The game saw a similar pattern of frustration, where we batted first and struggled to adapt to the slower wicket on the back of some excellent bowling delivered by the Windies attack.
10 overs were lost and Duckworth-Lewis came into account, all in all causing some slight obstruction to the flow of the match.
Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets
Australia: 9-154. David Hussey 37
West Indies: 5-163 (revised target 158). Shane Watson 1-28 (7 overs)
The wicket can’t be blamed for the result. The West Indian bowlers did a superb job, which started right from the front of the pack with Kemar Roach bowling David Warner with a menacing delivery that did keep very low. It was clear that excellent timing off the front foot was going to be needed and playing off the back foot could cause some problems with the lack of favourable bounce our guys are used to. It was the case as Peter Forrest got caught in no man’s land prodding at a ball outside of off, only to get caught in the slips.
In didn’t get any better. Partnerships were formed, but in vain as the painful inability to find the gaps and gain momentum resulted in regular wickets falling. The spin of Sunil Narine puzzled our guys with his off-spin but suddenly he let rip a few variations which brought about the downfall of a few of our batsmen. He was instrumental in the defeat and even though I tipped Bishoo to be a player to watch out for, Narine has really stepped up showcasing some serious tricks up his sleeve.
The total posted was alright, bearing in mind that this is a track with a very low average score of about 190. As Nathan Bracken pointed out during the innings break analysis, batting first has its disadvantages on these tracks because the team chasing would have had a good opportunity to assess conditions and tweak their game strategy where needs be. On a slower track it doesn’t take much to chase down a low target if you can have one dominant partnership, which the Windies found.
The start of our defence was brilliant, with Brett Lee getting Kieran Powell out for a golden duck, plumb LBW. Shane Watson managed to remove the dangerous Darren Bravo and the ground fielding standards were excellent and this backed bowlers like Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty in choking the run chase.
It just took a slight change in momentum to get the Windies on track with the big hitting Kieron Pollard (a Redbacks T20 player) sending a clear message early in his innings that he wanted to get things over with.
They won the game with 10 balls to spare and while our fielding saved a number of boundaries in their run chase effort, we were still dependent on wickets to take this match.
The batting has started off as a bit of a concern. All we can hope is that guys have figured out a way to negotiate the Windies bowlers on the slow St. Vincent wicket, where we will have a third ODI.
Granted, our boys must be pretty damn tired after a very long summer and limited overs series but they’re professionals and it does seem the biggest obstacle is overcoming the unfamiliar conditions. They’ve had time to assess it, had time to get an idea of their opponents in action. Now it is time to put the domination into action to try master the track and go 2-1 up before a change in venue.
Well done to the Windies in keeping the series interesting. Individual output has always been an issue for them, partially owing to the fact they all come from different islands and have a lack of unity in the Administration sector, but this team is starting to find some shape collectively. Let's hope we can hold them off. Hard luck to Watto and the rest of the boys!
On a side note, how about Xavier Doherty's outfield save of a ball that was sailing over the keepers head for six? Over the last two or three years we've seen an innovation from the players with classic outfield catches and mid-air/over the rope stops. Splendid stuff.
The 2011/12 Sheffield Shield Final:
Big news if you’re a Queensland Bulls supporter! Yes, the Bulls have won the 2011/12 Sheffield Shield against the Tasmanian Tigers at the Gabba. This brings the Australian State cricket season to a closure as the winter sports kick off. The two best teams were in the final and it proved to be an entertaining final which could have done with the standard 4 day fixture set.
The last time the Bulls won the First-class competition was the 2005/06 season and this is their 7th title in the history of the campaign. It prevented the Tigers from winning the title in back-to-back years.
It was a match dominated by the bowlers but Queensland keeper, Chris Hartley, will walk away with fond memories after posting the lone century for the game in a low scoring final.
Steve Magoffin (former WA player) and Hartley were the stars of the final with their lower order heroics in both innings, but the low target required was courtesy of some excellent bowling from the Bulls captain/Former Australian ODI player, James Hopes; and Ryan Harris, Australian Test bowler.
“Catfish” Hopes managed five wickets while Ryano took three wickets to ensure he had the best preparations before heading over to the Caribbean.
The bleak news was that Ricky Ponting didn’t have a memorable final, managing just 7 runs, but he was in excellent touch before the final which gives us a good indication of where he is at before the Windies Test series, while Ed Cowan managed a well fought half-century in the second innings.
It wasn’t enough though and Queensland have the title.
Congrats to all the Queensland Bulls fans who follow the blog!
Jackson Bird (53 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 16.00) can also take a bow after a sensational debut season for Tasmania alongside young Alister McDermott. The future looks very bright for Australia's bowling stocks!
Here are some stats of the 2011/12 Sheffield Shield via ESPN Cricinfo.
Batting statistics: Access the stats via ESPN Cricinfo.
Bowling statistics: Access the stats via ESPN Cricinfo.
10 overs were lost and Duckworth-Lewis came into account, all in all causing some slight obstruction to the flow of the match.
Result: West Indies won by 5 wickets
Australia: 9-154. David Hussey 37
West Indies: 5-163 (revised target 158). Shane Watson 1-28 (7 overs)
The wicket can’t be blamed for the result. The West Indian bowlers did a superb job, which started right from the front of the pack with Kemar Roach bowling David Warner with a menacing delivery that did keep very low. It was clear that excellent timing off the front foot was going to be needed and playing off the back foot could cause some problems with the lack of favourable bounce our guys are used to. It was the case as Peter Forrest got caught in no man’s land prodding at a ball outside of off, only to get caught in the slips.
In didn’t get any better. Partnerships were formed, but in vain as the painful inability to find the gaps and gain momentum resulted in regular wickets falling. The spin of Sunil Narine puzzled our guys with his off-spin but suddenly he let rip a few variations which brought about the downfall of a few of our batsmen. He was instrumental in the defeat and even though I tipped Bishoo to be a player to watch out for, Narine has really stepped up showcasing some serious tricks up his sleeve.
The total posted was alright, bearing in mind that this is a track with a very low average score of about 190. As Nathan Bracken pointed out during the innings break analysis, batting first has its disadvantages on these tracks because the team chasing would have had a good opportunity to assess conditions and tweak their game strategy where needs be. On a slower track it doesn’t take much to chase down a low target if you can have one dominant partnership, which the Windies found.
The start of our defence was brilliant, with Brett Lee getting Kieran Powell out for a golden duck, plumb LBW. Shane Watson managed to remove the dangerous Darren Bravo and the ground fielding standards were excellent and this backed bowlers like Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty in choking the run chase.
It just took a slight change in momentum to get the Windies on track with the big hitting Kieron Pollard (a Redbacks T20 player) sending a clear message early in his innings that he wanted to get things over with.
They won the game with 10 balls to spare and while our fielding saved a number of boundaries in their run chase effort, we were still dependent on wickets to take this match.
The batting has started off as a bit of a concern. All we can hope is that guys have figured out a way to negotiate the Windies bowlers on the slow St. Vincent wicket, where we will have a third ODI.
Granted, our boys must be pretty damn tired after a very long summer and limited overs series but they’re professionals and it does seem the biggest obstacle is overcoming the unfamiliar conditions. They’ve had time to assess it, had time to get an idea of their opponents in action. Now it is time to put the domination into action to try master the track and go 2-1 up before a change in venue.
Well done to the Windies in keeping the series interesting. Individual output has always been an issue for them, partially owing to the fact they all come from different islands and have a lack of unity in the Administration sector, but this team is starting to find some shape collectively. Let's hope we can hold them off. Hard luck to Watto and the rest of the boys!
On a side note, how about Xavier Doherty's outfield save of a ball that was sailing over the keepers head for six? Over the last two or three years we've seen an innovation from the players with classic outfield catches and mid-air/over the rope stops. Splendid stuff.
The 2011/12 Sheffield Shield Final:
Big news if you’re a Queensland Bulls supporter! Yes, the Bulls have won the 2011/12 Sheffield Shield against the Tasmanian Tigers at the Gabba. This brings the Australian State cricket season to a closure as the winter sports kick off. The two best teams were in the final and it proved to be an entertaining final which could have done with the standard 4 day fixture set.
The last time the Bulls won the First-class competition was the 2005/06 season and this is their 7th title in the history of the campaign. It prevented the Tigers from winning the title in back-to-back years.
It was a match dominated by the bowlers but Queensland keeper, Chris Hartley, will walk away with fond memories after posting the lone century for the game in a low scoring final.
Steve Magoffin (former WA player) and Hartley were the stars of the final with their lower order heroics in both innings, but the low target required was courtesy of some excellent bowling from the Bulls captain/Former Australian ODI player, James Hopes; and Ryan Harris, Australian Test bowler.
“Catfish” Hopes managed five wickets while Ryano took three wickets to ensure he had the best preparations before heading over to the Caribbean.
The bleak news was that Ricky Ponting didn’t have a memorable final, managing just 7 runs, but he was in excellent touch before the final which gives us a good indication of where he is at before the Windies Test series, while Ed Cowan managed a well fought half-century in the second innings.
It wasn’t enough though and Queensland have the title.
Congrats to all the Queensland Bulls fans who follow the blog!
Jackson Bird (53 wickets from 8 matches at an average of 16.00) can also take a bow after a sensational debut season for Tasmania alongside young Alister McDermott. The future looks very bright for Australia's bowling stocks!
Here are some stats of the 2011/12 Sheffield Shield via ESPN Cricinfo.
Batting statistics: Access the stats via ESPN Cricinfo.
Bowling statistics: Access the stats via ESPN Cricinfo.
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4 comments:
Sounds like we have our usual problem of struggling against spin. Hussey seems to be struggling in general, might be worth putting him back at 5, he seems to struggle with his scoring rate at 4.
As for the Shield final, got to see the first 3 days. Bird finished his season in style as did Faulkner. One concern raised about Faulkner was his drop in pace which was evident in this match but he continued to pick up wickets, will be interesting seeing how he goes against International opposition.
Hartley and Magoffin were the unlikely stars.
Let's see how the boys can turn it around today.
You see they announced a public holiday for St. Vincent?
Not bad eh!
Also see two spinners will play.
Damn dude, missing Callum Ferguson in the team for some reason.
Ferguson certainly could have used with more experience, he is one of the few youngsters that look like he could be the next Hussey.
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