2007/08 summer of cricket

[Jarro]

Ok footy is over, let's bring on the cricket season 8-)

Sri Lanka and India are coming over for some test matches and the one-day series. Aus Vs India should be the highlights of the series, particularly after the aggro that's been happening in the one-dayers in India at the moment :smt023

Anyone going to the one-dayers here in brissy ?

[AndyP]

Looks like I'll be going to the first day of the test, and either the regular one-dayer or the final.

I've been warming up the No Ball call for when the motherchucker strolls in.

[Jarro]

That motherchucker looks set to become the greatest wicket taker in test history in this series too doesn't he ? He's only a few wickets behind Warney now.

[AndyP]

He will be the most prolific wicket taker, not the greatest. ;)

[Jarro]

No arguements from me

[3oneday]

He will be the most prolific wicket taker, not the greatest. ;)this is true.

[Fishman Dan]

Biggest and most successful at cheating.

[Jarro]

Biggest and most successful at cheating.

Yes Daryl ;)

[dc68]

Just had to pass on my ticket for the Friday of the test... A "mate" (term used loosely) decides it is a good idea to get married on that day... FFS.

[dc68]

The Munchers are struggling big time 7/105

[Jarro]

Johnson is bowling superbly ... he has to be picked for the first test at the 'Gabba :)

[dc68]

5 for 22 for Mitch... Munchers are Goooorrrrrrrrrrrrrne

[Jarro]

.. on a wicket that is as flat as too.

Aussie bowlers are right on their game today :smt023

[goughy]

Wot's the deal with playing india now and then again over here? At least I'll get to hear some of it; it's not on abc radio atm.

[Bruce]

Based on what I've seen so far we will crush both of them. Tests will be lucky to go for 4 days.

Mitch Johnson may be the new guy to bowl at the death. He was pretty awesome last night bowling a double wicket maiden after Brett Lee had been spanked all around the park. His ability to send an old ball up around the ribcage of batsmen trying to open their shoulders really put the brakes on. I want him in the first XI.

[3oneday]

How about that sitter that Lee dropped... hit him on the knuckles !

I wonder if he was thinking of his new indian chart topping single :lol:

[Jarro]

I was also pretty impressed with Johnson's spell in yesterdays game.

The guy should be picked for the test series for sure

[Moe Norman]

one day form should not be considered for test selection.

[AndyP]

Tell the selectors that. They seem to consider it all the time.

[Fishman Dan]

one day form should not be considered for test selection.

Works for Shane Watson.

Either Mitchell Johnson or Bracken will play tests. Bracken has a track record, Johnson has form. A left armer is potent when on the money, but fodder if the ball isn't moving around or the natural left-arm inswing strays onto the pads.

[Bruce]

I'd pick Johnson ahead of Bracken because he bangs it in to the deck a lot harder than Andy G.

[markTHEblake]

Any bloke that wears a hair net to bowl really only deserves to play for the Nimbin XI

[Jarro]

A left armer is potent when on the money, but fodder if the ball isn't moving around or the natural left-arm inswing strays onto the pads.

This is why i reckon Johnson would be great in the test side. He's been swinging the ball both ways in india on flat lifeless wickets, what the hell will he be able to do at the 'Gabba :smt023

[BrisWesty]

And apparently we're the only racist team in the world - (feeble attempt at threadjack.)

[Moe Norman]

Assuming everyone is fit, Lee and Clark are straight into the side.

Shaun Tait should be at the front of the queue, and if they play 4 quicks, in comes Mitch

[Grunt]

They will play 4 quick in Brisbane & Perth, then slot in a spinner at the other tests won't they?

[Moe Norman]

depends if we doctor the wickets.

producing greentops will be a good idea to reduce the influence of Murali, but traditionally we aren't cheating pommies.

[Grunt]

Hopefully all the pitches will start to go back to their traditional setups. Last few years has seen some bad ones, Perth Notably. No where near as quick as it used to be.

[Fishman Dan]

And apparently we're the only racist team in the world - (feeble attempt at threadjack.)

Symonds needs to get a thick skin. There isn't a touring team in the world who's come to Australia and not been racially taunted - and it will happen again this season.

I think he's better than that though as his scores will tell you!

[Grunt]

Talk yesterday on the radio was that the Team had let the issue pass and the Aussie media was using it to create a bigger story. Was mentioned as the Footy season is now over they have had limited sports stories to cover. That was until yesterday arvo with Cousins!

[markTHEblake]

Symonds has already written it off, he didnt give a crap about it.

I just wondered where the media got the idea that a dark skinned person calling a dark skinned person a monkey is racism.

[AndyP]

Different shades of dark.

[Bruce]

Hungry Jacques falters least to get the nod for the 1st Test. We can now close the book on Brad Hodge's test career.

Where will Hungry field? Perhaps fine leg to fine leg will make a comeback.

[Grunt]

He is the designated Short leg fielder for NSW. He may get Jason Langers spot there too

[BrisWesty]

Justin Langer?

Despite not being in contract, has Katich done enough to get a look in for the opener's position after hitting 306? Would the selectors be willing to revisit him?

[Fishman Dan]

Westy - no chance, which is a real shame. He's not an opener, and Hodge looks the most likely to fill in the next spot - any spot - in the order. He's on fire too, after a crap tour he's made 2 and a Golden opening for VIC, but Ponting will find a spot for him.

[3oneday]

He is the designated Short leg fielder for NSW. He may get Jason Langers spot there tooahhh, good ole Jason :lol: how quick we forget !

Are they allowed gloves there now ? I reckon this Jacques character could take some fielding lessons off Phil Tufnell and actually improve !!! :lol:

[Bruce]

Westy - no chance, which is a real shame. He's not an opener, and Hodge looks the most likely to fill in the next spot - any spot - in the order. He's on fire too, after a crap tour he's made 2 and a Golden opening for VIC, but Ponting will find a spot for him.

The new Hussey (Brazen) must have jumped ahead of him by now? Hodge = NTPTCA (Never to play test cricket again)

[BrisWesty]

Noffke seems to be doing everything right.

[AndyP]

Noffke isn't young anymore at 30. I think his chance has passed him.

[terryand]

Good to see the Aussies spearhead amongst the wickets :roll:

Terry.

[Jarro]

Surely Hogg has to be our new Test spinner.

[3oneday]

Good to see the Aussies spearhead amongst the wickets :roll: do you mean that Johnson kid ? 0/300 apparently ???

:lol:

[BrisWesty]

do you mean that Johnson kid ? 0/300 apparently ???

:lol:

He's got all those runs taken off him, that means he must be due to take about 10/0 now, to keep his average around 30. :lol:

[Jarro]

Johnson will be there

[AndyP]

Look no further for an allrounder for the Test side.

Here he is: http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/5392.html#Profile

A nice 118 made in the Pura Cup match too. They really should be batting him higher in their order.

[markTHEblake]

we already have Shane Watson, superstar of the future.

[Jarro]

Dizzy is too old, he'll never get back in the side now

[Jarro]

A 13 man squad has been announced to play the Sri-lankans in the first test next friday.

Hayden, Jacques, Ponting, Hussey, M.Clarke, Symonds, Johnson, Gilchrist, Hogg, MacGill, Lee, Clark, Tait.

[PeteyD]

Drop MacGill Drop MacGill ...

[Jarro]

Nah, he's a cert :roll:

Hogg will probably go and Tait will be 12th man

[Bruce]

Hogg has some pretty decent form at the moment. No one in the world seems capable of reading his wrong'un.

[Jarro]

I agree Bruce, i'd much rather have him in the side then MacGill.

Hogg is a much better batsman as well, whether that helps him or not i'm buggered if i know :roll:

[AndyP]

Noffke seems to be doing everything right.


Noffke isn't young anymore at 30. I think his chance has passed him.
Noffke has 5/36 against the Sri Lankans ATM. He is in ripping form with ball and bat.

Can he overtake Johnson and Tait this summer? Unlikely, but I hope so.

[Bruce]

Bugger! Tait appears to have had a reoccurence of his elbow injury and is out of contention. That settles the fast bowling selection then.

MacGill or Hogg to carry the drinks remains the only question now.

I can't wait till Thursday.

[Jarro]

Yeah, bummer that Tait won't be playing ... i was looking forward to seeing some good, aggressive bowling from him this test :(

[AndyP]

Noffke in the squad for the next test?
I know I said he was too old, but his form is impressive and I'm biased because I've played cricket with him.

[AndyP]

Hilfenhaus is the replacement.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/03/2080921.htm

[Jarro]

Makes sense as he was named in the original squad of 13 anyway

[Moe Norman]

you don't upgrade a bloke past 5 others based on 2 weeks form when another has been solid for 12 months.

Hilfenhaus had to come in, Noffke has always been a streaky bowler.

[Jarro]

MacGill has been picked to start in the team, leaving Hogg in the cold :(

[3oneday]

boo

[dc68]

Freakin wine drinking toff!!

[goughy]

So they picked the big mouth whinging spinner who can't handle when he gets tonked and can't bat, field or run - and left out the ok spinner who can do the rest mucho better and is a nice guy.

[Jarro]

That's about it G-man.

MacGill must have some nudie pics of Hilditch with Kerry Packer or something :roll:

[Grunt]

Sorry MacGill is away better bowler than Hogg in the longer form of the game.

[3oneday]

He "may" have been a better bowler last year, but he said in the papers today he was chucking pies at the qldrs last week.

Whilst this may be an appealing thing for you and I :lol: it won't cause the Lankans much harm !

[Jarro]

I don't know the stats off the top of my head but i find it very hard to imagine MacGill troubling the lankans more than Hogg :-s

[Webster]

Anyone going today? What is the weather like?

[goughy]

The partners at robs work are going. $350 each for their corporate box. Me thinks lots of drinking and maybe even some cricket if they are lucky!

[3oneday]

Hope the weather is better than Sydney's, pissing down here !

[dc68]

Covers off. Starting at 1015 we are batting.

[3oneday]

Covers on ? one over bowled :lol:

[Grunt]

Must have settled in they have stopped coverage and are playing the News.

[dc68]

Hosing down :(

[3oneday]

10:51 local, 00:51 GMT The rains not let up, and the covers are still on. Yawn.

[PeteyD]

that french guy is hopeless, get rid of him.

[Webster]

that french guy is hopeless, get rid of him.

I agree - Jacques looks "all at sea"

[Jarro]

Weather seems to have cleared up somewhat ... lets hope they start on time after lunch.

[Grunt]

Sri Lankan Bowlers are starting to have a bit of Trouble with Hayden. Jaques will come good, I reckon nerves are getting to him. He looks to be making sure he does not get out rather than score runs.

[3oneday]

Is Fernando bowling as bad as it reads ?

[Grunt]

Sure is Pete.

[Bruce]

Another visiting captain sees green on a Gabba wicket and thinks it means he needs to send the Aussies in. Surely no one will repeat this mistake now.

Not quite as brutal as previous starts but still a fairly good 3.5 runs an over for the day and only 3 wickets lost.

Do you Queenslander's ever wish you got a more interesting test match? They have been shockingly one-sided for a decade.

[Moe Norman]

if they had actually picked their most dangerous quick, it wouldn't have looked like such a silly decision.

[Jarro]

But it was still a stupid decision all the same ... especially when they knew they weren't going to have Malinga in their side for this match :roll:

Hayden and jaques made them look very ordianry very early on in the piece

[AndyP]

Anyone going today? What is the weather like?
I went on the first day, it was a relief to get plenty of cricket in.


Hosing down :(
It was never that heavy. And at the ground we were pretty confident that the rain was only temporary.


Is Fernando bowling as bad as it reads ?
He was pretty shyte. In fact the only really good "bowler" was Vaas. If he was younger, I'm sure they'd get plenty more overs out of him. Maharoofisonfire's figures looked tidy, but I can't recall many ooo's or aaaahh's from him beating the bat.
The other guy just kept chucking it, and the no ball call from the stands was never far away.

[Bruce]

I am such a nerd.

7 of the last 8 visiting captains who have won the toss at the Gabba have sent the Aussies in. Only the Kiwis in 2004 chose to bat.

Not that this really matters. Since 88/89 Australia average 442 batting first, and 463 batting second. Putting them in seems stupid, but the alternative isn't much better...

[Jo.]

But it was still a stupid decision all the same ... especially when they knew they weren't going to have Malinga in their side for this match :roll:

Hayden and jaques made them look very ordianry very early on in the piece

I still can't figure out why Malinga isn't playing:(

[BrisWesty]

When is Johnson going to take the coat hanger out of the back of his shirt? Just something about his run up seems very stiff, but the ball obviously comes out OK, because he's been up around 150km/h

[Jarro]

He does look rather "fragile" ;)

But then again, Lee isn't the biggest bloke in the world either ..... yet still manages to generate great pace.

Johnson will go ok with his current technique, i think DK Lillee has had a bit to do with him and has given him the thumbs up .... and who are we to argue with him ;)

Looks like MacGill isn't having the test he'd like so far ... being upstaged by Clark in the battle of the spinners.

[Moe Norman]

I am such a nerd.

7 of the last 8 visiting captains who have won the toss at the Gabba have sent the Aussies in. Only the Kiwis in 2004 chose to bat.

Not that this really matters. Since 88/89 Australia average 442 batting first, and 463 batting second. Putting them in seems stupid, but the alternative isn't much better...we haven't lost there in about 20 years batting first or second.

It wasn't such a bad call in this game, even with the mind boggling decision to leave out Malinga, if they'd held their chances on day 1 we would have been 4 down at a minimum for not much over 200.

The decision to give Jayasuriya out was quite poor, and really puts a side on the back foot - he didn't get near it.

[Jarro]

The decision to give Jayasuriya out was quite poor, and really puts a side on the back foot - he didn't get near it.

Surely we must be getting close to the stage whereby the umpires can call for a video ref to make 100% sure that the batsman is out in circumstances like that :?

[3oneday]

yes, bad start to the summer that call :p

[Grunt]

Brett Lee not bowling too badly so far this test. Just bowled the almost perfect yorker to get the 9th Wicket, Sri lanka are in deep ka ka now.

[Jarro]

Symonds bowled rather well too i thought ;)

[Moe Norman]

Brett Lee not bowling too badly so far this test. Just bowled the almost perfect yorker to get the 9th Wicket, Sri lanka are in deep ka ka now.sums up his career really.

Gets an opener that doesn't get anywhere near a wide pie, then cleans up the bloke batting at #10 and probably did the chainsaw!

[Bruce]

It was worse than the chainsaw - it will be all over the replays for the rest of the year now so I won't spoil it for you. Truly horrendous.

His second wicket was OK. After the 9th he started trying to knock Murali's block off while he ran out to square leg. Punter started gesturing for him to cut that shit out and bowl properly. It's amazing how badly a bunny plays a back of a length ball - 90 tests and he still hasn't learned a thing.

Then Jayasuriya takes to him and again he starts sending down half volleys, long hops and other junk. I'm hoping Clark continues his progress and takes the #1 bowlers slot off him.

[Fishman Dan]

sums up his career really.

Gets an opener that doesn't get anywhere near a wide pie, then cleans up the bloke batting at #10 and probably did the chainsaw!

4/26 off 17.5 overs and your panning him, including the first 2 wickets with absolute corkers.

Best spell of fast bowling this year in any game. He can do whatever he likes.


Then Jayasuriya takes to him and again he starts sending down half volleys, long hops and other junk. I'm hoping Clark continues his progress and takes the #1 bowlers slot off him.

When you're 350 runs ahead on the first innings (largely due to Lee) late on the 3rd day, then you can afford to pitch a few up and look for the edge. I thought you preferred test cricket Bruce? If anything it was a great session of cricket, with a shotmaker like Jayasuriya willing to take him on.

[Jarro]

Yep, that leap of his is the gayest thing since the 7 wood.

[PeteyD]

Hey

[Moe Norman]

4/26 off 17.5 overs and your panning him, including the first 2 wickets with absolute corkers.

Best spell of fast bowling this year in any game. He can do whatever he likes.


if you think a wide nothing ball that Sanath flashes at (and clearly misses) is a corker, you're watching a different game to me.

[kpac]

totally agree, he's a disgrace, and it'll come to an end for him dont worry, time will find him wanting. He had a place in the team back when he first started, when he was bowling dangerous fast, i remeber seeing him early at the waca, was very good to watch. These days he tries to bowl fast but really generates little danger or accuracy, and when he get hit theres a quick bowling change because punter knows he cant respond to it. Taking lower order wickets is one thing he does pretty well.....

[Moe Norman]

actually, I thought Johnson looked a bit average as well. Magill and Clark were clearly our superior two bowlers.

A pace attack of Clark, Tait and Hilfenhaus excites me. Clark is the accurate seamer who can remove world class batsman on flat decks. Tait the genuine quick and Hilfenhaus the classy swing bowler.

Come Ashes 09, throw in Bryce McGain and we have a lovely attack - (shame he is 35!)

[Fishman Dan]

Lee's first innings effort was sensational. What a shame he actually managed to take lower order wickets :roll: Agree that if he rips the chainsaw with figures of 1/100 get all over him, but 4/26 off 18 overs is sublime.

Agree with Moe - MacGill bowled very well and without luck. And before people say "he went for more than 3 per over", that's the way he is. It's a lot easier to take wickets if they are playing shots.

Kpac - you demonstrate how little you know about the game. Lee will be around until he breaks down again or retires. He's 32 (?) now - you're right, then end will come for him before we know it. Well done Nostradamus :roll:

Note - bowling at Murali's head should be adopted by more bowlers around the world.

[Moe Norman]

Fishy - he could be gone within 2 years. Thats his one good set of figures to rest his hat on for the next 18 months, so he's got at least that long. But Tait appeals to me more as a genuine wicket taking speedster (Lee could never remove Punter on a flat track like Tait did a week ago with an absolute ripsnorter out of nowhere) and Clark is clearly Australia's #1 quick with daylight second.

If Hilfenhaus continues his rise and keeps improving, bye bye Brett Lee.

[kpac]

The sadest end would be if he genuinely breaks down and therefore gets recognised as a quality quick, when realistically over the few year he has left he'll prove himself to be a erratic child that cannot bowl at an opposition that gets on top of him.

As for not knowing about the game FD, someone that knows anything about the game would realise that lee's a weak no 1 bowler.

[terryand]

Don't worry Kpac, you just have to realize where Fishy is coming from.

He'd be one of the only males in Oz over 30 that has posters of Lee up on his bedroom wall :-s

The only other male over 30 would probably be Lee himself :shock: ;)

Terry.

[markTHEblake]

and probably did the chainsaw!

if its anything like they behaved when thrashing the likes of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe they should all be embarrased.

Thats almost as ridiculous as hitting sixes off little schoolkids and being proud of the effort.

Its one thing to have to be competitive, but there is no glory in smashing a weak opponent.

[Fishman Dan]

Don't worry Kpac, you just have to realize where Fishy is coming from.

He'd be one of the only males in Oz over 30 that has posters of Lee up on his bedroom wall :-s

No Tez. I don't like it when someone does something well and gets panned for it.... (without proof of course ;))

Ripper of a ball from MacGill for his 200th.


As for not knowing about the game FD, someone that knows anything about the game would realise that lee's a weak no 1 bowler.

You keep saying that Kpac, but a strong first innings performance on the back of decent tour form, I'd say he's a pretty strong bowler. Remeber - McGrath has retired. We will be clutching at straws for many years looking for our next 200 wicket pace bowlers. At least we have 1 at the moment.

[Moe Norman]

You keep saying that Kpac, but a strong first innings performance on the back of decent tour form, I'd say he's a pretty strong bowler. Remeber - McGrath has retired. We will be clutching at straws for many years looking for our next 200 wicket pace bowlers. At least we have 1 at the moment.
The only bloke calling Lee our number 1 bowler is Lee. Clark is our best pace bowler by a significant margin.

He has 50 wickets from 10 tests, he'll be racking up his 200th some time in 2009 given the amount of cricket we have coming up.

The fact that Lee already has 200 and will end up with more than Jason Gillespie is disappointing to say the least, given Lee isn't fit to tie Gillespie's bootlaces.

[just]

The fact that Lee already has 200 and will end up with more than Jason Gillespie is disappointing to say the least, given Lee isn't fit to tie Gillespie's bootlaces.

Hear, hear!

Lee is a one trick pony whose trick is wearing thin!

[Fishman Dan]

The only bloke calling Lee our number 1 bowler is Lee. Clark is our best pace bowler by a significant margin.

I don't disagree with that, but Clark fell into the 11 as the last man picked. He took 100 wickets in a tour of Sth Africa and was dropped. Unfortunately he is the 3rd fast bowler to be named, test after test.

The thing is, the selectors see Lee take wickets, they don't see him do "the chainsaw" ;)

[Moe Norman]

i see a 30+ average and two 5 wicket hauls in a 50+ test career.

with Clark I see an 18 average, with four 5 wicket hauls in 10 tests.

[markTHEblake]

Unfortunately he is the 3rd fast bowler to be named, test after test.

How do you know that? They dont select the names on live telly one at a time like lotto numbers.

[Fishman Dan]

Don't like it - suggest something new! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=5n97H9bn0Hg)

[markTHEblake]

Don't like it - suggest something new! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=5n97H9bn0Hg)

Nothing beats Lillee - true gentleman. Poor batsman running up and down the wickets all day, very easy to get disorientated and lose sense of direction. He was just helping em.

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/2433/lillee2bc7.jpg

(the pic is not the right one, but i know you got the idea)

[Jarro]

Don't like it - suggest something new! (http://youtube.com/watch?v=5n97H9bn0Hg)

How about he just walks down the other end to Gilly and Punter and gives them a pat on the bum and doesn't do anything else :roll:

[Fishman Dan]

Nothing beats Lillee - true gentleman. Poor batsman running up and down the wickets all day, very easy to get disorientated and lose sense of direction. He was just helping em.

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/2433/lillee2bc7.jpg

(the pic is not the right one, but i know you got the idea)

Pay Symcox was much better at "the send off" - until the ICC stepped in and ruled it 'unsportsmanlike' :roll:

[3oneday]

How about he just walks down the other end to Gilly and Punter and gives them a pat on the bum and doesn't do anything else :roll:I think the Merv tonguey was better than a pat on the arse 8)

[Moe Norman]

I don't mind a bit of a celebration if you dismiss a class batsman who is in great nick with a rip snorter of a delivery.

If you send down a pie that barely gets inside the popping crease and a 38 year old opener chases it and misses it by a foot and is given out my some bloke from the blind society, perhaps the dorothy the dinorsaur celebration isn't required....

[markTHEblake]

rain heading your way chaps, might not see Brett Lee get another 5 wicket haul today.

[AndyP]

6 down now. 4 to go.
It looks to be a race against the rain.

And Jaques has dropped a catch. :roll:

[3oneday]

And Jaques has dropped a catch. :roll:he's a quality fieldsman isn't he ! Bit hard to hide him and MacGill in the one team !

[Grunt]

Will the rain save the Sri Lankans? Looks heavy right now.

[Fishman Dan]

Are there any spare undercover seats?

[AndyP]

http://mirror.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml?looping=1&reloaded=0&topography=true&locations=true&range=true#skip

Looks like there is definitely some cricket left today.

[3oneday]

Stoopid qld weather :p

[AndyP]

FFS.


On a lighter note, Brett Lee recently agreed to a deal that could see him become Australia's biggest recording artist. After recording the chart-topping "You're The One For Me" in India last year, Lee has been asked to produce and perform the theme song for the next cricket World Cup, which will be held on the subcontinent in 2011.

[Moe Norman]

6 down now. 4 to go.
It looks to be a race against the rain.

And Jaques has dropped a catch. :roll:funnily enough he dropped it off Clarks bowling....

[markTHEblake]

Why would they go to Lunch with Murali coming in. He bats like a bloke who needs to get to a Tab to put a bet on.

Credit to the Srilankans for getting about 300 in a 3rd innings, not easy to do against a class opposition. Hopefully they can give a better fight in the next one.

[Grunt]

Going to be a quick afternoon session

[Grunt]

Who do you all think will get Man of the Match?

[Grunt]

Michael Clark for mine, but Lee maybe an outsider. Nine commentators have been talking him up all match.

[3oneday]

but Lee maybe an outsiderWho picks M.O.M ? anyway, I'd be shocked if Lee got it. Hussey for mine.

So, I wonder if Clark said to Lee "see that Binga, now that's how you bowl to a tailender mate, on the ****in stumps, ffs !"

ridiculous over he bowled at Muruli :p

Oh, and Lee has never gotten more than 8 wickets in a match before ! redefines the saying "strike bowler" ;)

[AndyP]

Why would they go to Lunch with Murali coming in. He bats like a bloke who needs to get to a Tab to put a bet on.It was frustrating on the first day too, after limited play. They are able to move tea, but not lunch. I can only assume that this is because of catering purposes for all the boxes, functions, etc.

[3oneday]

Well, I'm officially :shock:ed

[Fishman Dan]

Didn't Lee hit the stumps twice this innings? :lol:

(Haven't seen anything, purely working off a scorecard here!).

[Bruce]

Lee bowled well today. Good control in good areas.

[3oneday]

Lee bowled well today. Good control in good areas.until Murali walked out :lol:

I can't see how 8 wickets in the context of the match was more important than a Clarke, Hussey or even Can'tFields innings ? Any of you gurus care to enlighten me ?

:)

[Fishman Dan]

He's marketable! :p

[3oneday]

He's marketable! :p
Clarke & Hussey play "back Yard Cricket" whereas Lee eats Bix and sings poorly in Indian, oh and now he dances around with that guy from Everton ?

Anyway, yesterdays fish and chip wrappers now :)

[Moe Norman]

until Murali walked out :lol:

I can't see how 8 wickets in the context of the match was more important than a Clarke, Hussey or even Can'tFields innings ? Any of you gurus care to enlighten me ?

:)
blokes make centuries all the time, 8 wicket hauls are far less regular.

Only a batsman would think a century is more important.


As an example Steve Waugh made 32 tons in 168 tests and Border made 27 in 156, while Warne took 10 wickets in a match only 10 times in 145 tests and McGrath took 10 in a match 3 times in 124 tests (and only won man of the match in 1 of those 3!)

When you take it down to 8, Warne took 8 or better 28 times and McGrath 17 times.

So essentially, taking 8 or more wickets in a match is much harder and less frequent than some bloke scoring a ton on a flat track :smt023

[Grunt]

blokes make centuries all the time, 8 wicket hauls are far less regular.

Only a batsman would think a century is more important.


As an example Steve Waugh made 32 tons in 168 tests and Border made 27 in 156, while Warne took 10 wickets in a match only 10 times in 145 tests and McGrath took 10 in a match 3 times in 124 tests (and only won man of the match in 1 of those 3!)

When you take it down to 8, Warne took 8 or better 28 times and McGrath 17 times.

So essentially, taking 8 or more wickets in a match is much harder and less frequent than some bloke scoring a ton on a flat track :smt023

Was that you actually saying Lee deserved it today Moe?

[Moe Norman]

On Raw stats he was always going to get the MOM, but I don't think he was particularly great.

Then again, all the blokes that made a ton were put down before they had 50, so its neither here nor there.

8 for 114 match figures generally deserves a MOM award, even if the bloke getting the figures is an overrated hack who has been given too many excuses in a near 10 year career with very few highlights.

[Jarro]

I thought Johnson didn't do too bad either playing in his first home test match.

Figures of 4/96 off 37 overs isn't too shabby :)

[Fishman Dan]

8 for 114 match figures generally deserves a MOM award, even if the bloke getting the figures is an overrated hack who has been given too many excuses in a near 10 year career with very few highlights.

I think that's a YES Grunt ;) :lol:

[3oneday]

Thanks, I was wondering when the gurus would answer :)

I would have taken it off him for the over I saw him bowl to Murali, he's meant to be the spearhead, not the ****head :lol:

[terryand]

I think Ponting summed it up pretty well. " If he (Lee) can keep up performances like that I will be happy" :-s

Terry.

[McCoy]

8 for 114 match figures generally deserves a MOM award, even if the bloke getting the figures is an overrated hack who has been given too many excuses in a near 10 year career with very few highlights.

You're on fire Moe. And I was interested in your Warne/McGrath stats, if you asked me who the best cricketer of the last 15 years was I would say McGrath. But from the stats you provide you could make a good case for Warne.

As a "purist" I'm worried about the state of test cricket. Australia are so much better than any other nation it's not interesting. The only decent test series we've seen in Australia recently was when the pitches were doctored to suit Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman.
No other country seems interested in tests either. I caught some Foxtel on the weekend with the SA/NZ test and it was awful, Shane Bond aside the Kiwis were shithouse. If the dreadful Aussie sides of the Hughes/early Border era were playing now I reckon they'd be bloody competitive.

[Moe Norman]

You're on fire Moe. And I was interested in your Warne/McGrath stats, if you asked me who the best cricketer of the last 15 years was I would say McGrath. But from the stats you provide you could make a good case for Warne.

As a "purist" I'm worried about the state of test cricket. Australia are so much better than any other nation it's not interesting. The only decent test series we've seen in Australia recently was when the pitches were doctored to suit Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman.
No other country seems interested in tests either. I caught some Foxtel on the weekend with the SA/NZ test and it was awful, Shane Bond aside the Kiwis were shithouse. If the dreadful Aussie sides of the Hughes/early Border era were playing now I reckon they'd be bloody competitive.

You could make a case for either Warne or McGrath, but most would say Warney. Not because of the stats I listed though.

Warne bowled 40,000 odd deliveries to McGrath's 30,000. Further McGrath was rarely a bloke who cleaned up the tail, that was usually left to Warney and whatever 3rd string pace bowler they had at the time who needed a confidence boost (Lee made a career out of it). McGrath's effectiveness at removing top order batsman is extraordinary compared to most quicks in the last 30 years. Only Ambrose, Gillespie and Marshall are in the same league.

All 4 of these blokes had over 65% of their CAREER test wickets being batsmen in the Top 6. Warne and Murali are below 60% and at the other end of the spectrum, 31% of Brett Lee's career wickets have been batsmen in the Top 6.

Speaking of the SA vs NZ game, Bond tore a stomach muscle and has gone home. It's a great shame this bloek hasn't been able to stay on the park, he's an absolute gun. one of the best opposition quicks I've seen in Australia in 10 years, perhaps even the best.

[Fishman Dan]

Gillespie?!

For me, the defining moment for Brett Lee was against the South Africans 2 years ago in Melbourne. He nailed Kallis right on the national emblem with the quickest, most accurate bouncer he's produced. Kallis was stunned. The next ball was full and sent middle stump cartwheeling towards Gilly. A paceman's 3-card trick. Kallis is no rabbit and made him look utterly pedestrian. No other bowler can do that. Tait possibly, but not yet (and not from the grandstand!).

The only other bowler (Bond aside) who is capable of that would be Malinga. Shame he didn't get a run, it would be good to see what he can do on our bouncy pitches.

[Moe Norman]

Gillespie had two lives as a test player.

He came into the side in 96 when he was 21, pushed off the sight screen and was super super quick. Destroyed a solid South African side at Port Elizabeth with short sharp spells in about his 3rd test, then ripped the Poms apart with one of the best spells I've ever seen in the 97 Ashes with 7 for 30 odd on a flat track.

Not long after these fireworks he was injured. He came back in about 2000 bowling off about 10 steps with an ability to zip it both ways. Bowled long accurate spells and was unplayable with the new ball. He moved it so far there wasn't a batsman on the planet good enough to nick him.

His 260 wickets at about 25 vs Lee's 240 at 30+ tell the story. Dig deeper and you see that 172 of Gillespies 260 wickets were Top 6 batsman, while a mere 79 of Lee's 239 have been Top 6 batsman. Effectively making almost 70% of his wickets tailenders!

Oh and Dizzy has a test double ton too!

On the right pitch Lee can be very good, but he has no plan B.

Edit: Fishy, if Harmison and Tait can both do it to Punter then there is not much doubt they can do it to Kallis.

regarding Gillespie, this sums him up nicely on cricinfo

Through it all, in partnership with Glenn McGrath, he blossomed into one half of Australia's most statistically successful opening pair ever. But if McGrath's strength was his ability to make the ball do just enough, then Gillespie's flaw is his tendency for it to do too much. No other contemporary fast man has elicited so many plays-and-misses.

[Fishman Dan]

Thanks Mr Wisden!

[3oneday]

Righto, next test please ;)

[terryand]

Thanks Mr Wisden!

I think you finally stumped him Moe :smt038

Terry.

[dc68]

Geez Moe get better soon... I have had enough stats already.

[Moe Norman]

back at home mate.

don't you just love the Lee stats in regards to tailenders, a 'strike' bowler indeed!

[dc68]

I am over stats as they mean different thing to different people... a la peanuts from the other place. You remember that little spat we had.

[Moe Norman]

agree, but its difficult to argue with an 'opening bowler' having the damning statistic of only 30% of his wickets being recognised batsman.

The figure actually surprises me a little, as usually he appears to be trying to kill tailenders, not get them out.

[3oneday]

He does appear to have a better strike rate against top order batsmen in one dayers...

Sorry :oops:, had a Wisden ;)

[kpac]

moe, what's his % of openers, because one thing he has done sucessfully is get an early wicket, it's when he hasn't got a wicket for 5 overs that he looses the variety and ability to produce i think.

[3oneday]

I don't know what is more boring..the actual test match itself or the long winded post mortems.so why watch either ;)



wanker

[Moe Norman]

moe, what's his % of openers, because one thing he has done sucessfully is get an early wicket, it's when he hasn't got a wicket for 5 overs that he looses the variety and ability to produce i think.

dunno mate, got those stats of someone else - couldn't work out how to find them on the cricinfo site.

But I reckon it would be average, because he has really only got the new ball since the 2005 Ashes. Prior to that he was always a first change bowler behind Dizzy and McGrath.

Given the quality of world opening batsman at the moment, I'd expect him to improve in the coming year though!

Will be interesting to see how he deals with Sehwag, if he is selected.

[Bruce]

A lot of Murali apologists use the "everyone chucks a bit" argument.

To this load of bollocks I counter with:
The World's Fastest bowler from 1979 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=bPDW7hj1yfs)

Watch the super slow-mo of the actions and tell me these past champions are anywhere near the travesty of Murali.

[3oneday]

Been done to death, there will always be a cloud over the record but it won't be changed now sadly. Too many people with too much to lose if he is found a chucker after all these years.

[Pinglauncher]

Another century to Jaques :smt038

[Fishman Dan]

Listening to it now, sounds like he's doing it pretty easily against some largely ordinary bowling.

[McCoy]

I thought Murali's dismissal of Ponting was a piece of superb bowling. Gave him a few turning off breaks, then threw up the doosra and sucked Ponting in beautifully.

I've read a few times that if he had of been Australian Murali's "diabolical action" would never have gotten this far without being corrected. So to those people who've never produced a great Australian off spinner and the coaches that produced the gun barrel straight antics of Shane Watson - thanks a lot :roll:

[Jarro]

Hussey doesn't appear to have suffered much from a long layoff.

Precision strokeplay and placement from Mr. Cricket today 8)

[OMG]

It's always going to be difficult for a bowler taking over from one of the best the game has seen. If Lee had come in when Billy was at the helm he wouldn't cop half the flak he has. He is certainly a worldclass bowler, maybe not in the class of McGrath, but he deserves his spot.

[AndyP]

I'm not sure if I should have started a new thread for this or not :roll:, but how hot is Noffke's form at the moment. 6/33 and an 82 with the bat in the first innings against Vic, continuing on from his other great games this season.

[3oneday]

I think SriLanka are a chance, unless Clarke gets a hatful ;)

[AndyP]

How about now? 3 more down.
They bring the tiniest bit of life back into the series, and then snuff it out in half an hour.

[3oneday]

How about now? 3 more down.is this in the right thread ?

:lol:

[AndyP]

Is there another thread? It must be on ignore.

And it's 8 down now. I can't believe I'm even bothering to take notice.

[3oneday]

What time did this start ? be over pretty quickly it seems, unless Lee comes on to bowl at Murali :lol:

[Jarro]

Is MacGill even 100% fit ??

He really looks to be struggling out there ..... bowling absolute crap :roll:

[AndyP]

10:30a start your time, Pete. It will be lucky to see out the first session. Sangakkara is the only one resisting.

[3oneday]

Kiss of death here, but Sangakarra is looking a moral for a double ton.

[Jarro]

He's looking the goods.

However, if Malinga goes, the end is only another ball away ;)

Go Johnson !!!!

[3oneday]

Go Johnson !!!!:lol: yep, taken off as deserved :)

[AndyP]

The end is near. Sanga gorna.

[markTHEblake]

If the fielding team can appeal for the batsmen to be out, then the batsmen should be able to appeal for a not out. Sangakarra's wicket is a perfect example.

Cant be too many people that didnt want to seem him get his 200, cricket is not see entertaining anymore, so we were robbed.

[Jarro]

:lol: yep, taken off as deserved :)

Obviously, it's Lee's job to clean up the tail isn't it :roll:

:p

[3oneday]

Wonder why they employ such old men as umpires ?

[3oneday]

Brett bowling bouncers at the tailenders again ? :lol:

[Jarro]

Clark getting tonked :shock:

[3oneday]

So, do we still have the attack to survive without McGrath and Warne ? Maybe the loss of Roy hurt us ?

[Jarro]

I'd have played Hogg instead on MacGill ... he's obviously not 100% fit.

Clark/Lee/Johnson are a good combo, but we are blessed to have handy "reserves" as Tait, Hilfenhaus and Co.

I think we'll be right for a while.

[markTHEblake]

So, do we still have the attack to survive without McGrath and Warne ? Maybe the loss of Roy hurt us ?

nah we are fine, anyone can score 390+ in a 4th innings.

[BrisWesty]

Nah, Boss. He's already got the nice white suit. Just needs to replace the 10 gallon hat with a baggy green.

[scarfie1]

Roedy Kurtsen should be sacked, Kumar missed that ball by about a foot. I've always thought he's a useless umpire.

[OMG]

Lee got the last wicket...hit for six the ball before, but he did set it up nicely I thought!

[Grunt]

Gee the QLDers went well against the Vics today. Got done by over 200 runs.

[AndyP]

Gee the QLDers went well against the Vics today. Got done by over 200 runs.
A tribute to the Bulls: http://www.ozgolf.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8452

[Jarro]

Lap it up :roll:

[goughy]

Considering they took first innings points, that's disgraceful.

[Fishman Dan]

Boof playing his last innings as we speak.

[Grunt]

Hows he going? He needs heaps the Warriors got plenty didn't they.

[AndyP]

Doesn't he have the 4 dayer coming up, or did he just play that?

[Moe Norman]

to be fair to the bulls, half their side was injured on Day 2!

[BrisWesty]

Watson must be contagious!

[Moe Norman]

he managed not to get injured, which is understandalble given he faced 8 balls and scored 0 runs.

[Fishman Dan]

Hows he going? He needs heaps the Warriors got plenty didn't they.

Need 30 of about 35 balls. Boof and Elliot put on over 200. Both of them have tons. Glorious knock.

[Grunt]

Aussies are starting to break down

http://foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22840664-23212,00.html

[Bruce]

Holy shit! According to that article the Aussies play 21 tests in 2008!

Edit - looking at the fixture on crocinfo I think it is only 18 - but jaysus that is a lot of cricket to get through.
I think we might get to see some new faces on the team just through wear and tear.

[Jarro]

So ....

..there's a 20/20 game on tonight .....

.. Aussies Vs Kiwis .......

.... anyone gonna watch it ?

[3oneday]

What time ? Will I be home ? Is it live ? Is there beer in the fridge ? Will my daughter not throw up so I have to clean the sheets ? (well, hold her whilst the wife cleans the sheets ;))

I'll be watching :)

[Jarro]

Starts at 7pm i believe ..... perfect timing, dinner will be done, kids belted and ready to quiet down for the evening .... missus will be watching some girlie crap on the other telly


8)

[Grunt]

8pm here in Syd, not sure if I will last the whole game early start tomorrow.

[Jarro]

Only goes for 3 hours Grant :roll:

[Grunt]

Up at 4:30am for a 12 hour shift, finishing at 6pm. By the time I get home it is 7 and that is a long day.

[Jarro]

It is if you actually do any work

:p

[Jarro]

How the hell was Symonds not given out caught ???

[goughy]

Was that the one they were just talking about. I heard them saying something about having control while still in the field of play, and that some kiwi guy just admitted that it wasn't out!

[goughy]

Reasonably good start to the aussie fielding!

[Jarro]

Great start for the Aussies :mrgreen:

Yeah Goughy, the fielder thought he was going to go over the boundary line .... so he released the ball.

Not out.

[damoocow]

Very poor effort by the Kiwi's against Australia's medium pace attack....can't recall when I have seen more advertising on uniforms and what a uniform the Aussie's wear !- would be right at home at a Mardi Gras parade - ho hum another dull summer of cricket approaches.........

damoocow

[goughy]

Can't the channel 10 news like watch the coverage on channel 9 to keep up to date? Sports tonight just announced the kiwis as 8 for!!!!! Game finished an hour ago...

[AndyP]

That's because it's filmed in Sydney, goughy, and we get it an hour after. And you say I'm slow.....

Shit game that was over just a few overs into the Kiwi innings. That's meant to be entertaining?

[3oneday]

Very poor effort by the Kiwi's against Australia's medium pace attack....can't recall when I have seen more advertising on uniforms and what a uniform the Aussie's wear Yep, Tait and Lee were terribly slow :roll:. Lucky the Kiwis were wearing black, anything else would have shown the brown stains !

Another Summer of repetition coming I see :roll:


Shit game that was over just a few overs into the Kiwi innings. That's meant to be entertaining?The game is here to stay, but keep whining, eventually you'll probably be a lone voice ;)

[Jarro]

Shit game that was over just a few overs into the Kiwi innings. That's meant to be entertaining?

Sold out crowd, no doubt a very healthy TV audience, so i'd expect that the game is on the rise for sure.

I thought it was a pretty entertaining match actually... plenty of big hitting and fast bowling, along with the odd classic catch or two ...

.. it looked like a fun night out 8-)

[markTHEblake]

Another Summer of repetition coming I see :roll:


a repeat of the Kiwis effort from last year would be great.

[Jarro]

The Kiwis are missing their best (and one of the best in the world) bowler in Bond.

Without him, they don't stand much of a chance.

[markTHEblake]

The Kiwis are missing their best (and one of the best in the world) bowler in Bond.

Without him, they don't stand much of a chance.

last year it wasnt their bowlers that won them the series it was the batting. They chased 300+ three times in a row and got it - remember :-)
(and two of them records)

I didnt see the game last night, but that Josh Oram has gotta be one of the biggest hitters ever.

[Jarro]

Are you a kiwi Blake ?

[markTHEblake]

No - worse, i am a victorian.

Cricket is boring because Australia have been winning so easily for so long. Its great to see someone stick it up them like last year.

[Jarro]

You and MooCow must be brothers :roll:

[markTHEblake]

Well put it this way. Winning 8/7 is great, but winning on the 21st is way more exciting.

[Fishman Dan]

QLD 5/52 in the 19th over.

Watson out for another swashbuckling 2.

Surely NSW's first win in 13 starts?!

[3oneday]

Nice Kiss

[Fishman Dan]

I didn't mention anything about a bonus point win ;)

[peter_rs]

Could be a wash out.

[3oneday]

Well there you go ! :lol:

[Fishman Dan]

Here we go, they're heading off. Umpire Reiffel pulls the stumps out and the groundsmen come out to place the covers on. Looks like some heavy rain. Match State: Delay - rain has stopped play.

Oops!

[peter_rs]

rain only last 30mins but they recorded 35mm at wacol in that time.

[Jarro]

Surely NSW's first win in 13 starts?!

Nice work Weatherman Dan :smt023

[Fishman Dan]

15 overs bowled - NSW in the driving seat here!! :lol:

[jimandr]

I couldn't be bothered starting a separate thread for this. After all, its cricket, and I saw it two days ago.

Did anyone see a "world series classics" on Foxtel a few days ago that showed the legendary Australia A v Australia game from 93/4. Young Warne and young McGrath had both just broken into the Australia team that year.

I had always thought that series was a low point in cricket, but those who didn't see it should googlesearch for the Australia A team and check out who was in it.

Every one of the bowlers was never heard from again (except for Gavin Robertson, and he was hardly a future superstar), but check out the batting lineup. From memory it was Hayden, Blewitt, Martyn, Langer, ?, and some young bloke called Ponting at 6. Most of them wouldn't have played a test at that stage. Goes to show we had some great batting depth back then.

Greg Rowell was one of the bowlers. What was his claim to fame? I can't even remember him at all.

[markTHEblake]

Two things made that series a joke

1. Andy Bichel, fired for australia A throughout the series, was promoted to Australian team for the final and was made 12th man.

2. why would you call the 2nd team Australia A. shouldnt it have been called Australia B

[AndyP]

I saw some of that, Jim. It was classic stuff. I saw Fleming bowl a couple of great balls to knock the stumps over.
Boony was looking beautiful as usual, and was actually bowling.

Bring back Australia A!

[Fishman Dan]

IGreg Rowell was one of the bowlers. What was his claim to fame? I can't even remember him at all.

Queenslander? Pretty useful bowler actually, I think he toured to the UK but didn't play a test. Bowled stump to stump and probably would have done ok in the first XI.

NSW get the win - and the bonus point! :lol:

[Jarro]

NSW get the win - and the bonus point! :lol:

You can thank the DL method for that one, we had you wankers on the rack !

[Fishman Dan]

Greg Rowell (http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/7400.html)

Fancy that, grew up in the neighbouring suburb from me and then defected north of the border. No wonder he never got a run for Australia!

[jimandr]

I found the game. Thanks Fishy for the link. It was actually 94/5.

Toss: Australia 'A'
Umpires: DB Hair and SG Randell
TV Umpire: WP Sheahan
Match Referee: JR Reid (NZ)
Man of the Match: No award
Man of the Finals: SR Waugh


Australia 'A' innings (50 overs maximum) R M B 4 6
GS Blewett c Taylor b McGrath 64 122 91 3 1
ML Hayden c Slater b Fleming 4 12 4 1 0
*DR Martyn lbw b Warne 58 63 40 8 0
MG Bevan c Healy b McGrath 19 29 23 1 0
JL Langer c Healy b McGrath 14 30 26 0 0
RT Ponting c ME Waugh b Fleming 13 36 31 0 0
+PA Emery b Boon 10 26 20 0 0
GR Robertson b Fleming 4 10 8 0 0
J Angel not out 15 42 31 0 0
GJ Rowell c Slater b McDermott 8 20 17 1 0
SP George b Fleming 2 15 12 0 0
Extras (lb 10, w 4, nb 1) 15
Total (all out, 49.4 overs, 208 mins) 226

FoW: 1-12 (Hayden), 2-111 (Martyn), 3-144 (Bevan),
4-158 (Blewett), 5-174 (Langer), 6-191 (Ponting),
7-193 (Emery), 8-197 (Robertson), 9-218 (Rowell),
10-226 (George).

Bowling O M R W
McDermott 10 1 38 1 (1nb 3w)
Fleming 9.4 1 28 4
McGrath 10 0 41 3
Warne 10 0 55 1
Law 2 0 21 0
ME Waugh 3 0 20 0 (1w)
Boon 5 0 13 1

Australia innings (target: 227 runs off 50 overs) R M B 4 6
*MA Taylor c Langer b Blewett 50 101 69 2 0
MJ Slater run out (Bevan) 56 109 84 4 0
ME Waugh lbw b Blewett 3 15 11 0 0
DC Boon c Martyn b Angel 27 56 41 1 0
SR Waugh not out 56 84 64 2 1
SG Law not out 27 35 27 1 0
Extras (lb 8, w 1, nb 1) 10
Total (4 wickets, 49 overs) 229

DNB: +IA Healy, CJ McDermott, SK Warne, DW Fleming, GD McGrath.

FoW: 1-107 (Taylor), 2-111 (Slater), 3-116 (ME Waugh), 4-172 (Boon).

Bowling O M R W
Angel 10 0 55 1 (1nb)
Rowell 10 1 40 0
George 8 0 34 0
Blewett 10 1 44 2
Robertson 10 0 40 0
Martyn 1 0 8 0 (1w)

I also looked up Greg Rowell on Google. He was the losing candidate for the Lord Mayor of Brisbane early this year!

[AndyP]

Umpires: DB Hair and SG RandellThere's a couple of umps who have seen a bit of controversy.


I also looked up Greg Rowell on Google. He was the losing candidate for the Lord Mayor of Brisbane early this year!We haven't had an election yet (next year), so he's still the ALP candidate.

[3oneday]

So, will we see night Tests using Pink balls ? :lol:

[goughy]

I don't think they could continue with the australia a concept as how often can you have a tri series final with both aussie teams? In fact, australia b would probably make the finals now days.

[Bruce]

I may be mis-remembering - but didn't they pull Paul Reiffel out of the Australia A team and make in 12th man for Australia?

[markTHEblake]

I may be mis-remembering - but didn't they pull Paul Reiffel out of the Australia A team and make in 12th man for Australia?


Thats what i said....., no wait i thought it was Bichel, but yeah pretty sure your right.

Wouldnt that piss you off, being No 1 bowler for the seconds, get promoted and carry the drinks.

They should have picked the squad for the two teams and not interchanged any players for the series. Dumbest thing i have ever seen in cricket (apart from bowling underarm)