Hazey the Bear's Roar Profile

Inside edge onto the pads – Perhaps the Aussies should have appealed more?

Australia vs Sri Lanka - SCG ODI: cricket live scores, updates

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Cricket

2013

Still – I’m thinking it’s a like-for-like switch in the long term: Starc for Johnson.

Australia vs Sri Lanka - SCG ODI: cricket live scores, updates

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Cricket

2013

I’m with you on this Kev…I’d prefer to have a bowler who can bat a bit, than an all-rounding batsman who bowls a few overs of non-threatening deliveries. I know Pattinson can bat a bit, and Starc is becoming much more confident with the bat. I wouldn’t consider them all-rounders – they are primarily bowlers who can bat a bit. Still, it shouldn’t be up to them – the top order needs to step up.

Australia vs Sri Lanka - SCG ODI: cricket live scores, updates

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Cricket

2013

Great innings by Starc – Is he making Mitchell Johnson redundant?

Australia vs Sri Lanka - SCG ODI: cricket live scores, updates

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Cricket

2013

Yeah true – but there are mistakes and then there are MISTAKES…Snicking the ball onto your pads is a lot different to smashing it. Erasmus should have had no probs with that.

Having said that, the earlier use of the DRS was ridiculous and it has cost the Aussies not one, but two wickets (if you think about it – neither Warner nor Henriques would be out)

Australia vs Sri Lanka - SCG ODI: cricket live scores, updates

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Cricket

2013

Whatever the shortcomings of DRS, it isn’t an excuse for poor umpiring.

Australia vs Sri Lanka - SCG ODI: cricket live scores, updates

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Cricket

2013

I feel better now, thank you.

Clean sweep, but questions remain about the experiments

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Cricket

2013

And I think the first line up is more what the selectors are thinking…minimal changes to the side, although their poster boy Johnson will probably make an appearance.

Clean sweep, but questions remain about the experiments

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Cricket

2013

Yeah Johnson got the drop for Starc – No explicit reason, just…Johnson irks me for some reason. I think he had so much potential when he first arrived on the test scene. He was strong, athletic…he had the possibility to bowl unplayable deliveries on occasion, and contribute strongly with the bat on occasion.

I think he’s still doing that…on occasion. And that’s the problem. If he’s the player that had so much of that potential, his successes should happen a lot more often because he should have improved…but it’s all still on occasion.

Clean sweep, but questions remain about the experiments

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Cricket

2013

Aww, I put like…two minutes of effort into that!

Clean sweep, but questions remain about the experiments

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Cricket

2013

Hey Brett,

After watching the majority of the test, my feelings on the issues you’ve raised are as follows:

First, the bowling – Bird has been a great find…great line and length, good economy, and a very nice average of 16 in just two tests. The way he bowls and these attributes remind me of Glenn McGrath (Disclaimer: I’m not saying he is the *next* McGrath, only that his style of bowling is similar and that he reminds me of McGrath. I understand that they are two unique individuals. These are my views and may not be shared with others on theroar.com.au…especially David Lord).

Siddle just continues to work hard for his wickets, and when Pattinson comes in, it’ll be hard not to select him. So who’s left? Johnson and Starc. Both lefties, both often wayward – to me you pick either one or the other. Johnson apparently has batting credentials as well, but as you’ve commented Brett, it’s an occasional added bonus rather than something you could depend on as a number 7. Lyon has been unlucky this summer – there have been a few missed opportunities that could’ve (should’ve) granted him a few extra wickets. His best opportunities come when he gives the ball a little extra flight and slows it down. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen often enough. Hopefully someone will have a word to him about that.

Now the batting. As we discussed in the live forum, Cowan will probably stay, because no one else is banging down the opening batsman door. Sure you could put Watson back in there, but Cowan’s done enough (only just) to warrant staying in there. Although, now I’ve just read that Watson has officially given up test bowling and will concentrate on batting…That muddies the water nicely, doesn’t it? I’ll leave that discussion for another day.

Warner has done some great things, and if he can control that rush of blood he often gets, will do some even greater things. Hughes has been okay since his return, and he looks a better player from his exile. Clarke has come off a record-breaking year, and hopefully he can continue to impress as captain and batsman. I think his captaincy has had some interesting moments, but overall it’s been an improvement on Ponting’s. For me, I’d say Khawaja should come in for Hussey, and Watson maybe…probably…down to six. Or open…I dunno. Plus there’s a bunch of players who are kinda sorta pressing for selection…

But from all of that, putting together a team should be possible. Depending on the pitch, etc, you could have something looking like this:

Cowan
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Watson
Wade
Siddle
Pattinson
Bird
Lyon
(Starc/Johnson – 12th man)

Although this would be another alternative

Watson
Warner
Hughes
Khawaja
Clarke
Wade
Maxwell, or Burns
Siddle
Pattinson
Bird
Lyon

I dunno…it’s a long hard process, but some of the questions that were raised in the last test have perhaps been answered. Not all, just some.

Clean sweep, but questions remain about the experiments

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Cricket

2013

I doubt it, Huss was half way down the pitch before Johnson moved. He tried to block it, but it hit the outside edge and ran away…I think that’s humility on Huss’ part as well – winning the match over personal accolades or moments.