4th ASHES TEST: England v Australia at Leeds, Aug 7-11, 2009

[Hanscholo]

What a bunch of sore losers the English are.

Skeepe for once we agree.

They are even worse winners. I guess it comes from 50 years of sporting bile from their countrymen.

Just on the umpiring. Is it that hard to get an umpire that, can count, that understands the extremely easy to follow LBW laws and is not mentally geniused? These guys, Rudi, billy, morgan freeman...they are all f**king hopeless.

All in all a good performance from Australia. Its great to see clark back in the side, however we still have some massive issues in that side. Hussey has just got to go, and Pontings captaincy still remains a massive concern at times.

 

[lockyno1]

I would not make a change to Hussey but I would tap him on the shoulder after this series.

Watson to 4, Hughes back in the opening spot.

 

[TheParraboy]

Ah, that's the old LU cricket forum way... ignore the positives, highlight and completely hammer the negatives.

Glad to see it hasn't changed.

*yawn*


agree Locky

Though if he gets a big score in the 5th test (and I hope he does) that goes a long way to securing the ashes, he may well hold onto his spot, at least for our coming summer.

 

[Twizzle]

not sure whether we played that well or the poms are just a mess atm

 

[JJ]

not sure whether we played that well or the poms are just a mess atm

Bit of both, don't you think.... Clark certainly helped, and in general the quicks seemed to stick to a better line and length

Pretty incompetent English performance though... I guess it will now depend on whether Flintoff's likely presence can lift them again... but after that it seems unlikely

 

[Bigfella]

The Clark / Johnson bowling combination in the first innings was outstanding.

Catching was the best its been for ages. Clarke to first was a great move. The best catching cordon we have had for a long time IMO (although standards have slipped in that respect more than any other in the Aussie team).

 

[HevyDevy]

Bit of both, don't you think.... Clark certainly helped, and in general the quicks seemed to stick to a better line and length

Pretty incompetent English performance though... I guess it will now depend on whether Flintoff's likely presence can lift them again... but after that it seems unlikely

Just goes to show how important Pietersen is to their middle order.

I hope they don't drop Bopara - he has been one of Autralia's best all series!

 

[Red Bear]

I cant think of a much worse 3/4 combo than Bopara and Bell. Bell is just a sh*t player and has routinely been knocked over by all our bowlers.

 

[LTH]

All that can be said about the 4th test is.......bollocks ](*,)

Shouldn't have batted first, shouldn't have included Swann on that pitch and can only look forward to the Oval Test next week. I can see ALOT of changes for the final test, hopefully FF will be fit, his leadership and character on the field was missed.

 

[Broncodr01d]

not sure whether we played that well or the poms are just a mess atm

Definately a bit of both as JJ stated.

I think we definately improved, I also think England regressed a lot minus the inspiration that Flintoff provides and the star quality (not to mention confidence) KP brings to the team. They're on a hiding to nothing in the last Test if the line-up looks anything like the side that strolled out in the fourth test.

Has to be said, very disappointing last innings from the bowlers. We should've wrapped that tail up a lot sooner. I missed the last hour, though I was disappointed to see Broad and Swann making us look ordinary.

Maybe I am still living in the era of Warne and McGrath.

Interesting final test, is it that last for Mike Hussey? I think this is one of the most important Tests of his career. It could be his farewell, or his first innings that ends a pretty lean 12 months (or more). A century is needed.

 

[lockyno1]

*yawn*


agree Locky

Though if he gets a big score in the 5th test (and I hope he does) that goes a long way to securing the ashes, he may well hold onto his spot, at least for our coming summer.

Maybe but at 34 he'll hardly be a spring chicken the next time Sth Africa/England come out. He'll be 37. I'd rather get Watson into 4 and Hughes back at the top of the order.

 

[Broncodr01d]

Maybe but at 34 he'll hardly be a spring chicken the next time Sth Africa/England come out. He'll be 37. I'd rather get Watson into 4 and Hughes back at the top of the order.

Watson shouldn't be coming in before one of either Clarke or North if he is moved down the order to make way for Hughes. Bring him in at 6 IMO.

 

[lockyno1]

Watson is a top order bat. Clarke is your perfect test no5, no need to change that. Watson likes the ball coming on, Clarke and North play spin quite a bit better, Watson is your perfect 4, Clarke your perfect 5, North/Ferguson/etc at 6. It is no secret that Ricky Ponting sees Watson as the long term no3/4 (read his book if you want to see it for yourself)

 

[Broncodr01d]

Watson is a top order bat. Clarke is your perfect test no5, no need to change that. Watson likes the ball coming on, Clarke and North play spin quite a bit better, Watson is your perfect 4, Clarke your perfect 5, North/Ferguson/etc at 6. It is no secret that Ricky Ponting sees Watson as the long term no3/4 (read his book if you want to see it for yourself)

Interesting, your post has some merit it to it I guess.

Time will tell, I have been impressed with Watson since coming in to the side, he definately has a good technique to suggest he could handle 4. I just don't think he is better than the two mentioned (Clarke/North) hence my naming him at 6.

Why fix what's not broken could be the argument for Clarke and North :?

I think Hughes coming back in to the side for Hussey, pending the final test and how he goes, is the way to go. The make up of the side from there will be interesting when looking at the batting line-up.

 

[lockyno1]

It is not so much about who is better. Put it this way Steve Waugh was our best bat for a long while, but he did not move up to 4, he stayed at 5. In a way your no5 is your most crucial position as he has to have the ability to play spin and pace equally, Clarke suits this to a bone. I agree, there is no need to fix something that is averaging 80 runs an innings each at 5 and 6!

The other option is Philip Hughes at 4. Don't laugh as Hussey was a specialist opener before he batted at 4. I suspect they will go the Hughes at opener, Watson at 4 route though.

 

[Broncodr01d]

It is not so much about who is better. Put it this way Steve Waugh was our best bat for a long while, but he did not move up to 4, he stayed at 5. In a way your no5 is your most crucial position as he has to have the ability to play spin and pace equally, Clarke suits this to a bone. I agree, there is no need to fix something that is averaging 80 runs an innings each at 5 and 6!

The other option is Philip Hughes at 4. Don't laugh as Hussey was a specialist opener before he batted at 4. I suspect they will go the Hughes at opener, Watson at 4 route though.

A very good point, nice post(s). I like your thinking and rationale on this one.

 

[hineyrulz]

The Poms look a rabble atm, Flintoff or no Flintoff we lose this next test it will be one of the darkest days in Australian cricket. And i agree with Locky Huss should get a tap after this test match. Unfortunate for him he should have been picked earlier.

 

[lockyno1]

A very good point, nice post(s). I like your thinking and rationale on this one.

No dramas, there is always more than one way to solve a problem. Hussey is a problem, so solving it (barring a ton in the 5th test) becomes essential.

 

[HevyDevy]

It is not so much about who is better. Put it this way Steve Waugh was our best bat for a long while, but he did not move up to 4, he stayed at 5. In a way your no5 is your most crucial position as he has to have the ability to play spin and pace equally, Clarke suits this to a bone. I agree, there is no need to fix something that is averaging 80 runs an innings each at 5 and 6!

The other option is Philip Hughes at 4. Don't laugh as Hussey was a specialist opener before he batted at 4. I suspect they will go the Hughes at opener, Watson at 4 route though.

... and we've all seen how Hussey has gone at 4.

I'd rather have Clarke at 4.

Let's face it - your best batsmen should be higher up the order and Clarke is our best batsman.

So I would go with:

Hughes
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
North
Watson
Haddin


etc etc

 

[lockyno1]

Steve Waugh was a better bat than Damien Martyn and Mark Waugh..he batted below them. It is not as simple as that. Watson is a 4. Clarke is a 5. Why change someone that is killing it batting at 5, I struggle to see the logic in that. Yes Clarke may be the better bat (although Watson does have a good technique anyway and could be pretty good anyway) but you don't necesarily have your best bat at 4. North is your perfect no6, you don't change that, he is probably our best batsmen with the tail.