Australian Cricket Season 2018-2019

[VPS]

A major boost for them in the face of so many critics.

Including the critics of some AFF members

 

[rock86]

Including the critics of some AFF members

Yep, I'll certainly put my hand up after questioning a few (bar that of the Marsh's). But gee whiz I'm glad that I have to, what an amazing result!

 

[kpc]

A major boost for them in the face of so many critics.

Including the critics of some AFF members

We should have lost but saved the match and we are celebrating like it was a win? I haven't forgotten the 10/60 collapse in the 1st innings which resulted in this mess in the 1st place

 

[rock86]

We should have lost but saved the match and we are celebrating like it was a win? I haven't forgotten the 10/60 collapse in the 1st innings which resulted in this mess in the 1st place

Which makes the innings and result all the more extraordinary and certainly worth celebrating.

The 10/60 collapse from this inexperienced (and a lot have said talent less) line-up was expected by the pundits, however them surviving 140 overs to save the test was most certainly not.

It is a feat that even Australia's greatest test teams have not been able to achieve in those spin conducive Asian-like conditions, but they all have certainly collapsed like this team did so in the first innings (just not to that extent).

 

[Pushka]

We should have lost but saved the match and we are celebrating like it was a win? I haven't forgotten the 10/60 collapse in the 1st innings which resulted in this mess in the 1st place

It’s cricket. They needed to know they could make runs and now they do.

 

[Cossie]

Including the critics of some AFF members

Yep, I agree that I have criticized a few of them, in particular the Marsh brothers and their continued selection. Don't understand why Maxwell isn't in the team, maybe if he was from a bit further west he would have more chance! With another westie being coach, I doubt things will change in that regard.

Glad that Head got some runs in the second innings, he is a much underrated player imo.

Bit off topic, but my Mum used to tell me of dating a cricket player in Adelaide before she met my Dad, (so from 1946 to around 1950 when they married). He consistently performed well at local level, but every time he got picked for the Shield team, he failed. Can't remember his name or anything else about these comments, so no idea if it was true or not.

 

[Pushka]

Including the critics of some AFF members

It’s not unreasonable given the selections of players who consistently underperform and there is no rhyme/reason for their selection. But that is not a new thing for Australian Cricket Selectors. The number of great players who never got a chance over the years is a travesty. And the players who get picked as per my first point is likewise a travesty.

Have said before but Justin Langer will instil discipline, probably like the tossed out coach (before Lehman) tried to instil but players like the former VC managed to cry foul and get him tossed.

My Great Aunt was dating a rather famous Aussie cricketer and even after they separated amicably still kept in touch. Some nice momentoes we have.

And I married a Sheffield Shield cricketer who was just at Club level when we met. I was a WAG but not treated the way WAGS are treated now. We also didn’t look as glamorous either. He retired early because his full time work wouldn’t give him any more time off although external pressure was brought to bear the year that SA won the Sheffield Shield.

 

[rock86]

It’s not unreasonable given the selections of players who consistently underperform and there is no rhyme/reason for their selection. But that is not a new thing for Australian Cricket Selectors. The number of great players who never got a chance over the years is a travesty. And the players who get picked as per my first point is likewise a travesty.

Have said before but Justin Langer will instil discipline, probably like the tossed out coach before Lehman tried to instil but players like the former VC managed to cry foul and get him tossed.

My Great Aunt was dating a rather famous Aussie cricketer and even after they separated amicably still kept in touch. Some nice momentoes we have.

And I married a Sheffield Shield cricketer who was just at Club level when we met. I was a WAG but not treated the way WAGS are treated now. We also didn’t look as glamorous either.

If the VC does get reinstated as a batsmen (which is most likely), who here thinks the leopard will change his spots?

 

[Pushka]

If the VC does get reinstated as a batsmen (which is most likely), who here thinks the leopard will change his spots?

I don’t think he will be. Hopefully another hero emerges. Smith I think will be but he’s not a strong enough character to control the unruly. He wants to be one of the ‘boys’ and not a leader. Tough love and all that.

 

[VPS]

I think Warner should be banned for five years and if he comes back then he has to be kept on an extremely tight rein and the first time he bucks it or strays out of line he should be dropped.

btw - I do agree with some people's comments about poor selection but there are certain members who just constantly bag everything

 

[rock86]

I don’t think he will be. Hopefully another hero emerges. Smith I think will be but he’s not a strong enough character to control the unruly. He wants to be one of the ‘boys’ and not a leader. Tough love and all that.

Agreed.

But then on the other foot so many people disapproved of Clarke as he did captain that way to an extent, yet he did also allow them to act like rabid dogs when they smelt blood - but never 'cross the line'.

 

[turtlemichael]

It is quite allowed to be a critic. But for a lack of talent I could have been out there. They did very well in the end (well, some of them) and on the most harmless of pitches they achieved a very good historic draw. Pakistan, of course, is among the weakest of the opposition at the moment.

To my mind the test of the new regime will come against India. The Australians have the considerable advantage of a home series against the world's best but somewhat fragile historically on our pitches. I've decided to go to Adelaide and Perth in December, at least for a couple of days primarily because I want to see Kohli. I haven't totally deserted the ship. I am a tragic.

As for Test 2 just a few days away with a minimal break after an enervating 5 days in Dubai, we shall see. I would like to think that a couple of them were on their last chance but somehow I don't think so. I remain to be convinced that a lot has changed though I want to be..

 

[JohnK]

Including the critics of some AFF members

Interesting comments from Mark Waugh the other day. Take out Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft and the current batting line up is worthy of playing test cricket. But they have scraped the bottom of the barrel. The cupboard is bare. His words not mine.

Good to be critical. Wish more were critical of the stupid culture that was allowed to flourish to put us in this position.

 

[rock86]

Pakistan, of course, is among the weakest of the opposition at the moment.

I'd disagree with that, in the UAE especially they are a good side.

Due to conflict they haven't played India in 10 years and for some other reason have had no tests against South Africa for 5 years. We're the next in the rankings, follower by the Poms. So, how have Pakistan gone against England of late?

2018 in England - Drawn 1-1 (2)
2016 in England - Drawn 2-2 (4)
2015/16 in UAE - Pak Won 2-0 (3)

 

[Pushka]

Agreed.

But then on the other foot so many people disapproved of Clarke as he did captain that way to an extent, yet he did also allow them to act like rabid dogs when they smelt blood - but never 'cross the line'.

Clarke was his own person. Hard to work out. He did some good things and some weird things. Cricket wasn’t his whole world and I think that showed. Different priorities.

 

[drron]

I watched an interview with Steve Waugh.Actually about his charity but at the end they asked him about the current team.His comment-they will surprise some of the critics.I guess he got that right.

 

[cjd600]

He will be exhausted for the next match. Suspect he’ll need time on a drip for rehydration.

A couple of beers will sort him out

 

[cjd600]

I watched an interview with Steve Waugh.Actually about his charity but at the end they asked him about the current team.His comment-they will surprise some of the critics.I guess he got that right.

Well, the top 6 has been fragile and prone to collapse for half a dozen years. But adding coughmins and Hazlewood back into the attack will help no end, and also reduce the pressure on the batting lineup. Some good signs in difficult conditions.

 

[OZDUCK]

2nd Test and Nathan Lyon certainly starting well. 4w for 5 runs after 6 overs has a very nice look. I assume the wicket started turning from the first ball.

 

[cjd600]

4 for 0 in 6 balls.Bowling, Garry.