Aaron Bird has been reported again for throwing. After watching video, yes his arm is bent. But he is no worse than Mitchell Johnson. Why is Johnson allowed to get away with out even a warning??
The talk around is Pontings failing to score runs. He has scored 216 at 27. But its not really a problem, with Watson doing so well. Its like they can carry a extra batsman. Watson has scored 819 runs at avge 63 in 8 tests. Maybe soon Ponting will bat at 5, and grill a new no3.
A special word for Bangladesh. They are improving and becoming more competitive. They scored good scores, although fair enough on good batting tracks. In Mahudullah, oh these names!!!!, they have a promising player. And watch out for their u19 team!!!! You heard it here!!!!
On the u19’s, two new stars will be Anderson and Neesham.
Ok finally my test team of 2009 is coming below…
Openers: Sehwag (Ind)
Strauss (Eng)
Tough category with many strong contenders. Just think of Smith (Sfa), Watson (Aus), Gayle (WI) and co. I agree with Roebuck and others who have stated it’s a great time to be an opening batsman due mainly to the pitches. Sehwag is no 1 but how good is he really.
No 3: Kumar Sangakara (Srl) Is a great stylist and scores big when he doesn’t have to keep. Both Ponting (Aus) and Dravid (Ind) had comparatively quiet years.
No 4: Tendulkar (Ind) Has started to deliver when it really counts. 20 years at the top is a remarkable achievement in the days of 12 month seasons. Taylor (NZ) was our best batsmen, averaging over 50 for the year which is good considering the brain fades still occur too often.
No 5: Clarke (Aus) Pup may be the perennial heir apparent to the Australian throne but was their most consistent batsmen of 2009. Samaraweera (Srl) nearly died in the Lahore attack, so maybe that’s why he bats like his life depends on it.
No 6: Kallis (Sfa) I actually agree with you on something! Yes, he bats at No 4 for South Africa but 2009 was short on good quality no 6’s. He is the perfect 5th bowler. Can hit the deck hard but also tie up an end. Of the others, Flintoff (Eng) of course during the Ashes showed patches of the old glory. Shakib is Banglesdesh’s first great cricketer.
No 7: Dhoni (c) (Ind) Again no standout performer with all contenders showing both great batting skill and the occasional schoolboy keeping error (is that the way it will remain?). Unsurprisingly, Dhoni gets the nod due to his composed leadership of India. Haddin’s (Aus) glovework improved and McCullum (NZ) can destroy attacks on his day.
No 8: Johnson (Aus) Some people argue if he’s the best what does that say of fast bowling stocks. Yes, he sprays the ball and has the odd meltdown but when he gets it in the corridor with late away swing and good pace batsmen can’t handle it. He also gets wickets with bad balls which can’t be a hanging offence. Vettori (NZ) was the world best no 8 batter.
No 9: Swann (Eng) What a great first year or so in test cricket. He and Hauritz (Aus) are reminders that often mastery of spin (whatever variety) takes time. Muttiah’s (Srl) career may finally be on the wane and maybe his fingers deserve a rest. Harbajan (Ind) is unlucky to miss out.
No 10: Steyn (Sfa) Got injured later in the year and didn’t have a great year but is still one of the preimer fast bowlers in the world. Also is an underrated lower order batsmen. Zaheer (Ind) is a wily swing bowler and Hilfinhaus (Aus) looks like he may be able to get it going both ways.
No 11: Asif (Pak) Wondered whether to include based on a few tests at the end of the year, 3 of which against our dodgy batting but edges out Anderson (Eng), Bollinger (Aus) (yes, despite only debuting in November) for the last spot. His average has few peers, he’s an intelligent accurate seamer who can get reserve swing.
So there you have it. A 2nd 11 may look something like this:
Smith (Sfa)
Watson (Aus)
Ponting (Aus)
De Villers (Sfa)
Samaraweera (Srl)
Haddin (Aus)
Flintoff (Eng) (i know he’s retired now)
Vettori (NZ) (I have to a kiwi in one of these teams!)
Zaheer (Ind)
Anderson (Eng)
Roach (WI) (a: he’s very fast, b: I needed a west Indian in one of these teams)
I know it’s long but there tis…
Of course we won easily against Canada. Your man Neesham scored 47* off 20 balls. The first test is not to the third match against Sfa I believe.
Oh the Firebirds have shown no fire in the 20-20 cup, (not much in the 1 day comp before). They were thrashed yesterday and to be honest our team is better suited to longer games. With no O’Brien, Gillespie and until recently Franklin our lack of bowling depth has really been exposed on the good batting tracks we’ve had around the country. When you think about a city or province is doing very well if it has more then 3 good fast, swing or medium pace seam bowlers at any one time. When those bowlers are either a) in the black caps b) have long term injures or c) retire suddenly then you left struggling to keep up. Only Northern Disricts has more then three on a consistent basis in Southee, Arnel, Alridge and Scott.
Still despite the truth of that, we have been playing badly. You need xfactor players in 20-20 and we dont have enough.
P.S Now that Onions isn’t playing (?), will the rain save England cause after their collapse and another Smith masterclass it’s going to have to!!
Hehehe,oh dear the sinking ship Wellington!!!!And the mighty Aucks roll on!!!!!!!God Vincent,Styrus,Tuffey,Guptill,Young..put them all in the NZ team!!!!!!!!