Cricket news

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2 hours ago, taipan said:

Not really. I have never known test cricket to be weaker. Neither SA or Aus are good at the moment.NZ are an average team hiding behind a slightly better than average seam attack and 1.5 batsmen.

Yep - apart from the new chum Jamieson (who does look handy) the rest of the attack average high 20's upwards. Williamson is their only class batsman. Taylor is still getting a game at 35 despite very patchy form against better sides. No Robadas or Cummins in that lot

[Docker 1,008]

Apparently calling someone Shiraz or motherfucker is racist. There should be nil tolerance for racism but what constitutes racism may need defining as some gentle souls seems to struggle with banter some of which may be boorish at worst

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Going to happen to us again - at 3/222 India look a real chance from here. 

[J1M1 1,241]

Hard fought match! I was reminded about why they call it a "Test". It's that in every conceivable way.

3 days to round 4........they'll all come out fightin, if they're able to walk...... 

[Docker 1,008]

14 hours ago, J1M1 said:

Hard fought match! I was reminded about why they call it a "Test". It's that in every conceivable way.

3 days to round 4........they'll all come out fightin, if they're able to walk...... 

There is a lot of injuries particularly on the Indian side

Good effort by India minus Kohli, Shami, I Sharma from their best team and in match injuries to three players.

The SCG doesn't break up like it used to - they were showing footage where G Smith come out to bat with a broken hand and the pitch was a minefield with cracks all over it - the ball that M Johnson bowled to get him out jagged off a good length. G Smith is revered for that act in these parts

[taipan 2,561]

2 hours ago, Docker said:

There is a lot of injuries particularly on the Indian side

Good effort by India minus Kohli, Shami, I Sharma from their best team and in match injuries to three players.

The SCG doesn't break up like it used to - they were showing footage where G Smith come out to bat with a broken hand and the pitch was a minefield with cracks all over it - the ball that M Johnson bowled to get him out jagged off a good length. G Smith is revered for that act in these parts

And the sad part is many hate him here. The same bunch who revere Hansie and think he was a great test player.

[Docker 1,008]

2 minutes ago, taipan said:

And the sad part is many hate him here. The same bunch who revere Hansie and think he was a great test player.

Bizarre. By every meaningful metric Smith is a much better player/captain

[taipan 2,561]

In their narrative Cronje was set up by Bacher and took the fall to protect his team mates. No match fixing took place despite Kallis, Boucher and Klusener testified they were offered money to throw a test. He had a shit average as he always played for the team.

[J1M1 1,241]

It's somehow always been part of the SA DNA that they somehow cannot/will not recognise true greatness/genius/talent. The local press media have a lot to answer for in this regard. Fact remains, Hansie was a crooked "christian" corrupt cricket captain with no real talent except to throw matches....and be the pet poodle of the local cricket media.

[Docker 1,008]

Hope the Aussies pull the pin on the Saffer tour - could be embarrassing after being beaten at home by India A

[J1M1 1,241]

56 minutes ago, Docker said:

Hope the Aussies pull the pin on the Saffer tour - could be embarrassing after being beaten at home by India A

BIG questions! Is Indian cricket so strong or is Aussie cricket in decline? 

Goodbye time for Payne?

i suspect Australia will look for any reason not to tour.........unless

[Docker 1,008]

34 minutes ago, J1M1 said:

BIG questions! Is Indian cricket so strong or is Aussie cricket in decline? 

Goodbye time for Payne?

i suspect Australia will look for any reason not to tour.........unless

Both - the Indian bench strength is impressive and may have been helped by having to bring in fresh bowlers. The Aussie bowlers were running on empty at the end. Cummins is top shelf, Hazelwood is handy but Starc probably needs a long spell (possibly permanent). The Indians were too good for Lyon. Aussie batting is very skinny - Warner looks done at 34 and Harris and Wade aren't Test quality. Smith may also be in decline and has been covering for this lot for awhile - not sure that quirky technique will last into his mid 30's (he is 31). Paine had an ordinary series - missed a number of chances in the Third & Fourth tests which proved critical.   

[taipan 2,561]

Is it only me who thinks that Starc lost a lot of swing one the sandpaper went?

[Docker 1,008]

16 hours ago, taipan said:

Is it only me who thinks that Starc lost a lot of swing one the sandpaper went?

There are a few in that school.

I think he needs to stick to the white ball stuff. Australia needs a swing bowler rather than three tall seamers 

[J1M1 1,241]

How much longer is Lyon going to be part of the equation?