OZGOD
Senior Test Player
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2005
- Runs
- 27,187
- Post of the Week
- 4
I will miss the first couple of days of this Test due to being in transit back to the US after my holiday in SE Asia. Hopefully we extend the Test to the third day otherwise I will have wasted my Willow subscription! 
On a more serious note, it's a new OZ side (sort of), with a new captain (sort of) and a new spinner (the latest sacrificial lamb) - will it be a new result?
Unfortunately (for OZ) I don't think it will be. One new batsman and one new captain does not a new team make. Even before this series started I had targetted the Sydney Test as the one the Poms were most likely to win, because of Swann. On the evidence of the series since, it's clear they have a stable, solid top order with players in form and a varied attack, and they will have massive confidence from the slaughter at the MCG.
I have not been shy about voicing my reservations about Michael Clarke, and I definitely think I have a good case, but just as a note those reservations aren't about his so-called flashy lifestyle and his model girlfriends and Aston Martins - they're about his batting form and ability to motivate the team. He's been batting like a girls' blouse who doesn't know what his role in the team is, whether to be a sheet anchor or an Afridiesque cowlasher. As a result he looks like he's fallen between the cracks. That said, he's now the cappo, and so I will support him and cheer him on. Maybe the additional responsibility will galvanise him.
Much bigger problem is in the pace attack. There's a sameness to the pace attack with the exception of MJ who can be a hero or a zero, sometimes both in the same day. Hilf and Siddle are faithful pluggers but they're not really going to scare anyone, especially in batting friendly conditions. Michael Beer (I will think of a suitable nickname for him depending on how he goes this match - if he fails, well maybe we can call him Michael Horse P!ss) is a lottery - who knows how he will go.
I had a look at the bloke's photo and I realised why Warney suggested he be brought into the side - it's because he LOOKS LIKE WARNEY.
As for Uzzy, I have a feeling the boffins in charge will make him bat first drop in his first Test, because they will be too scared to move Clarke and Hussey up. What they should really do is move Hussey to No.3 since he does know how to take the shine off the new ball and since he will likely be batting in the 4th over anyway, keep Pup at No.4 and have Uzzy at No.5. Clearly Smith is a T20 cowlasher and cannot bat higher than No.8 which is why batting at No.6 is clearly 3 places to high for him, but whatever.
Nothing to say about England really, other than I'm sure it will be more of the same - solid batting, incisive bowling.
If we get sent in to bat I reckon 250-300 will be a good score for us. If we have to bowl and it's not overcast England will be looking to post a 500+ score.
Not being pessimistic, just being realistic!
May the best team (on the day anyway) win. Though to be truthful I would not be unhappy with another flogging (sentiments Whips expressed about England before this very Test in 2006):
I don't want there to be anywhere for OZ management, coaching, etc to hide after this. None of this "we just had a couple of bad days at the office". I just KNOW Hilditch and Nielsen and their gang of boofheads are hoping for any kind of straw to cling to with the inquiry that is surely coming. NO EXCUSES!!
On a more serious note, it's a new OZ side (sort of), with a new captain (sort of) and a new spinner (the latest sacrificial lamb) - will it be a new result?
Unfortunately (for OZ) I don't think it will be. One new batsman and one new captain does not a new team make. Even before this series started I had targetted the Sydney Test as the one the Poms were most likely to win, because of Swann. On the evidence of the series since, it's clear they have a stable, solid top order with players in form and a varied attack, and they will have massive confidence from the slaughter at the MCG.
I have not been shy about voicing my reservations about Michael Clarke, and I definitely think I have a good case, but just as a note those reservations aren't about his so-called flashy lifestyle and his model girlfriends and Aston Martins - they're about his batting form and ability to motivate the team. He's been batting like a girls' blouse who doesn't know what his role in the team is, whether to be a sheet anchor or an Afridiesque cowlasher. As a result he looks like he's fallen between the cracks. That said, he's now the cappo, and so I will support him and cheer him on. Maybe the additional responsibility will galvanise him.
Much bigger problem is in the pace attack. There's a sameness to the pace attack with the exception of MJ who can be a hero or a zero, sometimes both in the same day. Hilf and Siddle are faithful pluggers but they're not really going to scare anyone, especially in batting friendly conditions. Michael Beer (I will think of a suitable nickname for him depending on how he goes this match - if he fails, well maybe we can call him Michael Horse P!ss) is a lottery - who knows how he will go.
I had a look at the bloke's photo and I realised why Warney suggested he be brought into the side - it's because he LOOKS LIKE WARNEY.
As for Uzzy, I have a feeling the boffins in charge will make him bat first drop in his first Test, because they will be too scared to move Clarke and Hussey up. What they should really do is move Hussey to No.3 since he does know how to take the shine off the new ball and since he will likely be batting in the 4th over anyway, keep Pup at No.4 and have Uzzy at No.5. Clearly Smith is a T20 cowlasher and cannot bat higher than No.8 which is why batting at No.6 is clearly 3 places to high for him, but whatever.
Nothing to say about England really, other than I'm sure it will be more of the same - solid batting, incisive bowling.
If we get sent in to bat I reckon 250-300 will be a good score for us. If we have to bowl and it's not overcast England will be looking to post a 500+ score.
Not being pessimistic, just being realistic!
May the best team (on the day anyway) win. Though to be truthful I would not be unhappy with another flogging (sentiments Whips expressed about England before this very Test in 2006):
I don't want there to be anywhere for OZ management, coaching, etc to hide after this. None of this "we just had a couple of bad days at the office". I just KNOW Hilditch and Nielsen and their gang of boofheads are hoping for any kind of straw to cling to with the inquiry that is surely coming. NO EXCUSES!!
Last edited by a moderator:
soon!
...
