West Indies tour of Australia, November-December 2009

[StinkyBoHoon]

I am at a loss how australia can win it from here. Watson is in a mire, hussey is always in a mire, if they last until tea australia will need something like 180 off the last session. if one of them goes soon I think they move to the defensive anyway. wickets have come at the awkward times and kept things slow.

 

[angryangy]

I find the big problem with this Australian side is that they're almost entirely square of the wicket players. Someone like Chris Gayle will hit more straight fours in a hundred than the entire team and there's great complementary value in that. In amongst the various qualities that people will say the Australians have lost, one in particular seems to be the desire to hit the spinner over the top.

 

[sifter132]

That's why Haddin needs a promotion I think. Give him a shot at a quick 50 to get the run rate back on track.

 

[aussie1st]

Hussey is looking much better, playing more like he does in ODIs. Watson is playing even slower than Hussey did in the 1st innings.

 

[drainpipe32]

Can't say I agree with angry. Katich is fairly strong down the wicket, as are Hussey, Ponting, Clarke, North and of course Haddin

 

[McLOVIN]

why Gayle's playing so defensively? let them go after it, thats the only way they gonna get any wickets...

 

[StinkyBoHoon]

I find the big problem with this Australian side is that they're almost entirely square of the wicket players. Someone like Chris Gayle will hit more straight fours in a hundred than the entire team and there's great complementary value in that. In amongst the various qualities that people will say the Australians have lost, one in particular seems to be the desire to hit the spinner over the top.

I think that's generally the whole ethos of australian cricket though, apart from when you get those incredible natural talents in the team, but aussie cricket is, well I'm not australian but this is how seems to me, built on guys that are coached and chiseled into the epitome of solid cricketers. that's why they always have half the team playing left handed when they're right handed, cause they've been coached to out any wrist play and made completely top hand dominant.

No other international team has that structure so they just have to fill the team up with anyone with a natural ability. it takes a rare gem for someone to force their way into australia's side playing a natural game. even the guy I'm talking about was in as a wicketkeeper.

i think australia's "decline" mirrors the german football team in the late 90s, it was always a team of drilled solid players, but the sprinkling of magic attackers made it one of the best in the world. The exciting attackers and midfield playmakers dried up in the lat 90s and they struggled with only just the simple solid base.

 

[angryangy]

Can't say I agree with angry. Katich is fairly strong down the wicket, as are Hussey, Ponting, Clarke, North and of course Haddin

It would be ridiculous to say such batsmen couldn't play a straight drive. It just doesn't mean that they score heavily in the V or more to the point, back themselves a bit in that area.

 

[TumTum]

Ponting, Katto and North will only play in a V when mid off and mid on are back.

But as WI are attacking, they're close.

 

[irottev]

Aussies batting for a draw now. Run Rate needed is too high and will keep rising.

Have to say, Sammy is a pie chucker with the ball. THe more overs he bowls the less chance West Indies have of winning.

 

[angryangy]

Aww, dreadful failure by Benn, should have had a run out.

 

[drainpipe32]

Very lucky for Hussey. His 'days' are numbered now, perhaps an onus to get on with it now? His lucky day?

 

[irottev]

Lawry is deluded if he thinks Australia can still win. :sarcasm

 

[MUFC1987]

I think the commentators are trying to make up for the dull play with a lot of screaming when something actually happens.

 

[aussie1st]

Watson looked stuck between two games and ended up paying for it when he needed to execute an attacking shot. Nice catch Bravo.