posted Mar 16, 2008

Johnap,

There are so many hypocrites like you on this forum. If the overrated, overhyped Shah had played and got 44 you ( and many others ) would have said "I told you so". Strauss was under enormous pressure in the second innings, having been dismissed for single figure scores in the first innings and the second innings of the first Test. It was a superb innings in the circumstances and deservedly cements his place in the team for the third Test. He's not back to his best yet but his experience is vital.

You are right to say that going in at three is a highly responsible position, but you overlook the fact that Strauss isn't used to batting at three. He's only batting at three in this series because he's been out of form and lost confidence. His century partnership with Cook proves that they can bat together and I'm sure it won't be long before he's opening with Cook again so Vaughan can bat in his preferred position of three, where he has a better record as captain than he does opening as captain.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 17, 2008

Strauss has had more chances than many others in recent times. He is not consistent enough at getting big runs.

I think he has problems like bringing the bat down at an angle that produces chances to the slip cordon and he does not move his feet enough for me. He struggles to get across to cover his stumps.

Fairly basic stuff but at that level you are found out very quickly. This is not village cricket it is test cricket. Supposedly the best against the best.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 22, 2008

yep Johnap, Strauss proofed you right..again. Strauss got massiv problems while he was batting for Northern District and was found out time and time again, he didn't set NZ domestic cricket on fire, how could he do so in Englands colours? beats me! and then he said, before the 3rd test in Napier..England has nothing to fear from the Kiwi Bowlers. he thought, Oram and Mills out..it'll be a walk in the park, well, well, Strauss eat ya heart out. now young Southee his team mate at ND stuffed Strauss. good on ya Tim!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 25, 2008

walgert,

Oh dear! I bet you wish you'd kept your big mouth shut following Strauss's 177 in the second innings in Napier. I've said many times throughout the winter that form is temporary and class is permanent and that Strauss is class. It's easy to kick someone when they're down and sadly about 90% of so called England fans on this forum have spent the entire winter kicking Strauss. Even now those same people will probably say one innings proves nothing or point to the weakness of the New Zealand attack but Strauss can't help that. It's too early to say he's back but it's certainly a massive step in the right direction.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 25, 2008

mrnoneofyabeeswax,

I hope your selectors do stick with him as far as an Aussie ashes series goes.

But on saying that, I feel he should be shown the door.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 28, 2008

well then noneofyourbusiness..Strauss is back??? if so good on him, it didn't look like all NZ summer. he might be class, he might not..he got a break thats for sure. see how it goes vs SA, I am not convinced! watched him play and was disappointed and big mouth or no big mouth, I can say whats on my mind thats my prorogative is it not!!

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 28, 2008

Strauss struggled for that 177 on a good pitch, with a poor NZ attack. Southee clearly tired over the five days.

Now, yes it showed character, and nobody gets 177 on any wicket by accident.

This saying that 'class is permanent' is full of assumptions. Strauss had apparent class when he entered the scene - but his weaknesses have been found, he's not acquired the answers and he's lost his edge. He has failed to build or acquire class.

KP on the other hand has rediscovered his mastery of the crease - not playing inside it in that pseudo careful manner he got diverted into, but threatening the line and length of bowlers by playing out of the crease. He looked like the KP of old, but with better shot selection. He is acquiring class - and that becomes permanent.

Strauss looks like everything is a struggle. He did great, it wasn't pretty - but this was not necessarily a sign of his return to form. Time will tell. I believe class is built.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 29, 2008

If someone gets a chance to play in 16 or so tests like Strauss without scoring a hundred well it helps.

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Mar 29, 2008

Something to do with 100 Chimps with a hundred typewriters eventually coming up with the Complete Works of SHakespeare perhaps?

add comment | complain about this comment

posted Apr 5, 2008

crickomaster..good stuff

add comment | complain about this comment