Jan 3-7: 5th Test: Australia v England at Sydney

[evertonfan]

I love how my tongue-in-cheek comment about Usman Khawaja not being Australian went completely over some people's heads. Nice work.

 

[Themer]

I was astounded that people didn't realise and started to discuss it properly.

 

[War]

It's easy to see why Hilfenhaus is retained, because even if he's the least deadly of Australia's bowlers, he's safely the steadiest. Though he produces few sudden bursts of wickets, even at his best, he rarely looks worse than his figures. They've come to depend on that workhorse element.

Indeed. But at the same time Bollinger should have been playing as well instead of the dud spinner.

 

[sifter132]

It's easy to see why Hilfenhaus is retained, because even if he's the least deadly of Australia's bowlers, he's safely the steadiest. Though he produces few sudden bursts of wickets, even at his best, he rarely looks worse than his figures. They've come to depend on that workhorse element.

Yah Ponting loves him some Hilfy, uses him a lot. But fair enough, he's very fit and gets through his overs quickly. And the man can actually move the new ball. If somehow the Siddle/Bollinger/Johnson trio gets reunited, not one of them can swing the ball regularly. Last summer vs WI and Pak was some of the straightest new ball bowling you'll ever see. Dougie got the odd one to straighten, but it was a surprise when he did. And when guys like Kemar Roach and Asif and Amir were bending the ball up the other end it was pretty obvious where the hole in Australia's bowling was.

But I guess if Siddle bowls with the discipline he did in Melbourne he could do the workhorse role. I was really impressed by his line and length. But the problem is Siddle's had 2 good innings in the 4 Tests, the rest has been pretty easy to deal with.

That's been the main problem - bowling CONSISTENCY that has lost the Ashes for Australia. It's not the selectors fault, it's not a lack of talent - winning in Perth so easily proved that. It's just that they can't wield that talent regularly enough and the bowlers give away easy runs and can't build up pressure for ████. Even the normally steady Hilfenhaus has bowled leg side more than any of England's bowler, maybe aside from Finn. England has really stifled Australia with accuracy and forced mistakes from the batsmen, while Australia has let England off the hook easily with only 4 or 5 balls an over in the right spot. The Cook/Strauss partnership on the first evening at the MCG was the prime example. Some of the easiest 150 runs you'll see hit. Very much like Lords 2009.

 

[Will Browne]

Are you zimbabwe in disguise?

 

[Krypta]

That was an appalling shot from Haddin. Even more pressure on Hussey now.

 

[Will Browne]

Smith this is your chance to show what you can do with the bat. So far this series... not convincing

 

[WORLD CHAMPIONS]

Haddin horrible shot selection. Smith, please repeat that knock during Pakistan test match.

 

[Collingwood50]

All the sky team are being very nice to Colly - I hope this is not an cricket obituary.

 

[Themer]

Colly you beauty.

 

[Collingwood50]

I love paul collingwood

 

[ZoraxDoom]

How can anyone hate Colly. Such a brilliant team player. Dogged with the bat, brilliant in the field, useful with the ball. Even if he isn't scoring runs his catches and odd wickets can help the side win matches.

 

[Themer]

And another terrible shot. England have bowled decently keeping it tight but Australia are just giving their wickets away. Three or four of these wickets have been batsmen error or poor cricketing shots.

Bangladesh showed more mettle than this last summer even if their skill was lacking.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

I would love a Bangladesh vs. Australia test and ODI series around now. Would be epic fun.

Or even a Bangladesh/West Indies/Australia tri-series.

Or an Australia - NZ Test and ODI series.

Feels like there can be some real competitive cricket along the bottom half of the table.

 

[Themer]

This just gets better and better. Can't wait to see Australia bowling pies in 20 minutes.