Nov 17-20: Australia A v England XI at Hobart

[Sureshot]

I'm really looking foward to watching this A game. I'm happily suprised to see it's on Channel 9.

For those of you with Sky, it's also on SkySports1 (and HD1) tonight at 11pm GMT.

Be interesting to see what bowlers play for us tonight.

I'm presuming Bresnan, Tremlett and Panesar will all play and it's only the main attack that's leaving. Nice to see Shahzad join them. Maybe Woakes.

 

[Themer]

For those of you with Sky, it's also on SkySports1 (and HD1) tonight at 11pm GMT.

Ah come on! At work 8 till 5 tomorrow then I'm meant to be going out for a drink followed by work the next day 9 till 5.

I'm going to be dead on my feet.

 

[aussie1st]

Good toss to win for England, gives their bowlers two cracks at the Aus A batsmen and the Aussies get an early view into Hughes form and technique against the short stuff.

aussie1st added 1 Minutes and 13 Seconds later...

And there goes Hughes, Tremlett was causing Hughes a bit of problems with that shorter stuff before he got him edging.

 

[MUFC1987]

Looks like a fun pitch for the bowlers.

 

[aussie1st]

Indeed that last ball would make a spinner proud. Too much movement to catch any edge but if he but that outside legstump and got that same movement that would be very difficult to keep out.

 

[Blues]

Smart move by England to rest their frontline bowlers I think. They are very unlikely to come across a pitch with this much grass on it at any stage during the Ashes, particularly in Brisbane and Perth.

No point in giving them a run out on a pitch that isn't representative of what they will face in a week or so.

Really hoping Usman does well here but I fancy all the batsmen will struggle here

 

[aussie1st]

Khawaja brought out his lovely pull shot that should hold him in good stead if he goes to the next level. Didn't look comfortable with that last ball from Shahzad though.

 

[Blues]

It looks as if this pitch is going to be really unfavourable for Khawaja and Ferguson looking to push their claims. I never really expected them to force their way into the side for the first test but this could end any hope they had.

Then again if either of them can get a score in difficult conditions it could really help their chances

 

[aussie1st]

Well if they do make runs on this pitch then it really enhances their claim. Would be one mighty impressive knock to get a 100. Key definitely is surviving this opening spell and hoping it gets easier as the ball ages and maybe the sun comes out.

 

[Themer]

Obviously its a very bowler friendly pitch but I've been very impressed with Shahzad as his accuracy has been pretty much spot on, something that is usually his main problem.

Tremlett looks to be in decent rhythm as well which is encouraging.

 

[Blues]

Agree completely with the commentators that England are being no where near aggressive enough with their fields. There have been a few shots that have flown through 4th slip and on a pitch like this there is no reason not to be agressive.

Even if it's only for 5 overs or so and then if it's not working change it

 

[aussie1st]

Agree completely with the commentators that England are being no where near aggressive enough with their fields. There have been a few shots that have flown through 4th slip and on a pitch like this there is no reason not to be agressive.

Definitely, all about the wickets and with this much help to the bowlers you should be doing everything you can to get it.

Interesting point by Chaps regarding being in the top 4 for your State side if you are going to be picked as batsmen. Problem comes when your team has Katich, Watson, Clarke, Hughes and Jaques.

aussie1st added 17 Minutes and 58 Seconds later...

Well deserved wicket for Shahzad, had Khawaja all at sea. Was always going to be difficult for him on this pitch. Over to Ferguson to make a case for himself now.

 

[Themer]

This is pretty awesome bowling for the back up line up. Obviously the pitch has had alot to do with it but they've been accurate and found the swing.

 

[aussie1st]

Just watching these guys bowl has me thinking what Johnson would do on this pitch, would he be spraying them all over the place or would he be bowling like England's backups. Ferguson looked good until that jaffer, only got Smith left to keep the pressure on North and Hussey for the 1st innings anyway.

 

[Blues]

Definitely, all about the wickets and with this much help to the bowlers you should be doing everything you can to get it.

Interesting point by Chaps regarding being in the top 4 for your State side if you are going to be picked as batsmen. Problem comes when your team has Katich, Watson, Clarke, Hughes and Jaques.

aussie1st added 17 Minutes and 58 Seconds later...

Well deserved wicket for Shahzad, had Khawaja all at sea. Was always going to be difficult for him on this pitch. Over to Ferguson to make a case for himself now.

There was a game last season in which the NSW team had their top 6 batsmen who had all opened for Australia, let alone NSW.

NSW just seems to have a production line of opening batsmen, Ed Cowan of course was a NSW player and he is showing his talents here today. Unfortunately you can only have 2 openers in any side so a lot of guys are being forced into trying to become middle order batsmen