Australia in Sri Lanka 2016

[Quick Hands]

I agree. Game was lost in the first Aus innings when Smith and others lost their wickets unnecessarily trying to hit certain bowlers out of the attack. Put their heads down and score something like 300 - 350 and they are likely to win the game.

Unfrotunately, the modern Australian cricketer, brought up on flat tracks finds it difficult to do this. On flat tracks one can hit bowlers out of the attack. Building an innings when the ball is moving about and the bounce inconsistent require other skills (mental and physical).

 

[The torpedo]

Unfrotunately, the modern Australian cricketer, brought up on flat tracks finds it difficult to do this. On flat tracks one can hit bowlers out of the attack. Building an innings when the ball is moving about and the bounce inconsistent require other skills (mental and physical).

The main question is: why are so many flat tracks being prepared? The Adelaide Oval is probably the only pitch that has always been traditionally flat. The only thing that flat tracks are good for is developing bowlers skills in unfavourable conditions. Whoever decided to get rid of the cracks at the WACA made a mistake. Pitches here should be known as pace-friendly

 

[Quick Hands]

The main question is: why are so many flat tracks being prepared? The Adelaide Oval is probably the only pitch that has always been traditionally flat. The only thing that flat tracks are good for is developing bowlers skills in unfavourable conditions. Whoever decided to get rid of the cracks at the WACA made a mistake. Pitches here should be known as pace-friendly

We were told sometime last year that CA had issued instructions to the curators on what they wanted.

One assumes that TV dollars from a 5 day test had something to do with it.

Interesting that the most interesting test to watch last season was the day/night one in Adelaide, in which the ball moved around and the batsmen had to fight hard to score.

Even though we lost the first test in SL, it was a great test match because it was a genuine contest between bat and ball.

 

[Braveheart81]

The pitch in Pallekelle turned from day 1 but it was still in great condition on day 5. We just play poorly generally against spin and batted badly particularly in the first innings where we should have scored a lot more runs.

Are the pitches in Australia really that flat?

Last Summer we had two tests finish in 3 days, one in 4, and one in 5. There were two draws, one of which was due to weather.

The WACA which had the other draw due to both sides scoring a lot of runs generally produces a result (3 draws in the last 20 years).

Australian pitches are faster and bouncier than most international pitches and that is where we generally have an advantage.

I definitely think the aggression of batsmen has led to them struggling in conditions where it is spinning or swinging a lot. Most batsmen don't have the patience that players of old had to really survive at the crease in order to build an innings. That ability to survive the tough spells and then be still there to take advantage when conditions for batting are more favourable seems like a bit of a forgotten art. Australia aren't really alone in this though.

Our test team is not overly strong right now which is a big reason we keep losing away from home. Just about every other test side is in the same position right now. No one is dominant enough to consistently win away from home.

 

[Braveheart81]

Interesting that the most interesting test to watch last season was the day/night one in Adelaide, in which the ball moved around and the batsmen had to fight hard to score.

That wasn't due to the pitch though.

 

[Quick Hands]

The pitch in Pallekelle turned from day 1 but it was still in great condition on day 5. We just play poorly generally against spin and batted badly particularly in the first innings where we should have scored a lot more runs.

Are the pitches in Australia really that flat?

Last Summer we had two tests finish in 3 days, one in 4, and one in 5. There were two draws, one of which was due to weather.

The WACA which had the other draw due to both sides scoring a lot of runs generally produces a result (3 draws in the last 20 years).

Australian pitches are faster and bouncier than most international pitches and that is where we generally have an advantage.

I definitely think the aggression of batsmen has led to them struggling in conditions where it is spinning or swinging a lot. Most batsmen don't have the patience that players of old had to really survive at the crease in order to build an innings. That ability to survive the tough spells and then be still there to take advantage when conditions for batting are more favourable seems like a bit of a forgotten art. Australia aren't really alone in this though.

Our test team is not overly strong right now which is a big reason we keep losing away from home. Just about every other test side is in the same position right now. No one is dominant enough to consistently win away from home.

Scores in Australian tests last summer:

1st test v NZ, Brisbane
Aus: 4dec/556 & 4dec/264
NZ: 317 & 295
(side batting 4th scores 295 and loses by over 200 runs)

2nd test v NZ, Perth
Aus: 9dec/559 & 7dec/385
NZ: 624 & 2/104
(1 completed innings in 5 days and that was over 600)

3rd test v NZ, Adelaide (day/night)
NZ: 202 & 208
Aus: 224 & 7/187

1st test v WI, Hobart
Aus: 4dec/583
WI: 223 & 148

2nd test v WI, Melbourne
Aus: 5dec/551 & 3dec/179
WI: 271 & 282

3rd test, Sydney
WI 330
Aus: 2dec/176
Rain affected test

In 6 tests, four scores over 500 (none all out) and one score over 600 . Sound like pretty flat pitches to me - particularly if it is your view that our current team aren't that strong. What would a strong team get on these pitches?

 

[Quick Hands]

That wasn't due to the pitch though.

Didn't say it was.

 

[The torpedo]

We were told sometime last year that CA had issued instructions to the curators on what they wanted.

One assumes that TV dollars from a 5 day test had something to do with it.

Interesting that the most interesting test to watch last season was the day/night one in Adelaide, in which the ball moved around and the batsmen had to fight hard to score.

Even though we lost the first test in SL, it was a great test match because it was a genuine contest between bat and ball.

Then whoever was/were the higher-up/s at CA who decided that are fools. Maybe a directive from Channel 9? They did the same for their cricket commentary (IMO).

Agreed on your opinions about the D/N test & 1st Sri Lankan test

 

[Lindommer]

Heaven help us if the fools in the cricket department of Channel 9 have ANY influence on the administration or performance of cricket in Australia. Apart from Ian Chappell.

 

[Braveheart81]

In 6 tests, four scores over 500 (none all out) and one score over 600 . Sound like pretty flat pitches to me - particularly if it is your view that our current team aren't that strong. What would a strong team get on these pitches?

I think the only really easy batting pitch was Perth where both teams scored runs at will.

The gulf in class between Australia and West Indies was massive. Their bowling and our batting made those pitches look like a road when we were batting and a minefield when the roles were reversed.

In that first test in particular against NZ, they were rubbish with the ball. We scored at 4.26 in the first innings and 6.28 in the second.

At 157/5 at stumps on day 2, trailing by 400 runs, NZ had already lost the game.

Only an absolutely minefield would make the game substantially closer when the form of the two teams is so far apart.

Our current team isn't that strong but we are good enough to beat most teams comfortably at home (which is generally the case for the top few test sides).

Are pitches that are producing results too flat? What instructions do you give the groundsmen then? We had a result but it was still too one sided so let's aim for pitches that will produce a result inside 3 days?

Does a pitch that is harder to bat on for entirely different reasons help us when we are playing in the subcontinent?

 

[Quick Hands]

I What instructions do you give the groundsmen then? We had a result but it was still too one sided so let's aim for pitches that will produce a result inside 3 days?

Does a pitch that is harder to bat on for entirely different reasons help us when we are playing in the subcontinent?

The instructions should be to produce traditional Australian wickets - a little green and difficult to bat on in the first session and for a while after lunch, good to bat on in days 2 and 3, breaking up on days 4 and 5.

And yes, pitches at home that are more difficult to bat on at home will improve our performances overseas, because players can't just go out there to hit the bowler out of the attack, knowing that the ball won't move at all. If players are used to adjusting their shots on a regular basis, it will improve their mental and physical ability to play balls which move either in the air or off the pitch.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Stark gets 5. Good effort from the bowlers to reign that back in. Sri Lankan will be disappointed to end up with only 281 from where they were.

Runs on the board though. Pitch is already turning a mile and Aussies have to bat last.

 

[Braveheart81]

Warner getting out in the last over of the day could be a massive turning point.

He was scoring quickly and getting Australia set up nicely. Now we're in a precarious situation and a couple of quick wickets could see us get rolled.

Smith and Khawaja have to put together a good partnership here.

 

[RugbyReg]

bloody Warner!!!

 

[Lindommer]

At least Warner got some runs, what about Burns getting rolled second ball?

 

[Braveheart81]

At least Warner got some runs, what about Burns getting rolled second ball?

Yeah, that was a really poor dismissal from Burns.

 

[RugbyReg]

yep, he needs to lift his game but Warner for all his talent, 42 runs from 50 balls in three innings is pretty average.

I'd tend to prefer the more grafting efforts of Burns being 32 from 74.

Both need to do more at the top though.

 

[Braveheart81]

Welp. There goes this test.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Mendis at the crease is so far above everyone else so far in this series it's not funny. Basically the difference between the two sides.

 

[The torpedo]

The idiot who ordered flat pitches on Australian cricket grounds should be sacked immedately