Australia v England, 2nd Test, Adelaide, Dec 3-7, 2010 (II)

They'll give Swanny a couple of overs with the old ball against Nought first. SHould be enough.

The score is above 150. Expect a career prolonging ton from North tomorrow.

Although apparnetly North does average 55 when he comes in with the total at more than 150.

With referrals and hot spot etc, who wouldn't walk? Only makes the player look like a cheat if he hangs around when he knows he's hit it.

I was hoping that the referral system would encourage players to walk when they know they're out, and for fielders to not make ridiculous appeals even though they know the batsman is not out. But so far it hasn't happened.

With limited appeals, not walking might result in a not out call which then puts the pressure on the bowling skipper to potentially "waste" a review. Or of course if they were Australia or South Africa, they would have already wasted the reviews.

Henry Nolonga wrote:The score is above 150. Expect a career prolonging ton from North tomorrow.

Ah, nice catch, HN. I can only desperately hope that you (and the bad weather) are right.

JKLever wrote:
Captain conservative could pay for that decision to bat on.

On the contrary, if Strauss hadn't batted on, the Aus deficit would have only been 300 odd. With a smaller deficit to chase, along with the psychological boost that gives, and the extra 40 minutes Eng used this morning, Australia could have been almost level by now instead of still 137 behind. Good call, England, in my book.

Ironically enough, a complete wash out tomorrow would almost certainly mean the end of North's career. Basically for his sake he HAS to bat tomorrow, and HAS to make at least 50 to avoid the axe for the Perth test.

skully wrote:

Henry Nolonga wrote:The score is above 150. Expect a career prolonging ton from North tomorrow.

Ah, nice catch, HN. I can only desperately hope that you (and the bad weather) are right.

Geez skully. Hoping for North to do well? You guys must be desperate

Henry Nolonga wrote:

skully wrote:

Henry Nolonga wrote:The score is above 150. Expect a career prolonging ton from North tomorrow.

Ah, nice catch, HN. I can only desperately hope that you (and the bad weather) are right.

Geez skully. Hoping for North to do well? You guys must be desperate

Damn, I submit to your infinite wisdom. You have soundly out-argued me.

Henry wrote:Ironically enough, a complete wash out tomorrow would almost certainly mean the end of North's career. Basically for his sake he HAS to bat tomorrow, and HAS to make at least 50 to avoid the axe for the Perth test.

I think a 50 and a loss would be the end as well.

I am thinking of making a another pact with God re tomorrow's events - if there are more than 50 overs tomorrow and North manages to save us with a not out or a big innings that makes us safe, I may have to add to the sig and hold off criticising his batting until 6 December 2011.

Henry wrote:Ironically enough, a complete wash out tomorrow would almost certainly mean the end of North's career. Basically for his sake he HAS to bat tomorrow, and HAS to make at least 50 to avoid the axe for the Perth test.

You massively underestimate the idiocy of the Aus NSP, Trev.

ever hopeful wrote:

JKLever wrote:
Captain conservative could pay for that decision to bat on.

On the contrary, if Strauss hadn't batted on, the Aus deficit would have only been 300 odd. With a smaller deficit to chase, along with the psychological boost that gives, and the extra 40 minutes Eng used this morning, Australia could have been almost level by now instead of still 137 behind. Good call, England, in my book.

But England DO have a second innings. Surely we should back our batsmen to chase 150 odd batting last. On this pitch. Against this Aus attack. The game would be more in our control and I reckon the Umps would be more reluctant to go off for bad light and what-not with England so close to victory chasing in the fourth innings.

skully wrote:

Henry Nolonga wrote:

skully wrote:

Henry Nolonga wrote:The score is above 150. Expect a career prolonging ton from North tomorrow.

Ah, nice catch, HN. I can only desperately hope that you (and the bad weather) are right.

Geez skully. Hoping for North to do well? You guys must be desperate

Damn, I submit to your infinite wisdom. You have soundly out-argued me.

Was just waiting for the right time

But anyway, what scenario would you rather have?
1 - North makes a decent score to help Aus draw but stays in the side for the series
or
2 - North fails and gets dropped but Aus lose?

I'm guessing 3 - North helps Aus draw but still gets dropped

I will accept North making a decent score and helping Aus to a draw and being retained. Afterall, the Ashes is paramount and I will give Nought his due if he plays his part.

The most likely is obviously that he will fail, we will deservedly lose to a far superior side, but Nought will be retained.

And I simply can't imagine the miracle scenario of Nought helping us to a draw AND being dropped.

Speaking of North, this is what Hussey has to say about North,

"He'll definitely score runs," Hussey said. "He's a champion player, a champion guy to have around the team, and we want him around the team. We're behind him all the way."

Those crazy wozzies stick together.

If Hussey had said 'North is a waste of space and an embarrassment to Australian cricket and he may as well throw his bat in the Torrens on the way back to the hotel tomorrow', that WOULD have nearly been news.

Big Dog wrote:Jeez...stop complaining you poms. How many times has England been saved by your crappy weather in years gone by. Its about time we got one back.

Like when? I'm sure we have.... no more than any other sides however and its hampered us just as much. (OT 2005 anyone?)

Who's complaining either?

furriner wrote:Or to put it another way:

O' captain my captain,
the batsmen have all gone to $hit,
Our bowling boys are England's toys
And you yourselves a tit.

My coat!

Noice!

SG wrote:Speaking of North, this is what Hussey has to say about North,

"He'll definitely score runs," Hussey said. "He's a champion player, a champion guy to have around the team, and we want him around the team. We're behind him all the way."

A few critics tonight suggested that they're sick of ex-players backing all the current players as if there is a secret oath they sign when they're issued their baggygreens. Even Warne is prepared to defend Doherty. None of them think anyone should be dropped except the usual loons like Hogg.

Massie said tonight that the selectors have put a lot of the players under pressure with the seventeen man squad, chopping and changing and ambiguous statements. He said that his experience of playing and watching cricket has taught him that if you have too many players in the team fearing for their place, you rarely play the sort of cricket required to win matches. In contrast England has a stable line-up and they've backed their players, even through form lapses and technical issues. They look a close-knit unit. He also said that he finds some of Punter's field players bemusing as there seemed to quite a few catches which went to orthodox positions which were unmanned. He said that Punter claims he sets fields to bowlers' wishes but Massie said that Chappelli overruled them if he thought the fields were dumb.

Just on England, Allan Lamb said yesterday that Gooch has done a great job with KP, who is arguably the hardest working cricketer in the game. He also said he never really felt accepted as an English cricketer.

Getting back to Nort, the word champion is used too loosely these days.

If he helps save the test, Aussie fans will love him but it's time to look at other options both short and long-term.

SG wrote

Speaking of North, this is what Hussey has to say about North,

"He'll definitely score runs," Hussey said. "He's a champion player, a champion guy to have around the team, and we want him around the team. We're behind him all the way."

Red pontificated

"A few critics tonight suggested that they're sick of ex-players backing all the current players as if there is a secret oath they sign when they're issued their baggygreens."?

If Hussey's an ex-player, who was that bloke who batted with Haddin in Brisbane? His stunt double?

Fred Nerk wrote:SG wrote

Speaking of North, this is what Hussey has to say about North,

"He'll definitely score runs," Hussey said. "He's a champion player, a champion guy to have around the team, and we want him around the team. We're behind him all the way."

Red pontificated

"A few critics tonight suggested that they're sick of ex-players backing all the current players as if there is a secret oath they sign when they're issued their baggygreens."?

If Hussey's an ex-player, who was that bloke who batted with Haddin in Brisbane? His stunt double?

It was in the paper Fred, it cannot be wrong.

Fred Nerk wrote:SG wrote

Speaking of North, this is what Hussey has to say about North,

"He'll definitely score runs," Hussey said. "He's a champion player, a champion guy to have around the team, and we want him around the team. We're behind him all the way."

Red pontificated

"A few critics tonight suggested that they're sick of ex-players backing all the current players as if there is a secret oath they sign when they're issued their baggygreens."?

If Hussey's an ex-player, who was that bloke who batted with Haddin in Brisbane? His stunt double?

The Hussey on North example was used to bring the topic under discussion. That didn't mean Hussey was being confused as an erstwhile player. By all means criticise my posts, as most are apt to do but try a bit harder please!

Red wrote:

Fred Nerk wrote:SG wrote

Speaking of North, this is what Hussey has to say about North,

"He'll definitely score runs," Hussey said. "He's a champion player, a champion guy to have around the team, and we want him around the team. We're behind him all the way."

Red pontificated

"A few critics tonight suggested that they're sick of ex-players backing all the current players as if there is a secret oath they sign when they're issued their baggygreens."?

If Hussey's an ex-player, who was that bloke who batted with Haddin in Brisbane? His stunt double?

The Hussey on North example was used to bring the topic under discussion. That didn't mean Hussey was being confused as an erstwhile player. By all means criticise my posts, as most are apt to do but try a bit harder please!

Obfuscation reigns