New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
A three-Test series against a high-class Pakistan bowling attack is a perfect opportunity to analyse Australia's new batting line-up. With the tourists' bowling attack…
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A Sport fanatic in all Sports. Rabid Aston Villa and Hawthorn fan
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The simple explanation is India were better in all departments of the game
The main point being batting. Stand out here was the unacceptable effort by the poms in Mohali after winning a toss on a very batting friendkly pitch they came up way way short. Within this shambles were too many ill advised and loose shots. The other aspect of the batting comparison is the difference between the indian batsmen going on and making decisive contributions compared to the English getting out before they made a real contribution. root in the last game stood out for this
lastly Alastair Cook, he is so relied upon in Asia for England with Jadeja making him his bunny. a fact that has been huge , not only for Cook’s lack of contribution but what he represent to the rest of the batting. With so many attacking types , he was the perfect sheet anchor to compliment them
Selections have been huge, Mishra was a a loose part of the attack in the first test and gave the English batting a chance with how he relieved the pressure on them. When Jayant came in, it regained the completeness of the attack and made the pressure suffocating for England
The English bowling has stood out for its incompleteness with too many being passengers on their bus that has allowed the Indian batting to thrive and the selections have been very curious. in defence of this, i think they have suffered by their lack of options with few bowlers equipped for the conditions.
In short, well done to india who have lorded over the tourists in all regards
India vs England and why the better team won
what has swing got to do with pitches Mickey?
Handscomb's back-foot reliance will be tested
I think both, he has taken more ownership as both a Captain and batsman
He has been more discreet in how he has batted since the nadir of Hobart
Handscomb's back-foot reliance will be tested
It is a sad cross I bare
particularly with following them from the late 1950’s and being able to remember when aside for ‘Manure’, we were the biggest club in England 🙁
we look better under Bruce but are light years away from being what we need to be. our midfield is a complete joke, a cruel one at that
The Aussies could win in India... But they won't
Very strange us sharing the same view Ronan 🙂
I remember writing an article on here yesterday and in regards to Handscombe, I cannot see him existing in test cricket with that technique. It is not just his penchant for going so far back on his stumps but also the fact he plays with his bat so far away from his pad. If there is any swing/seam- he will be very exploitable.
Fans will instantly point to yesterday, but he was aided by another very disappointing pitch, shameless road.
the pitch really took the gloss off the excitement of the spectacle of day/night for the previous two have had fabulous pitches that have facilitated great matches highlighting the charm/appeal of test cricket. The one last year against NZ was compelling and left all going home happy for Australia won and raving because of how compelling the play had been
a few other points:
Renshaw was superlative
Usman Khawaja- done once more like a Kipper to the flight of a guileful spinner
the commentators, notably Clarke pointing out how improved Smith has been since Hobart. i must admit i see Smith as a fine player but far from what his average depicts. Having said this, since Hobart I think he has been exceptional. It seems absurd to say but that 40 odd in Hobart was the best I have ever seen Smith bat. Even yesterday, he had his characteristic flair but married it with a new found discretion. standing out was shelving cut shots against Yasir and not being suckered into having a flirt outside off with the lefties angling accross him.
Pakistans batting- they will have to face a high calibre pace attack with the pressure of a likely huge score on the board for the Aussies but if they cannot bat well on a pitch resembling ‘Death Valley’ then sadly the series is already over. I cannot wait to see how Babar Azam goes after his wonderful 90 odd in tough conditions in NZ recently
Handscomb's back-foot reliance will be tested
Helps batting on a super highway, lets see how Mr Handscombe goes on a ‘test standard’ pitch 🙂
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
You make me laugh Nudge for rather than have the plumbs to comment on this article before the proceedings today and call me out, you have to wait till after the play and then make comment 🙂
If your boys had of failed you would have been watching repeats of the Olympics
On Smith, it was interesting recently seeing you diminish Kohli’s efforts in Australia by labelling the pitches ‘Corporate pitches’ but you made no mention that if this was the truth ( which it was-the pitches were deploreable) then consistency would dictate that you also said this :
‘ Seeing i am putting an asterisk near Kohli’s name in this series b/c of the dreadful super highway pitches, then I must put the same Asterix near Smith’s performances in the same series…….’
Being the ra ra pom pom boy you are, consistency is never going to be in your make up- is it???? 🙂
On the topic of Smith , fine player and even said have gained more respect for him since Hobart, but maintain he is not in the conversation of best in the test game, Root stands alone, and I still see Williamson as a stand out
Averages tell a tale but mislead as well
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
Done like a kipper in flight……..
Australia vs Pakistan highlights: Cricket live scores, blog, 1st Test - Day 1
I can see the merits of both views on Warner, and i guess I am showing my age ( nearly 65 ) by calling for a more resolute opening pair. i think Khawaja/Renshaw would be very good with S Marsh at 3. Long term, i would look to having Patterson move to three.
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
Fair call on VVS , Perry, I think I am letting love blind me in making the claim for idolised Laxman. He was not only a batsman of unparalleled beauty but so puristic as well.
As for Kohli, he has been exceptional and has that ‘mongrel’ in him, a trait that is very Un-Indian for they have often been viewed as ‘too nice.’
he might go past Tendulkar’s reputation, but i still see Gavaskar as India’s greatest ever and he will never get to the feats that icon achieved. The key one giving India credibility
In this age, Sunny would have averaged 75, no doubt at all
Virat Kohli is clearly the best batsman in the world
Thank you for the kind words and agree with all of it.
if I had my way, this would be the Aussie top 6:
Khawaja,
Renshaw
S Marsh
Smith
Warner
Patterson
I think Warner has incredible figures at the top but he is always suspect when the ball does anything. i would prefer a more resolute top three and move Warner to 5/6 where he can play with more freedom away from the new ball and have a more positive effect on the team. I have not been a fan of Smith until that fabulous innings in Hobart. People will laugh, but its the best innings I have ever saw from Smith, full of such grit, skill and sheer bloodymindedness.I am still cynical about his ability as it is related to his average but that showing made me have greater respect for him.
This series will be intriguing, with the most interest for i how Khawaja goes against a very wily spinner in Yasir Shah. Khawaja could be the brick for Australia to rebuild its batting around but if he is exposed once more against spin he becomes a situational entity that can only be played in pace friendly confines
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
I think the key in planning has to be regaining the Ashes. Key in this will be protecting young players from potential torment that could affect them in the Ashes.
look at Joe Burns, went to sl on top of being fabulous last year in Oz and in Nz with everyone ordaining him as a ’10 year opener’. After getting destroyed in sl he has struggled, key in this for i is the mental blow he took.
I would be very cautious, particularly with Renshaw
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
Loved Langer and he was better than most gave credit too.
Renshaw is potentially very good, and complete in both defence/attack
I think he might fail before he succeeds though for i think he has been picked before he is really ready
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
I just think he is not up to it, if they wanted that X-factor, bat M Marsh at 7/8 as a bowling all rounder
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
The three you mention, Lara, Dravid,Gilly, I would have VVS before him
Virat Kohli is clearly the best batsman in the world
Whatever reason Maddinson is in the team and you take certainly has merit, it just is a farce
LOL, you watch him smash a run a ball 200 now, lol
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
I think Handscombe will not make the Sydney test, his technique is too flawed
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
There is more to renshaw than just defensive, he has a full array of gears
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
I think Renshaw will be a 10 year, 45 average player for Australia but I think he is still very green now
I think he was cast into the spotlight before he was probably ready for the onme they have been touting for a while in Cam Bancroft has come up way short
New hope or false dawn for Australia's top six?
not in my view, with Ponting, he had a fair few ahead of him in his generation
Virat Kohli is clearly the best batsman in the world
If you are measuring this across the three forms of the game, Kohli is without parallel, miles ahead of any other
In real cricket, tests, I still have an axterix near his name that will only be dispelled when he shows he can excel in seaming/swinging conditions such as England
Virat Kohli is clearly the best batsman in the world
Spot on Burgy, too much attention is paid to performances in ODi cricket when selecting for tests.
Without realising it has no relevance to test cricket as well as the standard being very low
If you want a good recent example, look at Amit Mishra who was selected after dominating in ODI’s
I cannot see any Australian spinner troubling the Indians, in fact they are likely to get dominated for they lack the craft and guile necessary to trouble good players of spin. A mauler like Murali Vijay would rip the likes of Lyon/SOK new corn shots. If he faced one like Zampa it would be almost called off under the mercy rule
The Aussies could win in India... But they won't
Well done to Handscombe on a very fine century. i cannot say i am a fan, cringing at his ‘technique, but Don Freo made a very switched on remark yesterday when pointing to the lads grit. He certainly has got some old fashioned mongrel in him that can take you a long way
As for the game, fabulous fight back by Pakistan after it looking like Australia running up 600+ was a given. if they get Australia out for under 400 it will be a huge effort
But, as more observers have put forward:
Can Pakistan bat??????/
Australia vs Pakistan highlights: Cricket live scores, blog, 1st Test - Day 2