stuart clarke

[ORDoubleBlues]

And to think some nuff nuffs on this site were calling for Tait and Johnson over Clark for this test match....

I don't mind admitting that I was one of them but I have since paid Clark his respect in the first test thread.
Seems as though Tait will struggle to get in while Lee is in the side but if that's the selector's thinking, they shouldn't be considering Johnson either.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I must admit, I was critical of S Clarke's selection but credit to the lad he was outstanding

Given Clarke's performance Lee is probably under the hammer, Lee's record against the Pom's is ordinary

I agree that Brett Lee is under the hammer, and his record against England isn't as good as he would have hoped, but heck, it isn't through lack of trying.

I thought during the last Ashes series Brett Lee was probably our best player, after Shane Warne. At all times he put in 110% into his bowling (and batting) and never gave up without a fight. I think the selectors will persevere with Lee because of this.

Now, and into the future Lee will have to continue to bowl very well to retain his place in the side as he is now 30 years old, and I would expect his pace to drop rapidly once it does start fading. Couple that with the two young fast bowlers in Tait & Johnson constantly vying for his spot, it could be all over in 2-3 years...

I agree with what you say. I have been annoyed, even slightly angered, at times when people continually criticuse Lee. Okay, he has times when he gets belted all over the park, but when he has it right (which is far more often than not) he is a wonderful Test fast bowler. I have reached the opinion that very few cricket fans fully appreciate the role of the genuine quick bowler.

Lee, along with Tait, dares to bowl quick. A legecy of that is a propensity to spray the ball when your rhythm is not quite spot on, and runs will flow freely from the bat. When McGrath's rhythm is out of whack, he errs slightly, barely noticeable at all. Quicks are lethal weapons and we should be pleased to have Lee and Tait busting their guts for Australia rather than wanting them to amble in and put the ball on a 20 cent piece like other pace bowlers.

As you say, once Lee's pace fades, selection in the Australian team will be at a premium, but he knows this, and so do Aussie selectors. If Lee is still playing in 3 years time he will be 4th on the list of all time Aussie Test wicket takers ... not bad for a bowler who sections of the cricket world chooses to criticise.

I'm a huge supporter of Shaun Tait, a little biased of course because I know the lad personally. I've been philosophical about his place in the Test team, saying there's others who probably deserve a spot ahead of him. I am beginning to worry a little that the selectors are not using him while they can. He is bloody quick, and no batsman in the world would be totally comfortable facing him at present. There are no guarantees he will be around in 5-6 years time still hurling thuderbolts at batsmen. Get him into that team ASAP, and enjoy the luxury of a truly express bowler while we can. Medium fast bowlers will always be around, you can pick them any time.

Tait should be playing in the upcoming Adelaide Test, but I fear the selectors will once again take the safe option.

[Rik E Boy]

Great post Hawk.

regards,

REB

[matt]

Yep, very good post.
I am of the opinion that he is by far a more dangerous paceman than Lee. This is not to say Tait's a better bowler but for all the huff and puff of Lee, he hasn't been running through sides with 8fers and 7fers like Tait has.