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

[aussie1st]

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.

And they just added another one in Maddinson to that list. Batting side of openers
Watson, Hughes, Katich, Khawaja, Jaques, Maddinson and knowing NSW they probably got another young opener coming through the ranks.

Good thing Shahzad got a wicket, hes still just missing the edge. Certainly has a scare stare.

 

[Blues]

Across the whole country at the moment we seem to be stuggling to come up with any genuine middle order batsmen. Ferguson is the first one we've had for a while now that looks like he could break into the side having batted in the middle order on a regular basis for his state and I can't think of any others who look capable of stepping up.

Shaun Marsh was used in the middle order against Sri Lanka, yet another opener.

 

[angryangy]

This game needs a slogger.

 

[aussie1st]

Oh that isn't even fair! The batsmen have got absolutely nothing going their way, Cowan finally gets a ball he thinks he can put away executes near perfectly only for Monty of all people to pull of a ripper. His fielding has certainly improved since he first came onto the scene so good on him for getting that sorted.

 

[Themer]

That's ridiculous. I think think we have Jonty Rhodes with a fake beard on the field.

 

[angryangy]

Wow, finally someone pitches it right up. Seriously, there are plenty more wickets out there.

 

[Themer]

And another. Perfect line and length with a touch of nip back in and its a jaffa.

Really looking forward to see how England go so we can see how good this performance really is.

 

[Blues]

This could very quickly turn into a one day game

 

[Robelinda]

White's dismissal is just so typical of him, his technique is hopeless when its pitched up. He wollops short balls and anything wide, but gee he gets bowled a heck of a lot for a top 6 batsman, his feet just dont move. Should never play test cricket with that technique, its been the same for all his career and it hasnt changed one bit.

 

[aussie1st]

Think we needed some of those flat pitches we are seeing in the test matches going on! Not the best shot by White there, good ball but could have been kept out for mine. The last of the batting contenders is in now.

 

[Blues]

I think the pitch will flatten out an England will certainly score more runs.

Don't get me wrong the English bowlers have bowled perfectly to the conditions but we are unlikely to see similar conditions at any stage during the Ashes.

Again backing the decision to leave the main bowlers out

 

[angryangy]

I don't think they've bowled to the conditions much at all. Yes, they've been accurate and hit the seam, but that shouldn't really be condition-specific bowling. They've dropped short a lot and in general the length has been short of a drive. They've beaten the bat a lot because the ball has zipped away so much off a length; when that happens you want to get the pitch of the ball closer to the bat. No batsman has been able to get away a full-blooded drive even when the ball has been up. If this is no incentive to pitch up, then there isn't going to be any incentive anywhere.

 

[aussie1st]

White's dismissal is just so typical of him, his technique is hopeless when its pitched up. He wollops short balls and anything wide, but gee he gets bowled a heck of a lot for a top 6 batsman, his feet just dont move. Should never play test cricket with that technique, its been the same for all his career and it hasnt changed one bit.

Agree if there was any lingering thoughts about picking him after his ODI performances then his return to the longer format in the past week has shown otherwise. It's a shame as he would make a good captain, handy slipper and some part time top spin if needed.

 

[Left_Hander]

Has anyone else noticed Smith seems to be standing alot more still at the crease? I've only watched him bat for a couple of balls, so I might be wrong.

 

[sifter132]

I don't think they've bowled to the conditions much at all. Yes, they've been accurate and hit the seam, but that shouldn't really be condition-specific bowling. They've dropped short a lot and in general the length has been short of a drive. They've beaten the bat a lot because the ball has zipped away so much off a length; when that happens you want to get the pitch of the ball closer to the bat. No batsman has been able to get away a full-blooded drive even when the ball has been up. If this is no incentive to pitch up, then there isn't going to be any incentive anywhere.

Half agree with this Tremlett bowled some junk early and Shahzad took 2-3 overs to work it out, but by and large there hasn't been many loose deliveries. I'm not sure you can really bowl to the conditions anyway. Just bowling 'normally' will get the job done. Bresnan to Ferguson perfect example, nothing special about where he pitched it, but it went off the seam beautifully. Same for Tremlett v White. Ball came in like an off break. Make the batsman play, that's all you can do. And that's all you should be doing anyway, not matter what the pitch is like...