04 Feb 05
Originally posted by StarrmanEngland has a bowling weakness which may give you the edge.
I can't say I'm hopeful for ya buddy, once again your efforts seem to rely on Kallis doing all the work. If he fails to come up with the goods as he must eventually, you're pretty much doomed.
After Hoggard, Gough (who can be erratic anyway) and Giles (who I think is doing very well so far) we have Ali who seems to get wickets but is quite expensive, Collingwood, who is quite economical but doesn't get wickets and Tresco who fills in. I think Vaughan should bowl himself a bit more.
If you can punish our 5th bowler (more likely collection of bowlers) then you have a very good chance.
04 Feb 05
Originally posted by StarrmanAs you guys rely on Trescothick? and it seems you might come to rely on that turncoat, Pieterson?
I can't say I'm hopeful for ya buddy, once again your efforts seem to rely on Kallis doing all the work. If he fails to come up with the goods as he must eventually, you're pretty much doomed.
You've got it wrong, mate. We have much more batting depth than the poms and if our top order fires on the day, probably only the aussies can give us a game.
Our only real problem in the ODIs is we seem to have forgotten how to win. We have loads of talent, but no real urgency.
A big problem is all the politicians and administrators trying to throw their weight around in our sports. If they kept their noses out of cricket and just let the guys play, we would've been no.2 in the world again in no time...
04 Feb 05
Originally posted by CrowleyHave to agree that our ODI team seems a little weak in the middle order and in the backup bowling. Collingwood and Ali have their merits, but I'm not sure they're strong enough to impose themselves.
As you guys rely on Trescothick? and it seems you might come to rely on that turncoat, Pieterson?
You've got it wrong, mate. We have much more batting depth than the poms and if our top order fires on the day, probably only the aussies can give us a game.
Our only real problem in the ODIs is we seem to have forgotten how to win. We have loads of talent, ...[text shortened]... t of cricket and just let the guys play, we would've been no.2 in the world again in no time...
Obviously seems to be some discord in the SA camp which can't be helping, but 1 win in 14 matches (correct me if I'm wrong) isn't a great record.
Rain in Port Elizabeth.
06 Feb 05
Originally posted by StarrmanHa! Told you so! Our one day side doesn't need Jacques to do all the work like in the tests.
once again your efforts seem to rely on Kallis doing all the work.
Our side really seems to have a nice balance now. Maybe Prince can still go for Hall, but he looks to be from the Jonty Rhodes mould so maybe we need to give him a chance.
2 great games! 2 great wins!
We almost choked again on Friday, but we pulled it through. Today we really kicked some ass! Kallis, Gibbs (who is fitting in nicely in 4), Ntini and Kemp. A very good win.
Our sides seem to be good competition for each other, though I don't see the english winning another game if you can't sort out your middle order batting and replace Harmison.
07 Feb 05
Originally posted by CrowleyThe batting failed yesterday, but I don't think that's the main problem as they've been okay up to now.
Our sides seem to be good competition for each other, though I don't see the english winning another game if you can't sort out your middle order batting and replace Harmison.
It's the perrenial 5th bowler problem. With an in-form Harmison and Flintoff we had 5 front line bowlers. With no Freddie that makes 4 plus a part timer. With poor Harmison it means finding a replacement.
We have a reserve bowler called Jon Lewis who hasn't played at international level but has been increibly successful in one day domestic games. I think we should try him out.
07 Feb 05
Originally posted by VargYou guys really miss Freddie. He's an awesome all-rounder.
The batting failed yesterday, but I don't think that's the main problem as they've been okay up to now.
It's the perrenial 5th bowler problem. With an in-form Harmison and Flintoff we had 5 front line bowlers. With no Freddie that makes 4 plus a part timer. With poor Harmison it means finding a replacement.
We have a reserve bowler called Jon Lewis who ha ...[text shortened]... evel but has been increibly successful in one day domestic games. I think we should try him out.
07 Feb 05
Originally posted by StarrmanNicely put.
I'd get rid of Ali in a second, he sucks the sweat of Jacques Kallis' jock.
He's got a few wickets but seems flukey to me - bad balls that get slogged for a catch. He's expensive too.
Out of the bowlers we have in SA, I'd have Gough, Hoggard, Giles, Collingwood and Lewis. Collingwood has actually been the most economical bowler this series. Oh, we have Wharf, too if we need to lose a game or two 😛
07 Feb 05
Originally posted by Vargfrom what i have seen of ALI - he is sh1t and should have cost England in the tied game...
Nicely put.
He's got a few wickets but seems flukey to me - bad balls that get slogged for a catch. He's expensive too.
Out of the bowlers we have in SA, I'd have Gough, Hoggard, Giles, Collingwood and Lewis. Collingwood has actually been the most economical bowler this series. Oh, we have Wharf, too if we need to lose a game or two 😛
england are really missing Flintoff to come in and belt 30 off 15 in the embers not to mention his bowling which has troubled most of the SA bats.
i think i would drop collingwood from the one day side, ok he is a good fielder but his batting is ok and his bowling is ok.. just checked his stats so far and he has bowled 32 overs for 141 with 4 wickets so bowling RPO is over 4 and average is 35. he has only scored 73 in 3 avg24. for the role he occupys he aint worth the trouble. i do like him as a player so lets hope he proves me wrong.
have loved watching all the games - long may the entertainment
continue.
daniel
08 Feb 05
No ways Dan, they need Collingwood, he's their only all rounder.
I'm just scared that Tresco and Jones will fire in the last couple of matches. If they do, they will be ultra destructive, like Gilchrist/Hayden or Jayasuriya/Kawulitharana in their hayday.
Weird that the England camp don't want to give Strauss and opportunity upfront. Has he failed there before? He doesn't look the same player that we saw in the tests...
08 Feb 05
Originally posted by CrowleyWell yeah they may need him coz he is the only all rounder they have but he is sh1t... i reckon they would be better off playing a bowler who can bat or maybe vica versa - someone like Ronnie Irani perhaps.. not sure if there is one available but certainly a better option than PC
No ways Dan, they need Collingwood, he's their only all rounder.
I'm just scared that Tresco and Jones will fire in the last couple of matches. If they do, they will be ultra destructive, like Gilchrist/Hayden or Jayasuriya/Kawulitharana in their hayday.
Weird that the England camp don't want to give Strauss and opportunity upfront. Has he failed there before? He doesn't look the same player that we saw in the tests...
daniel