Does anyone here play Cricket?

[bowdown]

I notice a lot of talk about Australia here. So I was wondering how many of you play cricket. Just curious. I am from India and haven't played since I moved to USA. Used to play it a lot back in the day.

[Qballer]

if by cricket you mean baseball, it's still a no.

[Andrew]

I'm not really a fan of it, indeed I never make it a point to watch it on TV but I'd say like most Aussies I played some backyard/street cricket growing up. Last time would've been Australia Day this year and that wasn't really an organised game so much as we all took turns having a bowl and bat between beers at my friend's place.

[Laxation]

i play it
and qballer how bout you keep your stupidity to yourself in anything to do with subjects outside usa

[NovU]

It's like me asking if anyone plays curling...

[J@3]

I used to play it. Don't watch it so much anymore though, selections/Ricky Ponting have put me off it.

[Valor]

Used to play it all the time back in NZ, not anymore now though

[Kenny]

I played junior cricket for 6 years and I really loved it. I still love watching it and I'm going to the second day of the first test. The politics and the shit talking commentators should put me off, but Richie Benaud and Bill Laurie always draw me back in

[AMenace]

Yeah, I regularly have to save the innings for my team batting at 4 with scores of over 100 runs... Not my fault I'm the only one in the team that can bat...

Good sport, nice to see the aussies back winning again...

[bowdown]

Shit huh India won the World Cup like 2 days ago. Was pretty awesome. Indians are going crazy

[The X]

Thought Sri Lanka would win, but good result for India. Glad New Zealand made semis.

[#swag]

No one has commented for over eight months but I just have to seay how ridiculous is it that Usman Khawaja is being dropped for Ed Cowan is coming into the squad. I'd rather see Ponting get dropped; he has got to go.

I dislike Ussie playing, but he's a New South Welshman.

Cricketers unite?

[Kenny]

Oh gosh, I feel a bit of a rant coming on here:

but I just have to seay how ridiculous is it that Usman Khawaja is being dropped for Ed Cowan is coming into the squad.

I dislike Ussie playing, but he's a New South Welshman.

I think there's been too much homerism towards New South Wales players. The last test against the Kiwis, 6 out of the 11 selected were from the Blues... and it's not like they were particularly form selections. Dave Warner is a great hitter and played well in the last innings, but there's no way he's going to do that consistently. Hughes is rubbish and didn't deserve to play any of those two games, no matter how many injuries there were. Khawaja was probably a form selection, but he couldn't really get going. Michael Clarke of course is an automatic selection and is probably the only exception in the bunch. While I like Brad Haddin, his form with the bat hasn't been great of late and his glovework at times can be downright dodgey. And Ben Cutting probably should have gotten a spot over Starc, who is really just a poor man's version of Mitchell Johnson.

I mean, the previous summer they even tried out Steve Smith! Granted he's a selection on potential, but if you're not going to utilise his spin bowling, he's a wasted selection because his batting technique is too questionable for him to be consistent.

Of the 5 non-NSW players selected, you had Ponting, who's Australia's highest run scorer of all time, Hussey who has been arguably their best batsman over the past 5 years, Siddle who has a knack of getting important wickets, Pattinson, who has been Australia's bowler of the summer so far and Lyon, who is probably Australia's best spin bowling option at this point of time.

I'd rather see Ponting get dropped; he has got to go.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one since it was written before the test, but he's been the only batsmen (apart from maybe Pattinson) who has been consistent over the course of this match.

Anyway, I don't mean to be argumentative, I'm just very opinionated when it comes to cricket. I've been watching it since I was a kid and it's probably my favourite sport, along with basketball.

[#swag]

While I like Brad Haddin, his form with the bat hasn't been great of late and his glovework at times can be downright dodgey.

In my opinion, there is no premier keeper able to come into the squad. Considering you can't go on shield form because of the Big Bash League (more on that later) it'd be unfair to drop Haddin, which won't happen until after next summer if anytime, due to the fact that there is no real challenger for the position; like Gilchrist was to Ian Healy back in the early 2000's, leading up to his debut in 2001.

...but if you're not going to utilise his spin bowling,

Ponting never bowled spinners enough, bar Shane Warne. Aside from Australia vs Pakistan at the SCG in 2010, from the '09 Ashes 'till Clarke got the captaincy, spin bowling was not appreciated by Ponting. Therefore, when Smith did get picked for those games vs Pakistan in England, he bowled depleted over and struggled getting into a rhythm. I do agree with you though about his poor technique.

In regards to the BBL, have you been watching at all? I'm a purist and I despise the T20 format, though I do sometimes watch a few of the games, and the game itself has changed. No longer are the days of a Twenty20 being a real life version of stick cricket to building a score, and going big during the fielding restrictions and at the end. The BBL could be a massive detriment to Australian cricket as there are no other forms of the game for players to shine. I'd much rather prefer the league to take place before or after the home international season; which can happen next year due to South Africa playing three tests leading up to Christmas.

[The X]

Looks like Australian bowling lineup is pretty solid. I agree with badreligionau, Ben Cutting should have been picked against Starc, especially when game was on his home Gabba pitch.

Ahh well, it worked out great since we won with our mediocre team & missing our best player in Hobart

I'm a Khwaja fan as well. I think his form hasn't been great, but I would like to have seen him stay in & be giving a chance in Indian series & dropped say Michael Clarke (turrible). Ponting has got a few average scores of late so hard to hate on him at moment. I don't rate Warner. Scoring a century against NZ doesn't count. I really think Katich should be opening the batting to be honest.

[Kenny]

T-20 is definitely destroying the game as far as technique is concerned. Players are picking up bad habits, but the thing they have to realise is that the best batsmen in any form are superior timers of the ball. Gilchrist and Hayden were two of Australia's premier strikers, not because they try to absolutely slog every ball, but because they played actual cricket shots and timed the ball better than anyone in the game.

And reneker, you're right in the fact that there really is no clear successor to Haddin. I thought Paine was really knocking on the door a few seasons ago, but he doesn't seem to get mentioned much anymore. I guess I was trying to point out the clear bias I think Australian selectors have when it comes to players from NSW (or at least the bias they've had in previous seasons).

I don't think it's necessarily Ponting's fault on the whole spinner front. He gave lots of overs to guys like Hauritz and Krejza. Krejza was really hard done by because he got dumped after his second test, after getting 12 wickets in his first Test. Granted he went for a few runs in that Test, but in the end, he was getting wickets when others were struggling. He's fallen off the wagon a bit as well and I'm guessing being axed so quickly didn't do him any favours.

Steve Smith reminds me too much of Cameron White, who I can't stand as a cricketer. Personally I don't rate either of them, yet there has always been massive hype surrounding them (particularly Cameron White).

Khwaja was a bit unlucky. If he didn't get run out by Ponting, he probably would have broken out in that match against the Kiwis. And I do agree that Katich should still be there. He was one of the only consistent run scorers in that disasterous Ashes series last year that we will not speak about ever again. I completely agreed with him when he basically said he was dropped because of his age (and Michael Clarke).

I'll admit, I'm a bit of a Ricky Ponting homer when it comes down to it, so I've never liked the idea of Michael Clarke being captain. He's a good batsman, but to me he never seems to score runs when Australia really needs it (second innings of the Boxing Day test is a great example). Guys like Hussey and to a lesser extent, Ponting seem to do that on a regular basis, hence why I rate them above Clarke.

Anyway, it's good to have a cricket topic on the board. I'm thinking I'll post some more thoughts during the test in Sydney (which I believe starts tomorrow).

[#swag]

On my phone from the SCG, Ponting and Clarke's partnership over the last two days was truly amazing. Good bowling performance yesterday, all the quickies impresses. Will be more in depth later, Hussey is also looking good.

[Kenny]

Looks like Clarkey read my forum post... I guess I've eaten my words there. Incredible performances by him and Ponting... Hussey is looking fantastic as well. My favourite moment of the day had to be where Ponting got up all dirty from diving to the crease... it's a shame he changed his shirt the next over.

But yeah, amazing performance by Clarke; I hope he reaches the triple century (never thought I'd jump on his bandwagon).

Australia still has a problem with it's top 3. The commentators were talking about axing Cowan when Watson comes back, but I think Warner should go. He got a century, yes, but he's probably going to live off that century for the calendar year, like Jamaal Magloire lived off his 1 all-star appearance.

Then again, Dave Warner could prove me wrong

[Phil89]

Wonder if Clarke will declare before reaching Bradman's 334. (Because of the team's position rather than sentimental reasons)

[Kenny]

I'm glad he did because the Aussies could have gone a real long way towards winning that game had they picked up 3 or 4 in those final hours of play. India practically had nothing to gain from it. The bowlers are going really well this summer, so the more time they have, the better chance Australia have to pick up the result.

Brad Haddin

I still think his keeping is a little suspect. Granted Australia has been blessed with keepers ever since Rod Marsh, but I think Haddin makes some real elementary errors out there sometimes. Too busy chewing gum I'd say

But anyway, incredible effort from Clarke and Hussey today. I think they batted India right out of this one, but we'll see. If Tendulker, Laxman or Dhoni can fire down the order, then they're always in with a chance. Gambir seems to be going well too.

[#swag]

Still driving home from Sydney, so I thought I'd give a quick review of each Aussie players.

David Warner - needs to prove that his ton against a sub-par nation wasn't a one off. Wouldn't be surprising to see him dropped soon; he's still seen as a one-dimensional slogger in my eyes, but who knows? He may have scored 100 in Australia's second innings if there was one? He provides a lot of energy in the field.

Ed Cowan - great technique for an opener, however I see him getting the axe when Shane Watson comes back.. He will probably do a similar thing to Damien Martyn and come back into the squad in a few years, but he is 29 which is really working against him.

Shaun Marsh - not deserving of his place in the XI, should be Khawaja, and he is having a terrible summer. Bad shot to getout to Zaheer late on day 1.

Michael Clarke - simply phenomenal at everything he did.

Ricky Ponting - great knock and decent in the field, though he did drop Sehwag/Laxman? He claimed that he'd play until he lost interest in the game, which will be never, so a bad winter will make the public and the selectors forget about the other day.

Michael Hussey - great as well, took a good catch off of Haddin's gloves to remove Sachin.

Brad Haddin - sloppy with the gloves much like Adam Gilchrist was the summer he retired. If Tim Paine wasn't recovering from a billion broken fingers, he'd be on his way.

Peter Siddle - the true workhorse of the bowlin attack, very consistent and bowled brilliantly. He complemented the other two well.

James Pattison - good to have heaps of aggression. Injured now, terrible news for all of Oz.

Ben Hilfenhaus - the pick of the bowlers. Swung and seamed the balled brilliantly. I wasnt happy with him coming back in the team, but he had really changed my mind. Excelled.

Nathan Lyon - alright, but in India's second dig he had at least a ball an over that went for 2 or more runs. Lucky to take a wicket. He's only taken two against decent opposition this summer. Id like to see him dropped for Starc (assuming Harris comes in for Pattinson) and have Dave Warner oreven Clarke bowl his overs.

Also, Harris was bowling out the back of the members to a NSW state player and looks amillion bucks. On his bandwagon to have a massive final two tests.

This post was deleted by #swag on Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:17 pm.
Reason: Posted i t twice

[Kenny]

I pretty much agree with all your reviews there. I'm hoping the selectors stick with Cowan, because out of the top 3, he's probably the one that will get better as the series goes on. I think they should give Khawaja another go at 3 and drop Marsh. Marsh had an excellent debut but his series against India has been deplorable. As I said before, Brad Haddin

I had no idea Pattinson was injured. That's a big blow to the attack, but as the commentators said, Harris was probably the pick of the bowling attack before he got injured. So hopefully Harris can come back in and pick up where he left off. Hilfenhaus has improved out of sight from last summer. Last summer he looked like he wouldn't play another Test, so he deserves a lot of credit for the work he's done.

This would be my squad for the next one, keeping in mind the injuries and what not:

Cowan
Watson
Khawaja
Ponting
Clarke
M Hussey
Haddin (otherwise, insert arbitrary keeper who is actually keeping well)
Siddle
Harris
Hilfenhaus
Lyon

12th: Cutting


By the way, what's going on with Mitch Johnson these days? He could potentially be lethal on the WA pitch.

[#swag]

Perth tomorrow, bouncy wicket.

Clarke said he wasn't keen to bowl first and he also wants a spinner, so it's almost official that Starc doesn't get a go unless something changes his mind.

I'm so bloody keen!

[Kenny]

Starc gets another chance ahead of Ben Cutting. Neither team is playing a spinner, which is a surprise (particularly for India). Good to see Ryan Harris back though. Here's hoping Starc can show why he got selected, because I thought he was rubbish in the two tests against NZ. Hope Haddin also holds onto his catches.

In other news, the Heat won off a 40 run performance by my favourite kiwi, Dan Vettori

[#swag]

Well I got contradicted...

Starc just moved the ball 50cm!!!!

I read Matthew Hayden's book, he's an arrogant dick. So I hate the Heat because he plays for them. Up the 6ers.

During the Sydney test Kerry O'Keefe and the boys were discussing better names for the BBL teams, hilarious!

[Kenny]

I noticed that too (Starc's swing). I thought the comparison to Johnson was sloppy on my behalf, but I think it's not too far off. If he isn't getting to ball to swing, he looks like crap warmed up. Otherwise he can potentially be a good bowler. Doesn't have the pace of Johnson though, which I think will hurt him.

[The X]

I could get the ball moving half a metre on that green wicket. Great to see Hilfenhaus get all the credit he is getting. I was a big fan of his from a few years back when he was ripping up state cricket with his out swing bowling and was disappointed he was axed. On any wicket with any life he's going to win you matches.

Australia still has a problem with it's top 3. The commentators were talking about axing Cowan when Watson comes back, but I think Warner should go. He got a century, yes, but he's probably going to live off that century for the calendar year, like Jamaal Magloire lived off his 1 all-star appearance.

Then again, Dave Warner could prove me wrong

after today's performance

Although admittedly I don't like him as a test batsmen over the long term, but hey, I've been wrong before.

[Kenny]

Yeah I know... I also said that Clarke doesn't get runs when Australia needs them

I seem to be proven wrong a lot lately. So let's see:

-Shaun Marsh should be dropped.
-Brad Haddin is useless.
-Mitchell Starc doesn't get enough wickets.

[The X]

Marsh will be dropped when Watson returns from injury. I agree Haddin is useless. Starc seems like the type of bowler you only use when conditions are right (i.e. horses for courses).

[Kenny]

I think Starc improved a lot, but not to the level that James Brayshaw was hyping up to be (loved to mention that he was 2 metres tall). It actually really annoyed me that Brad Haddin wasn't put as the classic catches clanger for the Perth test, since he dropped two and Mitchell Starc's drop was the clanger in the second New Zealand test. I think Haddin should be on the way out. All he does is chew gum and give away byes

Marsh for Watson would be fair I think. Although, if Watson wasn't fit, I'd like to see Khawaja get another go. Unlike Marsh, he wasn't playing too badly. It's actually been interesting to see how flawed some techniques have been. It seems that Gambir and Dravid are getting out to the same ball every innings, as well as Shaun Marsh.

As well as Dave Warner played, I still think he gets too much hype. They're saying how he's revolutionising the game, but he's not the only player to adapt from being a slogger to a legit batsmen... Andrew Symonds was the best example of that. At his best, he was absolutely murdering other teams. I also can't stand the way Warner "switch hits". To me it just seems a bit disrespectful towards the traditions of the game... but I guess I'm somewhat of a purist.

EDIT

[Kenny]

Thought I'd give my two cents on the South African series so far:

It's been an interesting summer of cricket so far. Clarke and Hussey have been absolutely on fire; Clarke in particular with his Bradman-esque style form (NEVER thought I'd be praising him so much). Ponting will probably be gone after this series if he doesn't make a century at some point. Cowan has impressed me, and while I'm not a big fan (mainly due to inconsistency), Dave Warner has been playing well too. The Quiney selection was a bit of a head-scratcher for me. I know Australia were essentially looking for a place-filler while Watson recovered, but I thought Khawaja was the better selection at number 3. His first 6 tests weren't brilliant, but I think he deserves another chance; he's not playing any worse than Ponting at the moment.

For the bowling - it's been pretty disappointing. The South Africans have an incredible batting lineup, but I still think Australia could have won in Adelaide. I think their bowling is definitely a reason to why they're not the best in the world anymore. It doesn't help that Cummins and Pattinson are constantly getting injured either. I'd like to see them play Johnson at the WACA, since he has such a good record there. He also bolsters their batting lineup a little bit. I guess I'm still not completely sold on Starc.

My lineup for the next test

Cowan
Warner
Watson/Khawaja
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Wade
Johnson
Siddle/Starc
Hilfenhaus
Lyon

12th: Starc/Hastings


I think Siddle will be right for the WACA test, but they've brought in extra guys just in case. It'd be interesting to see a bowling attack with two lefties.

[The X]

Best thing Clarke did for his career was get rid of Bingle & all the metrosexual stuff & just concentrate on cricket. He always had the talent, just the other stuff was a distraction.

Yep, Aussies should've won the test in Adelaide. Was surprised they didn't. Definitely on the bowlers, although seems like there have been some batting wickets so far this summer.

[koberulz]

Adelaide was a perfect example of why test cricket is the stupidest sport ever invented. If two teams playing for five days, after which you declare a draw despite only one of them being any chance at all to win, is a 'great advertisement for the sport', the sport sucks. Period.

[Andrew]

Yeah, that's what bugs me about test cricket as well.

[Kenny]

I can see how people have a negative view of it for that reason, but to me, if winning was always clear cut, it wouldn't be as satisfying. It's one of the few sports where you can't really win if you have any deficiencies. Both teams had strong batting lineups for the game, but since neither team could get 20 wickets in the game, neither deserved to win. Australia had one and a half days to do it (or 150 overs give or take).

While a draw isn't the desired result, I'd argue that someone who stays in for a day and a half to save the game for their country is a great advertisement for the game.

[Andrew]

I get that, but I still find it off-putting because it basically turns the match into one long shaggy dog story. I suppose being a fan of basketball has conditioned me to the approach of "no draws, a winner must be decided", but I just don't like the idea of having two conditions for victory where the score can be rendered completely meaningless, no matter how decisive it may be.

[Kenny]

I respect that. I guess I felt my response was necessary because of the "stupidest sport ever invented" and "the sport sucks. Period" comments.

[koberulz]

It's a sport where you can play for five days without deciding a winner.

I rest my case.

[Kenny]

A point you've already stated koberulz. Should I repeat my argument? Or are we good to move on?

[shadowgrin]

It's a sport where you can play for five days without deciding a winner.

Is a winner really necessary?
If anything else it's a sport that's closer to real life. You do things for a long time and in the end it just means nothing like irl.

[Kenny]

Warner gone on the second ball of the day - doesn't really surprise me. His game isn't really suited to a match like this, which is why I'm often skeptical when it comes to him. Philander is looking good and Steyn is going to be a pain in the ass as always. I'd like to see this one go to a fifth day, but I think it's highly unlikely.

[koberulz]

So the result is beyond doubt Sunday night, and yet everyone gets up Monday morning and goes to play.

C'mon, people.

[Kenny]

The game was competitive for the first two days. South Africa took it to Australia in the third. While 600 runs in 180 overs is unlikely, it's not impossible, especially since Australia started today with all their wickets in hand. The very possibility of this happening is/was an exciting aspect for the fans.

[Kenny]

Phil Hughes is in for Ricky Ponting. While I'd pick Khawaja instead, I think it's a fairly low risk move. If he doesn't score runs, he's essentially doing what Ponting did for the last three tests. If he does, then it's a bonus, since Clarke and Hussey are firing, while Cowan, Warner and Wade are all in reasonable form too. John Hastings is injured, so Siddle will come in for him. I didn't think Hastings should have been there in the first place. His bowling is pretty innocuous in that form of the game. I was definitely surprised when they chose him over Hilfenhaus, who's arguably Australia's best right arm swing bowler.

I think a quick attack of Johnson, Siddle and Hilfenhaus should play at Hobart, with Starc going in at 12th. Hilfy is far more economical than Starc and I think Australia need at least one guy who can tie down an end.

[Dan's Brain]

Was a pretty decent knock by Hughes, a few rookie mistakes, and some of his early timing was a little bit off, but he did well to stick through to the 80s. Warner was looking terrific and really should have gone to the century if he hadnt had his run-out brain-fart. Most of the dismissals were due to batsman error rather than anything terrific by the bowlers, although Jayawardene's catch to dismiss Watson was pretty amazing. Glad to see the rain wasn't too impactful this morning, either.

[Kenny]

I was pleasantly surprised by Hughes; I was pretty skeptical about him in the team, but he played really well. Those cover drives were pretty spectacular. The Sri Lankan bowlers are definitely lacking in the pace department. Unless you bowl like Glenn McGrath, anything under 130km/h is pretty gentle at that level of cricket.

[bowdown]

Adelaide was a perfect example of why test cricket is the stupidest sport ever invented. If two teams playing for five days, after which you declare a draw despite only one of them being any chance at all to win, is a 'great advertisement for the sport', the sport sucks. Period.

It is called Test cricket for a reason. It is a true test of how good you really are at cricket. You have to be the superior team for 5 days straight in order to beat a team. Superior batting AND bowling usually determines if you win. You cant just have one really good day and expect to come out on top as the winner.

Plus, Test matches are usually played in a series of 3, 5, or 7 games anyways. Teams usually go in with the mentality to win the series rather than just win matches. If you win 1 game and all of the other 6 games were a draw, then you are still the winner of that matchup.

[Phil89]

Matthew Wade bowling I don't think I've ever seen a wicketkeeper bowl before.

Bit embarrassing for the other bowlers I'd imagine.

[Kenny]

The surprising thing about Wade is that he looks to be a pretty decent bowler as well. He looked more menacing in that one over than Starc has all day.

The bowling has been average all summer. Granted a bunch of bowlers have gone down through injury, but I think not choosing Johnson for this test was a mistake. Starc's the younger out of the two, but Johnson is a more mean and has the knack of bowling some really intimidating spells. I dare say we'll see him in the Boxing Day test though. I reckon the selectors should give Cutting a go. Make it Siddle, Johnson, Cutting and Starc as the 12th man.

EDIT: Wow, was I proven wrong. Great spell by Starc to finish them off.