Posted by jrod on May 25, 2009 under NSW, QLD, VIC | 
These were the significant players. Tomorrow will be the insignificant players.
Brad Hodge – Kolkata
365 @ av 40 sr 117 hs 73
7 wickets @ 23 econ 8.05 bb 3/29
Started off terribly, but as the team fell apart he became their banker. Eventually showed why he had made so many runs in this format of the game, happy to be 30 off 30, and then explode at the end. Was used as a front line bowler at times, which he isn’t, but he did bowl some very good overs.
Brett Lee – Punjab
28 runs @ av 14 sr 82 hs 14*
5 wickets @ 22 econ 5.55 bb 3/15
Only played a handful of games, but looked more like the late 07/08 bowler, and less like the heart break kid of recent times. Always does his best work with the white ball, so not a huge surprise he was too good for most batsmen at this level. His batting looked rusty but he will just be happy to be out in the middle and thinking about cricket.
Andrew Symonds – Deccan
249 runs @ av 35 sr 150 hs 60*
7 wickets @ 22.85 econ 6.66 bb 2/18
Won the final with 2 wickets in one over, and his medium pace bowling was swinging a lot, and was hard for most people to hit. His batting always looked murderous, but couldn’t quite cash in as he would like. Would be happy with his form though.
Ryan Harris – Deccan
21 runs @ av 21 sr 116 hs 9*
6 wickets @ 38 econ 7.41 bb 3/27
Couldn’t buy a wicket, but no one found him easy to hit. His bounce made him an ideal bowler. Was bagged in the South African press for not being up to it and then played as one of the imports in the final winning side.
David Warner – Delhi
163 runs @ av 28 sr 123 hs 50
Outshone Sehwag and Gambhir at the top of the order, but never really broke free. His fielding was probably his highlight, some of his efforts were amazing.
Dirk Nannes – Delhi
15 wickets @ 24 econ 7.51 bb 3/27
Started off with an average performance or two and the commentators and press questioned why he was in the side. 5 games in and he was being pronounced as rare diamond. Probably didn’t take as many wickets as he would have wanted, but was unplayable when he got it right. Definitely the best performed of this bunch, and even with Gilly’s punishment in the semi, has come away with a lew legion of fans.
Posted by jrod on March 13, 2009 under QLD, VIC |
I think it’s safe to say that Victoria did not throw off any skeletons on day one of the shield final.
At the moment the skeletons are standing behind them with their pants down.
They were 2 for 236.
Game over.
Fuck off Queensland, the Vics have this.
Then a classic Victorian collapse.
Apparently it was so beautiful that Ken Piesse had a tear in his eye.
By stumps Andrew Symonds had 3 wickets and the Vics were 6 for 281, and New Texas were more than in the game.
I said this last year, and i will recycle it, if you are playing an away shield final all you can ask for is at the close of day one you still have a chance to win.
New Texas do.
Victoria even compounded the mini failure by giving a bat to Dirty Dirk Nannes, and sending him out to bat.
Fucking stupid mother fucking ass clowns.
Dirk can’t bat, sorry Dirk, but he can’t.
And nightwatchmen are a stupid fucking theory anyway.
4 balls he lasted.
It gives New Texas more momentum, and more people, like me, will start talking about the Vics exceptional skill at fucking up in finals.
Fuck.
Sorry, some good things happaned as well.
The Future PM David Hussey is back baby, he made a hundred, it has been a long time since his last one, but he saved it for the right time.
At the other end Chris Rogers just put his shoulder into it again, the man is made of runs this year.
With Marcus North in the national side, Western Australia have really missed a trick there.
6 wickets is a good start for New Texas, but Matthew Wade has made two hundreds on the trot, Cam made one last week, and doesn’t mind batting against Queensland.
Also Damien Wright is still to come, and he has beenpissing off shield teams all season with the bat.
None of this matters right now, as it is pissing down.
Really fucking pouring.
At best they look like losing most of the day.
At worst the hole day.
What is even worse for Queensland is that this might liven up the pitch, and you don’t really want a lively pitch if the oppisition has over 300 on the board and has the most potent attack in shield cricket.
And Dirty Dirk might be pissed at being forced to bat.
Posted by Moses on February 25, 2009 under NSW, QLD |
I’m pleased that the Blues are taking this must win outright match against the New Texas seriously. The Bulls are looking pretty motivated with this match being Marcus North’s last home appearance, Shane Watson returning, and their own finals aspirations riding on the match.
However after the first session you’d have to agree it’s all New South Wales, who have won the toss and been dominant with the bat. That is, if you can call 3/39 dominant. Fortunately Twenty20 final hero Brett Rohrer 27(59) and everyone’s favourite ranga Dominic Thornley 18(40) steadied the sinking blue ship, taking us through to lunch at 3/81.
Looking at the Gabba this year, we see the following innings totals:
- QLD vs TAS – 236, 106, 62, 144*
- QLD vs VIC – 245, 343, 150, 45*
- QLD vs SA – 352, 411, 392, 334*
- QLD vs WA – 247, 236, 179, 193*
Which tells me it has not been a high scoring ground. The average completed innings total is 246, however considering the Blues are looking to gain first innings points I’d like at least 300 in the bank.
Queensland also have what I feel is a flakey middle order, despite it containing three Internationals in Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson and James Hopes. Fortunately Symonds is pants at state level, Watson is in his first game back from injury, and Hopes has scored 1, 6, 4, 32, 12, and 35 this year.
For those wanting to follow the match from work, there’s occasional updates here, and a less frequently updated scorecard here.
Happy Phillip Hughes Day and Carn the Blues!
Posted by Moses on December 9, 2008 under NSW, VIC |
The hair is real
I was reading an excellent new blog (well I just found it anyway) called
The Old Batsman which I’d recommend you all check out.
While there I came across an interesting story about Nathan Bracken learning to bowl spin to get himself back into the Baggy Green Test squad.
For mine the idea has a lot of merit. The selectors get wood when someone can bowl slow. Spinning the ball does not appear to be a necessity, nor is a decent record at shield level. As long as you claim to be a spinner you can get the baggy green for a test or two before getting dumped quicker than a knocked up Britney.
In recent memory we gave Beau Casson a test in the West Indies before dropping him and tearing up his central contract, Bryce McGain was a virtual selection before his shoulder imploded, Cameron White got 3 Tests as our very own answer to Ashley Giles (not that anyone ever asked that question), Jason Krezkya played a test and took 12 wickets to be dropped then picked up a training injury, and Nathan Hauritz also had a shot in Adelaide.
Bracken is tending towards the Funky Miller style of right-arm off breaks in the 90-95 kph range, and this makes a hell of a lot of sense. As the worlds’ top ranked one-day bowler he has the experience, temperament and man-hair that will help him become a success in the spinning role.
Also it’s refreshing to see a player who on paper really could be in the Baggy Green squad go and do something about it rather than just bítch to the media about non-selection. Brad Hodge if you’re reading this, give yourself an uppercut.
The final reason this is a good idea is that Ricky and the selectors are abnormally excited by any player who has a dual purpose. We’ve got Andrew Symonds as a specialist no 6 batsman who doesn’t score any runs/gun fielder, Shane Watson as a bowler/opening/no 7/catwalk diversion, Michael Hussey who bats 5/bowls impotent medium pace/couriers hats to fine leg, Simon Katich to open the batting/not bowl cause Ricky doesn’t give him the ball and Matthew Hayden to apply pressure to the top order/preach the gospel/píss off the 3rd world.
Curiously, Bracken claims his biggest obstacle in becoming a spinner is talking his captains into throwing him the ball on a short run-up. Here’s a brainwave, bowl well in the nets and prove yourself to them. Or even better, bowl the first ball normally then just fúck ‘em and bowl your spinners. If you’re half decent they’ll be on board in no time.
Tags: all rounders, andrew symonds, ashley giles, baggy green, beau casson, brad hodge, bryce mcgain, cameron white, colin miller, man hair, matthew hayden, michael hussey, nathan bracken, nathan hauritz, shane watson, simon katich, spin bowling, test squad
Posted by jrod on November 3, 2007 under VIC |
My player profiles aren’t like those prissy ones you read in official match day programs.
This one is filled with my observations, right, wrong and otherwise. I’m not going to over stat you or dwell on what his child hood coaches or Terry Jenner might say.
Batting.
Like most tall batsmen, can look awkward when not in great touch. Works his way into an innings well. I always feel like he gives you a chance if you attack the stumps early on. Once he is on song he looks like an ancient Greek warrior, and really it is only his confidence that gets him out. He bats like an all rounder, similar to someone like Freddy Flintoff. This is a strength and a weakness.
He makes breathtaking 70’s and 80’s. He needs to make great 130’s, hell completely awe inspiring 200’s would be better. Can look a bit odd playing a short ball, but it does not seem to be a weakness. Hits the ball as hard as anyone in the world. That six off Dan Cullen a couple of weeks ago is still travelling. Look he can bat, but unless he averages over 50 at first class level in Australia you’d have to say he’ll struggle to ever make the national side.
Bowling.
I remember seeing him when he first came onto the scene and he seemed to have much better control than he does now. The two things I notice with his bowling are that he bowls way too many legside balls and that good batsmen milk him with ease. The legside stuff is ugly, he is essentially an Aussie version of Anil Kumble, and Kumble hardly misses the spot. White has to do the same. The other one is tricky, Everytime I have seen White bowl to a really good batsmen, Lehmann, Langer, and Collingwood they seem to score off him seemingly at will.
It’s not all bad news though. He has great variation, and when he is bowling well he seems to be able to trouble batsmen. His action does look rushed but I understand he is trying to get through the crease. Even though he is a quick leg spinner he may in fact be suited to the longer form of the game when it comes to bowling.
Fielding.
Great slipper, has good stillness that is the most important thing about being at first slip. In the one day game he may not be as quick as the other fielders, but he reads the game to so well and has such great coordination that he still causes more than his fair share of troubles. Looks ugly, but gets results, I knew a girl like that once.
Captaining.
Probably his greatest strength. Problem is he may never get to show it if he doesn’t start making big scores with the bat. Seems to understand batsmen really well when in the field. He understands the best place to put his field, and when he doesn’t he is willing to experiment until he finds the right mix. Like all bowling captains he doesn’t bowl himself when he should and bowls himself when he probably shouldn’t.
Problems.
Not enough big scores. Ponting doesn’t seem to rate him as a bowler. Ponting doesn’t seem to like his constant advice on strategy in the field. His bowling isn’t good enough right at the moment for international cricket. He is behind Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, and Brad Hogg. He can’t seem to not annoy Ponting. Good batsmen like facing him.
Plusses.
Has enough talent to be a 10 year player for Australia. Has an abnormally great cricket mind. Is still young enough to work on his batting and bowling. Is immensely respected by his teammates in Victoria. Can hit the ball further than anyone else. Is possibly the best 2020 domestic player in the world. Is a better middle order batsmen than Shane Watson.
The Package.
Would probably be batting number 7 for most countries in the world right now, maybe even 6. But he aint in most countries in the world. He needs runs, he needs maidens and he needs to play a long spell for Australia in the one day game so he can get his feet.
The Uncle J Rod verdict.
He is one of my favourites, however my favourites don’t have good selection records, (Chuck, Elliott, and Harvey)
Australia’s loss is Victorias & Somersets gain.
Will have a long career with Australia but it may not be in the format he wants.
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