The ODIs (Various times in September)

[War]

Where is Kieswetter? I thought he'd be a better option at the top than Carberry. The English bowling attack looks extremely average without Broad, Bresnan, Anderson etc. I'm assuming Meaker would get a run if he hadn't been injured. I'm glad the Aussies went after Tredwell like that, he is exactly the kind of average cricketer that gets away with being average because one day cricket allows him to bowl his 10 overs in the middle when no ones going after him.

Kieswetter has much talent, but he was pretty inconsistent in the chances he got as opener & down the order. This is why Buttler now is the main man. Kieswetter has a future for sure though.

Real talk on Tredwell i've been very perplexed in the last few months how he has been getting international wickets ha, ENG have indeed been lucky with him of late.

 

[MUFC1987]

Kieswetter's a very good player, just like Carberry is. The problem for them, is that nobody is breaking into that England opening pair, with Cook, Bell and KP all vying for it. Two of those three would need to be dreadful for a prolonged period for anybody else to get a look in, that's for sure.

On the current series, I just hope we bring a bowler in for one of the batsmen. Root could do with a rest, either him or Bopara to miss out for me, with hopefully either Overton or Jordan brought in. Jordan probably the better option as he's more consistent and adds some strength to the batting. I don't think moving Buttler and Stokes up a place each is a problem.

 

[ferg512]

I think Jordan has to come in, from what I saw of Overton in the semi final yesterday he looked very raw and would probably get destroyed brought into international cricket at this stage. There seems to be far too much importance atm with most teams of bringing young players in even if they are nowhere near good enough yet, and haven't proven enough at domestic level.

 

[Owzat]

England unchanged, somewhat of a surprise - or is it? Both captain and the wheelie bin defending the make up of the side, this will perhaps test it more fully.

Chance for several like Carberry, Stokes, Buttler and one or two others to prove their worth, batting first every run will matter as England need to defend them.

I think Buttler should have been advised to stay out there last match and make a 100, not criticising the way he got out just that there was so little chance to win from there that maybe him getting batting time was a more productive option.

Don't be too surprised if England collapse in a heap again, this time due to the conditions. The aussies bowled quite well, but I don't believe for a second that was a 103/5 pitch.

England will need a few extra runs in the bank as it were, I think Bopara may get a bit of movement but I still think the aussies will attack him, Stokes and Tredwell (and Root) so the need for wickets from Finn and Rankin early doors when the aussies start their reply could be crucial - and paper over the chasms

 

[Chief]

Chance for several like Carberry

Mmm. Not MUCH of a chance as it happened...

 

[MUFC1987]

I think Jordan has to come in, from what I saw of Overton in the semi final yesterday he looked very raw and would probably get destroyed brought into international cricket at this stage. There seems to be far too much importance atm with most teams of bringing young players in even if they are nowhere near good enough yet, and haven't proven enough at domestic level.

Overton is definitely raw, as I think I've said before. The thing is though, he does have the ability to get good batsmen out, which is what England like I guess. I wouldn't read too much into the game on Monday either, he was bowling defending very few, so the field was up. The likes of Patel were clearing the infield and getting 4s that way, which won't happen with men back like they would be in the middle overs of a ODI, which is what he'd be ideal for at the moment.

As I said though, probably should have been Jordan. It seems like they're trying to prove a point by playing the same side again.

 

[sifter132]

Yawn...another match rained out. Shoulda been a 3 match series... You can just feel the enthusiasm being sucked out the longer the series goes on.

 

[Owzat]

Yawn...another match rained out. Shoulda been a 3 match series... You can just feel the enthusiasm being sucked out the longer the series goes on.

Yup, does become a drag. Those pesky T20 matches fitted in first when the weather was better.

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Kieswetter has much talent, but he was pretty inconsistent in the chances he got as opener & down the order. This is why Buttler now is the main man. Kieswetter has a future for sure though.

Whoever is picked they need to deliver more consistently with the bat. I think Kieswetter was unlucky in being used to try and fill the "pinch hitting" keeper role England got obsessed with, not surprising given Gilchrist.

I think the keeper needs to be capable with the bat, but England almost want them to be a sixth batsman to compensate the lack of an all-rounder.

 

[Owzat]

England appear to have stuck with the same XI, two early wickets may appear to reinforce assertions by the England hierarchy that this XI can work, but it's early days and one set of conditions whereby early wickets are quite likely.

So even if England were to win, they'd be confident only that they can win batting second if they get early wickets which in the kind of places the World Cup is held, and with only four bowlers, isn't a given

The zimmers match is reaching a climax, 217/8 needing 47 runs/2 wkts to be concluded. Good effort from the zimmers even if they don't win

 

[Spickery]

Australia didn't start off well with the bat in their innings. With Aaron Finch and Shane Watson getting out cheaply, I thought a batting collapse looked likely. Luckily for Australia, Shaun Marsh, Michael Clarke, Adam Voges and Matthew Wade managed to stay at the crease for a period of time and chip in with some runs. George Bailey continued his great form in ODIs and made 87 runs. Bailey really set up Australia's innings and showed he can be an attacking batsman. The most disappointing thing for me is the lower order couldn't go on and turn a average score of 227 runs into a score of 240 to 250, which would of really put England on the back foot.

Australia's bowlers now have a score to defend so they need to bowl tightly and look to take early wickets. Mitchell Johnson is in good form with the ball and Clint McKay and James Faulkner are talented One Day bowlers. England have some dangerous batsman though, Australia's lower order collapse may cost them the match in the end.

 

[Owzat]

You have to think the score is below par, but then with weather conditions etc are we just assuming a par score is truly par here?

They did well from 57/4, if the conditions ease up a bit and make batting that little bit less difficult then England should win, after all the aussies lost Finch, Marsh, Watson, and Clarke with only 53 runs between them.

If the toss does win this one, as can be the case in too many Tests and ODIs where the conditions favour batting (dry/flat etc) or bowling first (damp/overcast etc), it will be a shame. That's why I advocate more pitches that help bowlers throughout, short of making absolute flat roads that produce silly scores and bore draws, that is the best way to make it not only a contest, but interesting at that.

 

[Spickery]

McKay picks up a hat trick! Pietersen, Trott and Root are all out! Three big wickets for Australia!

 

[MUFC1987]

Yeah good start. Everyone was complaining about us resting half of our first eleven, yet the ones that we did pick haven't done too well.

 

[Owzat]

Fair play to Buttler and Stokes for their innings', what was needed when it was needed. The platform was set up by Carberry and Morgan, with all performances all concerned need to do it consistently, but it's a start.

I thought the aussies should have brought back and bowled out McKay a bit earlier to try and dislodge this pair. the pendulum has swung back to England now and England can even afford just to take it relatively easy now.

 

[Chief]

Fair play to Buttler and Stokes for their innings', what was needed when it was needed. The platform was set up by Carberry and Morgan, with all performances all concerned need to do it consistently, but it's a start.

I thought the aussies should have brought back and bowled out McKay a bit earlier to try and dislodge this pair. the pendulum has swung back to England now and England can even afford just to take it relatively easy now.

JINX?