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

[MUFC1987]

Hmm my fellow ENG fans may not agree. But i think i would be tempted to play Tremlett over Finn based on what i'm seeing this in this early morning hours.

Not supporting Australia today? I can't keep up.

I wouldn't pick Tremlett though. He's not consistent enough. They may be pretty close in ability now, but potentially, over a career and match by match basis, I'd take Finn every time.

 

[Themer]

Not supporting Australia today? I can't keep up.

I can never tell who he's supporting either.

I wouldn't pick Tremlett though. He's not consistent enough. They may be pretty close in ability now, but potentially, over a career and match by match basis, I'd take Finn every time.

I'd agree in a way. His fitness has been so inconsistent that his performances have been all over the place but when he's fully fit he's quite consistent. I completely agree that Finn is the one we need to be taking playing though as its quite obvious that Finn could develop quite significantly in comparison to Tremlett.

 

[War]

HA why does it even matter who i support to you two?.

I support both ENG & AUS in cricket & i'm neutral when these two play. Simple.

Anyway i dont think much of difference between Tremlett & Finn exist. Both similar tall bowlers with similar strenghts. Only thing Finn is quicker, but Tremlett utilies his hight better with a taller action & is slightly more accurate.

 

[MUFC1987]

I'd agree in a way. His fitness has been so inconsistent that his performances have been all over the place but when he's fully fit he's quite consistent. I completely agree that Finn is the one we need to be taking playing though as its quite obvious that Finn could develop quite significantly in comparison to Tremlett.

I just think Tremlett seems like the type of bowler who needs to be in good form to perform. Whereas Finn looks more likely to me to turn it on at a moments notice. That's what I meant by match by match. They're probably quite similar in terms of average ability in reality, but the fact that Finn is settled and confident in the team, means that he'll play the first test.

 

[War]

I just think Tremlett seems like the type of bowler who needs to be in good form to perform. Whereas Finn looks more likely to me to turn it on at a moments notice. That's what I meant by match by match. They're probably quite similar in terms of average ability in reality, but the fact that Finn is settled and confident in the team, means that he'll play the first test.

Well Tremlett is in good form. He proved his fitness all domestic season for Surrey & is carrying on in current A match. He looks just like Tremlett who impressed on his debut vs IND 2007 right now again.

Finn may be the man in a settled team. But that was the problem with the home summer vs PAK. It was hard to judge our bowlers progress given PAK batted like local club team. Only our batsmen had a good work out technically & mentally.

So really the Ashes is going to be Finn first real test againts a good opposition batting side. Which in many ways is a bit nervy, especially if AUS bat properly.

 

[Ollie_H]

It was hard to judge our bowlers progress given PAK batted like local club team. Only our batsmen had a good work out technically & mentally.

Who? Both Australia and England played Pakistan and in both series they bowled like a club team.

 

[shravi]

Who? Both Australia and England played Pakistan and in both series they bowled like a club team.

Pakistan bowled like a club team? Don't know what matches you were watching. Pakistan had an excellent bowling attack. The third seamer was a bit of an issue and they had problems in the spin department until Kaneria was replaced by Ajmal but Asif and Aamer are a class apart, to be honest. It's just a shame that they aren't very smart or honest people.

 

[Papa_Smurf]

Finn may be the man in a settled team. But that was the problem with the home summer vs PAK. It was hard to judge our bowlers progress given PAK batted like local club team.

Which is why I don't rate Finn that highly atm - he's looked good against the 2 worst batting sides in Bang and Pak, but not great. This Ashes is going to really test him, and if he fails in the first 2 tests (which I expect he will), Tremlett should be given a go.

Papa_Smurf added 2 Minutes and 15 Seconds later...

Pakistan bowled like a club team? Don't know what matches you were watching. Pakistan had an excellent bowling attack. The third seamer was a bit of an issue and they had problems in the spin department until Kaneria was replaced by Ajmal but Asif and Aamer are a class apart, to be honest. It's just a shame that they aren't very smart or honest people.

The biggest shame in cricket since the cronje incident - I really loved watching those 2 bowl this summer

 

[angryangy]

Interesting period of play that was interrupted by another burst of rain.

The 3rd wicket partnership was solid, nearly reaching 100. McKay and George toiled on a good line and length for some time with no reward. After a slow start, Cook had brought up his 50. Trott was not far behind. Seemingly on top, the pair quickly capitulated soon after.

Cook had earlier advanced and attacked O'Keefe, picking up a boundary at midwicket. In a good piece of analysis, he was shown to be playing around his pads by quite a distance, not really the square leg flick and definitely not a true lofted drive. Not long after, his downfall appeared to be just that shot, again he aimed for midwicket, but he was possibly a touch early on it and the ball skied just back of mid on.

Mark Cameron bustled back into the attack with a brief but sharp spell. His extra pace on the short ball immediately had Trott playing a very late pull, to which Khawaja took an excellent diving catch running to mid off. However, controversy! It should have been called no ball! Nevertheless, in the greater context, Trott's downfall was a chin-stroke-inducing manoeuvre.

And then there was the Pietersen wicket. O'Keefe was giving Pietersen the straight ones and he looked confident against it, but then there was one that turned just a bit. KP defended down the wrong line, bowled middle stump.

I don't know if they're trying to coax Australia to think about playing the left arm spinner, but it certainly seems viable against a middle order of right handers that probably tends to play to the onside more so than not.

 

[sifter132]

I don't know if they're trying to coax Australia to think about playing the left arm spinner, but it certainly seems viable against a middle order of right handers that probably tends to play to the onside more so than not.

Yeah was thinking about that myself this morning. Makes Hauritz a little less useful when the 2 lefties could be out by the time he comes on. And it makes Steve Smith or O'Keefe/Doherty that much more appealing. Right at this second I'm playing Smith and 4 quicks for Brisbane. Smith batting at #7 - in for Hussey. Could change that opinion by tomorrow though Can't decide...

 

[angryangy]

As the rain comes back, the good news for England is that Colly and Bell are definitely playing well. I think you really need to nip the ball away to get at these two, especially Collingwood. While he might have to face a lot of swing in England, I think you'll find that away from home, he bats in a very safe position.

 

[angryangy]

I think I heard "nice, Waylon."

Smith = Smithers

 

[angryangy]

It's been quite rainy and not warm. I would have second thoughts about going outdoors in Hobart too.

 

[aussie1st]

Smith is bowling a bit like MacGill, he can spin the ball quite a bit but has that long hop once an over. He certainly is causing problems when he gets it in the right areas.

Missed the O'Keefe wickets, hopefully can find some highlights.

 

[angryangy]

He turns the odd one, but I don't think he turns enough of them. As a leggie, he has spin at the expense of control, but as an all-rounder it's not so important to be able to do the difficult task of bowl long, economical spells if he can get in, pick up a wicket or two and get out. I wouldn't worry about being hit around if he's landing most of them and they're mostly turning, but that's not really the case. He lands the flat one okay, but all it does is prolong his spell. He needs to be able to land the flighted one to be effective.

But as I keep saying, it's hard to find a good 20 year old leggie. Even if there are more talented young leg spin bowlers out there, you just can't compare any of them with one who has had years to master it.