Originally posted by VargI disagree with the Warne comment. I really think he's past his prime. ONly just mind you, and still a lot better than 98% of the spinnersout there, but he's been playing cricket in England too long and we're getting used to him. Besides he's had major personal issues over the alst year, I reckon we've got him licked. For me it will be Gilchrist and McGrath. If McGraw gets Trescothick driving at half vollies outside off, as is par for the course, then Gillespie and Lee can rip into the rest of us. McGrath is also a bloddy robot when it comes to bowling on a length and line for days at a time. As you say, Gilchrist is an evil batsman to have down the order and we can expect to get hit around by him.
Well, contrary to my earlier post I am always pessimistic about our batting.
Strauss is class, Tres is prone to awful dismissals, Vaughan often looks shaky, Bell is untested but looks good, Pietersen is untested at Test level and is a bit "all or nothing" on the county circuit, Flintoff can be fantastic but has been average in the last six months, Jones hasn ...[text shortened]... k of it. With him it can be just beginning.
Anyway, it's not over till the fat bowler spins 😀
Originally posted by VargI think oz has a better bowling lineup, although England definately has bigger hitters. Maybe the England aggressiveness will throw the aussie plans?
Well, contrary to my earlier post I am always pessimistic about our batting.
Strauss is class, Tres is prone to awful dismissals, Vaughan often looks shaky, Bell is untested but looks good, Pietersen is untested at Test level and is a bit "all or nothing" on the county circuit, Flintoff can be fantastic but has been average in the last six months, Jones hasn ...[text shortened]... k of it. With him it can be just beginning.
Anyway, it's not over till the fat bowler spins 😀
Like you say - Key players for Australia will be Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath. Oz has a better 'solid' top order battingwise, but if Hoggard can swing the ball like he did here he might make the aussies panic.
If Tresco and Strauss fire they can really take the wind out of opponent sails - look what happened here. If Pietersen and Flintoff can come and 'finish the job' Australia might be in trouble.
Consistency will be the magic word for the pom batting though...
Originally posted by StarrmanI agree Warne is past his best.
I disagree with the Warne comment. I really think he's past his prime. ONly just mind you, and still a lot better than 98% of the spinnersout there, but he's been playing cricket in England too long and we're getting used to him. Besides he's had major personal issues over the alst year, I reckon we've got him licked. For me it will be Gilchrist and ...[text shortened]... Gilchrist is an evil batsman to have down the order and we can expect to get hit around by him.
The problem is, even past his best he is better than almost anyone else, as you say.
Originally posted by VargWarne's also learnt to bat recently he has scored two centuries this summer alraedy.
I agree Warne is past his best.
The problem is, even past his best he is better than almost anyone else, as you say.
The sides are evenly matched but if Freddie gets his bowling and batting going he will be the difference.
Bring it on.
Originally posted by invigorateyea i reckon I'll do alright, get a couple of centuries, hopefully I can play a big part in the bowling as well. It feels like it is going to be a good summer for me and the boys.
The sides are evenly matched but if Freddie gets his bowling and batting going he will be the difference.
FF
Past his prime? Fatty is going to have a cracker, mark my words, and the series will be won comfortably by Australia. I'd like to see a tight series, however, so hopefully the English can put up some semblance of resistance.
In my opinion, the key to this series will be the quality of the mobile phone coverage around Warnie's hotel room.
Originally posted by dylShane Warne in his Prime!!
Past his prime? Fatty is going to have a cracker, mark my words, and the series will be won comfortably by Australia. I'd like to see a tight series, however, so hopefully the English can put up some semblance of resistance.
In my opinion, the key to this series will be the quality of the mobile phone coverage around Warnie's hotel room.
Prime Aussie Beef ready for the slaughter.
Originally posted by StarrmanThe second ball was a beauty - if you can't bowl 'em lets hurt 'em!
Off we go! Australia to bat. Vaughan is on the pitch, the crowd are standing and clapping like mad, even the MCC members are on their feet! Come on England!!
Edit: Harmison to open the bowling.
Edit: Dot ball.