posted Jun 17, 2008

Well played Oz and well played Windies. An excellent series.

Chanderpaul deserved the man of the series, he is a model of discipline as a batsman. One of the encouraging things throughout the series is that the Windies batsmen have been showing far more patience when batting than I had expected. Great to see and very encouraging for the future. I thought Sarwan and Bravo are looking good, even if Bravo will at some point get out to a daft shot, but if he can keep picking up the 50's regularly he is well worth his place.

I am still worried about Lee being over-bowled. I can't see this getting any better. He bowled more overs than any other Oz bowler in the series. He'll run on fumes but that is not good for him as a strike bowler.

I agree with Steve Ireland, a two person bowling attack is something Punter is going to have to think about very carefully. Johnson HAS to become more consistent as when he bowls well, he looks very good and up to the job. Well done, Katich, lovely work in replacing Haydos.

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posted Jun 17, 2008

"I am still worried about Lee being over-bowled."

OldR.. that's pretty much the only that I worry about when it comes to Oz test cricket nowadays. Mitchell, although, looked energized would have to step up a bit more to share that burden.

On the same note, Lee's fitness has got to be in the top ranked "most fit" athletes category. ..<OK> what a fighter Bing is.

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posted Jun 17, 2008

Wombat2,

For Harbajan to slap Symonds he would first have to recieve a knock to the head to be that stupid

Oh!! hang on you may be right, I forgot we were talking about that brainless fool Harbajan

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posted Jun 17, 2008

ISterve_I, OR

ovewrbwoling Lee is a real danger

Remember Garth McKenzie ?(WA)

He bowled his heart out on Indian pitches in 68-69 and Bill Lawry's side won 3-1, but it had consequences as McKenzie lost his pace and was pretty much cannon fodder for
Saffers when Aus toured later that year losing to SA 4-0

Ponting should use Lee in short bursts and give more overs to Clark and Johnson

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posted Jun 18, 2008

Yes, I'm quite optimistic about the tour of New Zealand....

After that, in the spring, England come to the Caribbean. I'm also thinking positive about that tour!

But there are some problems that the WI selectors need to address.

1) Gayle should not open any more. I think he should bat at four. Let Marshall and Chattergoon open.

2) Bravo is not consistent enough to bat at six. I think he should bat at seven.

3) The WI need a middle-order batsman who can hang around with him for days. Draft Brendan Nash into the number six position.

4) Ramdin just doesn't produce the runs, though he's a good keeper. Drop him down to eight.

5) Taylor and Edwards should play every match, when fit. However, the other bowling position should alternate between Powell, Sammy, Benn and Jaggernauth, depending on form and conditions.

That's my two cents....

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posted Jun 18, 2008

1) Gayle should not open any more. I think he should bat at four. Let Marshall and Chattergoon open.

-----------------------------------------------

agree with that but let Chandlerpaul at four and Gayle at five

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posted Jun 18, 2008

True, I've been advocating for Chanderpaul to bat at four for eons, until my threat became hoarse from the shouting....

But Shiv is reluctant to move, and Dyson came out and said publicly that because he's successful at five, they have no plans to move him up the order.

So, I've given up on that campaign!

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posted Jun 18, 2008

annoying

at FIVE he always get stuck with the tail

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posted Jun 18, 2008

Chandepaul and Hussey down in the batting order have definite psychological advantages; when the top order are back in the pavillion and the fielding team think they can now relax you are confronted by Chanderpaul or Mr Cricket each capable of making 100 t0 150 without too much drama this is really depressing.

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posted Jun 19, 2008

I agree

ChandraPaul batting at No 4 is ideal, that is the spot Hussey too bats in Tests

Gayle is like Sehwag an enigma, I would still persist as opener

They day he gets in groove he can stun the opposition for the enotire Test match

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