Day three will be the test of the Test.
This is it for the Aussies, whilst the series does not hang on this day, Australia's mindset for the future of this series -and the Ashes- does.
I felt over the past three series that much of our batting has been under performing; as a team, not individually. But no one needs me to state that the real problem has been the lack of destructive bowling. That is why THIS day three is so important for the team in the future. If our bowlers can truly defend the solid total built by five of our batting side, we can then say that we again have an effective bowling element to the team.
The impending rain makes a result unlikely, but success will not only be measured by a win.
stoph verismo
downthewicket
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
four matches and then fore-sight
2 all now in the Aus NZ ODI series, obvious the difference the stability of M.Hussey makes!
Has our team got enough in reserve if the "stars" don't fire?
I think yes, obvious by the last 2 results, but one thing is for sure, this is now a team that plays on confidence... not self belief.
Let's hope we can carry over this confidence and roll it into self belief before the SA tour.
At least England are looking pathetic if all we care about is results and not the quality of cricket!
I personally don't believe we have what it takes to de-rail South Africa at home given the excellent balance of their current side, but a lot can be said for self belief: and if we continue with the selection policy from the SCG test there may be hope.
What do you think?
stoph verismo
downthewicket
Has our team got enough in reserve if the "stars" don't fire?
I think yes, obvious by the last 2 results, but one thing is for sure, this is now a team that plays on confidence... not self belief.
Let's hope we can carry over this confidence and roll it into self belief before the SA tour.
At least England are looking pathetic if all we care about is results and not the quality of cricket!
I personally don't believe we have what it takes to de-rail South Africa at home given the excellent balance of their current side, but a lot can be said for self belief: and if we continue with the selection policy from the SCG test there may be hope.
What do you think?
stoph verismo
downthewicket
Friday, 6 February 2009
A DOG fight!
What is going on with team plans at the moment? I'm all for increased experiences of younger players, but leaving Ponting out of this ODI game is just stupid!
If Ponting isn't injured, and is resistant to being rested for this crucial game against NZ, why risk increasing pressure by leaving him out and potentially losing to the Kiwis?
Sure Punter has a "full dance card" for the upcoming months- on top of the summer gone- but this is his business; his job is to play cricket! The time to take something from this summer is now: book-ending the Australian season with defeats of New Zealand is now the only way to generate real self confidence within the side. A side that is at present playing without confidence.
Secondly, how suspect was it that the pup/cat fight from the end of the 3rd test didn't come to light until the eve of Pup taking the lead in a crucial ODI. What is going on there? Teams have these moments, why did it come to light now? Something is suss! The two involved seem happy, why did anyone else need to become involved?
Clarke dealt well with the toss interview- i like the way he acknowledges their (Lara and himself) celebrity status, yet has a wonderfully Aussie way of keeping it in perspective- but the nature of the media is to try and bring exceptional people down to the level of the mob-mental-ity. Clarke proved too good for this and left the 9 commentators obviously on-side.
Lets hope he can do the same with the side too!
stoph verismo
downthewicket
If Ponting isn't injured, and is resistant to being rested for this crucial game against NZ, why risk increasing pressure by leaving him out and potentially losing to the Kiwis?
Sure Punter has a "full dance card" for the upcoming months- on top of the summer gone- but this is his business; his job is to play cricket! The time to take something from this summer is now: book-ending the Australian season with defeats of New Zealand is now the only way to generate real self confidence within the side. A side that is at present playing without confidence.
Secondly, how suspect was it that the pup/cat fight from the end of the 3rd test didn't come to light until the eve of Pup taking the lead in a crucial ODI. What is going on there? Teams have these moments, why did it come to light now? Something is suss! The two involved seem happy, why did anyone else need to become involved?
Clarke dealt well with the toss interview- i like the way he acknowledges their (Lara and himself) celebrity status, yet has a wonderfully Aussie way of keeping it in perspective- but the nature of the media is to try and bring exceptional people down to the level of the mob-mental-ity. Clarke proved too good for this and left the 9 commentators obviously on-side.
Lets hope he can do the same with the side too!
stoph verismo
downthewicket
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
all the good things
A slack performance from yours-truly given how much cricket has been in the news this week.
What will we look at:
Andrew "Roy" Symonds
Selection for SA tour (and the Ashes)
The AB medal
All here that are not fans of Roy should be jumping for joy; the whip has finally come down!
What was that for again? Because he had an opinion on McCullum. I don't think what he said about McCullum was right- the man was only trying to capitalise on his chosen career path- but does having a CA contract mean you can't have an opinion? Is it because Symonds was harsh in his remarks, or in the "condition" he may have been in during the radio interview. Either way, it showed poor judgement by Symonds to allow himself to once again step into the CA crosshairs: potentially fatally for his international career.
So now he can't go to RSA because he is 'dealing with his alcohol and anger management issues' and all and sundry have voiced an opinion on that; i suppose once your CA contract has expired -S.Waugh- you can remark in any way about anyone!
At least Roy will feel that while Ponting is still captain, all is not lost; although the reality of getting back in favour after poor form and 2 disciplinary actions of late would imply CA might take this chance to totally blackball him. Time will tell.
The RSA team should be up by the time you read this- if not, does anyone think Krajza will get another away tour? Will any specialised spinner? Or does it really not matter as we are going to get properly pumped on the Proteas home tracks? Surely someone needs some test time before the Ashes, you'd think we'd certainly take some one to blighty! Also, what about having both Hilfenhaus and Bollinger, they can swing the ball and we know the potential for that over there.
I didn't watch the AB medal (something about award countdowns that is just too tranquilising!), but i did find the result interesting. Bracken was an easy pick; so was Klinger for state player (what does he have to do now to get a run in the ones?), same goes for P.Hughes for young cricketer. Clarke for mine has so regularly saved the test side from embarrassment it is good to see him get the test player and the AB medal, as for Ponting... well, i'm just not sold on that one yet; the votes are there, but... oh well, I'll let him have this one without ripping strips!
What will we look at:
Andrew "Roy" Symonds
Selection for SA tour (and the Ashes)
The AB medal
All here that are not fans of Roy should be jumping for joy; the whip has finally come down!
What was that for again? Because he had an opinion on McCullum. I don't think what he said about McCullum was right- the man was only trying to capitalise on his chosen career path- but does having a CA contract mean you can't have an opinion? Is it because Symonds was harsh in his remarks, or in the "condition" he may have been in during the radio interview. Either way, it showed poor judgement by Symonds to allow himself to once again step into the CA crosshairs: potentially fatally for his international career.
So now he can't go to RSA because he is 'dealing with his alcohol and anger management issues' and all and sundry have voiced an opinion on that; i suppose once your CA contract has expired -S.Waugh- you can remark in any way about anyone!
At least Roy will feel that while Ponting is still captain, all is not lost; although the reality of getting back in favour after poor form and 2 disciplinary actions of late would imply CA might take this chance to totally blackball him. Time will tell.
The RSA team should be up by the time you read this- if not, does anyone think Krajza will get another away tour? Will any specialised spinner? Or does it really not matter as we are going to get properly pumped on the Proteas home tracks? Surely someone needs some test time before the Ashes, you'd think we'd certainly take some one to blighty! Also, what about having both Hilfenhaus and Bollinger, they can swing the ball and we know the potential for that over there.
I didn't watch the AB medal (something about award countdowns that is just too tranquilising!), but i did find the result interesting. Bracken was an easy pick; so was Klinger for state player (what does he have to do now to get a run in the ones?), same goes for P.Hughes for young cricketer. Clarke for mine has so regularly saved the test side from embarrassment it is good to see him get the test player and the AB medal, as for Ponting... well, i'm just not sold on that one yet; the votes are there, but... oh well, I'll let him have this one without ripping strips!
Sunday, 1 February 2009
12 sentences, 7 questions!
I had previously asked if Aus were still No 1 in ODI cricket; it seems that answer too has been given by this SA side.
I know i really should have posted in regard to the match and then series loses last week, but really, what was the point!
Given that the initial 3 ODI games were interesting and came down to the final overs, the massive capitulation in the last 2 games by Australia spoke for its self and needed no comment by me! So now, what is left to make and do with the summer?
NZ are a far more competitive side in this format than test, so what should the brains trusts of CA/selectors and Ponting be focusing on to get the most out of this series?
Should they attempt to stabilise the team?
Should they try new combinations?
Should they try new players?
Should they play for a demolition job to try and rebuild moral?
I called for a true rebuilding of the side after the Indian result, citing that a 2 test series was nothing more than a warm up for SA and held no value within its self. As we know, that didn't happen and the selectors chose the "steady as she goes, get yourself back into form" approach for many of the team, and when that clearly didn't work had to scramble for some wholesale change when it was too late.
What should be done now?
stoph verismo
downthewicket
I know i really should have posted in regard to the match and then series loses last week, but really, what was the point!
Given that the initial 3 ODI games were interesting and came down to the final overs, the massive capitulation in the last 2 games by Australia spoke for its self and needed no comment by me! So now, what is left to make and do with the summer?
NZ are a far more competitive side in this format than test, so what should the brains trusts of CA/selectors and Ponting be focusing on to get the most out of this series?
Should they attempt to stabilise the team?
Should they try new combinations?
Should they try new players?
Should they play for a demolition job to try and rebuild moral?
I called for a true rebuilding of the side after the Indian result, citing that a 2 test series was nothing more than a warm up for SA and held no value within its self. As we know, that didn't happen and the selectors chose the "steady as she goes, get yourself back into form" approach for many of the team, and when that clearly didn't work had to scramble for some wholesale change when it was too late.
What should be done now?
stoph verismo
downthewicket
Sunday, 25 January 2009
cricket trivia- #1 formative years
Obviously i can't tell if you have just googled for answers, but i though it might be fun to see how much everyone knows about the formative years of cricket.
I hope you find this quiz challenging and interesting.
Could answers be emailed to verismo@live.com to give others a chance without seeing your results in a posting; please still post comments so i can get peoples opinions on the merits/interest/value of this.
good luck
stoph verismo
downthewicket
1) What came 1st, the ACC (precursor to ACB/CA), or Federation of the states?
And by how many years?
2)From where was the soil for the pitches acquired for the QLD Cricket Associations Bowen Bridge Ground (QLDCA's ground before the 'Gabba)?
3)How long after the 1st Test were the Ashes created?
4)How did the Sheffield Sheild get its name?
5)How many ball overs were bowled in the 1st Test? When did it change?
6)What was unique about W.Midwinters Test career?
downthewicket
I hope you find this quiz challenging and interesting.
Could answers be emailed to verismo@live.com to give others a chance without seeing your results in a posting; please still post comments so i can get peoples opinions on the merits/interest/value of this.
good luck
stoph verismo
downthewicket
1) What came 1st, the ACC (precursor to ACB/CA), or Federation of the states?
And by how many years?
2)From where was the soil for the pitches acquired for the QLD Cricket Associations Bowen Bridge Ground (QLDCA's ground before the 'Gabba)?
3)How long after the 1st Test were the Ashes created?
4)How did the Sheffield Sheild get its name?
5)How many ball overs were bowled in the 1st Test? When did it change?
6)What was unique about W.Midwinters Test career?
downthewicket
Friday, 23 January 2009
A ring-a-ding ring-in
What do you think about NSW getting McCullum on board for the 2020 final?
Certainly on other cricket sites/news sites the attitude is that it stinks! Even being compared to the underarm delivery in that while it is legal, it is "not cricket!"
This has caused a knock-on affect where T.Dodemaide has stated he would like to get A.Gilchrist in for the match... or S.K.Jehova (I now will be taking a break to clean up the mess around me due to this proposal)!
Is this a joke? Does this practice lessen the value of the competition?
Comparisons have been made to the 3 Pakistani players here at the moment, but they have been playing all/most of the season and ARE a part of their current teams; not ring-ins for a final.
And then there is the A.Symonds comments, "That's not Australian to me." http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=731843
It reads to me as a gift to the media to add an extra -mostly irrelevant - comment into the controversy; what does that really achieve? Is it just another way of letting Symonds slam his foot into his gob? Or is it Symonds trying to uphold his profile while recuperating?
Now don't quote me on the speaker- i think he was introduced as T.Moody (didn't here as i was in traffic!), but a reply to Symonds saying this was, "...that's a bit much of a comment from someone taking millions from the IPL!" If it was Moody (I'm pretty sure it was, but i haven't been able to find the quote on the radio stations website), what was his point? How was Symonds being bought and paid for by the IPL relevant to the McCullum situation?
So many question for you to address. My belief is Cricket NSW is desperate, selfish and frankly pathetic in doing this; i want to see McCullum go first ball, and grass every catch coming his way as well as miss fielding returns (although i have since been informed he is playing only as a batsman) for 4 byes frequently! Or am i just a surly Vic?
I don't blame McCullum, it is his career and he will do what he thinks is best for him (including giving himself 2 chanced at the Champions league now with Kolkata and NSW), it is just weak of Cricket NSW to try to field a team better than they have had throughout the competition from an outside source.
stoph verismo
downthewicket
Certainly on other cricket sites/news sites the attitude is that it stinks! Even being compared to the underarm delivery in that while it is legal, it is "not cricket!"
This has caused a knock-on affect where T.Dodemaide has stated he would like to get A.Gilchrist in for the match... or S.K.Jehova (I now will be taking a break to clean up the mess around me due to this proposal)!
Is this a joke? Does this practice lessen the value of the competition?
Comparisons have been made to the 3 Pakistani players here at the moment, but they have been playing all/most of the season and ARE a part of their current teams; not ring-ins for a final.
And then there is the A.Symonds comments, "That's not Australian to me." http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=731843
It reads to me as a gift to the media to add an extra -mostly irrelevant - comment into the controversy; what does that really achieve? Is it just another way of letting Symonds slam his foot into his gob? Or is it Symonds trying to uphold his profile while recuperating?
Now don't quote me on the speaker- i think he was introduced as T.Moody (didn't here as i was in traffic!), but a reply to Symonds saying this was, "...that's a bit much of a comment from someone taking millions from the IPL!" If it was Moody (I'm pretty sure it was, but i haven't been able to find the quote on the radio stations website), what was his point? How was Symonds being bought and paid for by the IPL relevant to the McCullum situation?
So many question for you to address. My belief is Cricket NSW is desperate, selfish and frankly pathetic in doing this; i want to see McCullum go first ball, and grass every catch coming his way as well as miss fielding returns (although i have since been informed he is playing only as a batsman) for 4 byes frequently! Or am i just a surly Vic?
I don't blame McCullum, it is his career and he will do what he thinks is best for him (including giving himself 2 chanced at the Champions league now with Kolkata and NSW), it is just weak of Cricket NSW to try to field a team better than they have had throughout the competition from an outside source.
stoph verismo
downthewicket
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
many levels to a playing field
I heard on my drive in to work this morning that Afghanistan have been very competitive in the ICC World cricket league and aiming to get up into the qualifiers of the next world cup!
What a turn out that would be! A country in a state of turmoil, conflict and constant combat, making in roads into such a large world sporting event.
I've had a good read of the involvement and structure of these ICC competitions and i must admit it looks like they (ICC) are doing their best to really develop this second and third tier of the game.
One thought i had was, why doesn't the bottom (2) teams of the top competition spend more time playing the next level down? It is blatantly clear that Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are having their spirits crushed playing at this level, so why is there clear delineation between them and the next level down?
Surely teams such as the Netherlands (top of Div 2 table), Canada, Scotland and Ireland would get a lot out of playing Zimbabwe and Bangladesh more regularly, as well as these two teams getting a much needed moral boasts from a few wins! I'm sure we would see less of a gulf between the top of Div 2 and the bottom of Div 1 than we currently see between the more competitive test nations and Bangladesh and Zimbabwe!
It is good to see that they are playing each other at the moment (instead of boasting Sri Lankas stocks again...and again!) and i hope more of this continues. At least one team will accumulate some points from the encounter.
www.pepsiiccworldcricketleague.com/
stoph verismo
downthewicket
What a turn out that would be! A country in a state of turmoil, conflict and constant combat, making in roads into such a large world sporting event.
I've had a good read of the involvement and structure of these ICC competitions and i must admit it looks like they (ICC) are doing their best to really develop this second and third tier of the game.
One thought i had was, why doesn't the bottom (2) teams of the top competition spend more time playing the next level down? It is blatantly clear that Zimbabwe and Bangladesh are having their spirits crushed playing at this level, so why is there clear delineation between them and the next level down?
Surely teams such as the Netherlands (top of Div 2 table), Canada, Scotland and Ireland would get a lot out of playing Zimbabwe and Bangladesh more regularly, as well as these two teams getting a much needed moral boasts from a few wins! I'm sure we would see less of a gulf between the top of Div 2 and the bottom of Div 1 than we currently see between the more competitive test nations and Bangladesh and Zimbabwe!
It is good to see that they are playing each other at the moment (instead of boasting Sri Lankas stocks again...and again!) and i hope more of this continues. At least one team will accumulate some points from the encounter.
www.pepsiiccworldcricketleague.com/
stoph verismo
downthewicket
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