Archive for the ‘July’ Category:
So confusing for those poor old selectors
The Ashes three day tour match is in the final day. The match was very important for the selectors in deciding the make up of the Australian team. The problem is that all of the apparent contenders have shown some form – so what should the Australian selectors do? The other problem is that Johnson has shown no improvement. All and sundry have stated that Johnson is not in danger. Fair enough. However, if Johnson does not improve, it does not bode well for the Aussies in the 3rd Test. Johnson took 0/42 from just seven overs – about par for him at present.
Apparently, Hughes’ spot is under threat. He failed to the short ball again in the first innings. For some reason, Watson is being seen as a possible replacement. That idiot, Tim Nielsen feels that Watson was selected because he can bat anywhere in the top six. It is ridiculous. I was looking through some of my own notes recently and found a quote from Geoff Lawson made in 2006: “Shane Watson is treated like a 50 Test veteran who must be rushed immediately back into the team on full fitness…” It is still true. What has Watson ever done to deserve the faith instilled in him? In 8 Tests, he has scored 257 runs at 19.56. Nielsen points out that Watson has opened in ODI cricket. So what? Mark Waugh and Adam Gilchrist did quite a bit of opening in one day cricket. Those two were infinitely more gifted than Watson but they never opened in Tests. Ever. How much store can you put in a single three day game? Somebody tie me down, please.
So, Watson scored 84 first innings runs. He then took two soft first innings wickets. In the second innings, he has just peeled off 50 runs from 31 balls, of which 11 were boundaries. It’s impressive. Hughes did manage 68 runs in the second innings but Watson’s efforts must have those infatuated selectors drooling. I wonder if they can resist the temptation to cram him into the team.
On the bowlers, Clark took the first two wickets. Siddle managed three but went for five and half per over. It’s tricky. I believe that the selectors should go for Clark. I’m a fan of Siddle but Australia need a proven performer and Clark is that. Even Clark has played just 22 Tests but he has immense experience and has taken 90 wickets at just 22.96. And that includes a very tough tour of India and his final matches were played with an injury. Importantly, his economy is 2.54.
I wait with fascination to see the Australian XI for Edgbaston.
For England, it is official. Bell will replace Pietersen. The sticky tape glue will be applied to Freddie Flintoff on the night before the match (which starts in Thursday).
Five for Fabulous Freddie Flintoff
England has won at Lord’s for the first time since 1934. The 1934 Australian team had Bradman so I guess Ponting should not feel too bad. On that occasion, England batted first, scored 440 and beat Australia by an innings.
I won’t bang on about the match just finished because so many others have already done that. I’ll just take hold of one small aspect.
Freddie Flintoff. Well, perhaps that should have been one large part. What a big unit that guy is. He is immense in all ways and I mean all. Most importantly, he has a big heart. Even Warnie was impressed with the sustained, hostile pace and accuracy of Flintoff’s bowling. If his knee can hold out, England stands a big chance of winning back the Ashes.
Fittingly, Freddie Flintoff became just the sixth player to get his name on the honours boards for both batting and bowling. For those of you who don’t know, the honours boards are kept at Lord’s and if you are good enough to take 5 wickets in an innings or score 100 runs in an innings of a Test match, your name is recorded on the honours board. There are four of them. One for batting and one for bowling in each of the home and visitors rooms.
The other five to do the double are: Beefy Botham, Ray Illingworth, Gubby Allen, Keith Miller and Vinoo Mankad. Miller and Mankad are the only visitors and Botham and Mankad are the only two to do it in the same match.
We all, including Flintoff, get a rest until Thursday next week.