FIRST ASHES TEST 25-29 NOV AT THE GABBA

[Gingernuts]

Looks like Ponting is not happy about spending the last two days in the field.

Even latching onto the pull shot!

[locky801]

Looks like Ponting is not happy about spending the last two days in the field.

Even latching onto the pull shot!

Best I have seen him hit the ball in ages, perhaps he needs to be mad to do it, who knows but it is great to watch

[locky801]

Aust 1/83

Watson 31*

Ponting 42* from 33

[locky801]

50 to Ponting

Aust now 1/99

[locky801]

All over Test ends in a draw with the captains agreeing to call it a day


Aust ending up at 1/107

Ponting 51*

Watson 41*

[wycbloods]

For those wanting to drop Doherty from the side already, not sure why he doesn't deserve a few more tests, before deciding whether he deserves his spot or not. Lets look at his stats for this test and that of the bloke, who has been described by many as the "world's best spinner" Graeme Swann.

Doherty has match figures of 2/148 off 49

Swann who has match figures of 2/161 off 51.

I think it shows that this pitch didn't do much to help either of them and that Doherty shouldn't be judged to harshly for his figures that stand up to Swann's on what was a ordinary pitch for spinners and bowlers in general.

[Jim05]

Could come back to haunt poms. Playing ponting into a bit of form. He needed a decent stint in the middle. I would have batted all day and ground the aussie bowlers into the dirt.
Peter george took 9 v tas is he a chance for home test?

[Rik E Boy]

For those wanting to drop Doherty from the side already, not sure why he doesn't deserve a few more tests, before deciding whether he deserves his spot or not. Lets look at his stats for this test and that of the bloke, who has been described by many as the "world's best spinner" Graeme Swann.

Doherty has match figures of 2/148 off 49

Swann who has match figures of 2/161 off 51.

I think it shows that this pitch didn't do much to help either of them and that Doherty shouldn't be judged to harshly for his figures that stand up to Swann's on what was a ordinary pitch for spinners and bowlers in general.

Swan, ahead of Harbi and Vettori? Don't know about that.

regards,

REB

[CoverKing]

Swan in the lead up has been Mentioned as the best spin bowler in the world numerous times!

Harbi is not even the best spin bowler in his own country at present

[wycbloods]

For those wanting to drop Doherty from the side already, not sure why he doesn't deserve a few more tests, before deciding whether he deserves his spot or not. Lets look at his stats for this test and that of the bloke, who has been described by many as the "world's best spinner" Graeme Swann.

Doherty has match figures of 2/148 off 49

Swann who has match figures of 2/161 off 51.

I think it shows that this pitch didn't do much to help either of them and that Doherty shouldn't be judged to harshly for his figures that stand up to Swann's on what was a ordinary pitch for spinners and bowlers in general.

Swan, ahead of Harbi and Vettori? Don't know about that.

regards,

REB

I am not saying i agree with it, but by many people who should know that is what they keep on calling him.

he certainly looks to be the best spinner based on wickets this year. 53@25 is a rather impressive record for the year.

[wycbloods]

For those wanting to drop Doherty from the side already, not sure why he doesn't deserve a few more tests, before deciding whether he deserves his spot or not. Lets look at his stats for this test and that of the bloke, who has been described by many as the "world's best spinner" Graeme Swann.

Doherty has match figures of 2/148 off 49

Swann who has match figures of 2/161 off 51.

I think it shows that this pitch didn't do much to help either of them and that Doherty shouldn't be judged to harshly for his figures that stand up to Swann's on what was a ordinary pitch for spinners and bowlers in general.

Swan, ahead of Harbi and Vettori? Don't know about that.

regards,

REB

Harbi 35@43 Vettori 26@38

[CoverKing]

Swann also played 4-5 tests against the bangas aswell

[mighty_tiger_79]

Could come back to haunt poms. Playing ponting into a bit of form. He needed a decent stint in the middle. I would have batted all day and ground the aussie bowlers into the dirt.
Peter george took 9 v tas is he a chance for home test?

I thought the POms shouldve batted out the whole day

a few couldve retired and given some of the other lads a bat, handy practice sessions leading into adelaide

[spell_check]

If we haven't got any specialist spinners good enough, why pick a specialist spinner?

[RoosterMarty]

If we haven't got any specialist spinners good enough, why pick a specialist spinner?

Exactly, it just fills a spot in the team needlessly.

Only 2 wickets fell in the last 2 days of the Test after an exciting opening. Hopefully the other Tests are a bit more exciting.

[Hondo]

If we haven't got any specialist spinners good enough, why pick a specialist spinner?

Team balance. Every selector or ex-captain I have heard speak (Benaud, G Chapppell, etc) say how dangerous it is not to have a specialist spinner even if he is of a lesser quality than previous spinners. If every Shield team couldn't find a single spinner then maybe you'd leave them out of the test team. There will always be someone able to take the spinner's spot.

As Greg Chappell said recently - if 3 quicks can't do the job then it's unlikely a 4th will make any difference. You need the variety otherwise the batsman just get into a groove and go all day.

The West Indies 4 quicks policy of the 70s-90s I see as an exception as they were 4 quicks of world class quality.

[spell_check]

I was going to say pick another batsman, but that probably does not matter on the ground they will play on next.

[mal]

Swan in the lead up has been Mentioned as the best spin bowler in the world numerous times!

Harbi is not even the best spin bowler in his own country at present

The best spinner in the world is MENDIS from Sri Lanka

[CoverKing]

Swan in the lead up has been Mentioned as the best spin bowler in the world numerous times!

Harbi is not even the best spin bowler in his own country at present

The best spinner in the world is MENDIS from Sri Lanka

he Also only just came back into the Sri lanka side! He has been put of terribly, until he skittles the WI after a triple ton to CG

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Brilliant fightback from England, at tea on day 3 even the most optimistic of us were struggling to see a way out of the match without a loss.