Aus vs SSL -Test 3

[No4918]

Australia's SCG Test side

Michael Clarke (capt)​

Ed Cowan​

David Warner​

Phil Hughes​

Michael Hussey​

Matthew Wade​

Mitchell Johnson​

Mitchell Starc​

Peter Siddle​

Nathan Lyon​

Jackson Bird​

Glenn Maxwell (12th man)​

They have taken a big risk not taking another recognized batsmen. Letting Khwaja or someone have a chance before the Indian and Ashes series would have been the better team option in the short and long term. Given how well the bowlers did in Melbourne i can't see why they want a fourth quick even if it is a green top. Only reason i can see is we now selecting a team expecting a fast bowler to get injured and he does not want to risk being one down without Watson there.

 

[Penguin]

Looks like they're saying Johnson is now a bona fide all rounder! Whilst there is no doubting he has some skill with the bat he's a long way from all rounder status. Very interesting call.

 

[mark_s]

This is a strange team to me.

If it is a forward looking team (with one eye on the next series in India), then Khawaja should have come in for Watson or maybe even Brad Hadding if we wanted to get some overs from Wade.

If its to win this test alone (which is a dead rubber), then we are betting its a real green top (unusual for the SCG), but this would be another reason to have gone with more batting depth rather than 4 fast bowlers plus a spinner. I doubt the SCG will be a green top for all of the etst anyways.

As No4918 says, looks like they are protecting against a possible injury and maybe they have decided the the sri lankan bowling attack has been broken so we have some luxury. Eitherway its strange to me.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

What an odd team. When's the last time we went into a Sydney testing without a spinner? It's an awfully short batting line up too.

Don't like it.

 

[barbarian]

What an odd team. When's the last time we went into a Sydney testing without a spinner? It's an awfully short batting line up too.

Don't like it.

I know Nathan Lyon doesn't turn the ball that far, but I'd still have to call him a spinner Hornet.......
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[Torn Hammy]

I think they just want to have a good look at Bird, Starc and Johnson on a wicket that will become pretty flat, with India in mind.

It puts a bit of pressure on Wade, though.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I know Nathan Lyon doesn't turn the ball that far, but I'd still have to call him a spinner Hornet...
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Sorry, brain fart on my part! What I was thinking, that my fingers didn't type was: when was the last time we played four quicks in Sydney?

 

[TSR]

The unkind, cynical part of me would say you were right the first time.

 

[mark_s]

Day 1 was a good day of cricket all in all - 10 wickets and (near) 300 runs. The Sri Lankan batting had some much needed starch and patience, and a share of luck, but it was more enjoyable to watch than the capitulation in Melbourne.

We got our team selections wrong. Even before the start of play many people at the ground was talking about a SCG green top, but no one actually seemed to be looking at the pitch (or listening to the curator) as it looked and subsequently played like a typical SCG pitch. To compound the bad selections, we then chose to bowl first - it may not ultimately cost us this match but it would have against stronger opponents.

Bird was the pick of our bowlers, but they all had good patches. They need to focus on consistency. Clarke's preference for 4 over spells (from the quicks) is unusual. It has merit but shouldnt be blindly followed (e.g. when Johnson was taken off today after bowling what was probably the most threatening over of the day).

OUr batters get their chance tomorrow, they will need to perform as it will be very hard to chase runs on day 4/5 on this pitch.

 

[Torn Hammy]

Agree m_s, it was an enjoyable day at the cricket.

I thought Clarke opened with the wrong bowlers. There was a little juice early on, and I thought Johnson and Siddle would have used it better than Starc and Bird. The pitch flattened out very quickly.

I was surprised at how good Bird was and thought that the Sri Lankans defended very well against some very good bowling.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Jeez this team selection is working out well isn't it...

 

[mark_s]

Australia probably take the points on day 2, but it feels like a failure as we had the opportunity to land a knock out blow. Some good patches of batting, but most of the Aus specialist batters will be disappointed in their dismissals on what was a brilliant batting surface.

Who was at fault for the run outs? At the ground I thought Warner erred in the first one (there was never two in it and he had committed before his partner had even though Cowan was running to the danger end) and Clarke in the second, but the media seems to be pointing the finger at Cowan.

Wade gets the chance to remind us why we tolerate his clumsy glove work tomorrow, and we need him to kick on as Sri Lanka still have a chance if they can take the last four wickets quickly and then get a partnership or two in their innings.

 

[No4918]

Another good summary.

Is there a backup ready to go for Wade? His keeping is not good enough at this level, he could make 200 and I'd be happy to see someone else have a go. Paine made runs for Tas in the BB but not sure if he kept, hopefully he is back soon.

 

[barbarian]

Australia probably take the points on day 2, but it feels like a failure as we had the opportunity to land a knock out blow. Some good patches of batting, but most of the Aus specialist batters will be disappointed in their dismissals on what was a brilliant batting surface.

Who was at fault for the run outs? At the ground I thought Warner erred in the first one (there was never two in it and he had committed before his partner had even though Cowan was running to the danger end) and Clarke in the second, but the media seems to be pointing the finger at Cowan.

Wade gets the chance to remind us why we tolerate his clumsy glove work tomorrow, and we need him to kick on as Sri Lanka still have a chance if they can take the last four wickets quickly and then get a partnership or two in their innings.

I'm not sure it is a brilliant batting surface Mark. A few balls kept low, and plenty broke through the surface. It appears to be dry and dusty, almost subcontinental. Hughes said in the post day presser he never felt comfortable out there. That's not to excuse a few dismissals- Cowan, Warner and Clarke should all be kicking themselves (Clarke doubly so for running out Huss).

As for the run-out, I think Cowan should shoulder most of the blame for his. He dawdled the first, turned slowly, and then hesitated a few steps into the 2nd run. In under 8s they tell you to run the 1st one hard, especially if you are the non-striker. If he had done this, he would have been in a better position to either make the 2nd run or stop Warner before he advanced too far.
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[Penguin]

On Wade, I haven't watched every minute this summer, but I haven't thought he was keeping that badly & is worth persisting with. Jeez, half the population were saying the same about Haddin & Gilly got his fair share of criticism on his glove work early in his career. Cut the guy some slack & give him a bit of time.

 

[barbarian]

Yeah I don't have a problem with Wade. I remember people saying a year or two ago 'Haddin is such a terrible keeper, why don't we put Wade in. HE can keep'. Before that people were saying the same about Gilly and Haddin. Now people are throwing in Paine (or Hartley if you are from Qld).

If Wade keeps making centuries, I can overlook a dropped catch or two. I am happy with his performance so far.
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[mark_s]

Haddins a much bett keeper than wade (and i see wade missed another catch today). Wade moves late and (to me isn't watching the ball closely), too frequently he is taking the ball behind his body and line of sight. It's hopefully a technique issue but it needs addressing as not even 100 runs every now and then will compensate if he is missing an opportunity an innings in a big series. Don't forget that wade missed a stumping on day 4 at Adelaide which could have changed that whole test and series.

I do think we should stick with him, he just needs to keep working on it and improving. But I will be calling for change if he hasn't improved by the next aus summer.

Barbarian, the pitch was fine yesterday - there would have been no more than 6 balls that you would blame the pitch for somethingn odd happening and only Hughes could say he got a good ball.

Having watched the replay, I agree hat Cowan on,y had himself to blame for the runout.

 

[Torn Hammy]

Wade also dropped the last ball of the day trying to stump the batsman.

I don't think it's a technique thing, I think he freezes when a chance comes his way. Just needs to relax a bit and this will come with time.

Does anyone think Haddin will go to India or England?

 

[mark_s]

Haddin is yesterday's man, unfortunate the way it happened but we should keep moving on. Someone else needs to be taken as wades back up, maybe Neville.

I just saw the last ball torn, not only did wade miss the ball but he then appealed even though the batter was miles in.

There is a good article by Gerrard Wheatley on the current state of aus cricket, maybe very pessimistic but also maybe spot on.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket...and/story-fn2mcu3x-1226547958452#.UOfh1XwaySM

 

[Aussie D]

Haddin's keeping was shocking over his last two years in test cricket tpo put it nicely. He likely would have been replaced either on the Wi tour or during the SAf series. Wade does need to work on his keeping or be set aside for either Hartley or Neville. Good wicket keeping is invaluable as it can save runs and end an innings. As has been mentioned elsewhere wade takes that catch on day 4 in Adelaide and the whole test changes complexion.