2016/17 Summer of Cricket

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Yeah but they used one or two pitches for the whole tournament...well, whatever games they hosted anyway. That's really the only time I've seen Dharamsala though so who knows?

Reckon I'd love to watch a game there though...although the backdrop might distract me from the game....

It would be awesome.

 

[Basil Brush]

SOK doesn't qualify under your criteria but after seven matches his strike rate is 55 which is pretty impressive. I think what we're saying is it's surprising he hasn't Been afforded the same opportunities as Lyon, particularly seeing as though he has made the most of it when they have been presented.

I have said it before and will say it again, but there is no way O'Keeffe is in the same class as Lyon.

It is almost funny if anyone thinks otherwise imo.

 

[Basil Brush]

Essentially this. SOK has the best FC spin record in the country but has been continually overlooked...they wanted a left arm spinner to combat KP years ago, SOK got him in a tour match and was killing it at Shield level...they picked Xavier fking Doherty. Lyon has gone through absolutely awful patches, but they've kept him going and going averaging 60 and more at times while SOK averaged 22 and 23 in Shield cricket

As an outsider it looks like they pick Lyon on personality, rather than ability. He's not a bad spinner at his best, but he's a very one dimensional one who has been given more chances than Mark Taylor, often in similar form....

Are you say SOK is better than Lyon because SOK is playing shield cricket while Lyon playing test cricket.

I don't get it.

 

[Bazal]

Are you say SOK is better than Lyon because SOK is playing shield cricket while Lyon playing test cricket.

I don't get it.

No, I'm saying plenty of fans wonder why Lyon, during his patches of being absolutely terrible, hasn't been dropped for a bloke averaging 22-23 in Shield cricket.

They fed so many spinners to the wolves and then settled on a bloke who often struggles to take wickets, has no variation and went 4 years without a five wicket haul....and kept his place?

I think SOK is a better bowler. There isn't a lot in it and they both enjoy different conditions, but that's not really the point. The point is that Lyon can be an abysmal bowler at times and yet he kept his spot over years of bowling poorly while a bloke is killing it at Shield level and can't get a chance.

 

[Basil Brush]

No, I'm saying plenty of fans wonder why Lyon, during his patches of being absolutely terrible, hasn't been dropped for a bloke averaging 22-23 in Shield cricket.

They fed so many spinners to the wolves and then settled on a bloke who often struggles to take wickets, has no variation and went 4 years without a five wicket haul....and kept his place?

I think SOK is a better bowler. There isn't a lot in it and they both enjoy different conditions, but that's not really the point. The point is that Lyon can be an abysmal bowler at times and yet he kept his spot over years of bowling poorly while a bloke is killing it at Shield level and can't get a chance.

SOK has a better first class average than Lyon because Lyon barely plays FC cricket.

Both Aus and Nsw selectors would pick Lyon over SOK every day day of the week.

SOK doesn't even turn the ball so I am not even sure how he could be considered a spinner. I would personally pick Agar over him the last test.

 

[hineyrulz]

Agar lol.

 

[Basil Brush]

Agar lol.

He cant be worse than SOK.

 

[Bazal]

SOK has a better first class average than Lyon because Lyon barely plays FC cricket.

Both Aus and Nsw selectors would pick Lyon over SOK every day day of the week.

SOK doesn't even turn the ball so I am not even sure how he could be considered a spinner. I would personally pick Agar over him the last test.

Lyon doesn't turn the ball either so I'm not sure what the point is there....

SOK has deserved far more opportunity than he has had, and Lyon hasn't deserved the continued faith he's been shown.

 

[hineyrulz]

He cant be worse than SOK.

Serious??? Your mate Lyon has been out bowled by him all series, but somehow SOK shouldn't be picked ahead of Agar????

 

[Basil Brush]

Lyon doesn't turn the ball either so I'm not sure what the point is there....

SOK has deserved far more opportunity than he has had, and Lyon hasn't deserved the continued faith he's been shown.

We will have to agree to disagree.

 

[Bazal]

Serious??? Your mate Lyon has been out bowled by him all series, but somehow SOK shouldn't be picked ahead of Agar????

Agar doesn't really spin the ball either....I like the kid but he's a classic short form spinner IMO

 

[Basil Brush]

Serious??? You mate Lyon has been out bowled all series, but somehow SOK shouldn't be picked ahead of Agar????

Lyon not my mate.

I watch cricket religiously and anyone who thinks SOK is better than Lyon is kidding themselves.

Agar may not be better than SOK but he cant be worse.

 

[Bazal]

Lyon not my mate.

I watch cricket religiously and anyone who thinks SOK is better than Lyon is kidding themselves.

Agar may not be better than SOK but he cant be worse.

So do a lot of us mate....

 

[Basil Brush]

So do a lot of us mate....

And you still think SOK is better than Lyon
...

 

[hineyrulz]

Lyon not my mate.

I watch cricket religiously and anyone who thinks SOK is better than Lyon is kidding themselves.

Agar may not be better than SOK but he cant be worse.

Lyon has been out bowled by SOK all series, he was out bowled by SOK in the Sydney test as well. The guy has regressed, you'd think he would of improved being a 6 year test player but his control is worse and he has no variation whatsoever. SOK is no world beater but at least he has been able to keep it tight.

 

[Bazal]

Lyon has been out bowled by SOK all series, he was out bowled by SOK in the Sydney test as well. The guy has regressed, you'd think he would of improved being a 6 year test player but his control is worse and he has no variation whatsoever. SOK is no world beater but at least he has been able to keep it tight.

Was also outbowled by SOK in the series vs Pakistan in Dubai....albeit both were very ordinary, Wadeys mate was the worst of the two.

Pretty arrogant to say that those of us who rate SOK have no idea, especially when the evidence suggests he's a pretty good bowler....

 

[Basil Brush]

Was also outbowled by SOK in the series vs Pakistan in Dubai....albeit both were very ordinary, Wadeys mate was the worst of the two.

Pretty arrogant to say that those of us who rate SOK have no idea, especially when the evidence suggests he's a pretty good bowler....

I dont think i am being arrogant in saying Lyon is better than SOK. The nsw selectors and Aus selectors would agree.

Anyway, we all support Australia and lets hope we win (or draw) the last test.

 

[hineyrulz]

And the Aussie selectors gave such a great track record of picking the right players........

 

[Twizzle]

SOK has a better first class average than Lyon because Lyon barely plays FC cricket.

Both Aus and Nsw selectors would pick Lyon over SOK every day day of the week.

SOK doesn't even turn the ball so I am not even sure how he could be considered a spinner. I would personally pick Agar over him the last test.

Is that you Warnie ?

At one stage about 5 years back SOK had a first class average of just over 12 while Lyon was somewhere in the 40s, so he moved to NSW where he could play on a pitch that suited him. He does play less than SOK but he still does play, god only knows why. He went through a terrible period back then but seems he was undropable.

We often hear about bowlers bowling as a team, or in tandem and the Goat just cannot build any pressure at one end, he simply gives away far too many runs and its difficult to set a field for him. SOK is the opposite.

If it wasn't for that unplayable pitch in the second test we'd all be talking about replacing him by about now because he is not a team bowler and very fortunate to be retained for so long imo.

Most people know why SOK has not replaced the Goat over the years its nothing to do with ability.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Basil Brush, you are kidding yourself!

Whether or not anyone watches any cricket at all, the numbers on the SOK vs Lyon thing speak for themselves. SOK has a better FC record, and, unsurprisingly, a better test record. In both formats SOK is more economical, has a better strike rate, and gets more wickets per game.
You say Lyon hasn't played much FC cricket? He was played 46 non-test FC games, SOK has 62. There really isn't much of a difference.

The aim of the game as a bowler is, ultimately, to take wickets. SOK gets more of them, faster, at a cheaper rate than Lyon. That's the story. You can't write it any other way.


I spoke to this bloke years ago who was convinced that Neil Harvey was a better batsman than Don Bradman. Was it you Basil Brush????