4th Test: England v Australia at Leeds

[King Pietersen]

Anyone else see the irony that Broad is bowling the same (i.e. as poorly) as he's been bowling all series but suddenly he's our best bowler.

He isn't though. He was bowling far too short and wide, trying to mix it up too much and just not bowling consistently. He's stuck to his line and length and tried to be more patient in this game, and has got results. He has not bowled poorly. Anderson and Harmison have bowled poorly, Broad's bowled well. It's fair enough slagging off Broad's performances earlier in the series, but he's bowled well in this game, and on that final day at Edgbaston. Give the guy some credit.

England have bowled awfully this morning. Jimmy's bowled 2 more overs than he should have done, and it'll be Onions up next and I can see him putting in an average spell as well. Should be Swann into the attack next, our pace bowlers (bar Broad) are getting spanked around.

 

[OffCutters]

Put Ravioli on, the first time i`ve seen him bowl was in the last test, I was actually quite surprised that he could get the ball going at 80mph.

 

[piriyanth]

I can see Clarke making another century.

 

[OffCutters]

When do you reckon we should declare? I reckon a 200 run lead`ll be enough.

 

[karnog]

Need a 300-400 lead and we can seal it with an innings victory.

 

[spaga1994]

about a 350-400 lead will do us

 

[karnog]

Never underestimate Strauss. We need to get them to the draw/can't win mentality. They haven't got any stroke maker in the side so the chances of a Sehwag innings is very unlikely. But guys like Strauss and Collingwood can scratch long innings. Bell, Bopara and Cook are 30s,40s, 50s players. There is a case to promote Prior to get an aggressive tone against Clark and Johnson but it won't happen. Tempted to open with Clark and Hilfenhaus.

 

[King Pietersen]

Broad's bowling too wide, but it's not his fault, it's the captain's call, and it's a bad one. How are you going to get wickets asking your bowlers to bowl there? Terrible gameplans and some awful bowling from England this morning. We're going to need a miracle to avoid defeat in this game.

 

[angryangy]

They're almost all stroke makers, just not necessarily of the highest order.

 

[OffCutters]

Swann bowling not too bad, North is going so slow, he`s the 2nd Katich of our team.

 

[irottev]

Broad's bowling too wide, but it's not his fault, it's the captain's call, and it's a bad one. How are you going to get wickets asking your bowlers to bowl there? Terrible gameplans and some awful bowling from England this morning. We're going to need a miracle to avoid defeat in this game.

Broad is ████. It is his fault. 40 average...when's England going to finally drop him. Worst bowler in international cricket atm.

 

[zimrahil]

Well unless we have a Botham/Willis style '81 performance this test is obviously lost.

Outplayed in batting and bowling = defeat. Simple really :doh

 

[karnog]

They're almost all stroke makers, just not necessarily of the highest order.

Lol

Out of interest what's Trott like? A KP clone or is he the defensive type or is he the high score/low score type player.

 

[smssia0112]

Swann bowling not too bad, North is going so slow, he`s the 2nd Katich of our team.

It's not as if we have a need to accelerate, it's not even lunch on the second day, England are all out and we're on 268. Let Clarke play his strokes and North hold down the other end. We want a big lead here, so no need to go all out and end up a meagre 200 runs in front.

I'll tell you what though, why is it that every man and his dog seems to know that Stuart Clark is our best bowler, but the selectors refuse to make the change until the 4th test. The selectors are just deadset morons and this proves it. They drop Hughes after two bad tests but let our crap bowling attack stay for so long. Clark's discipline and accuracy once again provides his teammates with the opportunity to attack and get the rewards.

And speaking of stupid selections, can someone explain to me in what universe it makes sense to leave Sidebottom on the sidelines while Stuart Broad is still playing? I reckon Darren Pattinson would be doing a better job.

 

[karnog]

Have to agree. I thought Sidebottom was set in stone. A left armer who swings the ball late. When was the last time we faced that? Barring Clarke i think we would've struggled on this pitch. Meh.

karnog added 4 Minutes and 6 Seconds later...

I'll say it again: i think North is suspect against Swann. Can't think of many decent spinners in the domestic circuit so its understandable. He'll be a problem in India or against New Zealand (well Vettori). Needs to work on the sweep maybe.