1st Test: Australia v England at Brisbane Nov 21-25, 2013

[TheParraboy]

We have smith to bowl spin if needed just as good as Lyon anyway. 4 quicks is the right option. imo

agree, he will be more than adequate on a rain affected match

 

[RHCP]

Warner and Clarke could roll the arm over for a handful of overs if we're in absolutely dire straits.

 

[Twizzle]

Watson can bowl off 3 steps in the nets so apparently he's OK.

 

[ek999]

Warner and Clarke could roll the arm over for a handful of overs if we're in absolutely dire straits.

I doubt Clarke will be bowling with how his back is, but we will have Smith and Warner as part-timers

 

[RHCP]

Yeah forgot about the back, risk =/= reward there. Warner and Smith it is though.

All comes down to the conditions.

 

[typicalfan]

We won't win with 4 quicks unless it is an absolute greentop.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Warner and Smith bowling a few overs of spin does not equate to having a specialist spinner in the side.

History tells us that only one side has ever had any success playing a four pronged pace attack and that is of course the great West Indian sides of the 80s who had a production line of champion fast bowlers who could bowl sides out so easily that they didn't need a spinner. We've got f**king Notch, Veggietard and Rhino. Not quite Marshall, Ambrose, Walsh, Holding.
This is test cricket, not under 13s where batsmen are intimidated and are found out by poor technique by bowlers clocking anything over 120 kms/hr.

You play a specialist spinner not only to take wickets but to change the momentum of an innings, to keep things tight and to try an entice batsmen into taking risks. And of course they can bowl long spells enabling your fast men to have a decent breather. Warner and Smith don't have the control to keep things tight and quality batsmen like Bell, Cook and KP will love playing them, just as much as they will relish playing against 4 seamers.

Lyon isn't the greatest spinner on earth but to go into a test without a specialist spinner is a more conservative approach then going in with him.

 

[hineyrulz]

Spot on AG, plus having a spinner will improve the over rate.

 

[chigurh]

Am I able to bet on Johnson bowling a wide in his first over, or did Amir and co end those options for good?

 

[madunit]

Am I able to bet on Johnson bowling a wide in his first over, or did Amir and co end those options for good?

What sort of wide?

Straying wide of third slip
Straying way down leg side
A bouncer that clears the batsmens head by a foot

 

[TheParraboy]

Lyon isn't the greatest spinner on earth but to go into a test without a specialist spinner is a more conservative approach then going in with him

I would have thought picking Lyon was the conservative approach (on a rain effected, traditionally seaming deck).

the definition of conservative: "averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values"

In any case I doubt it will make a difference who is picked in the XI at the Gabba, the weather forecast looks terrible for the whole 5 days. Lyon a definite for the 2nd test though ;-)

 

[TheParraboy]

We are all making fun of Johnson (me included) but f**k id love him to grab 10 wickets for 10 a piece at the Gabba. Back up in Adelaide by grabbing 7 or 8 for the match at under 3 per over. And then grab 15 in Perth to win us the series and regain the ashes

 

[madunit]

We are all making fun of Johnson (me included) but f**k id love him to grab 10 wickets for 10 a piece at the Gabba. Back up in Adelaide by grabbing 7 or 8 for the match at under 3 per over. And then grab 15 in Perth to win us the series and regain the ashes

that's impressive mate.

This has got to be the first post on any forum ever made while fast asleep.

Mitch hasn't taken a 10 for at Test level since 2010

 

[AlwaysGreen]

I would have thought picking Lyon was the conservative approach (on a rain effected, traditionally seaming deck).

the definition of conservative: "averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values"

In any case I doubt it will make a difference who is picked in the XI at the Gabba, the weather forecast looks terrible for the whole 5 days. Lyon a definite for the 2nd test though ;-)

It's a bit of a myth that Brisbane is a seaming deck. Yes, it offers assistance to the very best fast bowlers but it is no green top, the major thing with the Gabba is that if it's humid it will swing, if that's the case Watson could probably be the key bowler if he's fit. It's actually a very good batting strip and interestingly the pitch where Warne had his most success in Australia.

And you don't pick sides based on the weather.

 

[typicalfan]

Yep history tells us you need a spinner unless your pace attack is out of this world. When 4 quicks operate one is always under bowled. We won't win the ashes without a spinner.

 

[Horrie Is God]

Super Mitchy was just on Faux Sports News declaring that he wants the new ball for this test..

He was rockin' the new look too..

 

[hineyrulz]

Super Mitchy was just on Faux Sports News declaring that he wants the new ball for this test..

He was rockin' the new look too..

:lol: He'll definitely intimidate the pommy top order.

 

[Hutty1986]

Are people really considering leaving Lyon out? He's the best spinner we've got & while I'm the first to admit he hasn't consistently come up with the goods in the 4th innings, the bloke averages 33 ffs. Not brilliant numbers but pretty decent

 

[TheParraboy]

Happy Birthday Nathan Lyon
turns 26 today

 

[Xfactor1979]

Happy Birthday Nathan Lyon
turns 26 today

Looks 40 :lol:

With a head that size, I wonder if hes neurotic