I Dont' Like Cricket, Oh No, I Love it, Yeah

[Eelogical]

Third new ball! We'll show 'em now!

 

[Eelogical]

Night watchman if we lose an early wicket? I've never figured that tactical move out. Why throw a pissant batsman in when it's the job of a batsman?

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Is it harder to bat at the end of the day than it is in the morning? I've never understood this fear about getting out with a few overs to go, and the whole nightwatchman thing.

 

[Eelogical]

Is it harder to bat at the end of the day than it is in the morning? I've never understood this fear about getting out with a few overs to go, and the whole nightwatchman thing.

The bowlers are fresh. They've had two whole days sitting in the stands eating fine Indian cuisine. There's also the concern about not losing an early wicket so close to stumps after you've been sweating it in the field for two days.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

The bowlers are fresh. They've had two whole days sitting in the stands eating fine Indian cuisine. There's also the concern about not losing an early wicket so close to stumps after you've been sweating it in the field for two days.

But the bowlers will be fresh tomorrow too. And what does it matter if you lose a wicket before stumps or after?

 

[Eelogical]

But the bowlers will be fresh tomorrow too. And what does it matter if you lose a wicket before stumps or after?

Half an hour today they can bowl at full steam and will be still fresh in the morning. Losing a wicket before stumps today will give the Indians a psychological victory heading into tomorrow.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Half an hour today they can bowl at full steam and will be still fresh in the morning. Losing a wicket before stumps today will give the Indians a psychological victory heading into tomorrow.

Being able to go hard for a short time does make sense but I think the psychological aspect is given too much importance.

 

[Eelogical]

Being able to go hard for a short time does make sense but I think the psychological aspect is given too much importance.

Not really, India batted for more than 5 and a half sessions. Australia were into their third new ball yet couldn't get India out. The last thing Australia need to stay in the match is to lose a wicket before stumps. It can easily set a precedence where they will go to survival mode to try and save the match, and that will be a death by a thousand cuts. There's nobody in the team ATM that can win it for us from what I've seen of recent Australian cricket. It's imperative that the top order stay around and keep playing cricket.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Not really, India batted for more than 5 and a half sessions. Australia were into their third new ball yet couldn't get India out. The last thing Australia need to stay in the match is to lose a wicket before stumps. It can easily set a precedence where they will go to survival mode to try and save the match, and that will be a death by a thousand cuts. There's nobody in the team ATM that can win it for us from what I've seen of recent Australian cricket. It's imperative that the top order stay around and keep playing cricket.

That's why they should adopt a positive mindset. If you can't bat today then odds are you can't bat tomorrow either. A nightwatchman is a fear-driven tactic.

That's my perception anyway.

 

[Suitman]

The Boxing Day test is one of the highlights of the Australian sporting calendar. Yet, year after year it is a borefest due to, as Baz has pointed out, shit drop in pitches, just to keep the f**king AFL happy.
Melbourne, the supposed and wrongly self proclaimed "Sporting Capital of the World" need to sort this shit out.
I liked Mark Waugh's description yesterday that the Boxing Day test is a great entrée for the Sydney test.
Anyway, I'm still enjoying the anticipation of what lies ahead.

 

[Eelogical]

That's why they should adopt a positive mindset. If you can't bat today then odds are you can't bat tomorrow either. A nightwatchman is a fear-driven tactic.

That's my perception anyway.

I've never liked the use of a nightwatchman and I agree with you on that point. To me, this game is all about survival for Australia. We don't have the artillery to win it. If Australia had lost a wicket before stumps it would have been the first step towards losing. Considering they haven't, it now gives them time to assess the situation and play for a draw rather than have India all fired up from the first ball. Make India bowl as long as possible and think of the final test.

 

[Bazal]

Is it harder to bat at the end of the day than it is in the morning? I've never understood this fear about getting out with a few overs to go, and the whole nightwatchman thing.

It depends.

It's definitely harder to bat after two full days or near enough in the field, against a new ball, when the quicks know they only have 8 overs to bowl and can rip in. It's also hard when the goal is basically survival. You have to change your game and that can lead to losing a batsman when you don't need to even necessarily use one.

I've actually never liked night watchmen, and if Khawaja had used one after his bowlers had sent down a thousand overs in forty degree heat I'd have thought much less of him. But some batsmen prefer it. Some find it hard to approach a short period before stumps. Some captains feel that's just wasted time for a genuine batsman, when a decent blocking tail ender could do exactly the same job.

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

I've never liked the use of a nightwatchman and I agree with you on that point. To me, this game is all about survival for Australia. We don't have the artillery to win it. If Australia had lost a wicket before stumps it would have been the first step towards losing. Considering they haven't, it now gives them time to assess the situation and play for a draw rather than have India all fired up from the first ball. Make India bowl as long as possible and think of the final test.

It depends.

It's definitely harder to bat after two full days or near enough in the field, against a new ball, when the quicks know they only have 8 overs to bowl and can rip in. It's also hard when the goal is basically survival. You have to change your game and that can lead to losing a batsman when you don't need to even necessarily use one.

I've actually never liked night watchmen, and if Khawaja had used one after his bowlers had sent down a thousand overs in forty degree heat I'd have thought much less of him. But some batsmen prefer it. Some find it hard to approach a short period before stumps. Some captains feel that's just wasted time for a genuine batsman, when a decent blocking tail ender could do exactly the same job.

Fair points.

 

[Eelogical]

It depends.

It's definitely harder to bat after two full days or near enough in the field, against a new ball, when the quicks know they only have 8 overs to bowl and can rip in. It's also hard when the goal is basically survival. You have to change your game and that can lead to losing a batsman when you don't need to even necessarily use one.

I've actually never liked night watchmen, and if Khawaja had used one after his bowlers had sent down a thousand overs in forty degree heat I'd have thought much less of him. But some batsmen prefer it. Some find it hard to approach a short period before stumps. Some captains feel that's just wasted time for a genuine batsman, when a decent blocking tail ender could do exactly the same job.

You have to think though. A bowler has been throwing them down for the best part of two days while the prima donna's drop a few in the field then get to sit in the stand because they might lose their precious wicket while an exhausted bowler may have to take a few under pressure with the bat.

 

[Eelementary]

The Boxing Day test is one of the highlights of the Australian sporting calendar. Yet, year after year it is a borefest due to, as Baz has pointed out, shit drop in pitches, just to keep the f**king AFL happy.
Melbourne, the supposed and wrongly self proclaimed "Sporting Capital of the World" need to sort this shit out.
I liked Mark Waugh's description yesterday that the Boxing Day test is a great entrée for the Sydney test.
Anyway, I'm still enjoying the anticipation of what lies ahead.

Could not have said it better myself!

 

[Bazal]

This MCG deck is making me thank god for the BBL...

It's the Sydney Toffs vs the Melbourne Toffs.

The battle of the toffs. Which toffs will emerge as the toffiest toffs?

 

[I'm a loser baby...]

Go the toffs!!

*preferably the Sydney ones

 

[84 Baby]

Is it harder to bat at the end of the day than it is in the morning? I've never understood this fear about getting out with a few overs to go, and the whole nightwatchman thing.

It’s simple. Our best batsmen are our bowlers so may as well put them in as early as possible. It’s just dressed up as some night watchman thing to save Shaun Darshs feelings

 

[84 Baby]

I think the Sydney Toffs should send in a night watchman next

Edit- meaning now

 

[84 Baby]

Is that Tuffers commentating!?!?