Cricket- the sport not the insect

[ramjambunath]

Forgot about Hilfenhaus, he should come in. Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon and Hilfenhaus. It's a very long tail.

My opinion on Batting-
Hughes
Khawaja
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Someone at 6
Haddin

 

[auscyclefan94]

Ok... this is my team.

3 of Warner/Hughes/Khawaja/Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Wade
Marsh
Siddle
Lyon
Hilfenhaus/Copeland
Pattinson

I am sorry Ferminal but nobody in their right mind could consider Warner a test batsman let alone a test opener.

NZ ended up with 423 with Doug Bracewell hitting a cameo 73* off 79 balls, and even Chris Martin hit a 4! It's going to be interesting what the Australian team will be like as Watson won't be able to bowl in Brisbane, Cummings has a sore heel, and concerns over the fitness of Johnson and Harris.

FTR ramjam, Aus 'A' won the toss and actually sent NZ in on an overcast day and the bowlers didn't leave a good impression in front of the selectors.

Gee, NZ may actually have a chance against us in the Gabba Test. The Aus A swing bowlers should of had a 'field day' if it was overcast in the opening morning of a 4 day match.

Watson is certainly a big loss and not having Katich as an opener means that the two best openers are not available. Hughes and Khawaja opening won't worry NZ too much. Hopefullyy Hussey can find some form for the test series. I remember this time last year he had no form whatsoever and still had a decent series against the Poms in the Ashes. You could say he played relatively well in the Ashes.

 

[Ferminal]

I am sorry Ferminal but nobody in their right mind could consider Warner a test batsman let alone a test opener.

Well he averages over 100 from two knocks in the last couple of weeks. How can you say that about Warner and not Hughes? No one considers Ponting test quality, but he's still up for selection.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Well he averages over 100 from two knocks in the last couple of weeks. How can you say that about Warner and not Hughes? No one considers Ponting test quality, but he's still up for selection.

That's because the selectors are morons. Warner is a one day and T20 player.

 

[Ferminal]

So he shouldn't be considered for the test side, despite averaging 60 in first class, just because?

 

[ramjambunath]

ACF-Then who should come in?
There are only Jaques, Cowan, Robinson, Klinger. The middle two shouldn't be considered for tests in my mind.

 

[craig1985]

Bollinger has a sore shoulder and could not play the last game/ go to Aus A.

I have to slot Siddle in if only because he would be our only experienced bowler.
Lyon
Pattinson/ Cutting ( i would pick Cutting who has been in better form ). Also
Starc is better than Pattinson at the moment and they are both tall. Starc is also left-armed.
M.Marsh for anyone Watson maybe. Otherwise Warner.
Might have to consider Hilfy if only to just tie down NZ while our young attack gets tired.

Wade will replace Haddin in my view.

If Paine hadn't been injured for so long I would have said he was a real chance of replacing Haddin.

 

[ramjambunath]

Zimbabwe's 2020 is on the tele here (which is playing up again FFS).
Rhinos versus Mountaineers

Rhinos
Rhinos have a very strong squad led by Taylor.
Main players- Gary Ballance, Malcolm Waller, Graeme Cremer, Riki Wessels, Shaun Tait and Lou Vincent (latter two only play 2020)

Mountaineers
Team led by Timycen Maruma.
Main players- Hamilton Masakadza, Tino Mawoyo, Phil Mustard (Durham), Prosper Utseya, Dirk Nannes. Chris Harris is another famous name.

Mawoyo isn't a certain pick for the team though.

Mashonaland versus Matebaland
Masho Eagles
Captain- Stuart Matsikinyeri
Chigumbura, Regis Chakabva, Rory Hamilton-Brown (Surrey), Trego (Somerset), ten Doeschate, Andrew Hall, Forster Mutizwa and Kyle Jarvis.

Matebaland Tuskers
Captain- Paul Horton (Lancs)
Gayle, Charles Coventry (personal highest ODI score- 194*), Craig Ervine, Keegan Meth (lost four teeth after a straight drive hit his teeth on follow through), Chris Mpofu

Mountaineers have won the toss and are fielding.
My favourite player is in Masho eagles but they really don't have too many quality Zimbabweans.
Australia 'A' not doing very well 4/187. Making me eat my words Cowan is 60*.

 

[craig1985]

I can't believe you guys get Zimbabwean domestic T20. We get the English one day and T20 and back in the day we used to the County Championship.

 

[ramjambunath]

We get everything cricket, golf and football. Sadly nothing else, RvV (1 hour highlights) is telecast here in late May.

At least I love cricket and golf and enjoy football.

There must be some electricity problems as the match has already started and telecast hasn't started.

Rhinos have Ed Rainsford as well, nice team there.

Dammit Gary Ballance is run out.
Rikki Wessels in. If his name sounds familiar, it is, he is the son of Kepler.

Ashwin century testament to the flatness of the pitch.

 

[ramjambunath]

Damp squib from the Rhinos 9/115. Whole innings fail barring Taylor and Wessels.
Mountaineers 1/37 in 5 overs.

One of the main commentators in Zimbabwe, Dean Du Plessis has got an acute sense of hearing and he needs every bit of it as he's the only blind commentator in the world. He can tell if a batsman has played on the off or leg side by distinguishing the noise from the bat, leg side shots more glancing than off side. Unbelievable.

Mountaineers win. The ancient professional Chris Zinzan Harris scored 40 runs and Mushangwe MoM.

Matebeleland Tuskers win the toss and are bowling.
Masho Eagles struggle to 120/8, all the international stars failed.

It's not often Gayle's overshadowed when it comes to hitting sixes but Charles Coventry was brilliant today, sadly smashing Kyle Jarvis for 2 consecutive huge sixes on a tough wicket in near darkness. Matebeleland win by 7 wickets and gain a bonus point (winning with 4 overs to spare). Fantastic innings by Coventry, finishes off with a 6. Horton got a good 30.

 

[greenedge]

ACF-Then who should come in?
There are only Jaques, Cowan, Robinson, Klinger. The middle two shouldn't be considered for tests in my mind.

Jaques just had hip surgery and is only now in the Blues Shield side. However it was rained out against WA yesterday so he would have had no real match experience anyways.

 

[greenedge]

If Paine hadn't been injured for so long I would have said he was a real chance of replacing Haddin.

I agree. He was the "preordained successor". Now he will have to fight to get back into contention.

 

[greenedge]

Forgot about Hilfenhaus, he should come in. Siddle, Pattinson, Lyon and Hilfenhaus. It's a very long tail.

My opinion on Batting-
Hughes
Khawaja
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Someone at 6
Haddin

Warner used to play quite a bit as no.6 for NSW. Maybe he could. Though i do want Mitch Marsh there.

If only Watspn was not injured. Now we are left ruing sacking Katich as well.

Our only hope is that NZ just hit out which is what they often do. Other than Mills ( who is likely to not be playing ) no one can swing the ball and their bowling attack is so inexperienced. So there is still some hope.

 

[craig1985]

Mills wasn't even picked in the squad!

 

[craig1985]

I should also give big props to Tasmanian quick Jackson Bird who in his 2nd Fc game went home with match figures of 10-96 in their FC mtach against Victoria.

 

[ramjambunath]

Jaques just had hip surgery and is only now in the Blues Shield side. However it was rained out against WA yesterday so he would have had no real match experience anyways.

Yes, I wouldn't select him at the moment anyway. Poor fellow, had his career taken away from him by injury and selectors.

Whoever comes in at 6 will have a huge challenge facing Vettori. Warner's not a great player of spin and Marsh surely can't be either as he mustn't have faced any quality spin bowling. Brilliant innings from Cowan at an opportune time. Who knows, Huss may well bat at 6.

Southee can swing the ball. Mills is very similar to Jaques, injuries at the most inopportune of moments have really curtailed his career. The only reason I can think of for why he hasn't been picked are fitness concerns.

Craig, any details about Jackson Bird?

First match today-Tuskers vs Mountaineers

Rhinos vs Southern Rocks
Rocks
Captain- Alester Maregwede
Taibu, Brian Vitori, Chamu Chibhabha, Tafadzwa Kamungozi are some of the main players.

 

[craig1985]

Yes, I wouldn't select him at the moment anyway. Poor fellow, had his career taken away from him by injury and selectors.

Whoever comes in at 6 will have a huge challenge facing Vettori. Warner's not a great player of spin and Marsh surely can't be either as he mustn't have faced any quality spin bowling. Brilliant innings from Cowan at an opportune time. Who knows, Huss may well bat at 6.

Southee can swing the ball. Mills is very similar to Jaques, injuries at the most inopportune of moments have really curtailed his career. The only reason I can think of for why he hasn't been picked are fitness concerns.

Craig, any details about Jackson Bird?

First match today-Tuskers vs Mountaineers

Rhinos vs Southern Rocks
Rocks
Captain- Alester Maregwede
Taibu, Brian Vitori, Chamu Chibhabha, Tafadzwa Kamungozi are some of the main players.

He's a late developer (at 24) in that he had to leave NSW and go to Tasmania to get a game. I haven't seen him bowl yet so I'm not sure what speed he is getting though.

Australia's squad for the 1st Test:

Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Ben Cutting, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-new-zealand-2011/content/current/story/542138.html

James Pattinson is of course Darren Pattinson's younger brother, and Australia will have one long tail for mine.

 

[ramjambunath]

Serious vote of no confidence for Copeland if he can't get picked in such a depleted squad. Hopefully this will push him to bowl 10-15kph faster.

 

[auscyclefan94]

He's a late developer (at 24) in that he had to leave NSW and go to Tasmania to get a game. I haven't seen him bowl yet so I'm not sure what speed he is getting though.

Australia's squad for the 1st Test:

Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Ben Cutting, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-new-zealand-2011/content/current/story/542138.html

James Pattinson is of course Darren Pattinson's younger brother, and Australia will have one long tail for mine.

Weak team. NZ have a chance against us.

 

[craig1985]

WI have collapsed quicker than a house of cards.

 

[craig1985]

Rampaul should get dropped for that shot.

 

[craig1985]

Sammy goes.

 

[craig1985]

WI have lost 8 wickets before lunch and all out for 134.

 

[ramjambunath]

WTF, I swithced the tele off thinking it was a dull match and this happens. Was it bad batting or great spin bowling?

Or did the pitch finally become a Wankhede pitch?