Thursday, 20 November 2008
Let it begin...
At last! This summer's international cricket in Australia is about to start, no thanks to the weather. It all seems familiar - once again, the selectors have decided that the Gabba pitch requires a banana-bending seamer (especially after rain?), and once again, a visiting captain decides to bowl first. Will it actually pay off this time?
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11 comments:
Good Morning,
NZ win the toss and put Australia in.
What's the reasoning behind that?
Defensive IMO. Even if this match is rained out ultimately better get some batting in the three-four day's play possible.
Nothing much in the first two balls. Straight driven four to Hayden...nice shot.
A nice green pitch, overcast conditions suitable for swing bowling. Many have been tempted by the thought that they can knock over the Aussies before the Gabba pitch gets better for batting. Steve Waugh has been known to employ the same tactic a couple of times. In fact, in the last 13 Gabba Tests, the toss-winner has only chosen to bat 3 times!
Is choosing to field a good idea? In the same time, Australia has won three Tests at the Gabba after fielding first (most recently when NZ chose to bat first). In 2000, against WI, the first day bowling played a big part, although it was just as good in the second innings.
The only visitors to have done well from their choice in any sense were NZ in 1997, when they started the way they have today. Cairns played the role of Southee, but Australia won the match in the end. What will happen this time?
they had the resources back then jon...it will be interesting to see how they respond here...
i think the match will be decided who is more bad...nz batting or oz bowling...
Fair call. The bowlers could do quite well on this pitch, especially if Clark is back at his best.
As for NZ batting... well, either they're not in good shape, or Symonds and Watson had better both watch their backs for Henriques!
Apart from that, I'd liek to be watching Harbhajan bowl at the moment!
8 bats.4 seamers.Symonds capable of bowling seam up.No Jason Krejza.
Whats the logic?
Cheers,
They got southeed... batting is the biggest worry for NZ... Australia should be fine.
The "horses for courses" policy seems to be most evident at the Gabba. The idea is that the seamers are most useful there, especially in damp conditions (are there any others these days? but that's another story...)
I'm not sure I agree. In fairness, Australia probably have one of the best spin attacks you can get without including a specialist spinner, but I'd still like to see one.
I wonder whether the Aussie selection was a factor in Vettori's decision.
That's the sort of start to the day I like to see!
This match is a welcome change... might be over by day 3! All eyes on Katich now.
Also it looks like Mathew's hay days are over. Phil Jacques will surely be motivated to have a speedy recovery.
He does seem to be running out of chances, doesn't he? Do you think they should wait for Jacques to recover? I guess Sean Marsh would another option.
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