Roar Rookie
Joined June 2017
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Media and Education graduate living in Adelaide. Leeds fan, cricket tragic, and general sports enthusiast.
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It's common knowledge that the interests and expectations of young people are changing, but as cricket pivots to keep pace, we should consider what…
The English batting line-up is in a state of flux. For some time a deep lower-middle order has papered over the cracks of a…
Australia aren’t the only side with an eye on the Ashes and like the Aussies, England have plenty of young bowling talent. Let’s take…
Monday’s conclusion to the Sheffield Shield final brought an end to a marathon summer of cricket. The sheer breadth of media coverage was at…
As Adelaide United completed a critical victory against Alen Stajcic’s well drilled Central Coast Mariners side, outgoing head coach Marco Kurz must surely have…
With 64 Tests to his name in which he has claimed over 200 wickets, Peter Siddle should by rights have gone into this year’s…
I know that writing Sri Lanka off in any format is a foolish move, but they really don’t appear to have a strong One Day lineup at the moment.
Hope they prove me wrong and look forward to seeing the next group of young talent make their move over the next few years!
My Sri Lanka World Cup squad
I have always been a fan of Test Match Special, its coverage features some great voices and brings back nice memories of listening to the cricket in Australia at obscene hours.
Nonetheless, it does arguably lean towards the inane chatter end of things at times, what with the fifteen minute conversations about cupcakes and all that.
Perhaps Channel 7 can become the Sky type coverage in Australia?
This summer’s genuine cricket win? The coverage
I’d say he should be seen as a bowler first, his runs are a handy bonus. He could definitely pick up Anderson’s spot following his eventual retirement and I think that he would do a good job; it just needs to happen soon for him though as he’s hit 30.
I am a Woakes fan and there is still a window for a few years of solid test cricket potentially available to him, but there are younger guys beginning to make a move.
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
Woakes appears to be one of those guys who has missed out due to stiff competition for his role. Anderson, of course has dominated the medium-fast slot and Stokes has had an iron grip on the all-rounders role. He has such an incredible first class record that it would be a shame if he didn’t get more opportunities.
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
Well, he certainly must have referenced the ”good energy” of Stoinis, at least a hundred times.
This summer’s genuine cricket win? The coverage
This is a fair point, for many a part of following a test cricket involves the ebb and flow of not only the match, but also the commentary. Perhaps what Australian cricket coverage is currently lacking is diversity, as some of the broadcasters are offering essentially the same product (similar voices and tone).
This summer’s genuine cricket win? The coverage
It’s a crazy schedule, it will be interesting to see what focus is placed on County cricket in the lead up and during the CWC. It could be an opportunity for younger players to really establish themselves, or it may get lost in the crowd.
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
Ali has been on a good run, he’s a lock for the first test if fit. Think that the batting is going to be the real issue for England, lots of ‘talented’, middle order players who need to do more and some holes up the top.
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
I suppose time will tell (if any of them get a run). I do think that a guy like Porter could be a real handful without being one to immediately set the pulse racing.
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
Fair enough, there’s definitely a similarity between Caddick and Archer in the sliding delivery stride, but those guys are significantly taller. Young Roach got some sharp bounce?
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
At least O’Keefe has had Lyon to contend with for most of his career (and a few off-field misdemeanors), the non-selection of Leach seems strange as Ali has been hot and cold throughout his career and is really an all-rounder. To go against this, Leach does bowl on a spinners paradise which would pad his figures.
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
Not sure why the selectors haven’t given some other names a go as if required, they will all be going in green. If the series starts poorly for England then do not be surprised to see one of the names on the list in the side, definitely Porter if Anderson goes down, Archer for Broad, Overton for Wood (who will not get through a five test series).
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
Hey Paul,
It is interesting, as recent English test selection has been quite conservative with the ball. At this stage, if everyone is fit I would expect the bowling lineup for the first test to consist of Anderson, Broad, Stokes, Wood, and Ali, with Woakes and Curran in reserve. I personally believe they should have experimented in the recent series against Sri Lanka and the West Indies, as they appear locked into these names.
The nailed in selection of Ali will surely surprise a few Australian fans, but he has been effective lately, taking 46 wickets in his last 10 tests at 27.3 and I can’t see them changing from him at the moment. Leach is highly accurate and consistent, I would say that he is test quality, however the fact that Rashid was preferred to him in the WI would lead me to believe that he is on the outer.
Another name to look out for is Olly Stone, he was in the WI squad and really should have been given a game. He’s tall, sharp and has a good record, he may be fighting it out with Wood come the first test.
English Ashes bolters: The bowlers
If Pattinson can stay fit and continue his form he’d be a great chance if chasing the series, would likely have to play as a fifth bowler or with an all-round option. Would be tough to begrudge him some success after his horror run.
Peter Siddle puts his hand up for Ashes selection
While I agree that this ”blokecasting” was evident, particularly in the Fox broadcast, I believe that the amount of coverage did lead to the unearthing of some new talent. Trent Copeland improved throughout the summer, and we heard more of Alison Mitchel and Mel Jones which was a positive; we even saw The Grade Cricketer make a move to television. I am hopeful that in future years broadcasters will look to differentiate themselves and we then may see a more analytical approach being taken by somebody out there. Small steps.
This summer’s genuine cricket win? The coverage
Agreed, I found that the ABC in particular struggled to find engaging expert commentators throughout the test series, as some of the regular names had been poached by opposing networks. Perhaps we will see some new names filtering into the system in coming years, I’m sure that the talent is out there.
This summer’s genuine cricket win? The coverage
This is certainly a possibility and is something that was seen in the 2013 series, when Swann picked up a stack of wickets. Can’t see England being too keen to deliberately work towards this type of deck given the disparity in spinning quality this time around but as you mentioned, the schedule may take its toll. Worth noting that during that series Siddle, Broad and even Faulkner found success (as did Harris, who clearly had a bit more in the tank).
Peter Siddle puts his hand up for Ashes selection
The club has certainly developed some quality youth products and I am sure there will be more to come, however it should be the coach’s decision as to when he wishes to introduce them. Given the largely positive results I would argue that Kurz had proven himself capable of picking his own side, yes it is always great to see young talent, but the number one priority should be winning and up until lately, his side has been doing this.
Not Kurz’s fault that Diawara has been injured, who knows what he would have been capable of if fit, Thomassen hasn’t been great but I am unsure how much say Kurz had in his signing and either way asking a young player to lead the line is a tough ask. I thought that Blackwood has shown flashes in a deeper role and besides, he wasn’t setting the world on fire up top.
Time will tell whether a new manager can do better, but I personally believe that Kurz was building something positive at the club and should have been given another season to demonstrate progress.
That said, I certainly won’t be complaining if the new manager plays a group of youngsters and the club finds itself up the top of the league next season!
Why did Adelaide United sack Marco Kurz?
To be fair it’s a results game and Kurz clearly believes that the experienced players are the best equipped for achieving this. On the whole, despite the recent run of poor form I would say that he has been justified, as a finals place is a positive, especially if you consider the FFA Cup triumph.
In regards to Pacifique Niyongabire, he has been signed to a reasonably lengthy contract which shows the club’s faith in him, but to lead the line for a club like Adelaide is not an easy task. Could he have been given minutes, likely in in a wide position? Sure, but he’s a developing prospect who will (hopefully) get his chance in the future.
Adelaide are in a decent position and are a chance of winning matches in the finals. All things considered, particularly with the injuries to Diawara and Halloran, I think that Kurz has done a good job.
Why did Adelaide United sack Marco Kurz?
He can definitely bat too, in combination with Cummins they would make for a pretty handy lower order. Main question mark (aside from the fact he appears to be outside of the selectors thoughts) would be if he would be given the new ball for Australia and if not whether he would still be effective at test level.
Peter Siddle puts his hand up for Ashes selection
Fair points Paul, either way it is nice to have so many decent fast bowling options. Give us a World Cup and some County fixtures and who knows what we’ll be thinking come July!
Peter Siddle puts his hand up for Ashes selection
Copeland is a fantastic bowler, who certainly wouldn’t let anybody down if selected; I just can’t see it happening. For mine, Siddle offers a similar threat in helpful conditions and is more than capable of filling the stock bowling role if it flattens out. Still a lot of water to go under the bridge until then though.
Peter Siddle puts his hand up for Ashes selection
Hi Paul,
I would place Siddle in the mix with the other names you have mentioned, all of which have something to offer, the difference for me is his vast experience at the top level. The only one who I feel might genuinely offer something extra would be Pattinson, but his body has let him down so many times that I believe that picking him as a squad member would be a risk.
Agree that his County stint is massive, but I can’t see any reason why he won’t be able to carry his form forward.
Peter Siddle puts his hand up for Ashes selection
I’m sure that it depends on who you ask, but the Channel 9 coverage had become a bit stale. Legends like Benaud and Greig were no longer there so it was left to the likes of Slater, Clark, Warne etc. bit of a boys club and all former players.
This summer’s genuine cricket win? The coverage