3rd ODI: Australia v England at Sydney

[angryangy]

The only two realistic options when a bowler light in ODIs is to either bat first and post a mammoth total, and some commentators were a bit slow to pick up on this yesterday, or you bat second.

I'd say batting first or batting second are the only two options in any context

 

[sifter132]

Nice^ But usually if your bowling is dodgy you want to bowl first.

You summed up a few of England's issues nicely Owzat. Good to see another country with issues but it's kinda papered over the Aussie problems too eg. Steve Smith's role, Haddin's keeping, Clarke's form and the fitness of the bowling attack.

But back on England, they have to big questions to answer. Batting order for one: Prior, Bell and Trott don't seem to have found a good spot yet. And what about Collingwood? Very useful in the field and underrated with the ball, I think England really need to give him some games for the rest of this series and try to get him some form. Makeup of the attack? 3 fast and 2 spin? Probably will work better with that balance in the World Cup than in Australia. Yet if there is a problem with that balance it will be hard to change. They'd have to swap either Shazhad for Swann, or Wright for Yardy, and I don't think either of those trades would improve the team much at all. And if you swapped Wright for Yardy, I think they'd really like to have Collingwood in there too for extra bowling insurance.

They've got 4 more games to work it out

 

[aussie1st]

Steve Smith's role

Guessing he would get more overs in India but Dussey has got the jump on him for the number 7 spot with his display in this match. You'd also have a bit more faith in Dussey keeping it tight while Smith could go for runs but being a leg spinner he is more likely to get that break through. Would like to see Dussey finishing ability at this level as this would be vital for the number 7 spot.

 

[Sureshot]

So thinking is that Ponting comes in for Smith and Dussey moves down one?

 

[MUFC1987]

Guessing he would get more overs in India but Dussey has got the jump on him for the number 7 spot with his display in this match. You'd also have a bit more faith in Dussey keeping it tight while Smith could go for runs but being a leg spinner he is more likely to get that break through. Would like to see Dussey finishing ability at this level as this would be vital for the number 7 spot.

Those long hops are lethal.

 

[aussie1st]

That seems to be the way they are looking at it. Of course if Hussey isn't fit but isn't ruled out then Ponting would go in for Marsh. If Hussey is out then alot could depend on how Dussey goes and the out of form players for that matter. If they are going well enough then they might go with Smith for his bowling else they will go for Marsh to strengthen the batting.

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Those long hops are lethal.

Didn't bowl any this game and look what happens

 

[MUFC1987]

You've got a couple of guys who can be the 6th bowler/second spinner in David Hussey and Clarke, so it seems a bit pointless playing Smith, whose batting is weaker.

 

[aussie1st]

Never know with our selectors they did pick this squad based on players that can bowl.

 

[sifter132]

Guessing he would get more overs in India but Dussey has got the jump on him for the number 7 spot with his display in this match. You'd also have a bit more faith in Dussey keeping it tight while Smith could go for runs but being a leg spinner he is more likely to get that break through. Would like to see Dussey finishing ability at this level as this would be vital for the number 7 spot.

Well at long as Watson keeps bowling well, the number 7 is really just a bonus player. He's only going to be the 6th bowler and the 7th batsman. It's really a spot where it doesn't matter who plays. Historically it's been the same for Australia. Andrew Symonds and Cameron White played at #7 for long periods without really contributing much with either bat or ball. James Hopes didn't really bowl a heap of overs at #7 either.

It all comes down to what concerns Australia more: if it's batting depth, then Dave Hussey will get the nod, if it's a lack of wicket taking options or energy in the field, then Smith will get the nod. Or if Watson's bowling if crap, then it could even be Hastings to cover for that potential weakness.