If Australia needed a reserve batsman as a result of something occuring with the other available players (eg. Watson is unable to play), David Hussey seems to still be pushing for a Test call-up, and it won't cost a plane ticket for Cricket Australia to get him to the nearest venue!
Huss (aka 'The other Hussey) blasted 126 runs for Nottinghamshire in fine style (21 fours and 2 sixes), and being well in tune to the English cricket scene he may have a chance to raise a few eyebrows! A surprise call-up in a worse case scenario would mean a fresh Baggy Green be sent to England. Top stuff Huss!
30 June 2009
THE ASHES NOTES #11 ; WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT?
From what I have sensed there are many unknown's regarding the remaining spots up for grabs in our starting XI for the Ashes 1st Test of the 2009 clash!
With one warm-up completed, which had its high's and low's to take from it, the game against the Lion's, commencing tomorrow, will have a defining say for the Touring Selectors as they make their final XI.
For our discussion on Australia's bowling options see PREVIOUS ARTICLE and take a look at the comment's from my loyal readers' input!
Player's I am sure we can agree upon for the starting XI:
Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.
Player's on the edge of selection, with the warm-up game determining their potential inclusion:
Brett Lee and Stuart Clark (One of them are bound to make the cut due to their experience and glimpses of returning character that has made them Baggy Green bowling machines!).
Ben Hilfenhaus, Marcus North and Andrew McDonald will be eagerly awaiting the chance of another shot against the Lion's for one more important consideration before the Squad is decided upon.
Nathan Hauritz' batting, as I have mentioned, was the aspect to give him better credibility after he was highly ineffective against Sussex, but with plenty part-time spinners in the mix it is seeming the odd's will be against Nathan.
While Nathan can do the job for us in ODI, it will a challenging contest as he attempts to cement a Test spot. He is also a more defensive bowler and I think this option has made many scratch their heads a bit as bowlers representing Australia were usually more aggressive and tempting on the spin department.
The spinner question will be keeping Nathan's game on a hot pan over the next while.
Jason Krejza, who my regular contributor Jawad holds high with praise, scored his first-century in First class cricket for Australia A recently, but after a stupid call by selectors to include him in the WACA Test against the Proteas last year, seemed to send him into the dark. Himself, Beau Casson and even a bloke like Dan Cullen have a chance to compete with Nathan and try to fill that void left by Warnie, Stuart MacGill and Hoggy.
Shane Watson and touring Keeper Graham Manou will most definitly be overlooked. Watson due to never ending injury niggles and a moderate Test record, and Graham Manou purely because Had's will have Keeper duties.
Rapidly the hype is starting to heat up a bit!
With one warm-up completed, which had its high's and low's to take from it, the game against the Lion's, commencing tomorrow, will have a defining say for the Touring Selectors as they make their final XI.
For our discussion on Australia's bowling options see PREVIOUS ARTICLE and take a look at the comment's from my loyal readers' input!
Player's I am sure we can agree upon for the starting XI:
Phillip Hughes, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.
Player's on the edge of selection, with the warm-up game determining their potential inclusion:
Brett Lee and Stuart Clark (One of them are bound to make the cut due to their experience and glimpses of returning character that has made them Baggy Green bowling machines!).
Ben Hilfenhaus, Marcus North and Andrew McDonald will be eagerly awaiting the chance of another shot against the Lion's for one more important consideration before the Squad is decided upon.
Nathan Hauritz' batting, as I have mentioned, was the aspect to give him better credibility after he was highly ineffective against Sussex, but with plenty part-time spinners in the mix it is seeming the odd's will be against Nathan.
While Nathan can do the job for us in ODI, it will a challenging contest as he attempts to cement a Test spot. He is also a more defensive bowler and I think this option has made many scratch their heads a bit as bowlers representing Australia were usually more aggressive and tempting on the spin department.
The spinner question will be keeping Nathan's game on a hot pan over the next while.
Jason Krejza, who my regular contributor Jawad holds high with praise, scored his first-century in First class cricket for Australia A recently, but after a stupid call by selectors to include him in the WACA Test against the Proteas last year, seemed to send him into the dark. Himself, Beau Casson and even a bloke like Dan Cullen have a chance to compete with Nathan and try to fill that void left by Warnie, Stuart MacGill and Hoggy.
Shane Watson and touring Keeper Graham Manou will most definitly be overlooked. Watson due to never ending injury niggles and a moderate Test record, and Graham Manou purely because Had's will have Keeper duties.
Rapidly the hype is starting to heat up a bit!
28 June 2009
WARM-UP GAME #1 vs SUSSEX, conclusion.
Some dub the performance as "flat", others are simply dubbing it as "unconvincing".
These statements are relatively valid if you take into consideration it has been 4 years since the Australian team played in English conditions and this time with a less experienced team, and that the Test cricket frontier has been a quiet scene since Australia concluded their series in South Africa.
This was a warm-up game, and that exactly that. To find the weak points, loosen up, get into the conditions, find the right squad to kick things off, learn from mistakes, analyse the output's etc.
So I am not going to be looking at the drawn result negatively.
The batsmen made starts, some better than others and while our bowling was anything but flattering yesterday, the fact remains it is a warm-up, and the game against the Lions is only a few days away and will be a game to read into alot more.
In my previous post I had my say regarding the batting front. As for our bowling, Tim Nielson has stated that Peter Siddle has pretty much sealed his place to merge with Mitchell Johnson in our pace attack.
Sids is vicious, maybe a bit of a play on word's of the bloke from the Sex Pistols, but he has the X factor Australian cricket has been needing.
A guy who will get in the batsmen's space, fuel all his frustration and competitiveness into his bowling which game by game, is showing even more intensity and determination than anything.
His Victorian emergence was spoken of a fair bit on the Victorian cricket scene, and the way he is mowing along, rightly so. I had by doubts with his selection in the India series, but it seems it was the best thing to do by tossing him into the deep end. He has shut a few of us up for maybe not backing him enough, and seeing how his ambition can rub off on the squad, even the potential bowling results, he is the man for the job. Mitchell must just keep fresh and ready for the heat!
So, the toss up is who will get the remaining two spots?
Brett Lee, who showed sign's that he is eager to make the side which was backed by some good batting; Stuart Clark, who had a decent run in the 1st innings but had a rough time in the 2nd innings; and Ben Hilfenhaus, who was a key partnership breaker in the South African series and supported Mitch and Sid's well. But maybe the inexperience is putting Ben out of the fold for the first Test on the 8th?
It is important to not forget that Andrew McDonald is still in the mix, and while he is a less likely candidate, I'd more in favour of giving him to go over Shane Watson , who's Test record up to this point is not convincing and has lacked any Test cricket for sometime, whereas Ron is more in tune with things, but on his actual game has some fine tuning to do, which will come about with more time in the middle.
Having not watched the match there is little I could say from an observational point of view, but even Nathan Hauritz toiled away with little success, but has proven in both Test and ODI cricket he can bat a bit if needed to salvage runs in the lower order.
Marcus North once again proved to be the part-timer to break a stump or two.
It was also good that Simon Katich got a handful of over's in.
I feel more in favour in just wait for the Lion's Test and see how the bowler's will manage that challenge, different conditions and a stronger squad may be a big moment in deciding who will make the squad for the 1st Test of the 2009 Ashes series.
Many say our lack of a spinner making an impact could be a breaking point for us if our batting doesn't shine.
This could be true, but at the same time it could also be a winning recipe to have part-timer's plugging away and a pace attack with left-arm seam, right-arm seam and fast-medium swing bowling for the variation.
The healthy aspect of this bowling line-up debate is that their is competitiveness for a place! Our bastmen also realise that the time to step up is approaching, especially for the seniors!
So, who would you be taking into the squad, I'm interested to know?
4 pace bowlers with the part-time spinners?
3 pace bowlers and a full-time spinner?
These statements are relatively valid if you take into consideration it has been 4 years since the Australian team played in English conditions and this time with a less experienced team, and that the Test cricket frontier has been a quiet scene since Australia concluded their series in South Africa.
This was a warm-up game, and that exactly that. To find the weak points, loosen up, get into the conditions, find the right squad to kick things off, learn from mistakes, analyse the output's etc.
So I am not going to be looking at the drawn result negatively.
The batsmen made starts, some better than others and while our bowling was anything but flattering yesterday, the fact remains it is a warm-up, and the game against the Lions is only a few days away and will be a game to read into alot more.
In my previous post I had my say regarding the batting front. As for our bowling, Tim Nielson has stated that Peter Siddle has pretty much sealed his place to merge with Mitchell Johnson in our pace attack.
Sids is vicious, maybe a bit of a play on word's of the bloke from the Sex Pistols, but he has the X factor Australian cricket has been needing.
A guy who will get in the batsmen's space, fuel all his frustration and competitiveness into his bowling which game by game, is showing even more intensity and determination than anything.
His Victorian emergence was spoken of a fair bit on the Victorian cricket scene, and the way he is mowing along, rightly so. I had by doubts with his selection in the India series, but it seems it was the best thing to do by tossing him into the deep end. He has shut a few of us up for maybe not backing him enough, and seeing how his ambition can rub off on the squad, even the potential bowling results, he is the man for the job. Mitchell must just keep fresh and ready for the heat!
So, the toss up is who will get the remaining two spots?
Brett Lee, who showed sign's that he is eager to make the side which was backed by some good batting; Stuart Clark, who had a decent run in the 1st innings but had a rough time in the 2nd innings; and Ben Hilfenhaus, who was a key partnership breaker in the South African series and supported Mitch and Sid's well. But maybe the inexperience is putting Ben out of the fold for the first Test on the 8th?
It is important to not forget that Andrew McDonald is still in the mix, and while he is a less likely candidate, I'd more in favour of giving him to go over Shane Watson , who's Test record up to this point is not convincing and has lacked any Test cricket for sometime, whereas Ron is more in tune with things, but on his actual game has some fine tuning to do, which will come about with more time in the middle.
Having not watched the match there is little I could say from an observational point of view, but even Nathan Hauritz toiled away with little success, but has proven in both Test and ODI cricket he can bat a bit if needed to salvage runs in the lower order.
Marcus North once again proved to be the part-timer to break a stump or two.
It was also good that Simon Katich got a handful of over's in.
I feel more in favour in just wait for the Lion's Test and see how the bowler's will manage that challenge, different conditions and a stronger squad may be a big moment in deciding who will make the squad for the 1st Test of the 2009 Ashes series.
Many say our lack of a spinner making an impact could be a breaking point for us if our batting doesn't shine.
This could be true, but at the same time it could also be a winning recipe to have part-timer's plugging away and a pace attack with left-arm seam, right-arm seam and fast-medium swing bowling for the variation.
The healthy aspect of this bowling line-up debate is that their is competitiveness for a place! Our bastmen also realise that the time to step up is approaching, especially for the seniors!
So, who would you be taking into the squad, I'm interested to know?
4 pace bowlers with the part-time spinners?
3 pace bowlers and a full-time spinner?
26 June 2009
WARM-UP GAME #1 vs SUSSEX, day 3
I can safely confirm job done up to this point for our main batsmen!
After a bit of a rough start in the first innings, with better strength in the middle to lower order, our top order have quickly brushed away the dust and all played a role with the bat in hand!
Phillip Hughes, not-surprisingly, managed to score a terrific 78, following 15 in the 1st innings. Interesting to note Phillip has been bowled in both innings', but the important factor is the turn-around, with a very statistical Hughes like innings.
A job well done by Phillip, and I assure the lot of you, a team can peak early, but very unlikely for a youngster to peak early if they are mentally strong in the middle and that their attitudes don't waver too much with a technique that works. I am not Proffessional cricketer, but history of strong emerging batsmen follow this trait. The best part is the Hughes/Katich combination works!
Simon Katich is safely on his way for some good innings'. His 49 and 40 may be dissapointing that he didn't turn one of those into a half-century plus, but the runs are there and this bloke who worked so damn hard to put a Baggy Green back on his head deserves every second he is out there for our team!
One thing I like is how Katto starts an innings off very cautiously, a bit nervy and very slowly paced just nudging singles, and then before you know it he is on a par with his fellow batsman and belting the ball through the off-side with expert timing!
Ricky Ponting has logged in a half-century, and a rather quick-paced one at that too! His 71 came in at a strike-rate just under 100, and after the comments I made regarding Punter in my previous post, read that and it will verify the class of our Skipper's batting. This is a good sign, and besides stating the obvious I want us to hold onto that Urn, I equally would like Punter to make a memorable century in this series!
Michael Hussey managed 40, following 32, and these are runs which Huss must just look to build upon in the Lions game, and he can do that. The only concern I have for both Huss and Marcus North is the strike-rates. It is Test cricket, but the momentum has to sink in at some stage. But they are experienced, and very familiar with the English conditions so I wouldn't be too surprised if either of these WA players get a handful of good knocks!
I think the main concern alot of people are having is that they (Huss and Marcus) make starts and just cannot capitalise upon it, which is relative to the observation I made regarding strike-rates.
Brad Haddin lucked out a bit in the 2nd innings, but his 1st innings made a healthy impact to his Ashes preps no doubt!
Michael Clarke is standing by his word that he is mature enough and ready to combat the swing and hostility the English bowler's may present to him!
Pup hit out 75 runs unbeaten runs, making him another batsman to stake an early claim that he's getting back into the swing of Test cricket.
His Test form has been consistent for some time, with a bit of a change in that consistency in South Africa, but a smart cricketer and natural stroke-maker, a few good innings' are expected by him.
Lastly, Brett Lee is proving his selection worthwhile, and while it may only be a warm-up game, the fact he is getting wicket's, time in the middle with the ball, but also making runs with the bat is giving Brett his all-rounder credibility.
He managed 33, following 47*. I was concerned about Binga's selection, and still have a few concerns, but the Sussex innings and the head-to-head clash with the Lions will give the indication of Brett's strength to get back out there! His batting has taken me by fair surprise.
So, a much better performance from our batsmen, and another fine show from our bowler's will kick start our Ashes prep's very well!
After a bit of a rough start in the first innings, with better strength in the middle to lower order, our top order have quickly brushed away the dust and all played a role with the bat in hand!
Phillip Hughes, not-surprisingly, managed to score a terrific 78, following 15 in the 1st innings. Interesting to note Phillip has been bowled in both innings', but the important factor is the turn-around, with a very statistical Hughes like innings.
A job well done by Phillip, and I assure the lot of you, a team can peak early, but very unlikely for a youngster to peak early if they are mentally strong in the middle and that their attitudes don't waver too much with a technique that works. I am not Proffessional cricketer, but history of strong emerging batsmen follow this trait. The best part is the Hughes/Katich combination works!
Simon Katich is safely on his way for some good innings'. His 49 and 40 may be dissapointing that he didn't turn one of those into a half-century plus, but the runs are there and this bloke who worked so damn hard to put a Baggy Green back on his head deserves every second he is out there for our team!
One thing I like is how Katto starts an innings off very cautiously, a bit nervy and very slowly paced just nudging singles, and then before you know it he is on a par with his fellow batsman and belting the ball through the off-side with expert timing!
Ricky Ponting has logged in a half-century, and a rather quick-paced one at that too! His 71 came in at a strike-rate just under 100, and after the comments I made regarding Punter in my previous post, read that and it will verify the class of our Skipper's batting. This is a good sign, and besides stating the obvious I want us to hold onto that Urn, I equally would like Punter to make a memorable century in this series!
Michael Hussey managed 40, following 32, and these are runs which Huss must just look to build upon in the Lions game, and he can do that. The only concern I have for both Huss and Marcus North is the strike-rates. It is Test cricket, but the momentum has to sink in at some stage. But they are experienced, and very familiar with the English conditions so I wouldn't be too surprised if either of these WA players get a handful of good knocks!
I think the main concern alot of people are having is that they (Huss and Marcus) make starts and just cannot capitalise upon it, which is relative to the observation I made regarding strike-rates.
Brad Haddin lucked out a bit in the 2nd innings, but his 1st innings made a healthy impact to his Ashes preps no doubt!
Michael Clarke is standing by his word that he is mature enough and ready to combat the swing and hostility the English bowler's may present to him!
Pup hit out 75 runs unbeaten runs, making him another batsman to stake an early claim that he's getting back into the swing of Test cricket.
His Test form has been consistent for some time, with a bit of a change in that consistency in South Africa, but a smart cricketer and natural stroke-maker, a few good innings' are expected by him.
Lastly, Brett Lee is proving his selection worthwhile, and while it may only be a warm-up game, the fact he is getting wicket's, time in the middle with the ball, but also making runs with the bat is giving Brett his all-rounder credibility.
He managed 33, following 47*. I was concerned about Binga's selection, and still have a few concerns, but the Sussex innings and the head-to-head clash with the Lions will give the indication of Brett's strength to get back out there! His batting has taken me by fair surprise.
So, a much better performance from our batsmen, and another fine show from our bowler's will kick start our Ashes prep's very well!
25 June 2009
WARM-UP GAME #1 vs SUSSEX
Things seem to be going along fairly well for the boys so far. Following the game when I can on cricinfo, it is safe to say I am relatively pleased with the way things have gone so far. Some cob-webs being dusted off rather quickly and even better to see some surprising input's too!
Granted, the game on the 1st against the Lions will be an important game for things to be kicking together well from a player's personal position, but the main thing is the 12 man option gives an extra guy a chance to give their best attempts on the day to get into that first squad.
This game is important from a batting perspective for conditions, and a bowling perspective firstly to see who suits the conditions, and who will be in that bowling line-up come the 8th. Some healthy, well needed competition for our Test bowlers.
Wisely having Mitchell Johnson rest his feet for this game, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Brett Lee and Stuart Clark have all made significant impacts in the match.
Binga started off a bit expensive, and while I still have concerns due to the lack of cricket he has had, and the lack of impact he had at Test level after the Windies series, the signs he has shown here, with the bat too, are very positive!
His 47* not out was really great to see, but his 3 wickets are more important, and that after an edgy start he managed to sort out that economy rate to end with a fine finish to his bowling stint.
Hilfy got the early break-through, which was his main job in the South African series, which is important to add that he did this effectively in the first 2 Tests. I have always favoured Hilfy for the Test arena so I hope he can keep gaining knowledge and confidence any chance given as he is young in bowling years.
Peter Siddle continues too step up when needed, and that 5-wicket haul at the MCG has given him a vicious boost that is on overload! 2/33 in 15 overs is a fine job done!
Stuart Clark, well, looking at the stats he was Stuart Clark!
A big relief actually to see him get off on the good foot, now just to hope he can continue. 3/46, job done in the context and purpose of this match.
He has had a very frustrating run Stuart, but just gives the guy that real boost for the remaining stretch of his career, and 10 wickets to get those 100 Test wicket!
Nathan Hauritz was on the expensive side, and may give indication Cardiff may be better too approach with the part-time bowlers, but surprisingly Nathan has found himself in a bit of a hawk-eye spot after knocking about what looks to be a very convincing 65*, off 78 deliveries including 12 fours! Encouraging to see our lower order putting in contributions. It is a niche area to set ourselves apart from the rest out there! Sid's can hit a couple over the fence too if needed!
Also important to note part-time Katto got a wicket too, and I was pleased that while back he accepted to take on some more bowling duties.
Why not? The champ can bowl pretty well!
On the bowling depo, a touch on the expensive side, but in 4-day cricket on a first-class basis leading into a big series, it's expected too see such stats.
Nothing to worry about in my opinion, all looking good for the next test run.
As for batting! Bit of a shaky display from the top order, but nothing to get worried about. First time together in these conditions for lengthy periods, some guys wiping away the dust from the willow, while other's just getting into it. Plenty time for the batsmen to get in some runs.
Phillip Hughes managed 15, but is currently 17* not out, with Simon Katich plodding along with no runs behind his name. I am not at all fussed abotu Phillip, and no supporter should as his game will come around when needed.
Katto made 49 in the 1st innings, which he may be dissapointed with, but I think it's good to see. He is a grafter, a batsman I enjoy watching, as that crab-like technique keeps me onthe edge of my seat. Some say he's boring to watch, if anything he makes his job very exciting too watch from the couch with the shuffle too off and then those few seconds of anticipation as to the shot to follow on! He's a bloody good player to the off-side, which makes his partnership with Phillip at the top a very strong and powerful off-side force, with very unique technique and incredible stamina in the middle. Proud to have them represent out opening slots!
Ricky Ponting was sent back for 8. Now I have found myself wondering if Punter is going to get another century in his remaining days, but then I switch on and realise, it's Ricky Ponting our Skipper! Of course there's some runs begging to make the score sheets. He's been too quiet. I am pretty sure the chasing down of Sachin Tendulkar's stats is unlikely, but I am sure Punter has few more memorable knocks for us too come! Too good a cricketer not too!
Mike Hussey went along smoothly by the looks of things, but LBW ended his 32 run-stand. His work with Katto formed a decent foundation to work off, something that is going to be important from Huss and Michael Clarke, should the situation arise in the series. Huss is desperate for those runs, and when I heard he contemplated "semi-retirement", I got little worried, but I am glad he is going to keep digging deep to fight for that next big innings. It will happen, if you've watched Huss bat and his rumoured match-prep's, like Punter it is unlikely he will be quiet for much longer.
Clarke did well for 45, although I see he was dropped on 6, these chances need to built upon in games like these, and sure the inning's would get his game plan in action. 2005 was a shocker for Pup, so a chance of some credibility in this Ashes as our Vice-skipper too, is on for sure!
Brad Haddin proved his worth again with 69, which included 3 sixes!
I do admit I find it annoying that Hads gives away his wicket cheaply 90% of the time, especially in Test cricket, but that's my opinion. I don't know if there is still this 'Adam Gilchrist's shadow' non-sense still in the back of his mind, but Hads' cricket is aggressive enough to do away with those unfair comparisons. He is in my top list for a few eye-opening performances in this Ashes, both with the bat and his keeping, which has becoming notably better over the last 2 months!
Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz saved the innings from a possible quick wrap-up for Sussex, but the two made a 117 run stand! Surprising and very encouraging!
So, we lead by a decent margin and looking ahead to the next two days, there are plenty opportunities for all the squad with the current situation of the match. Don't rule out Marcus North with the bat too! He has alot to offer!
All in all, I am pleased with what I see, and if you are an Australian cricket supporter, you have nothing to worry about yet!
Granted, the game on the 1st against the Lions will be an important game for things to be kicking together well from a player's personal position, but the main thing is the 12 man option gives an extra guy a chance to give their best attempts on the day to get into that first squad.
This game is important from a batting perspective for conditions, and a bowling perspective firstly to see who suits the conditions, and who will be in that bowling line-up come the 8th. Some healthy, well needed competition for our Test bowlers.
Wisely having Mitchell Johnson rest his feet for this game, Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Brett Lee and Stuart Clark have all made significant impacts in the match.
Binga started off a bit expensive, and while I still have concerns due to the lack of cricket he has had, and the lack of impact he had at Test level after the Windies series, the signs he has shown here, with the bat too, are very positive!
His 47* not out was really great to see, but his 3 wickets are more important, and that after an edgy start he managed to sort out that economy rate to end with a fine finish to his bowling stint.
Hilfy got the early break-through, which was his main job in the South African series, which is important to add that he did this effectively in the first 2 Tests. I have always favoured Hilfy for the Test arena so I hope he can keep gaining knowledge and confidence any chance given as he is young in bowling years.
Peter Siddle continues too step up when needed, and that 5-wicket haul at the MCG has given him a vicious boost that is on overload! 2/33 in 15 overs is a fine job done!
Stuart Clark, well, looking at the stats he was Stuart Clark!
A big relief actually to see him get off on the good foot, now just to hope he can continue. 3/46, job done in the context and purpose of this match.
He has had a very frustrating run Stuart, but just gives the guy that real boost for the remaining stretch of his career, and 10 wickets to get those 100 Test wicket!
Nathan Hauritz was on the expensive side, and may give indication Cardiff may be better too approach with the part-time bowlers, but surprisingly Nathan has found himself in a bit of a hawk-eye spot after knocking about what looks to be a very convincing 65*, off 78 deliveries including 12 fours! Encouraging to see our lower order putting in contributions. It is a niche area to set ourselves apart from the rest out there! Sid's can hit a couple over the fence too if needed!
Also important to note part-time Katto got a wicket too, and I was pleased that while back he accepted to take on some more bowling duties.
Why not? The champ can bowl pretty well!
On the bowling depo, a touch on the expensive side, but in 4-day cricket on a first-class basis leading into a big series, it's expected too see such stats.
Nothing to worry about in my opinion, all looking good for the next test run.
As for batting! Bit of a shaky display from the top order, but nothing to get worried about. First time together in these conditions for lengthy periods, some guys wiping away the dust from the willow, while other's just getting into it. Plenty time for the batsmen to get in some runs.
Phillip Hughes managed 15, but is currently 17* not out, with Simon Katich plodding along with no runs behind his name. I am not at all fussed abotu Phillip, and no supporter should as his game will come around when needed.
Katto made 49 in the 1st innings, which he may be dissapointed with, but I think it's good to see. He is a grafter, a batsman I enjoy watching, as that crab-like technique keeps me onthe edge of my seat. Some say he's boring to watch, if anything he makes his job very exciting too watch from the couch with the shuffle too off and then those few seconds of anticipation as to the shot to follow on! He's a bloody good player to the off-side, which makes his partnership with Phillip at the top a very strong and powerful off-side force, with very unique technique and incredible stamina in the middle. Proud to have them represent out opening slots!
Ricky Ponting was sent back for 8. Now I have found myself wondering if Punter is going to get another century in his remaining days, but then I switch on and realise, it's Ricky Ponting our Skipper! Of course there's some runs begging to make the score sheets. He's been too quiet. I am pretty sure the chasing down of Sachin Tendulkar's stats is unlikely, but I am sure Punter has few more memorable knocks for us too come! Too good a cricketer not too!
Mike Hussey went along smoothly by the looks of things, but LBW ended his 32 run-stand. His work with Katto formed a decent foundation to work off, something that is going to be important from Huss and Michael Clarke, should the situation arise in the series. Huss is desperate for those runs, and when I heard he contemplated "semi-retirement", I got little worried, but I am glad he is going to keep digging deep to fight for that next big innings. It will happen, if you've watched Huss bat and his rumoured match-prep's, like Punter it is unlikely he will be quiet for much longer.
Clarke did well for 45, although I see he was dropped on 6, these chances need to built upon in games like these, and sure the inning's would get his game plan in action. 2005 was a shocker for Pup, so a chance of some credibility in this Ashes as our Vice-skipper too, is on for sure!
Brad Haddin proved his worth again with 69, which included 3 sixes!
I do admit I find it annoying that Hads gives away his wicket cheaply 90% of the time, especially in Test cricket, but that's my opinion. I don't know if there is still this 'Adam Gilchrist's shadow' non-sense still in the back of his mind, but Hads' cricket is aggressive enough to do away with those unfair comparisons. He is in my top list for a few eye-opening performances in this Ashes, both with the bat and his keeping, which has becoming notably better over the last 2 months!
Brett Lee and Nathan Hauritz saved the innings from a possible quick wrap-up for Sussex, but the two made a 117 run stand! Surprising and very encouraging!
So, we lead by a decent margin and looking ahead to the next two days, there are plenty opportunities for all the squad with the current situation of the match. Don't rule out Marcus North with the bat too! He has alot to offer!
All in all, I am pleased with what I see, and if you are an Australian cricket supporter, you have nothing to worry about yet!
23 June 2009
ADAM GILCHRIST SPEAKS ASHES, IPL, ROY AND MORE.....
Chris Stock's, an English journalist I regularly speak too, has managed to get together some quality time with a few of Australian cricket's finest, retired and present Notably Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin.
Click here to read Chris' interview with Gilly on a variety of very interesting topics!
Chris and I will be working closely throughout the Ashes so you will hearing more of his chirps!
David Warner is also playing Twenty20 cricket in the County circuit for Durham, so hopefully David gets another chance in our ODI squad, preferably in the middle-order from my point of view, and the bonus is the pitbull is also a solid fielder!
He hit 50 just recently!
Click here to read Chris' interview with Gilly on a variety of very interesting topics!
Chris and I will be working closely throughout the Ashes so you will hearing more of his chirps!
David Warner is also playing Twenty20 cricket in the County circuit for Durham, so hopefully David gets another chance in our ODI squad, preferably in the middle-order from my point of view, and the bonus is the pitbull is also a solid fielder!
He hit 50 just recently!
22 June 2009
THE ASHES NOTES #10
The Baggy Green will begin their Ashes campaign on Wednesday with a warm-up match against Sussex.
While the 12 man squad hasn't been decided upon, those 12 players will be apart of a very important selection, which I hope pays off well ahead of the 1st Test in Cardiff.
The 12 man playing option taken is a wise call, giving that extra place for someone to stick their hand up to show a vote of confidence in their abilities to go head to head with England!
Matthew Hayden has warned the top 3 - most defintly Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes and Ricky Ponting - to be prepared to battle their way against the possible reverse swing tactics that may come their way. Punter in particular has become very exposed to anything swinging late which lures him onto the front foot, so I am excited to see how our Skipper takes his game plan to the English strike bowlers!
Michael Clarke at the same time has spoken, rightly so, that he has become a more mature cricketer, and a more equipped Test cricketer, since the 2005 Ashes, where I remember many dismissing him as he soon found himself back in the Domestic tank. He has stood up well at the number five spot and if he says he is ready to tackle the swing he may face in the middle, I am very sure the Vice-skipper is prepared.
Talk is, from Clarke's statement, there was a bit of a boot camp for the blokes which could only mean good things to toughen them up better in any way possible.
I like the Australian cricket team that has energy, that is aggressive, that show how hungry and determined they are to win a Test series! I saw alot of that return in the South African series this year!
To show further confidence in Phillip Hughes, and further proof a cricketer needs more than a bag of tricks and unique technique to make the cut, Matthew Hayden recently stated briefly, "He's got all the evidence and all the skill-sets he needs. His humbling personality and how respectful he is are two elements of the baggy-green culture. He'll be fine." Good on ya' Phillip, and the best man to hear that from would be the legendary Haydos who Phillip is filling the void for.
It may be a tough campaign for Phillip, it may be a dream Ashes debut, but either way there is an X-factor about him not many can place, and I am prepared to say it is more than meets the eye. It is attitude and what goes on in a batsman's mental stamina.
Either way, swing debates or young talented Aussie cricketer's emerging, this warm-up game will be a good indicator to the team for the shape of things to come!
While the 12 man squad hasn't been decided upon, those 12 players will be apart of a very important selection, which I hope pays off well ahead of the 1st Test in Cardiff.
The 12 man playing option taken is a wise call, giving that extra place for someone to stick their hand up to show a vote of confidence in their abilities to go head to head with England!
Matthew Hayden has warned the top 3 - most defintly Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes and Ricky Ponting - to be prepared to battle their way against the possible reverse swing tactics that may come their way. Punter in particular has become very exposed to anything swinging late which lures him onto the front foot, so I am excited to see how our Skipper takes his game plan to the English strike bowlers!
Michael Clarke at the same time has spoken, rightly so, that he has become a more mature cricketer, and a more equipped Test cricketer, since the 2005 Ashes, where I remember many dismissing him as he soon found himself back in the Domestic tank. He has stood up well at the number five spot and if he says he is ready to tackle the swing he may face in the middle, I am very sure the Vice-skipper is prepared.
Talk is, from Clarke's statement, there was a bit of a boot camp for the blokes which could only mean good things to toughen them up better in any way possible.
I like the Australian cricket team that has energy, that is aggressive, that show how hungry and determined they are to win a Test series! I saw alot of that return in the South African series this year!
To show further confidence in Phillip Hughes, and further proof a cricketer needs more than a bag of tricks and unique technique to make the cut, Matthew Hayden recently stated briefly, "He's got all the evidence and all the skill-sets he needs. His humbling personality and how respectful he is are two elements of the baggy-green culture. He'll be fine." Good on ya' Phillip, and the best man to hear that from would be the legendary Haydos who Phillip is filling the void for.
It may be a tough campaign for Phillip, it may be a dream Ashes debut, but either way there is an X-factor about him not many can place, and I am prepared to say it is more than meets the eye. It is attitude and what goes on in a batsman's mental stamina.
Either way, swing debates or young talented Aussie cricketer's emerging, this warm-up game will be a good indicator to the team for the shape of things to come!
17 June 2009
THE ASHES NOTES # 9 - THE BAGGY GREEN HAVE ASSEMBLED
Firstly, I hope all of you good reader's or Aussie cricket supporter's like the new Logo for 'The Baggy Green, Chirps & Quick Singles', to promote the Ashes 2009!
Secondly, the good news is that all our squad members have joined forces in England, where they are hard at work in preparing for the biggest event in Test match cricket!
According to Brad Haddin, our wicket-keeper who will be making his official Ashes debut stated; "We've done a lot of loading while we were up there. We've had some pretty intense days. It's been good. We've given our quicks and everyone else a chance to get outside in some outstanding conditions. We got a lot of volume now."
It hasn't been a smooth run for us over the past 2 years, but the team have started to find their places within the line-up, and most importantly I believe many under-estimate the raw determination and intensity of this team.
Certain player's are starting to feel like they belong in this team judging by their performances, rather than appearing like a quick-fix to fill the void of the post-Warne/McGrath era.
As a supporter I can say I have well and truly moved past that era and just want to support the emerging players in the team so they know supporter's feel they are meant to be there!
The high intensity is within the player's you have maybe only had a few televised doses of!
This will be a very epic and hard-fought Ashes encounter, folks forget about Twenty20 cricket, down to the wire ODI matches, as this series will have hype, action and the drama too! The teams are evenly balanced, but on the right day I have very little doubt, in fact no doubt, that the men wearing the Baggy Green caps are the stronger side!
I am not going to play England down, as which ever team arrives first to prove a point will be walking away with momentum on their side.
Great news is that Mitchell Johnson is swinging the Duke ball and add's to his game plan tremendously, Phillip Hughes' batting preps are tightened up and ready for destruction upon the Poms, Nathan Hauritz will have a massive opportunity in his career should he get the nod to make an appearance in the series and Peter Siddle, well I reckon he's got some vicious plans of his own! I am also going to be inclined to look at Ben Hilfenhaus from a threatening perspective when the young Tasmanian gets that ball in his grasp!
Every guy in this team has an X factor they bring to our side, and if every bloke can dig deep and hold a consistency within their abilities it will be a good series.
The seniors have a massive role to play. Despite their experience and having experienced both the dominant chapter of Australian cricket and the slightly "darker" times in recent months, it is safe to conclude that the seniors, backed by an ambitious young group of Test cricketer's heavily focused on proving themselves to the opposition, well, it is a recipe for victory! In my books anyway.
There is also speculation that the prolific Kevin Pieterson may miss a big part of the Ashes. Whether it is a bit of build-up on KP's part or genuine truth regarding the achillies, we will know soon enough!
The fact Andrew Flintoff is looking good to play in the series is exciting too, as well as the fact England on considering a slightly bigger group of potential candidates to appear at Cardiff for Test call-up.
A sign of panic, worry or a contingency plan on the factor of conditions?
With both teams out of the ICC T20 event, the Ashes is now the focus for the players and supporter's and I am counting down the days till D-day, where we begin our campaign to defend the Urn for 2009!
That's my latest chirp on the Ashes notes. As always more to follow!
Secondly, the good news is that all our squad members have joined forces in England, where they are hard at work in preparing for the biggest event in Test match cricket!
According to Brad Haddin, our wicket-keeper who will be making his official Ashes debut stated; "We've done a lot of loading while we were up there. We've had some pretty intense days. It's been good. We've given our quicks and everyone else a chance to get outside in some outstanding conditions. We got a lot of volume now."
It hasn't been a smooth run for us over the past 2 years, but the team have started to find their places within the line-up, and most importantly I believe many under-estimate the raw determination and intensity of this team.
Certain player's are starting to feel like they belong in this team judging by their performances, rather than appearing like a quick-fix to fill the void of the post-Warne/McGrath era.
As a supporter I can say I have well and truly moved past that era and just want to support the emerging players in the team so they know supporter's feel they are meant to be there!
The high intensity is within the player's you have maybe only had a few televised doses of!
This will be a very epic and hard-fought Ashes encounter, folks forget about Twenty20 cricket, down to the wire ODI matches, as this series will have hype, action and the drama too! The teams are evenly balanced, but on the right day I have very little doubt, in fact no doubt, that the men wearing the Baggy Green caps are the stronger side!
I am not going to play England down, as which ever team arrives first to prove a point will be walking away with momentum on their side.
Great news is that Mitchell Johnson is swinging the Duke ball and add's to his game plan tremendously, Phillip Hughes' batting preps are tightened up and ready for destruction upon the Poms, Nathan Hauritz will have a massive opportunity in his career should he get the nod to make an appearance in the series and Peter Siddle, well I reckon he's got some vicious plans of his own! I am also going to be inclined to look at Ben Hilfenhaus from a threatening perspective when the young Tasmanian gets that ball in his grasp!
Every guy in this team has an X factor they bring to our side, and if every bloke can dig deep and hold a consistency within their abilities it will be a good series.
The seniors have a massive role to play. Despite their experience and having experienced both the dominant chapter of Australian cricket and the slightly "darker" times in recent months, it is safe to conclude that the seniors, backed by an ambitious young group of Test cricketer's heavily focused on proving themselves to the opposition, well, it is a recipe for victory! In my books anyway.
There is also speculation that the prolific Kevin Pieterson may miss a big part of the Ashes. Whether it is a bit of build-up on KP's part or genuine truth regarding the achillies, we will know soon enough!
The fact Andrew Flintoff is looking good to play in the series is exciting too, as well as the fact England on considering a slightly bigger group of potential candidates to appear at Cardiff for Test call-up.
A sign of panic, worry or a contingency plan on the factor of conditions?
With both teams out of the ICC T20 event, the Ashes is now the focus for the players and supporter's and I am counting down the days till D-day, where we begin our campaign to defend the Urn for 2009!
That's my latest chirp on the Ashes notes. As always more to follow!
12 June 2009
ANDREW "ROY" SYMONDS, WILL IT END?
The sad question is, "was the last straw to end Andrew Symonds' Australian career"?
Recent news has emerged that his contract has been "scrapped" and that Shaun Tait has been given the opportunity as he received a contract for 2009/10, to fill in the missing spot on Cricket Australia's 25-man-contract list.
This would surely be a major deciding factor in the Andrew Symond's scenario.
The breaking news was announced last week, and in short Roy broke his code of conduct, didn't adhere to specifications relating to his "tailored" Cricket Australia 2009/10 contract and it did involve an "alcohol-related incident".
He supposedly had a drink too many for management's liking while watching the State of Origin Rugby League game, where the result probably went in Roy's favour which tempted a few celebratory drinks. There are other reasons it seems, which Cricket Australia have kept confidential, but it seems it was a step too far for Cricket Australia and team management's liking.
The decision was made and Andrew Symonds was sent packing before the official ICC Twenty20 event had commenced!
With the Australian cricket team losing a licensed big hitter, did this end up having a side affect upon the early elimination from the event?
I am upset, sad at the outcome, but in honesty very let down, as a supporter would feel.
As a supporter I understand how controversial public opinion can be, and how the media have a tendency to prey upon big-name sport stars like vultures, only focused on the next big issue usually of a doom and gloom nature. With this influence it is easy to dismiss a player like Roy, but as a supporter we get to draw the line from a loyalty perspective after what seems like never ending scenarios. Roy is one of those players that just seemed to attract constant drama.
I prefer backing my team when the chips are down, although it is easy to point the odd finger, but as a supporter I do exactly that and support my team and the player's involved.
I backed Roy after the Bangladesh/drinking incident back in 2005 and believed that loss to them would be a wake-up call. However then came the Indian incidents, which would ultimately prove to be the catalyst for the events to follow.
The Sydney test incident, the racially directed “monkey chants” by some Indian fans, the row between himself and Harbhajan Singh, then of course the Pakistan debate, which all seemed to boil over when he missed a team meeting prior to the Australia vs Bangladesh ODI series that took place in Darwin in 2008.
He was sent home and the destructive all-rounder had time to contemplate his future.
Simply the issues that highlighted further concerns involved radio, fishing and another drinking feud.
One after the other, I started to feel let down, as did every Australian cricket supporter, and other cricket fanatics who just enjoy watching Roy play his cricket.
I have purchased both of his books, read them and recommended them to other people, and after reading his most recent book, I really believed him with regards to what he stated variously in his book, that this would be the turning point and that last chance would be used wisely.
The recent news however speaks for itself!
Although I would like to hear Roy's side of the story, I feel partially ashamed that I believe Australian cricket will be better off too regroup and move forward without the “Andrew Symonds who can't keep his head in the game”.
I know it is probably harsh, but what else are you supposed to think or feel?
How many more chances can someone in a professional environment get?
How many more promises and apologies must we listen as the squad development get held back in the constant wait of Roy's return?
Roy has a raw cricketing skill, a sheer talent to walk to the wicket and change the course of a game, he is a great all-rounder, an entertaining player to watch and maybe never realised how important a part he was or could have been for the team's leadership and to all the supporters simply in his presence!
But having stated the brilliance of Roy in a nutshell, with a form a leadership in your profession and being a role-model, comes great responsibility which Roy, due to some personal demons, just couldn't handle anymore.
Roy has a problem, deeper than us as onlookers know.
Is it alcohol, is it pressure, is it change, is it all of these?
James Sutherland, Cricket Australia CEO, did warn Roy back in 2005 that his contract would be “torn up” if one more step was taken out of line after the drinking episode.
Cast your mind back to everything since 2005, and you decide if it's been more than a second chance?
Not selecting Roy for the Ashes was a wise move. However I would like to believe this decision was not primarily based on disciplinary issues, but also his poor performances in his appearances for Queensland in the Sheffield event and his lack of focus.
But besides his obvious raw cricketing skill, other guys deserve their chance at Test level and it is now time to move on in aspects beyond Andrew Symonds.
Maybe opening a fishing resort somewhere in Queensland would make Roy a happier bloke, with some cricket on the side?
Suggestions have been made that he will take on the duties of becoming a freelance Twenty20 cricketer! This would involve a possible feature in the South African MTN Pro20 tournament, and of course the Indian Premier League where he plays for the Deccan Chargers.
This indicates the first sign I mentioned with player loyalty slipping away for more lucrative deals in cricket and cricketing events that allow for player outsourcing.
However, the freelance concept is an interesting one and despite the fact I believe Roy has let down Australian cricket supporters in his own doing, I will give him the thumbs up with whatever path he chooses to take, be it retirement, freelance cricket or duties for Queensland, but I doubt we will ever see Andrew Symonds in an Australian cricket team again. Too much for too late probably!
I think there are more dedicated and enthusiastic young cricketer's for Australian cricket at this point in time too, and to play cricket as well as he can for a healthy living at that too, is something millions would have dreamt for, but clearly Roy can't handle it anymore and maybe this is simply a case of being “your own worst enemy”!
Cricket is only a game, it is a sport, but it does pay the bills for these players and these player's provide well needed entertainment for supporters all over the world, but for the player's they need to accept there is responsibility required in their duties to playing cricket at the elite level.
People work behind the scenes too for a living and their job's get affected in player related incident on and off the field.
Looking at the entire Andrew Symonds incident, Cricket Australia have made the right choice.
It is a pity for Australian cricket and all the supporter's, but also for such a brilliant sportsman, entertaining cricketer and a funny easy-going bloke.
Where Roy goes from here, the decision will be unveiled soon enough I'd imagine, but from what it seems this is the end for Andrew Symonds' International career in a manner few expected casting back time.
Recent news has emerged that his contract has been "scrapped" and that Shaun Tait has been given the opportunity as he received a contract for 2009/10, to fill in the missing spot on Cricket Australia's 25-man-contract list.
This would surely be a major deciding factor in the Andrew Symond's scenario.
The breaking news was announced last week, and in short Roy broke his code of conduct, didn't adhere to specifications relating to his "tailored" Cricket Australia 2009/10 contract and it did involve an "alcohol-related incident".
He supposedly had a drink too many for management's liking while watching the State of Origin Rugby League game, where the result probably went in Roy's favour which tempted a few celebratory drinks. There are other reasons it seems, which Cricket Australia have kept confidential, but it seems it was a step too far for Cricket Australia and team management's liking.
The decision was made and Andrew Symonds was sent packing before the official ICC Twenty20 event had commenced!
With the Australian cricket team losing a licensed big hitter, did this end up having a side affect upon the early elimination from the event?
I am upset, sad at the outcome, but in honesty very let down, as a supporter would feel.
As a supporter I understand how controversial public opinion can be, and how the media have a tendency to prey upon big-name sport stars like vultures, only focused on the next big issue usually of a doom and gloom nature. With this influence it is easy to dismiss a player like Roy, but as a supporter we get to draw the line from a loyalty perspective after what seems like never ending scenarios. Roy is one of those players that just seemed to attract constant drama.
I prefer backing my team when the chips are down, although it is easy to point the odd finger, but as a supporter I do exactly that and support my team and the player's involved.
I backed Roy after the Bangladesh/drinking incident back in 2005 and believed that loss to them would be a wake-up call. However then came the Indian incidents, which would ultimately prove to be the catalyst for the events to follow.
The Sydney test incident, the racially directed “monkey chants” by some Indian fans, the row between himself and Harbhajan Singh, then of course the Pakistan debate, which all seemed to boil over when he missed a team meeting prior to the Australia vs Bangladesh ODI series that took place in Darwin in 2008.
He was sent home and the destructive all-rounder had time to contemplate his future.
Simply the issues that highlighted further concerns involved radio, fishing and another drinking feud.
One after the other, I started to feel let down, as did every Australian cricket supporter, and other cricket fanatics who just enjoy watching Roy play his cricket.
I have purchased both of his books, read them and recommended them to other people, and after reading his most recent book, I really believed him with regards to what he stated variously in his book, that this would be the turning point and that last chance would be used wisely.
The recent news however speaks for itself!
Although I would like to hear Roy's side of the story, I feel partially ashamed that I believe Australian cricket will be better off too regroup and move forward without the “Andrew Symonds who can't keep his head in the game”.
I know it is probably harsh, but what else are you supposed to think or feel?
How many more chances can someone in a professional environment get?
How many more promises and apologies must we listen as the squad development get held back in the constant wait of Roy's return?
Roy has a raw cricketing skill, a sheer talent to walk to the wicket and change the course of a game, he is a great all-rounder, an entertaining player to watch and maybe never realised how important a part he was or could have been for the team's leadership and to all the supporters simply in his presence!
But having stated the brilliance of Roy in a nutshell, with a form a leadership in your profession and being a role-model, comes great responsibility which Roy, due to some personal demons, just couldn't handle anymore.
Roy has a problem, deeper than us as onlookers know.
Is it alcohol, is it pressure, is it change, is it all of these?
James Sutherland, Cricket Australia CEO, did warn Roy back in 2005 that his contract would be “torn up” if one more step was taken out of line after the drinking episode.
Cast your mind back to everything since 2005, and you decide if it's been more than a second chance?
Not selecting Roy for the Ashes was a wise move. However I would like to believe this decision was not primarily based on disciplinary issues, but also his poor performances in his appearances for Queensland in the Sheffield event and his lack of focus.
But besides his obvious raw cricketing skill, other guys deserve their chance at Test level and it is now time to move on in aspects beyond Andrew Symonds.
Maybe opening a fishing resort somewhere in Queensland would make Roy a happier bloke, with some cricket on the side?
Suggestions have been made that he will take on the duties of becoming a freelance Twenty20 cricketer! This would involve a possible feature in the South African MTN Pro20 tournament, and of course the Indian Premier League where he plays for the Deccan Chargers.
This indicates the first sign I mentioned with player loyalty slipping away for more lucrative deals in cricket and cricketing events that allow for player outsourcing.
However, the freelance concept is an interesting one and despite the fact I believe Roy has let down Australian cricket supporters in his own doing, I will give him the thumbs up with whatever path he chooses to take, be it retirement, freelance cricket or duties for Queensland, but I doubt we will ever see Andrew Symonds in an Australian cricket team again. Too much for too late probably!
I think there are more dedicated and enthusiastic young cricketer's for Australian cricket at this point in time too, and to play cricket as well as he can for a healthy living at that too, is something millions would have dreamt for, but clearly Roy can't handle it anymore and maybe this is simply a case of being “your own worst enemy”!
Cricket is only a game, it is a sport, but it does pay the bills for these players and these player's provide well needed entertainment for supporters all over the world, but for the player's they need to accept there is responsibility required in their duties to playing cricket at the elite level.
People work behind the scenes too for a living and their job's get affected in player related incident on and off the field.
Looking at the entire Andrew Symonds incident, Cricket Australia have made the right choice.
It is a pity for Australian cricket and all the supporter's, but also for such a brilliant sportsman, entertaining cricketer and a funny easy-going bloke.
Where Roy goes from here, the decision will be unveiled soon enough I'd imagine, but from what it seems this is the end for Andrew Symonds' International career in a manner few expected casting back time.
11 June 2009
ONE MORE T20 CHIRP
Having looked at the situation again I do think, despite the lack of strategy within the Squad selection for the event, Aussie were tossed into a difficult pool.
The Windies are the Darkhorse of the event and Gayle just played a tornado like innings causing damage to whatever we tried.
Sri-Lanka have given better exposure for their players to T20 cricket, and in 2007 were relatively dumbfounded in attempting the game. They improved, we stayed stagnant, so the result really does sum it up.
We just didn't play good enough cricket and expected to win with a squad who have played either too few T20 games or just aren't that good at it.
I am glad though that already Ricky Ponting has admitted that they will adress the issues of the tournament, but as soon as the player's (of the test squad) arrive in England, that focus will shift to test cricket, however T20 progression cannot be neglected. Punter also didn't lose his temper, shout at his players or anything of an unprofessional manner. Indeed we could all sense his frustration, but he handled it all very well. Hopefully everyone, including himself, can perform in the Ashes so he has less of a rough time.
While many also moan at how cricketer's get paid too much money, I think people shouldn't comment on the IPL then!
But the lifestyle players lead is abnormal, it is demanding, but these blokes are doing what they love. With the IPL's lure out in the open, especially for quality players from Aussie, Cricket Australia has wisely decided to allocate larger sums to their player earnings from a forecasted profit increase. Player's will be rewarded for their off-field marketing efforts not only by sponsor's/endorsements, but CA too. It just gives player's some incentive to keep their hearts in International cricket, be more motivated as well in knowing their governing body is right behind them and are prepared too look after their player's best interest's.
Now all we need is a bunch of new selector's too ensure some wiser and fairer opportunity for player's in all three formats, as opposed to hanging onto name reputation.
I am also pleased that player's will most likely be expected to make more State appearances. While the International schedule is busy, WHICH SHOULD ALSO BE REASSESSED, it boosts State cricket and further's interest when International players return to their respective States, where it ideally was the final stepping stone before an Australian call-up!
More KFC Big Bash cricket for these blokes and some Ford Ranger appearances will only benefit them and our other potential International lurker's on the Domestic circuit!
As always I am proud too see my team prepared to make the changes, and seeing that extra effort to improve our cricket is immediatly in action.
Looking forward to seeing Phillip Hughes in action again! I just watched some footage I still have of the South African tour. I believe his cricket and his positive, yet not easily fazed attitude is what Australian cricket needs, along with some of that Peter Siddle factor! I also have confidence Michael Hussey will be turning things around come the Ashes! I have watched Huss since debut, and if I understand his strong approach to his cricket, he will be turning it around!
The Windies are the Darkhorse of the event and Gayle just played a tornado like innings causing damage to whatever we tried.
Sri-Lanka have given better exposure for their players to T20 cricket, and in 2007 were relatively dumbfounded in attempting the game. They improved, we stayed stagnant, so the result really does sum it up.
We just didn't play good enough cricket and expected to win with a squad who have played either too few T20 games or just aren't that good at it.
I am glad though that already Ricky Ponting has admitted that they will adress the issues of the tournament, but as soon as the player's (of the test squad) arrive in England, that focus will shift to test cricket, however T20 progression cannot be neglected. Punter also didn't lose his temper, shout at his players or anything of an unprofessional manner. Indeed we could all sense his frustration, but he handled it all very well. Hopefully everyone, including himself, can perform in the Ashes so he has less of a rough time.
While many also moan at how cricketer's get paid too much money, I think people shouldn't comment on the IPL then!
But the lifestyle players lead is abnormal, it is demanding, but these blokes are doing what they love. With the IPL's lure out in the open, especially for quality players from Aussie, Cricket Australia has wisely decided to allocate larger sums to their player earnings from a forecasted profit increase. Player's will be rewarded for their off-field marketing efforts not only by sponsor's/endorsements, but CA too. It just gives player's some incentive to keep their hearts in International cricket, be more motivated as well in knowing their governing body is right behind them and are prepared too look after their player's best interest's.
Now all we need is a bunch of new selector's too ensure some wiser and fairer opportunity for player's in all three formats, as opposed to hanging onto name reputation.
I am also pleased that player's will most likely be expected to make more State appearances. While the International schedule is busy, WHICH SHOULD ALSO BE REASSESSED, it boosts State cricket and further's interest when International players return to their respective States, where it ideally was the final stepping stone before an Australian call-up!
More KFC Big Bash cricket for these blokes and some Ford Ranger appearances will only benefit them and our other potential International lurker's on the Domestic circuit!
As always I am proud too see my team prepared to make the changes, and seeing that extra effort to improve our cricket is immediatly in action.
Looking forward to seeing Phillip Hughes in action again! I just watched some footage I still have of the South African tour. I believe his cricket and his positive, yet not easily fazed attitude is what Australian cricket needs, along with some of that Peter Siddle factor! I also have confidence Michael Hussey will be turning things around come the Ashes! I have watched Huss since debut, and if I understand his strong approach to his cricket, he will be turning it around!
09 June 2009
TWO ANALYTICAL OPINIONS!
Here are two very well-written articles analysing Australia's poor performances and approach to the T20 tournament.
Article by Brydon Coverdale
Article by Alex Brown
Article by Brydon Coverdale
Article by Alex Brown
08 June 2009
AUSTRALIA KNOCKED OUT IN A FLASH!
Extreme disappointment and mild frustration is what both the Australian cricket team will be feeling right now, as well as myself and many other Australian supporters.
The game plan was there to ensure we stayed in the competition, but despite the warm-up games and word from the Team camp that the overall feeling was good and everything was in order, it all seemed to amount to very little unfortunately.
Sri-Lanka prevented what could have been a last over thriller with newly elected Captain, Kumar Sangakarra, playing a defining innings in the outcome, most importantly just accelerating it where it counted. The result is that the members not apart our Ashes squad will return home, while the members who will take part in the Ashes will spend a few weeks keeping busy.
What is my overall outlook on this pre-mature departure?
By Australian standards it's an early exit and very unfortunate, but we didn't play good enough cricket, and the key moments which I was under the impression the team had identified, just couldn't be pulled off. I did have confidence in the squad and supported the boys, but quite bluntly many people will not be too surprised after the NSP picked a Twenty20 squad that was not highly equipped for the format in the red zone. Just the way it went for our team and they couldn't keep in it.
Where did the match go in the Sri-Lankan's favour?
Losing another opener didn't help our batting woes in the pressure matches where it counts. Slow starts and destructive opposition batting in the power plays cost us dearly.
David Warner is, in my opinion, a very capable young bloke who really could be a potentially dangerous ODI middle order batsman. He should be used at the top of the order but the shot in this game was a bit of a brain short-circuit and our little blaster couldn't get to work.
If you look at the pattern in the fall of wickets, it became quite predictable when the guys would be departing. Regular wickets fell, no partnerships worth mentioning generated and too much was left for David Hussey and Mitchell Johnson.
With the break in momentum, and being probably 20 runs short off 180, easily the needed score for us to ensure the best chance at winning the game by a decent margin, made the job hard.
The Sri-Lankans, like the Windies, got off to a flier and they generated partnerships.
While it was close in the last 5 overs, they kept their cool and they stood up against our bowlers, notably Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken.
Brett didn't bowl the mess like he did against the Windies, but like the team's overall situation, he lost it at key moments and the run difference minimised.
They made it look easy in the end and they simply outplayed us in the big moments, similar to the pattern we saw in the ODI's against The Proteas last summer.
Any positives, any negatives?
Yeah I believe we had some positives.
Mitch batted like the Champ he is in this last game and it was great to see how he placed his shots, showed confidence when going big and has gotten my thumbs up as a capable Twenty20 batsman.
His bowling is adapting nicely too for the format.
David Hussey was aggressive as he was expected to be, but it's so frustrating too have seen him go out so close to the end of the innings'!
David Warner also provided the best innings in the 1st game by any of our top order.
The spinners managed to use the conditions and gave us the best chances in the last game.
Sadly the negatives in the actual pool games would outweigh any positives so no need to analyse it.
The bowlers proved to not threaten and were punched away like grade-cricketers.
The hard part of it is that it was the really experienced, capable bowlers who took the punishment.
Interesting observations or questions to deliver?
I was surprised at Cameron White – who has had a rather boring couple months and become a seasoned traveler - not being played in this game to fill the void for James Hopes, and maybe Peter Siddle or Ben Hilfenhaus should have been given a run in place of Brett Lee or possibly Nathan Bracken? Player rotation, more importantly what harm could it have done giving the younger blokes their chance?
A few people I have spoken and read comments of at various forums believe Punter maybe isn't the Skipper for Twenty20?
He is our Test and ODI skipper, which I am proud of, but for T20 maybe it isn't his game?
I like the way the Indian's rest Sachin Tendulkar in T20 cricket. Maybe Cricket Australia ought to consider this with Punter?
The Captain shouldn't take all the flack though.
The guys played as a team and where it counts they didn't play good cricket.
Well, Australia's T20 campaign is at an end, so how about looking ahead then?
Summing up these last two games there are plenty questions here, but too few answers.
Twenty20 is not the make or break for me in comparison to the Ashes or the World Cup, but it would have been great to have gone on in the event.
As far as looking ahead goes, that is simply the Ashes!
The team need to prepare well, get aggressive in their cricket, get the same confidence and team-work together like we had against the Proteas in the last Test series, and get a team out there who want to win well, who want to do their best for Australian cricke and play hard, smart cricket and most importantly are strong and refreshed for the weeks to follow.
At the same time, I hope the NSP pull their heads out the sand and spend just as much time planning and putting together our ODI squad to take on England after the Ashes, as our ODI cricket has plummeted quite dramatically and I would hope to see this readdressed.
Upset at the recent events, including Andrew Symonds' incident, but I also can't wait to see Mitchell Johnson, Phillip Hughes, Peter Siddle, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich putting on their Baggy Greens as Punter leads us onto the ground, as well as the return of Callum Ferguson, David Hussey, Doug Bollinger and hopefully some fresh faces into the ODI arena!
It is exciting times ahead, so I'll move on and support the boys in the months to come.
Articles will be on the quiet side till the current T20 Champions Trophy is concluded, but I will be back with more Australian cricket articles, and some small changes to the site to give a bit of injection in the build up to the 2009 Ashes series.
Pity, but an early departure is the consequence, but next time folks!
The game plan was there to ensure we stayed in the competition, but despite the warm-up games and word from the Team camp that the overall feeling was good and everything was in order, it all seemed to amount to very little unfortunately.
Sri-Lanka prevented what could have been a last over thriller with newly elected Captain, Kumar Sangakarra, playing a defining innings in the outcome, most importantly just accelerating it where it counted. The result is that the members not apart our Ashes squad will return home, while the members who will take part in the Ashes will spend a few weeks keeping busy.
What is my overall outlook on this pre-mature departure?
By Australian standards it's an early exit and very unfortunate, but we didn't play good enough cricket, and the key moments which I was under the impression the team had identified, just couldn't be pulled off. I did have confidence in the squad and supported the boys, but quite bluntly many people will not be too surprised after the NSP picked a Twenty20 squad that was not highly equipped for the format in the red zone. Just the way it went for our team and they couldn't keep in it.
Where did the match go in the Sri-Lankan's favour?
Losing another opener didn't help our batting woes in the pressure matches where it counts. Slow starts and destructive opposition batting in the power plays cost us dearly.
David Warner is, in my opinion, a very capable young bloke who really could be a potentially dangerous ODI middle order batsman. He should be used at the top of the order but the shot in this game was a bit of a brain short-circuit and our little blaster couldn't get to work.
If you look at the pattern in the fall of wickets, it became quite predictable when the guys would be departing. Regular wickets fell, no partnerships worth mentioning generated and too much was left for David Hussey and Mitchell Johnson.
With the break in momentum, and being probably 20 runs short off 180, easily the needed score for us to ensure the best chance at winning the game by a decent margin, made the job hard.
The Sri-Lankans, like the Windies, got off to a flier and they generated partnerships.
While it was close in the last 5 overs, they kept their cool and they stood up against our bowlers, notably Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken.
Brett didn't bowl the mess like he did against the Windies, but like the team's overall situation, he lost it at key moments and the run difference minimised.
They made it look easy in the end and they simply outplayed us in the big moments, similar to the pattern we saw in the ODI's against The Proteas last summer.
Any positives, any negatives?
Yeah I believe we had some positives.
Mitch batted like the Champ he is in this last game and it was great to see how he placed his shots, showed confidence when going big and has gotten my thumbs up as a capable Twenty20 batsman.
His bowling is adapting nicely too for the format.
David Hussey was aggressive as he was expected to be, but it's so frustrating too have seen him go out so close to the end of the innings'!
David Warner also provided the best innings in the 1st game by any of our top order.
The spinners managed to use the conditions and gave us the best chances in the last game.
Sadly the negatives in the actual pool games would outweigh any positives so no need to analyse it.
The bowlers proved to not threaten and were punched away like grade-cricketers.
The hard part of it is that it was the really experienced, capable bowlers who took the punishment.
Interesting observations or questions to deliver?
I was surprised at Cameron White – who has had a rather boring couple months and become a seasoned traveler - not being played in this game to fill the void for James Hopes, and maybe Peter Siddle or Ben Hilfenhaus should have been given a run in place of Brett Lee or possibly Nathan Bracken? Player rotation, more importantly what harm could it have done giving the younger blokes their chance?
A few people I have spoken and read comments of at various forums believe Punter maybe isn't the Skipper for Twenty20?
He is our Test and ODI skipper, which I am proud of, but for T20 maybe it isn't his game?
I like the way the Indian's rest Sachin Tendulkar in T20 cricket. Maybe Cricket Australia ought to consider this with Punter?
The Captain shouldn't take all the flack though.
The guys played as a team and where it counts they didn't play good cricket.
Well, Australia's T20 campaign is at an end, so how about looking ahead then?
Summing up these last two games there are plenty questions here, but too few answers.
Twenty20 is not the make or break for me in comparison to the Ashes or the World Cup, but it would have been great to have gone on in the event.
As far as looking ahead goes, that is simply the Ashes!
The team need to prepare well, get aggressive in their cricket, get the same confidence and team-work together like we had against the Proteas in the last Test series, and get a team out there who want to win well, who want to do their best for Australian cricke and play hard, smart cricket and most importantly are strong and refreshed for the weeks to follow.
At the same time, I hope the NSP pull their heads out the sand and spend just as much time planning and putting together our ODI squad to take on England after the Ashes, as our ODI cricket has plummeted quite dramatically and I would hope to see this readdressed.
Upset at the recent events, including Andrew Symonds' incident, but I also can't wait to see Mitchell Johnson, Phillip Hughes, Peter Siddle, Michael Hussey and Simon Katich putting on their Baggy Greens as Punter leads us onto the ground, as well as the return of Callum Ferguson, David Hussey, Doug Bollinger and hopefully some fresh faces into the ODI arena!
It is exciting times ahead, so I'll move on and support the boys in the months to come.
Articles will be on the quiet side till the current T20 Champions Trophy is concluded, but I will be back with more Australian cricket articles, and some small changes to the site to give a bit of injection in the build up to the 2009 Ashes series.
Pity, but an early departure is the consequence, but next time folks!
HOW CAN AUSSIE ENTER THE SUPER 8 STAGES?
This is the way it looks for us to stand any chance of making the Super 8 stage.
We have to beat Sri-Lanka tonight, which is the first thing to take note of.
Secondly, Sri-Lanka will have to lose to the West-Indies.
Therefore if we beat Sri-Lanka today, and they lose to the West-Indies, they will be out of the event.
However, the catch comes in, and that is that if Sri-Lanka beat the West-Indies, after we have beaten them, the only way we can go through is on net run-rate, and this can only be done if we thrash Sri-Lanka tonight and they only manage to marginally beat the West-Indies.
So for all Australian supporters, Sri-Lanka cannot win a game.
As simple as it sounds, to do it will be challenging, but that is the way I am routing for the results, obviously! You do what you got to do to survive!
We have to beat Sri-Lanka tonight, which is the first thing to take note of.
Secondly, Sri-Lanka will have to lose to the West-Indies.
Therefore if we beat Sri-Lanka today, and they lose to the West-Indies, they will be out of the event.
However, the catch comes in, and that is that if Sri-Lanka beat the West-Indies, after we have beaten them, the only way we can go through is on net run-rate, and this can only be done if we thrash Sri-Lanka tonight and they only manage to marginally beat the West-Indies.
So for all Australian supporters, Sri-Lanka cannot win a game.
As simple as it sounds, to do it will be challenging, but that is the way I am routing for the results, obviously! You do what you got to do to survive!
07 June 2009
WINDIES THUMP US IN OUR OPENING GAME!
Heck, I am rather numb after yesterday's game. I don't think we were beaten, I think we were thumped, literally by Chris Gayle too in his 88 run innings!
After our warm-up games went well, yesterday was like the Zimbabwe memory relived, but having said that the Windies are, as Marc the SA Cricket Strategist said, "A Dark Horse".
Chris Gayle was outstanding with the bat, and we were put out of the game at the start of each innings, something Ricky Ponting openly admitted.
We are in the same position we were when we lost to Zimbabwe back in 2007, but the loss in this match was more intensive than that (2007's game) last ball shock.
I have decided to approach my views on the game in a Q & A form.
I am not schitzophrenic, I actually realised it's an easy way to sum up this match.
How did I feel about the boys going into this match?
Confident and very pleased to see how the team managed their warm-up games, where every team member chipped in. But many know that we aren't dominant in this form of the game, in fact no-one really is the dominant force, but with a lack of T20 Specialists it will be tough going's regardless of our outstanding match-winners in ODI and Test cricket. Also Andrew Symonds departure was a big blow to the team and the supporters.
Where did yesterdays game go wrong from a Supporters perspective?
It's quite simple, 3-15 after 3.3 overs, as opposed to the Windies who brought up their 50 in 4.1 overs, not to mention their 1st wicket stand broke at 133 on the scoreboard. Quite simply the comparitive measures of the Statistics at the various intervals of the game will show we were outplayed in every aspect of the game. 3-15 left the middle order with too much work to do, and the momentum was very hard to pick up. If the Windies had fielded better we may have only just managed 150!
Did the batsmen give the bowlers a chance?
Most definitly! The start off to the match was poor, and losing Watto, Punter and then Pup within the first 6 overs made it a big hole to dig our way out of.
David Warner, our T20 specialist, stuck his hand up and put together a very well paced innings 63 runs, with some top class cricket strokes and a mighty pull shot for six. He ran hard and built his innings maturely as he watched the destruction around him, but with Brad Haddin (24) and David Hussey (27) they gave us a fighting chance. Warner departed and Mike Hussey (28*) made the most of the last few overs with some strong on-side batting to scrape in some valuable runs.
A target of 170 in Twenty20 cricket gives you a good chance to win, so I do reckon the middle order, notably Warner, gave the bowlers runs to work with.
Where did it go wrong then on the bowling front?
The Windies knew that if they maintained a consistent rate, or even got off to a flyer in the first 6 overs with atleast 8-9 wickets in hand they would give themselves a chance. After being 3-15 and only bringing our 50 up in 7.3 overs, in comparison to the Windies reaching 100 in 7.6 overs, well it would be a case of just making that run-rate move along with ease. From the 1st over till the winning run they had kept ahead of our Stats and outplayed us in the end.
I was surprised at Punter's decision to bowl Brett Lee in 3 back to back overs, despite being ripped apart in his first 2. It was a strange decision and as opposed to switching the bowlers, trying to get a change in momentum and cause havoc in the batsmen's rhythym, Chris Gayle and Andrew Flethcer found Binga's bowling too easy on the day. His 4 overs cost 54 runs and despite a late break through, the late changes proved little threat to the Windies top order and with the other bowlers, with the possible exception of Mitchell Johnson, Watto and James Hopes, it just didn't go the way the guys would have wanted.
Unfortunatly there was a drop catch too which didn't help, and in T20 cricket tight fielding can make a crucial difference.
How costly is the loss to our T20 Campaign?
It just add's pressure to our chances and whatever the game plan was, the Windies counter-attacked it.
You win some, you lose some, but at a critical stage of the tournament with 2 chances to try and be flawless it isn't an easy loss on the lads as they really want to win the Trophy!
Looking ahead to the next game?
We have to win, and win it well.
All the boys can do is go out there and play hard. Simple as that.
No point coming up with explanations such as, "XYZ didn't go well, we were sloppy etc." This team can win matches and Sri-Lanka will be tough opposition, but on the day we can thrash them, but it won't be easy.
Their game against the Windies will prove to be a decisive one regardless.
This is the Australian cricket team and they can pull through, despite Twenty20 being at most of the time a thorn in our side.
Twenty20 cricket proves to be a form of the game that gives balance to the weak and powerful sides in International cricket, but a slip up, like the one we saw in our top-order or the first 6 overs in the bowling innings, can prove to change the match.
Monday is an important game, very similar to when we had to take on England at Newlands in 2007!
It was a dissapointing loss, but it happens. There are bigger events! One more chance left to create more!
Any Under-dog can have his day in Twenty20 cricket!
After our warm-up games went well, yesterday was like the Zimbabwe memory relived, but having said that the Windies are, as Marc the SA Cricket Strategist said, "A Dark Horse".
Chris Gayle was outstanding with the bat, and we were put out of the game at the start of each innings, something Ricky Ponting openly admitted.
We are in the same position we were when we lost to Zimbabwe back in 2007, but the loss in this match was more intensive than that (2007's game) last ball shock.
I have decided to approach my views on the game in a Q & A form.
I am not schitzophrenic, I actually realised it's an easy way to sum up this match.
How did I feel about the boys going into this match?
Confident and very pleased to see how the team managed their warm-up games, where every team member chipped in. But many know that we aren't dominant in this form of the game, in fact no-one really is the dominant force, but with a lack of T20 Specialists it will be tough going's regardless of our outstanding match-winners in ODI and Test cricket. Also Andrew Symonds departure was a big blow to the team and the supporters.
Where did yesterdays game go wrong from a Supporters perspective?
It's quite simple, 3-15 after 3.3 overs, as opposed to the Windies who brought up their 50 in 4.1 overs, not to mention their 1st wicket stand broke at 133 on the scoreboard. Quite simply the comparitive measures of the Statistics at the various intervals of the game will show we were outplayed in every aspect of the game. 3-15 left the middle order with too much work to do, and the momentum was very hard to pick up. If the Windies had fielded better we may have only just managed 150!
Did the batsmen give the bowlers a chance?
Most definitly! The start off to the match was poor, and losing Watto, Punter and then Pup within the first 6 overs made it a big hole to dig our way out of.
David Warner, our T20 specialist, stuck his hand up and put together a very well paced innings 63 runs, with some top class cricket strokes and a mighty pull shot for six. He ran hard and built his innings maturely as he watched the destruction around him, but with Brad Haddin (24) and David Hussey (27) they gave us a fighting chance. Warner departed and Mike Hussey (28*) made the most of the last few overs with some strong on-side batting to scrape in some valuable runs.
A target of 170 in Twenty20 cricket gives you a good chance to win, so I do reckon the middle order, notably Warner, gave the bowlers runs to work with.
Where did it go wrong then on the bowling front?
The Windies knew that if they maintained a consistent rate, or even got off to a flyer in the first 6 overs with atleast 8-9 wickets in hand they would give themselves a chance. After being 3-15 and only bringing our 50 up in 7.3 overs, in comparison to the Windies reaching 100 in 7.6 overs, well it would be a case of just making that run-rate move along with ease. From the 1st over till the winning run they had kept ahead of our Stats and outplayed us in the end.
I was surprised at Punter's decision to bowl Brett Lee in 3 back to back overs, despite being ripped apart in his first 2. It was a strange decision and as opposed to switching the bowlers, trying to get a change in momentum and cause havoc in the batsmen's rhythym, Chris Gayle and Andrew Flethcer found Binga's bowling too easy on the day. His 4 overs cost 54 runs and despite a late break through, the late changes proved little threat to the Windies top order and with the other bowlers, with the possible exception of Mitchell Johnson, Watto and James Hopes, it just didn't go the way the guys would have wanted.
Unfortunatly there was a drop catch too which didn't help, and in T20 cricket tight fielding can make a crucial difference.
How costly is the loss to our T20 Campaign?
It just add's pressure to our chances and whatever the game plan was, the Windies counter-attacked it.
You win some, you lose some, but at a critical stage of the tournament with 2 chances to try and be flawless it isn't an easy loss on the lads as they really want to win the Trophy!
Looking ahead to the next game?
We have to win, and win it well.
All the boys can do is go out there and play hard. Simple as that.
No point coming up with explanations such as, "XYZ didn't go well, we were sloppy etc." This team can win matches and Sri-Lanka will be tough opposition, but on the day we can thrash them, but it won't be easy.
Their game against the Windies will prove to be a decisive one regardless.
This is the Australian cricket team and they can pull through, despite Twenty20 being at most of the time a thorn in our side.
Twenty20 cricket proves to be a form of the game that gives balance to the weak and powerful sides in International cricket, but a slip up, like the one we saw in our top-order or the first 6 overs in the bowling innings, can prove to change the match.
Monday is an important game, very similar to when we had to take on England at Newlands in 2007!
It was a dissapointing loss, but it happens. There are bigger events! One more chance left to create more!
Any Under-dog can have his day in Twenty20 cricket!
06 June 2009
ROY'S BEEN SENT HOME!
This is very unfortunate news and when I have a moment I will share my thoughts on the ordeal. In short Andrew "Roy" Symonds didn't adhere to very specific contractual details that Cricket Australia had drawn into his 2009/10, along with things they have decided to keep confidential.
The decision is the right decision although I am very upset with this turn of events, but we have bigger things to focus on.
Cameron White, the best replacement for Roy, has flown over to England. Hopefully we can regroup and "Bear" can get some games in, after his IPL campaign resulted in him not even getting a game in for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Only a while till we go head to head against the Windies.
Scotland have currently made 89 off a 7 over reduced game against the Black Caps.
I just hope the rain holds back for our game. Last time we played the Windies in a Twenty20 it was rain-reduced to 10 overs, which we lost.
Time to see how we pull it off in the event!
The decision is the right decision although I am very upset with this turn of events, but we have bigger things to focus on.
Cameron White, the best replacement for Roy, has flown over to England. Hopefully we can regroup and "Bear" can get some games in, after his IPL campaign resulted in him not even getting a game in for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Only a while till we go head to head against the Windies.
Scotland have currently made 89 off a 7 over reduced game against the Black Caps.
I just hope the rain holds back for our game. Last time we played the Windies in a Twenty20 it was rain-reduced to 10 overs, which we lost.
Time to see how we pull it off in the event!
03 June 2009
T20 CHAMPIONS NOTES...WE'RE ON OUR WAY!
We're on our way to the top I hope, of course!
The Black Caps were not good enough on the day of the warm-up, but I am still not ruling them out as favourites.
Two out of two in the warm-up games so all is looking very promising.
Another good note is that the Southern Stars won their series against the Black Caps, so the Women's teams preps are going along strongly too ahead of their T20 Champions Trophy campaign!
I did not watch this warm-up game, but looking at the scorecard and match analysis, everyone has chipped in at long last!
Most importantly was the better bowling display!
Mitchell Johnson, you champ! It is a great feeling as a supporter when you back a member of your team even before they had played more than a couple of games for your team at the elite level! Mitch took 4/20 in 4 overs. Lethal stuff and I am sure he can take this forward into the series. He's proving to be the go-to-man in every form of the game!
Brett Lee was back on track and looking at these stats, it is reflecting experience and a bloke who has returned with a game plan.
I must comment on that slower "bouncer" of his. Quite a genius delivery!
His stats were: 1/9 off 3.5 overs! Epic! Now he needs to do it where it counts! Against the Windies!
The slower bowlers are still struggling at their game, but Nathan Hauritz did fairly well with 2/35 in his 4 overs.
Peter Siddle was expensive, but I hope he learnt quite alot from the game so when/if he gets the chance again, he will be ready to fire. He did get the important wicket of Ross Taylor, who is a mighty fine all-round batsman, especially in T20 cricket.
Our batting started with a hiccup. David Warner was given a game and only managed 10. Despite being a specialist I can't help but feel that he needs to be playing in the middle order. Even in the IPL he only played one innings of dominance.
Give the bloke a hitout at 5 or 6, it could prove to be a lethal weapon alongside a Hussey brother or Roy!
Watto only managed 16 after his heroics against Bangladesh, but fear not as Ricky Ponting stepped up with what looked to be a Captains innings, and a very strategic innings too. Punter hit 56 off 40 deliveries, with 5 fours and 2 sixes. It is a relief to see Punter make some runs in International T20 and the maestro himself will know it is a patch on his CV that isn't the best of sights. I am confident Punter can impress in this tournament, but it seems the way he played in the game was how to go about his innings'.
Himself and Vice-skipper, Michael Clarke, put together a 104-run-partnership.Pup hasn't been a notable candidate for T20 to open any eyes, but having him in the top four is a suited spot for him to have a gameplan to work with.
Pup has found some kind of a natural game for himself in this level. He can hit the ball pretty damn hard but he is a natural born stroke-maker, so I am glad he is bringing that element into his game.
He made 49* not out in similar fashion to Punter. They knocked off the runs and the game plan paid off perfectly in the run-chase. Importantly we are seeing a more logical approach to T20 rather than a close your eyes and swing" approach!
Andrew Symonds had a licence to hit a quick fire 17* to ensure we got home to make 151 in reaching our target off 148 to win.
Top cricket by the boys and with a few days rest before taking on the West-Indies on Saturday, I hope alot has been taken from this. Most importantly is that every player has taken something away from each game in their performances and ensured us as supporters that they can play this format at a highly competitive level, and that we stand a chance to win the tournament, even though we aren't favourites!
The Windies will be tough competition but I am sure on our day we can take it.
After losing to Zimbabwe last year at Newlands in our opening game at the T20 Champions Trophy, it was a tough loss to accept and also added pressure upon our entire campaign even when we won matches. The momentum is important...and let's not forget what Chris Gayle did in 2007!
Tim Nielson (Aussie Coach) highlighted a very important fact with T20 International rivalry:
"Brett and Mitchell almost put the game to sleep in the first six overs. Then we chased the score down sensibly," he said. "It is nice to turn the competitive juices on in a game situation.
"You can never replicate that in training no matter how hard you do it, so to play against another country gets the adrenaline going and some good stuff happened because of the competitive environment."
The Black Caps were not good enough on the day of the warm-up, but I am still not ruling them out as favourites.
Two out of two in the warm-up games so all is looking very promising.
Another good note is that the Southern Stars won their series against the Black Caps, so the Women's teams preps are going along strongly too ahead of their T20 Champions Trophy campaign!
I did not watch this warm-up game, but looking at the scorecard and match analysis, everyone has chipped in at long last!
Most importantly was the better bowling display!
Mitchell Johnson, you champ! It is a great feeling as a supporter when you back a member of your team even before they had played more than a couple of games for your team at the elite level! Mitch took 4/20 in 4 overs. Lethal stuff and I am sure he can take this forward into the series. He's proving to be the go-to-man in every form of the game!
Brett Lee was back on track and looking at these stats, it is reflecting experience and a bloke who has returned with a game plan.
I must comment on that slower "bouncer" of his. Quite a genius delivery!
His stats were: 1/9 off 3.5 overs! Epic! Now he needs to do it where it counts! Against the Windies!
The slower bowlers are still struggling at their game, but Nathan Hauritz did fairly well with 2/35 in his 4 overs.
Peter Siddle was expensive, but I hope he learnt quite alot from the game so when/if he gets the chance again, he will be ready to fire. He did get the important wicket of Ross Taylor, who is a mighty fine all-round batsman, especially in T20 cricket.
Our batting started with a hiccup. David Warner was given a game and only managed 10. Despite being a specialist I can't help but feel that he needs to be playing in the middle order. Even in the IPL he only played one innings of dominance.
Give the bloke a hitout at 5 or 6, it could prove to be a lethal weapon alongside a Hussey brother or Roy!
Watto only managed 16 after his heroics against Bangladesh, but fear not as Ricky Ponting stepped up with what looked to be a Captains innings, and a very strategic innings too. Punter hit 56 off 40 deliveries, with 5 fours and 2 sixes. It is a relief to see Punter make some runs in International T20 and the maestro himself will know it is a patch on his CV that isn't the best of sights. I am confident Punter can impress in this tournament, but it seems the way he played in the game was how to go about his innings'.
Himself and Vice-skipper, Michael Clarke, put together a 104-run-partnership.Pup hasn't been a notable candidate for T20 to open any eyes, but having him in the top four is a suited spot for him to have a gameplan to work with.
Pup has found some kind of a natural game for himself in this level. He can hit the ball pretty damn hard but he is a natural born stroke-maker, so I am glad he is bringing that element into his game.
He made 49* not out in similar fashion to Punter. They knocked off the runs and the game plan paid off perfectly in the run-chase. Importantly we are seeing a more logical approach to T20 rather than a close your eyes and swing" approach!
Andrew Symonds had a licence to hit a quick fire 17* to ensure we got home to make 151 in reaching our target off 148 to win.
Top cricket by the boys and with a few days rest before taking on the West-Indies on Saturday, I hope alot has been taken from this. Most importantly is that every player has taken something away from each game in their performances and ensured us as supporters that they can play this format at a highly competitive level, and that we stand a chance to win the tournament, even though we aren't favourites!
The Windies will be tough competition but I am sure on our day we can take it.
After losing to Zimbabwe last year at Newlands in our opening game at the T20 Champions Trophy, it was a tough loss to accept and also added pressure upon our entire campaign even when we won matches. The momentum is important...and let's not forget what Chris Gayle did in 2007!
Tim Nielson (Aussie Coach) highlighted a very important fact with T20 International rivalry:
"Brett and Mitchell almost put the game to sleep in the first six overs. Then we chased the score down sensibly," he said. "It is nice to turn the competitive juices on in a game situation.
"You can never replicate that in training no matter how hard you do it, so to play against another country gets the adrenaline going and some good stuff happened because of the competitive environment."
02 June 2009
T20 CHAMPIONS TROPHY NOTES (WARM-UP)
There are two ways you could look at yesterdays warm-up.
Firstly, you could say that Bangladesh are a weak side and therefore posting a score of 200 plus wasn't that eye-opening, or secondly you could say that our bowlers were poor in Bangladesh managing an impressive 183!
Well I am going to going in favour of our bowling being a bit worrying because our batting looked great.
Bangladesh have stated more than once through their team leadership group that Twenty20 is a format they are more comfortable with. They have proven to every team in ODI cricket that they can be a thorn in your side when you are on the back-foot but yesterday I saw a team who definitly have the potential of better competitiveness.
Credit needs to go first and foremost to Shane Watson and Brad Haddin at the top of the order.
Watto has really adapted to this format as if he has been playing it since he was a kid. His strike-rate of 226.08 was one thing, but what impressed me the most was his actual strokeplay. The aspect of slogging, despite the wild swing at a free-hit, was very rare in his gameplan. It really was a display of well timed strokes to where the boundary was most exposed. Good on ya' Watto!
His stats were: 52 runs, 23 deliveries faced, S/R 226.08, 6 (4's), 3 (6's).As for Brad Haddin. He hasn't proven anything in T20 cricket, but after getting a lifeline after being dropped before double figures, he capitalised (MS Dhoni's favourite word) and backed Watto with equally aggressive cricket. He struck 47 off 29 deliveries and it would be fantastic if Hads could play like this in a game where it really is required, not only for his stats, but more importantly his contributions in ODI cricket bailed us out of jail more than once.
His wicket-keeping yesterday was bloody fantastic if can be blunt on the matter.
With some big-hitting from the man himself, Andrew "Roy" Symonds, his quick fire 27 set up some fine momentum to move forward with for the middle order.
Roy is an important cricketer for this squad!
I have my concerns regarding the middle-order and this is where I would really like to see David Warner have a go! If there is a collapse in the top order, himself and David Hussey will have a chance to launch a rescue mission, whereas if they are given the licence to kill they can launch a pretty nasty assault I reckon. A tactic worth letting the imagination ponder on.
Michael Clarke impressed me with his 35 runs. Now I would rather not see Pup bowl in T20 cricket, but his batting in the middle order offers something alot more dynamic than when he opens. I cannot agree with Shane Warne (with reference to his 100 best cricketers book) that Pup is a T20 opener. I do believe he has the adaptability and skill to open in ODI cricket and T20 if needed, but I'd rather see our Vice-Captain in the middle order like yesterday. I just think he is a more relaxed cricketer there with a bit more of an objective at hand.
Overall very good batting and to get a score of 219, against Bangladesh or not, is still a very impressive total and highly promising moving ahead.
Everyone chipped in and in T20 cricket it seems to help the cause.
Bangladesh got off to a flyer! Nathan Bracken and Brett Lee took a panel-beating in their first overs, but Mitchell Johnson the Champ himself was now showing he is an equally impressive T20 bowler. In the T20 Champions Trophy 2007 Mitch was outstanding with the ball and with the respect he has gained after his dream of a summer with both the bat and ball, I feel he may be equally suited in T20 cricket. His figures were 3/21 after his 4 overs.Everyone else took a bit of a creaming. Whether it was field placement, lack of tactic, bowlers just not having a good day, I cannot determine that but it is blatantly obvious that if our batting isn't 100% on the day, a defense like that won't save our skin on the day. This tournament doesn't allow for many slip-ups so synergy is more important than ever.
However Bracks and Binga pulled it together nicely in the end and that turn around will most likely make the difference for the two of them moving forward in the tournament. Not much else to speak of beyond the quicks.
Peter Siddle is a bloke I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of in this tournament. I was one of the blokes to not back him enough in his Test emergence and since he has improved drastically! "Vicious" is his nickname through the recognised reputation.
Overall a performance good enough to give us alot of momentum and it was a better looking Australia in Twenty20 cricket, where it is safe to say we are not that good. But this is a the tournament the lads turn it around!
Will see how things go against the Black Caps today, who we have not lost too in T20 cricket, but as of recent the Black Caps are coming into their own in ODI and T20 cricket.
Looking at the other warm-up games, I'd list New Zealand, The Proteas and India as the favourites in this event. I am quite confident in our chances of beating both West-Indies and Sri-Lanka in our pool stages, but every Australian supporter should be aware that members of these squads have had extra exposure to this form of the game and will be competitors on the day. It would be a given if Sri-Lanka give us a chance like they did in 2007!
Firstly, you could say that Bangladesh are a weak side and therefore posting a score of 200 plus wasn't that eye-opening, or secondly you could say that our bowlers were poor in Bangladesh managing an impressive 183!
Well I am going to going in favour of our bowling being a bit worrying because our batting looked great.
Bangladesh have stated more than once through their team leadership group that Twenty20 is a format they are more comfortable with. They have proven to every team in ODI cricket that they can be a thorn in your side when you are on the back-foot but yesterday I saw a team who definitly have the potential of better competitiveness.
Credit needs to go first and foremost to Shane Watson and Brad Haddin at the top of the order.
Watto has really adapted to this format as if he has been playing it since he was a kid. His strike-rate of 226.08 was one thing, but what impressed me the most was his actual strokeplay. The aspect of slogging, despite the wild swing at a free-hit, was very rare in his gameplan. It really was a display of well timed strokes to where the boundary was most exposed. Good on ya' Watto!
His stats were: 52 runs, 23 deliveries faced, S/R 226.08, 6 (4's), 3 (6's).As for Brad Haddin. He hasn't proven anything in T20 cricket, but after getting a lifeline after being dropped before double figures, he capitalised (MS Dhoni's favourite word) and backed Watto with equally aggressive cricket. He struck 47 off 29 deliveries and it would be fantastic if Hads could play like this in a game where it really is required, not only for his stats, but more importantly his contributions in ODI cricket bailed us out of jail more than once.
His wicket-keeping yesterday was bloody fantastic if can be blunt on the matter.
With some big-hitting from the man himself, Andrew "Roy" Symonds, his quick fire 27 set up some fine momentum to move forward with for the middle order.
Roy is an important cricketer for this squad!
I have my concerns regarding the middle-order and this is where I would really like to see David Warner have a go! If there is a collapse in the top order, himself and David Hussey will have a chance to launch a rescue mission, whereas if they are given the licence to kill they can launch a pretty nasty assault I reckon. A tactic worth letting the imagination ponder on.
Michael Clarke impressed me with his 35 runs. Now I would rather not see Pup bowl in T20 cricket, but his batting in the middle order offers something alot more dynamic than when he opens. I cannot agree with Shane Warne (with reference to his 100 best cricketers book) that Pup is a T20 opener. I do believe he has the adaptability and skill to open in ODI cricket and T20 if needed, but I'd rather see our Vice-Captain in the middle order like yesterday. I just think he is a more relaxed cricketer there with a bit more of an objective at hand.
Overall very good batting and to get a score of 219, against Bangladesh or not, is still a very impressive total and highly promising moving ahead.
Everyone chipped in and in T20 cricket it seems to help the cause.
Bangladesh got off to a flyer! Nathan Bracken and Brett Lee took a panel-beating in their first overs, but Mitchell Johnson the Champ himself was now showing he is an equally impressive T20 bowler. In the T20 Champions Trophy 2007 Mitch was outstanding with the ball and with the respect he has gained after his dream of a summer with both the bat and ball, I feel he may be equally suited in T20 cricket. His figures were 3/21 after his 4 overs.Everyone else took a bit of a creaming. Whether it was field placement, lack of tactic, bowlers just not having a good day, I cannot determine that but it is blatantly obvious that if our batting isn't 100% on the day, a defense like that won't save our skin on the day. This tournament doesn't allow for many slip-ups so synergy is more important than ever.
However Bracks and Binga pulled it together nicely in the end and that turn around will most likely make the difference for the two of them moving forward in the tournament. Not much else to speak of beyond the quicks.
Peter Siddle is a bloke I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of in this tournament. I was one of the blokes to not back him enough in his Test emergence and since he has improved drastically! "Vicious" is his nickname through the recognised reputation.
Overall a performance good enough to give us alot of momentum and it was a better looking Australia in Twenty20 cricket, where it is safe to say we are not that good. But this is a the tournament the lads turn it around!
Will see how things go against the Black Caps today, who we have not lost too in T20 cricket, but as of recent the Black Caps are coming into their own in ODI and T20 cricket.
Looking at the other warm-up games, I'd list New Zealand, The Proteas and India as the favourites in this event. I am quite confident in our chances of beating both West-Indies and Sri-Lanka in our pool stages, but every Australian supporter should be aware that members of these squads have had extra exposure to this form of the game and will be competitors on the day. It would be a given if Sri-Lanka give us a chance like they did in 2007!
01 June 2009
AUSTRALIA A PLAYERS GET THEIR CHANCE!
With an ODI series and two Twenty20's to follow after the Ashes 2009, the squad members of Australia A will get a chance to show their skills and put up a hand for selection of the ODI tour.
Pakistan A will play the Australian A team in Queensland from June 26th to mid-July.
The squad announcement consists of several players with the Australian ODI squad, but a few faces have returned with an exciting opportunity.
Australia A squad : Cameron White (capt), Adam Voges, George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Broad, Burt Cockley, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Moises Henriques, Jon Holland, Michael Klinger, Jason Krejza, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Tim Paine, Shaun Tait, David Warner.
A very good young squad there and I am going to be following this series closely as it is an important area to address, especially with our recent ODI credibility being a bit on the scratchy side of things.
Cam White will take on Captaincy duties, a familiar spot for him and he has the task of making an impact. He sat out for entire IPL and unfortunatly didn't have the best time for Australia in 2008 having been given quite a run. A bit more consistency and he will find himself a regular contender for an ODI spot!
Shaun Marsh has a chance to secure his opening spot again having been nailed with his injury returning in the recent series against Pakistan.
I like Shaun's batting technique at the top of the order and it's also great to watch him bat having watched his Father, Geoff Marsh, play in his final days for Australia.
Shaun Tait has his chance to regroup with Australia which I am pleased about. He is a bloke who is very hard on himself I hope he can move on past some of his recent battles. Adam Voges has now tied the knot so he can focus on his cricket and see if another chance to represent Australia will be in the runnings.
David Warner can try his hand at the longer version of the game again and hopefully try get himself back into some rhythym like he had for NSW. I do think, given his top fielding skills, that he would be better suited in ODI cricket if given the chance again, to bat in the middle order similar to that of Proteas players Lance Klusener and present All-rounder for them, Albie Morkel. It is good to have that extra hitting power in the lower order.
Jason Krejza gets a call-up after some good performances, with both bat and ball, for Tassie and a few other domestic stars (Michael Klinger) can have their chance.
Callum Ferguson is in the mix too and I expect Fergal to be off the England regardless of how his series plays out. A fast learner and he is proving valuable to our middle order setup.
I have said it before but he was our ODI find of the summer!
I am pleased to see some competition for places in the squad (think of the handful of Ashes places that were on the line!) and it is only going to prove positive for Australian cricket.
The Australian Women's team (Southern Stars) are currently playing their warm-ups against New Zealand before heading off the start the T20 Champions Trophy.
They lost narrowly in the first game, and I don't mind if the teams lose the warm-up stages as long as they are learning from their mistakes, quickly I guess.
Punter and the boys will take on Bangladesh today in a warm-up match, followed by the Black Caps tomorrow. Once theose games are completed we can have a discussion over the shape of things to come.
The IPL made me sick of cricket for the first time in my life, so I am enjoying feeling refreshed and excited for some International rivalry again, with a very exciting couple of months ahead for Aussie cricket.
Pakistan A will play the Australian A team in Queensland from June 26th to mid-July.
The squad announcement consists of several players with the Australian ODI squad, but a few faces have returned with an exciting opportunity.
Australia A squad : Cameron White (capt), Adam Voges, George Bailey, Doug Bollinger, Ryan Broad, Burt Cockley, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Moises Henriques, Jon Holland, Michael Klinger, Jason Krejza, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Tim Paine, Shaun Tait, David Warner.
A very good young squad there and I am going to be following this series closely as it is an important area to address, especially with our recent ODI credibility being a bit on the scratchy side of things.
Cam White will take on Captaincy duties, a familiar spot for him and he has the task of making an impact. He sat out for entire IPL and unfortunatly didn't have the best time for Australia in 2008 having been given quite a run. A bit more consistency and he will find himself a regular contender for an ODI spot!
Shaun Marsh has a chance to secure his opening spot again having been nailed with his injury returning in the recent series against Pakistan.
I like Shaun's batting technique at the top of the order and it's also great to watch him bat having watched his Father, Geoff Marsh, play in his final days for Australia.
Shaun Tait has his chance to regroup with Australia which I am pleased about. He is a bloke who is very hard on himself I hope he can move on past some of his recent battles. Adam Voges has now tied the knot so he can focus on his cricket and see if another chance to represent Australia will be in the runnings.
David Warner can try his hand at the longer version of the game again and hopefully try get himself back into some rhythym like he had for NSW. I do think, given his top fielding skills, that he would be better suited in ODI cricket if given the chance again, to bat in the middle order similar to that of Proteas players Lance Klusener and present All-rounder for them, Albie Morkel. It is good to have that extra hitting power in the lower order.
Jason Krejza gets a call-up after some good performances, with both bat and ball, for Tassie and a few other domestic stars (Michael Klinger) can have their chance.
Callum Ferguson is in the mix too and I expect Fergal to be off the England regardless of how his series plays out. A fast learner and he is proving valuable to our middle order setup.
I have said it before but he was our ODI find of the summer!
I am pleased to see some competition for places in the squad (think of the handful of Ashes places that were on the line!) and it is only going to prove positive for Australian cricket.
The Australian Women's team (Southern Stars) are currently playing their warm-ups against New Zealand before heading off the start the T20 Champions Trophy.
They lost narrowly in the first game, and I don't mind if the teams lose the warm-up stages as long as they are learning from their mistakes, quickly I guess.
Punter and the boys will take on Bangladesh today in a warm-up match, followed by the Black Caps tomorrow. Once theose games are completed we can have a discussion over the shape of things to come.
The IPL made me sick of cricket for the first time in my life, so I am enjoying feeling refreshed and excited for some International rivalry again, with a very exciting couple of months ahead for Aussie cricket.
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