Congrats to Chris Gayle on his Captains knock. His innings has been rather flawless and to make the 150 mark and still be standing as the number one batsman with 8 wickets down, is quite impressive.
His innings has given the Windies a chance as the bowlers ripped apart the Windies batting line-up! It was good to see him in the Test cricket zone and it may change his attitude towards Test cricket. His innings makes you realise how important his contribution has been. Test cricket is about all-round contributions as it rarely happens where one batsman will make the difference in one innings if the other is equally poor. So building upon their innings of 451, his current knock of 155* stands out!
Mitchell Johnson bowled really well today. He looked to be in control and while we all know Mitch will leak a couple of runs here and there, he bowled with the fast intensity that we always want to see from him. His wicket taking deliveries were well executed and it's good to see him walk away 4 wickets to his name, with the chance of a 5-for tomorrow. Crucial wickets fell in the final session and not only was our fielding far better, but Mitch and Doug Bollinger worked well at the end and Shane Watson was in good control of the swing department, varying the movement to the batsmen.
Simply a good performance with the ball and after the Windies first innings being a high scoring one, the guys fought back well and the lead is currently 296. Nothing too threatening, yet, and it would be ideal to not let that edge pass the 300 mark, but we'll see how the bowlers sort out the final two wickets.
The 5th day of the Test match is going to be exciting to watch!
I expect Chris Gayle to come out ready to launch an attack with the attitude of his T20 and ODI batting. It is just a gut feeling I have, as instead of waiting on his tail-enders to graft away he would probably choose the option to take on the bowlers with his focus aimed at the boundaries to push that lead as far ahead as possible. Watch out for him tomorrow!
And Doug Bollinger needs to calm down! Seriously, I understand bowlers get frustrated and every bowler has a row with the Umpire in their career, but he really needs to calm down out there and hold back his emotions if he can before he gets the hearing, which is probably coming his way already.
Peter Siddle is the one who has it right. You can see the mans frustration but he doesn't take it to the next level which may be seen as disrespectful. I know Doug's not the type of bowler to shy away and be conservative on the field, but it would probably work in his favor to just tone it down a bit. Kick the ground, but then get back and bowl again. He is doing a good job anyway at the end of the day!
The frustrations for a modern day cricketer! The match fee takes a cut too.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
2nd TEST: AN EVEN BATTLE!
Things feel apart a bit for us considering the start Shane Watson and Simon Katich put together, but to end up just 12 runs short of the Windies first innings was a fine effort. Chris Gayle and Adrian Barath have edged that lead forward after a bit of carnage to Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger in the 4 overs faced for the second innings, but the Baggy Green will need that quick victim in the 1st session, and the chances of it happening are very good. But I reckon Day 4 is going to be the determinant for the rest of the match, even if Test cricket can change in a matter of overs in a session on Day 5!
Peter Siddle has an injury too, so we'll have to wait and see how he is, so hopefully Ben Hilfenhaus will be ready for the Perth Test should Sid's need a rest. He has played a hell of alot of cricket! Stuart Clark would be the next man on my list, even though the NSP have him on the 'has been' list.
So Shane Watson didn't contribute to his overnight score. I made a comparison to his first ball duck in the ICC Champions Trophy to Kemar Roach in my last article, and somehow I feel bad about doing that, as only the 2nd ball of the day resulted in Watto being bowled for 96. Absoulutely gutted for him as I really wanted him to get to the triple figure mark but it wasn't to be. Hope he didn't have a sleepless night because it didn't make too much of a difference. He'll have another chance, I am certain! Simon Katich was cheaply dismissed in another well played innings, as he scored 80. His consistency is outstanding and he can't be far from another century, surely!
Once again the batsmen made starts that were promising, and they all ended up walking away from the middle with cheap, soft dismissals to quite a few fully pitched deliveries.
Michael Clarke had another great knock out there at the Adelaide Oval with 71 runs, and at once stage was going at a strike-rate I wouldn't mind seeing in his One Day game. Good to see Pup playing aggressively and his Test cricket is improving all the time. So good to see it!
Am I the only person who thought Michael Hussey seemed to struggle quite alot out there? Just an obervation but he didn't look to comfortable throughout his innings but 41 runs off 126 balls indicated his intentions to just try and consolidate things a bit more after the wickets of Watto, Katto and Punter (who also gave away his wicket) fell.
But atleast one of these guys have to go on to a century!
These starts not being converted into centuries gets a little bit frustrating. Imagine how they are feeling though, especially after Punter stressed that it was something they are trying to rectify! The main thing though is the runs are going on the scoreboard, so it's not that bad, just frustrating because I love seeing one of our players valiantly raise their bat upon reaching the Test batsmans ultimate goal.
Hopefully it will be soon enough. Marcus North lucked out too with a bit of an unlucky bat/pad scenario, but he has been a valuable contributor who is still very much in form, so I won't be expecting him to not be in the contenders list to get the century that is desperately up for grabs.
Brad Haddin was pretty awesome, if I can take on a more slang like approach to my wording, but I really thought his innings was quite a tactful and free flowing one.
His shot selections were attacking, if at times passively aggressive like that outstanding late paddled nudge between 'keeper and first slip. His straight bat strokes are always picture perfect and it was great to see him bring up the half century with a launched slog sweep into the stands! The bloke who took it with one hand was impressive...and quite casual about it too!
But Hads is looking alot better behind the stumps with cleaner gloveswork, similar to the standards I remember him at a while back. His batting is so effective and I hope he keeps it up. He looks alot more ambitious, and maybe having two other 'keepers get some International exposure helped his cause in a positive way.
Sulieman Benn: Watched the man debut and I still laugh at his unexpected role.
Built like a Windies fast bowler, who bowls slow orthodox spin deliveries with the action of a lazy old man, but boy did he work hard for those 5 wickets out there!
Credit given where it's due.
Another big day ahead and while the game has been frustrating at times, it has been good to see a nice battle of Test match cricket.
As for India going to number 1 on the rankings, we will see how long they stay there. And that Test match! 726 runs, either Sri-Lanka cannot bowl anymore and should just move on, the flat wickets are just too easy to bat on or India are just in the synergy zone with the willow!
They have to hold that spot to earn it though!
Peter Siddle has an injury too, so we'll have to wait and see how he is, so hopefully Ben Hilfenhaus will be ready for the Perth Test should Sid's need a rest. He has played a hell of alot of cricket! Stuart Clark would be the next man on my list, even though the NSP have him on the 'has been' list.
So Shane Watson didn't contribute to his overnight score. I made a comparison to his first ball duck in the ICC Champions Trophy to Kemar Roach in my last article, and somehow I feel bad about doing that, as only the 2nd ball of the day resulted in Watto being bowled for 96. Absoulutely gutted for him as I really wanted him to get to the triple figure mark but it wasn't to be. Hope he didn't have a sleepless night because it didn't make too much of a difference. He'll have another chance, I am certain! Simon Katich was cheaply dismissed in another well played innings, as he scored 80. His consistency is outstanding and he can't be far from another century, surely!
Once again the batsmen made starts that were promising, and they all ended up walking away from the middle with cheap, soft dismissals to quite a few fully pitched deliveries.
Michael Clarke had another great knock out there at the Adelaide Oval with 71 runs, and at once stage was going at a strike-rate I wouldn't mind seeing in his One Day game. Good to see Pup playing aggressively and his Test cricket is improving all the time. So good to see it!
Am I the only person who thought Michael Hussey seemed to struggle quite alot out there? Just an obervation but he didn't look to comfortable throughout his innings but 41 runs off 126 balls indicated his intentions to just try and consolidate things a bit more after the wickets of Watto, Katto and Punter (who also gave away his wicket) fell.
But atleast one of these guys have to go on to a century!
These starts not being converted into centuries gets a little bit frustrating. Imagine how they are feeling though, especially after Punter stressed that it was something they are trying to rectify! The main thing though is the runs are going on the scoreboard, so it's not that bad, just frustrating because I love seeing one of our players valiantly raise their bat upon reaching the Test batsmans ultimate goal.
Hopefully it will be soon enough. Marcus North lucked out too with a bit of an unlucky bat/pad scenario, but he has been a valuable contributor who is still very much in form, so I won't be expecting him to not be in the contenders list to get the century that is desperately up for grabs.
Brad Haddin was pretty awesome, if I can take on a more slang like approach to my wording, but I really thought his innings was quite a tactful and free flowing one.
His shot selections were attacking, if at times passively aggressive like that outstanding late paddled nudge between 'keeper and first slip. His straight bat strokes are always picture perfect and it was great to see him bring up the half century with a launched slog sweep into the stands! The bloke who took it with one hand was impressive...and quite casual about it too!
But Hads is looking alot better behind the stumps with cleaner gloveswork, similar to the standards I remember him at a while back. His batting is so effective and I hope he keeps it up. He looks alot more ambitious, and maybe having two other 'keepers get some International exposure helped his cause in a positive way.
Sulieman Benn: Watched the man debut and I still laugh at his unexpected role.
Built like a Windies fast bowler, who bowls slow orthodox spin deliveries with the action of a lazy old man, but boy did he work hard for those 5 wickets out there!
Credit given where it's due.
Another big day ahead and while the game has been frustrating at times, it has been good to see a nice battle of Test match cricket.
As for India going to number 1 on the rankings, we will see how long they stay there. And that Test match! 726 runs, either Sri-Lanka cannot bowl anymore and should just move on, the flat wickets are just too easy to bat on or India are just in the synergy zone with the willow!
They have to hold that spot to earn it though!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
2nd TEST: GAME ON!
Alright folks, we have a game on our hands here!
The Windies are showing some fight out there, and Watto and Katto are replying with top class brilliance!
We definitely leaked far too many runs and there were a number of chances that slipped by, even if a few of those were tough chances. I still reckon we let them on 100 runs too many given the circumstances, but what's done is done and the Windies had a great first innings total to make this a good Test match battle.
On this positive, fair play note it has been nice to see the site hasn't been bombarded with 'cheating Aussies' remarks and all the rest of the rubbish after the controversial dismissal of Shiv Chanderpaul. Sure it's unfortunate and not how the viewers want the Referral system to be running, but the Umpires make the call and that is that. Many more blunders to come in the future just like there's been many others in the previous decades!
But as far as I'm concerned...the sound made as it passed the edge had the trademark sound of bat and ball, and in the one camera angle, the deviation looked to be very much off the bat. My opinion anyway, and far more conclusive than that first referral which was rightly so, rejected.
Brendon Nash showed courage after Mitchell sent one into his elbow and even I admit it was unfortunate he landed short of a century. Time for Simon Katich to make up for his lost chance in the 1st Test! Dwayne Bravo took his chances, played a risky innings but reaped the benefits for a century! Good to see the Windies showing better attitude to the game in this Test!
Doug Bollinger started with a beating from Chris Gayle on Day 1, but I think he held his nerve really well as it couldn't have been too easy for him to walk away from those first few overs. But he fought back hard and using his steep bounce with some good pace, he got Gayle out to a classic bouncer. Maybe Gayle was a bit lazy, but Brad Haddin took a flyer in response. The perfect execution in the leap and a one handed grasp is always a sight. Hads has had a few of those in his time behind the stumps!
However, I think the fielding let us down at times which gave the bowlers a frustrating run at times. But these things happen! Perhaps the void of Ben Hilfenhaus reflects a bit of the value, I think, he brings to the side, especially to the left hand batsmen. I don't like to get too technical on this site but Hilfy has a big X factor to offer the side. Doug B did however, do a fine job in the end only going at a rate of 2.68 runs per over (and 2 wickets) while Nathan Hauritz did a decent job too.
He probably gifted the Windies middle order quite a few runs but Punter made him work hard out there as he bowled 36 overs.
Importantly everyone chipped in with wickets, and Peter Siddle was a tad unlucky in his early spell (and he certainly showed his frustration too) but he will bounce back with better fortune at some stage.
Michael Hussey's catch at gully was a blinder to grab the wicket of Adrian Barath! Not the first time we've seen that acrobatic excellence from the Huss.
Both Simon Katich and Shane Watson have been very cautious in their partnership but things have ticked along very, very nicely!
Interesting to see is the difference in their roles at the crease.
Katto was great in nudging the ball into the gaps, playing his trademark strokes, using his wrists to punch the ball through the on-side and in his stand of 71*, he only has 4 boundaries and 1 six to his name.
Watto on the other hand, on 96*, has hit 16 fours, resulting in 64 of his runs. The attacking mentality versus the conservative mentality!
The funny thing with Simon Katich is that if given half a chance tomorrow, that strike-rate will increase drastically! I enjoy watching him bat so much.
But the focus is on Watto! He has certainly made up for his fielding blunder (which would have been a marvellous catch had he just tossed the ball inside the boundary ropes!) and the duck at the Gabba. How about it, just four runs away from scoring his maiden Test century representing the Baggy Green! What a moment it will be.
We have seen a few guys luck out on ton's so far (both centurions in the series being West Indian) but Watto will be looking to get that over with as soon as he can!
Hopefully Kemar Roach doesn't send him one of those freakish fully pitched inswingers like he did in the ICC Champions Trophy which got Watto first ball!
Our openers are doing the job well and are complenting each other perfectly under the circumstances. With a strong batting line-up to follow and 174 on the board, it is the best start we could ask for from the boys as this Test match is set to be a tough contest! Come on Watto!
The Windies are showing some fight out there, and Watto and Katto are replying with top class brilliance!
We definitely leaked far too many runs and there were a number of chances that slipped by, even if a few of those were tough chances. I still reckon we let them on 100 runs too many given the circumstances, but what's done is done and the Windies had a great first innings total to make this a good Test match battle.
On this positive, fair play note it has been nice to see the site hasn't been bombarded with 'cheating Aussies' remarks and all the rest of the rubbish after the controversial dismissal of Shiv Chanderpaul. Sure it's unfortunate and not how the viewers want the Referral system to be running, but the Umpires make the call and that is that. Many more blunders to come in the future just like there's been many others in the previous decades!
But as far as I'm concerned...the sound made as it passed the edge had the trademark sound of bat and ball, and in the one camera angle, the deviation looked to be very much off the bat. My opinion anyway, and far more conclusive than that first referral which was rightly so, rejected.
Brendon Nash showed courage after Mitchell sent one into his elbow and even I admit it was unfortunate he landed short of a century. Time for Simon Katich to make up for his lost chance in the 1st Test! Dwayne Bravo took his chances, played a risky innings but reaped the benefits for a century! Good to see the Windies showing better attitude to the game in this Test!
Doug Bollinger started with a beating from Chris Gayle on Day 1, but I think he held his nerve really well as it couldn't have been too easy for him to walk away from those first few overs. But he fought back hard and using his steep bounce with some good pace, he got Gayle out to a classic bouncer. Maybe Gayle was a bit lazy, but Brad Haddin took a flyer in response. The perfect execution in the leap and a one handed grasp is always a sight. Hads has had a few of those in his time behind the stumps!
However, I think the fielding let us down at times which gave the bowlers a frustrating run at times. But these things happen! Perhaps the void of Ben Hilfenhaus reflects a bit of the value, I think, he brings to the side, especially to the left hand batsmen. I don't like to get too technical on this site but Hilfy has a big X factor to offer the side. Doug B did however, do a fine job in the end only going at a rate of 2.68 runs per over (and 2 wickets) while Nathan Hauritz did a decent job too.
He probably gifted the Windies middle order quite a few runs but Punter made him work hard out there as he bowled 36 overs.
Importantly everyone chipped in with wickets, and Peter Siddle was a tad unlucky in his early spell (and he certainly showed his frustration too) but he will bounce back with better fortune at some stage.
Michael Hussey's catch at gully was a blinder to grab the wicket of Adrian Barath! Not the first time we've seen that acrobatic excellence from the Huss.
Both Simon Katich and Shane Watson have been very cautious in their partnership but things have ticked along very, very nicely!
Interesting to see is the difference in their roles at the crease.
Katto was great in nudging the ball into the gaps, playing his trademark strokes, using his wrists to punch the ball through the on-side and in his stand of 71*, he only has 4 boundaries and 1 six to his name.
Watto on the other hand, on 96*, has hit 16 fours, resulting in 64 of his runs. The attacking mentality versus the conservative mentality!
The funny thing with Simon Katich is that if given half a chance tomorrow, that strike-rate will increase drastically! I enjoy watching him bat so much.
But the focus is on Watto! He has certainly made up for his fielding blunder (which would have been a marvellous catch had he just tossed the ball inside the boundary ropes!) and the duck at the Gabba. How about it, just four runs away from scoring his maiden Test century representing the Baggy Green! What a moment it will be.
We have seen a few guys luck out on ton's so far (both centurions in the series being West Indian) but Watto will be looking to get that over with as soon as he can!
Hopefully Kemar Roach doesn't send him one of those freakish fully pitched inswingers like he did in the ICC Champions Trophy which got Watto first ball!
Our openers are doing the job well and are complenting each other perfectly under the circumstances. With a strong batting line-up to follow and 174 on the board, it is the best start we could ask for from the boys as this Test match is set to be a tough contest! Come on Watto!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
2nd TEST vs THE WINDIES AT THE ADELAIDE OVAL
The good news is that quite a few of our batsmen have a really good record at the Adelaide Oval, notably Michael Clarke (remember the 2006/07 Ashes series for him?), Brad Haddin and Ricky Ponting who has a few special highlights in Adelaide.
The Windies have Ramnaresh Sarwan back in the side most likely, which will be a huge boost to their line-up with another experienced senior to assist them, and Darren Sammy is set to enter with Jerome Taylor out with a back problem.
The Windies are a side that I never ever rule out. I don't see it as an under-dogs factor, but more so that they are just such an unstable unit and you can't predict their efforts on any day.
They will be really impressive one day and then all of a sudden they are bloody terrible, like the 1st Test.
They have one of the best batsman in World Cricket (Shiv Chanderpaul) and a group of players who are probably alot more capable than they make out to be.
I am very excited for the 2nd Test to see how/if the Windies fight back!
The big loss was Ben Hilfenhaus to a knee injury last game, but it has given Doug Bollinger another chance to represent the Baggy Green, and there is no harm in having another left-arm seamer in the side!
He can create steep bounce with rapid pace (his height being a major benefit) which can make shot selection a bit of a test for the opposition batsmen.
Otherwise you all know the rest of the unit by now. Hopefully Hilfy makes a comeback soon enough, but I still believe this bowling unit for the 2nd Test will do a good job.
The batting was really good last match considering it was the first Test of the summer and some guys were playing their first International match since the Ashes.
The only concern would have been that most of our line-up made good starts, but couldn't dig in further to get a big score. Simon Katich came close with another gem of an innings, but the end result was still good none the less for Squad with 480 declared.
All round contributions make a difference in Test cricket as opposed to one guy standing out, so if one or two of our batsmen could carry on to the triple figure mark, while there were other batsmen in the order getting starts like we saw in the 1st Test, it is the best recipe to set up a daunting total.
Shane Watson will be looking to get his run account flowing in the series after it didn't work out for him at the Gabba, and Michael Hussey got off to a good start in the series with 66 even if he was very scratchy at times during his innings. It is still a good way to get going and would have done his confidence the world of good.
The Sir Frank Worrell Trophy is still up for grabs so I really do expect that we will have a fiercer battle for the 2nd Test. I hope to see aggressive cricket from the side and the Punter applies the tactical approach he did in the 1st Test. It was mighty encouraging!
The Windies have Ramnaresh Sarwan back in the side most likely, which will be a huge boost to their line-up with another experienced senior to assist them, and Darren Sammy is set to enter with Jerome Taylor out with a back problem.
The Windies are a side that I never ever rule out. I don't see it as an under-dogs factor, but more so that they are just such an unstable unit and you can't predict their efforts on any day.
They will be really impressive one day and then all of a sudden they are bloody terrible, like the 1st Test.
They have one of the best batsman in World Cricket (Shiv Chanderpaul) and a group of players who are probably alot more capable than they make out to be.
I am very excited for the 2nd Test to see how/if the Windies fight back!
The big loss was Ben Hilfenhaus to a knee injury last game, but it has given Doug Bollinger another chance to represent the Baggy Green, and there is no harm in having another left-arm seamer in the side!
He can create steep bounce with rapid pace (his height being a major benefit) which can make shot selection a bit of a test for the opposition batsmen.
Otherwise you all know the rest of the unit by now. Hopefully Hilfy makes a comeback soon enough, but I still believe this bowling unit for the 2nd Test will do a good job.
The batting was really good last match considering it was the first Test of the summer and some guys were playing their first International match since the Ashes.
The only concern would have been that most of our line-up made good starts, but couldn't dig in further to get a big score. Simon Katich came close with another gem of an innings, but the end result was still good none the less for Squad with 480 declared.
All round contributions make a difference in Test cricket as opposed to one guy standing out, so if one or two of our batsmen could carry on to the triple figure mark, while there were other batsmen in the order getting starts like we saw in the 1st Test, it is the best recipe to set up a daunting total.
Shane Watson will be looking to get his run account flowing in the series after it didn't work out for him at the Gabba, and Michael Hussey got off to a good start in the series with 66 even if he was very scratchy at times during his innings. It is still a good way to get going and would have done his confidence the world of good.
The Sir Frank Worrell Trophy is still up for grabs so I really do expect that we will have a fiercer battle for the 2nd Test. I hope to see aggressive cricket from the side and the Punter applies the tactical approach he did in the 1st Test. It was mighty encouraging!
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