Tour match thread -Scotland v Australia Aug 28

[sifter132]

Can't see why peole still don't rate Lee?

It's old wounds opening up. Lee was hated by most smart fans, loved by those loving speed for the first few years of his career. And fair enough too, he was usually more flash than substance - particularly in Tests. Then it changed just before and and after McGrath retired, suddenly Lee was bowling CONSISTENTLY well, not just in fits and starts and won the Allan Border medal after the 07/08 summer. But a less series against India, an injury layoff and 3 overs of carnage against Chris Gayle and there is blood to be had.

The same career path is happening to Mitchell Johnson. Go back a year or two and you'll read posts of fans tearing their hair out that Australia have selected Mitch AGAIN - he sucks, too inaccurate, can't swing it, gets lucky wickets etc etc. But after a couple of good series in a row suddenly he's the Great Hope. If he tanks in this series, it won't take long for those old "Mitch sux" comments to resurface.

 

[Inbox24]

I still reckon Johnson sucks ass. The guy can't bowl two balls in the same area and his 'swing' dribs and drabs. If batsmen just left every ball he bowled he'd long get 1-2 wickets per series. The only thing going for him is his batting.

 

[aussie1st]

Clark snuck away with tidy figures, but he was not impressive. Hauritz too, must come to the party.

The pitches so far haven't really suited Clark. But he has done the economical role that McDonald was doing in SA with added pace. And of course he got a 3 fer in the 1st tour game. Hauritz will need some wickets in the 2nd inns.

aussie1st added 7 Minutes and 36 Seconds later...

Hughes out to a short one, will be interesting seeing how he goes in the 1st Test. I would get Steve Waugh over here to give him some advise on the short ball.

 

[Inbox24]

Some concerns for Hughes here. If he begins to fail, then we'll be essentially relying on Katich and Haddin to get us through the whole series batting wise.

 

[iridescentt]

What the heck Phillip Hughes. He hasn't even made double figures in either innings. He better find an antidote quickly otherwise the high ball might be his kryptonite.

 

[Howsie]

So Phillip Hughes may have a weekness after all, and the short ball none the less. And I just saw some highlights of the Lions innings, Rashid looks like a very capable batsmen. England seem to have found a real talent there.

 

[nz0003]

Harmison should probably play now, hes got the wood on Hughes.

 

[King Pietersen]

Who would you drop to bring Harmy in? Onions? Broad? It'd have to be Onions, as we can't afford to drop Broad because of team balance, and dropping Onions would be incredibly harsh given his record in the Tests he played and in the CC this season.

 

[nz0003]

Who would you drop to bring Harmy in? Onions? Broad? It'd have to be Onions, as we can't afford to drop Broad because of team balance, and dropping Onions would be incredibly harsh given his record in the Tests he played and in the CC this season.

I'd go with

7. Flintoff
8. Broad
9. Swann
10. Harmison
11. Anderson

Onions isn't really anything special, Harmison has done enough IMO.

 

[Skater]

1. Strauss (c)
2. Cook
3. Bopara
4. Pietersen
5. Collingwood
6. Flintoff
7. Prior (wk)
8. Broad
9. Swann
10. Harmison
11. Anderson

Sounds like the ideal team for Taffyland.

 

[Ollie_H]

The problem is, is freddie gonna bat well enough to be a test 6?

 

[Howsie]

Who would you drop to bring Harmy in? Onions? Broad? It'd have to be Onions, as we can't afford to drop Broad because of team balance, and dropping Onions would be incredibly harsh given his record in the Tests he played and in the CC this season.

Broad is a bowler right, just because he can bat abit shouldn't get him into the team. At some point in time he is going to have to stand up with the ball.

 

[nz0003]

Rashid could play the roll of decent bowler that can bat, if the pitch has got some spin in it.

 

[King Pietersen]

He has started to stand up with the ball, and 2005 proved that lower order runs are key in big series, and that's one major benefit to having Broad in the side. He offers more to the team than Steve does.

Lee. Good side, but get Prior above Fred. Flintoff's simply not a Test #6.

 

[Themer]

Harmison gets another Ponting gone decent ball outside off stump but a poor shot by Ponting really.