. Will give you 15 overs straight at the same pace and close to the same spot. Will provide the backbone of the pace attack. Clark: yeah he's back. And he's still that good. Hitting a nagging line and length will annoy any batsman - and possibly team mates due to boredom. Lee: yeah, um, well yeah. Forget his record in England: I'm so sick of reading about that. You try facing 150 kmph curve balls coming to break your foot. We'll see at the 37 over mark of the first innings where Lee is at. Ideally it won't take that long. Sorry Hilfenhaus: he's got you at this stage.

Onions (hee hee): has bags of wickets at County but I think Ian Bell might too. He'll swing the ball at medium pace so better hit the right length alot or he'll be the achilles heel of the attack. Most pressure is on him. Broad: still not convinced of his temperament but a genuine bowler. Will have to take a lion share from Flintoff and Anderson. If Strauss dosn't open with Flintoff then Broad can expect the new ball in his hands. Anderson: the barometer for the England attack to me. If he can produce 8 good overs (two for ideally) in the first session with the new ball then his job is greatly done. I'm not convinced he's the stike bowler but if he can prove he is Eng's attack looks alot better. Overall he has probably improved more than any of the England 11: certainly their bowling stocks. Flintoff: this guy can be rediculously good. Can work out where to bowl to a batsman and just fire it there over and over. Has a heart as big as Siddle's and probably a little more talent. He may prove to be the difference. However, there is no Simon Jones at the other end.

opinions are like...

Full bag of points to address, no time to "write" an article, so here are the bullet points:

Binga with a very good spell of fast, reversing, accurate bowling (5 fa!)has set him up for inclusion in the first test. This came after Ponting had to tell Lee to pay attention due to him (Lee) being distracted by conversing with people over the fence. Is that enough for you to have him back in?

Harmison getting smug by declaring he has Hughes soft spot sorted: short pitched bowling under the armpit and around the head. WOW! What an insight. Who isn't susceptible to that? You can't bowl 6 balls of that an over tosspot, so how about actually getting your house in order before you try and knock over someone elses! Do you want mind games? How about, "it is hard to hit someone in the head with your line ending at 2nd slip!"
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25724565-2882,00.html

Buchanan is stirring the pot subtly over in Blighty by ensuring he is in the media- he just doesn't get it, does he, we all know he was more of a hindrance to a great side than any sought of benefit. Given that his role with English cricket is minimal, who cares! Let him do MORE coaching, it can only do good getting in their heads and over complicating things!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article6626303.ece

Interesting to read Timesonline reporter Patrick Kidd ripping into Flintoff over his indiscretions.
If a few badly chosen words, miss quotes and the odd drinking incident are so abhorrent to Kidd, imagine the field day he'd have if Roy took up his English heritage to push for a team position! http://timesonline.typepad.com/line_and_length/2009/06/flintoff-plays-the-pillock-again.html

There is plenty more as the build up progresses, feel free to add to the list.

stoph verismo
down the wicket

Ashes on steriods!

Does anyone have an interest in putting up options for the greatest Ashes test teams; meaning select 22 (24) players from Australia and England to play the greatest Ashes test match.

I don't care if it is because of a players total record against the other side, a series record or a test; you choose and justify it.

I've got 2 (without research) one is glaringly obvious, i think my second pick gets in because of his Centenary Test innings.

stoph verismo
down the wicket

a requiem for Roy

Did anyone see Roy on 60 min last night?

It is not a big secret that i have been a big fan of his cricket, and sympathetic to his problems, but i was scratching my head as to the purpose of the segment.
It is obvious that he was given the opportunity to tell his side- assisted somewhat feebly by his girlfriend- as well as giving the "reporter" a chance at taking Symonds on the guilt trip that he (reporter Liam Bartlett) felt Australia wanted to give him. Typical 60 minutes rubbish? Why should i be surprised?
What i was particularly surprised about was, when Roys girlfriend mentioned that his drinking accelerated during the Harby crisis, why didn't Bartlett ask about how Symonds felt about CA's support of him during that time?

For me, this was the fulcrum of Symonds demise, and was missed by Bartlett. Sure, CA gave him a lot of chances, but i feel that they let him down when all of the BS with Harby was in full swing. CA basically capitulated and lost their chance to nail Harby to the wall over his unacceptable behaviour- behaviour that the rest of the world expects Australia and Australian crowds not to perpetrate! All because CA didn't call BCCI's bluff of threatening financial recompense if India went home; If they went home, surely THEY are in breach of their tour contracts! Gutless CA!


Symonds certainly struggled to come up with plausible responses for his final demise, and was told as much by Bartlett:

ANDREW SYMONDS: Yeah. I mean like, don't get me wrong, I had the form to prove that, and that's exactly how they probably would have been thinking.

LIAM BARTLETT: And they were right. On tour in London four weeks ago, he went to a pub to watch the first rugby league State of Origin match of the season with half a dozen team-mates.

ANDREW SYMONDS: I love Origin football and for me, with Origin football comes a few beers.

LIAM BARTLETT: He knew a single drink could sink his career. But that didn't seem to matter. The agreement says you're not allowed to drink in public.

ANDREW SYMONDS: Yes.

LIAM BARTLETT: I take it you read it before you signed it?

ANDREW SYMONDS: I did, yep.

LIAM BARTLETT: And you agreed to it?

ANDREW SYMONDS: Yep.

LIAM BARTLETT: But you had a few anyway?

ANDREW SYMONDS: Yes.

LIAM BARTLETT: Six, seven, eight - at what stage do you think to yourself, "That's it - this could get me thrown off the Australian team?"

ANDREW SYMONDS: I was wrapped up in watching the football and then when I got back, yep, I knew then.

LIAM BARTLETT: You really expect me to believe that?

ANDREW SYMONDS: It's not about convincing you. Not at all. It's not what I'm here to do.

LIAM BARTLETT: That's all they were asking you to do?

ANDREW SYMONDS: And I broke that, I broke that with them.

LIAM BARTLETT: You couldn't do it?

ANDREW SYMONDS: I didn't do it.

I must admit, that i am no fan of Liam Bartlett and the ethos of 60 minutes "journalism", so the fact that Roy didn't offer an 'excuse', just a statement of acceptance of his failure and was blunt (as in his 3rd last remark) with Bartlett made for more uncomfortable yet rewarding viewing on my part.

The questioning was at least more in line with the AJCE- Australian journalistic code of ethics- and far more removed from the typical sycophantic/sacrificial style normally on the show; what i wonder is, will Symonds himself see how much he appeared to be resolved without a fight to his demise, or at the end of the day the IPL paycheck IS better than a baggy green. I can only imagine how i would look at myself if that was the way i came across at the end of the piece.

stoph verismo

down the wicket

60 minutes interview

Get your virtual skates on!

Ok Gents, It's that time again.
Stoph and Woody you've been here before, but for everyone who hasn't at all or hasn't in a league with us, here is your invite...
To Join our fantasy league goto: http://cricket.virtualsports.com.au
Our League code is: 379309
I reckon it would be a good idea to enter 2 teams each (you will need 2 email addresses) just to make it a bit more interesting.

See you in there.

Sledgey xxx

you said what!

Funny the things people will say when in an international press conference.

Let's see, Our fearless leader (R.Ponting) has stated in the lead-up to the Ashes and the first tour match that, "...at one stage, (2005) he (Steve Harmison) was probably the best fast bowler in the world."

WTF! No wonder T20 cricket has taken off when a trundler can be considered by the captain that has inherited the best team in the world at the time as the best seam bowler the world has to offer!

But hang on... who else WAS bowling when Harmo was leading the pack?
Well, obviously G.McGrath. I rest my case! But will take this further.
Shoab Aktar: love him or hate him, we are only comparing against Harmo!
C.Vaas. uummmm, look at his total career
B.Lee. same as Aktar... but star rising!
J.Kalls. a more thoughtful player, plus you get runs!
gosh, even F.Maharoof was better!


to be fair, i can't (at this time) remember anyone else. But to be sure, i would have EASILY forgotten about Harmo!
If anyone wants to add to the list, feel free.

Ponting is either playing mind games- theoretically he should be good at that, with 2 heads and all- but realistically he is just banging on about the sort of rubbish a captain shouldn't touch.

He has no poker face, and less understanding about mind games and manipulation.... so therefore , the comment was a waste of time and a mark AGAINST his credibility in understanding the game!

Next captain Please!

stoph verismo
down the wicket