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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 14:57:08 GMT
That was a great victory - superb from Butler and Taylor. All the batsmen with one exception have now scored runs. The only one still to make any impact is Bopara. Seeing as they are using him only as a batter I'd bring in Ballance at his expense. Harsh - but they've been harsh with Tredwell. Meaning performances in Sri Lanka don't secure a place in Australia. If that applies to bowlers it should also apply to the batsmen. The bowling is also looking very good. Today was first class apart from letting things slip with the final wicket to take. A strange inept shot from Bopara today , almost like slip catching practice pre- match , his role in the team seems to have become more confused than it normally had been ?
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Post by estrangedsonoffaye on Jan 30, 2015 16:05:13 GMT
While I don't think we'll really threaten the big boys come the World Cup, it's great to see us being competitive at the very least again.
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Post by partickpotter on Jan 30, 2015 16:12:45 GMT
That was a great victory - superb from Butler and Taylor. All the batsmen with one exception have now scored runs. The only one still to make any impact is Bopara. Seeing as they are using him only as a batter I'd bring in Ballance at his expense. Harsh - but they've been harsh with Tredwell. Meaning performances in Sri Lanka don't secure a place in Australia. If that applies to bowlers it should also apply to the batsmen. The bowling is also looking very good. Today was first class apart from letting things slip with the final wicket to take. A strange inept shot from Bopara today , almost like slip catching practice pre- match , his role in the team seems to have become more confused than it normally had been ? I feel sorry for him - but I don't think he is as good a batsman as Ballance, so if he is in as a batsman he should give way to the better player. Today was a chance for him to shine and he didn't take it. As mentioned earlier - maybe on this thread - he only seems to perform in a losing cause which suggests to me he can't handle pressure.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 16:40:49 GMT
A strange inept shot from Bopara today , almost like slip catching practice pre- match , his role in the team seems to have become more confused than it normally had been ? I feel sorry for him - but I don't think he is as good a batsman as Ballance, so if he is in as a batsman he should give way to the better player. Today was a chance for him to shine and he didn't take it. As mentioned earlier - maybe on this thread - he only seems to perform in a losing cause which suggests to me he can't handle pressure. He has the technique to be a quality player at all levels of the game.....unfortunately his temperament has seemed to be wanting , I thought he had made the breakthrough at Test Level in the West Indies a few years ago , sadly it wasn't destined to be . He looks for all the world technique wise a better looking player than Ballance , but Ballance seems to be very focused on his game with a far better temperament , the classiest looking players sometimes seem to be missing that vital ounce of grit upstairs .....Ramprakash was a case in point , similarly but a little less so was Hick , unfortunate for them both as well as England.
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Post by partickpotter on Jan 30, 2015 18:52:09 GMT
I feel sorry for him - but I don't think he is as good a batsman as Ballance, so if he is in as a batsman he should give way to the better player. Today was a chance for him to shine and he didn't take it. As mentioned earlier - maybe on this thread - he only seems to perform in a losing cause which suggests to me he can't handle pressure. He has the technique to be a quality player at all levels of the game.....unfortunately his temperament has seemed to be wanting , I thought he had made the breakthrough at Test Level in the West Indies a few years ago , sadly it wasn't destined to be . He looks for all the world technique wise a better looking player than Ballance , but Ballance seems to be very focused on his game with a far better temperament , the classiest looking players sometimes seem to be missing that vital ounce of grit upstairs .....Ramprakash was a case in point , similarly but a little less so was Hick , unfortunate for them both as well as England. Flatters to deceive - Hick and Ramps were, as you say, the same. Although they were much finer batsmen. Going back I'd put Frank Hayes in the same group - and he was my favourite cricketer when I first got into the game! Be interesting to see what England do about Bopara. He's the only member of the current starting 11 who there is a question over. They've shown a ruthless streak in the way they handled Treadwell, wonder if they'll do the same with Ravi. I think they should. Other than him, I think we are looking as good as we could possibly hope to be as the WC approaches. Bowling looks much better, fielding is good and all the batsmen (save Ravi) have shown some form. I'm not particularly optimistic, but we will get through the group stage and from then on it's one off matches - and, on our day, we can be a match for anyone. You never know...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 20:35:09 GMT
He has the technique to be a quality player at all levels of the game.....unfortunately his temperament has seemed to be wanting , I thought he had made the breakthrough at Test Level in the West Indies a few years ago , sadly it wasn't destined to be . He looks for all the world technique wise a better looking player than Ballance , but Ballance seems to be very focused on his game with a far better temperament , the classiest looking players sometimes seem to be missing that vital ounce of grit upstairs .....Ramprakash was a case in point , similarly but a little less so was Hick , unfortunate for them both as well as England. Flatters to deceive - Hick and Ramps were, as you say, the same. Although they were much finer batsmen. Going back I'd put Frank Hayes in the same group - and he was my favourite cricketer when I first got into the game! Be interesting to see what England do about Bopara. He's the only member of the current starting 11 who there is a question over. They've shown a ruthless streak in the way they handled Treadwell, wonder if they'll do the same with Ravi. I think they should. Other than him, I think we are looking as good as we could possibly hope to be as the WC approaches. Bowling looks much better, fielding is good and all the batsmen (save Ravi) have shown some form. I'm not particularly optimistic, but we will get through the group stage and from then on it's one off matches - and, on our day, we can be a match for anyone. You never know... I remember Frank Hayes for the one and only good innings he played for England ....106 or something against the West Indies in 1973 (possibly on or around his debut Test ) , then nothing else ever followed in a very short Test career.I think that Bopara will have to be left out provided Ballances broken finger heals ok .....let's hope a good performance against Australia on Sunday gives us reason to be a little more optimistic about the World Cup ....though I'm not overly confident either .
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Post by sydneypotter on Jan 31, 2015 6:26:50 GMT
May the better team win.
This should be a good hit-out in readiness for the World Cup. On that note The Black Caps are looking dangerous.
Top four teams? Not withstanding the result of the Tr-Series Final I'll go with Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and a toss up between India and England to make the semi's.
PS. The wicket yesterday was more like a first day test wicket than a third day, slightly worn strip. The bowlers had a leg up during the first hour of play. No comment by CA today, that I could see, regarding the wicket so I can only imagine that they thought it fair and reasonable. Can't see it myself.
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Post by partickpotter on Feb 1, 2015 8:17:35 GMT
Well waking up Sunday morning to what could be a right good game of cricket.
278 is going to be a tough chase - and we've not started well. But, neither did Australia. Seems like caution may be needed against these new balls. Scoring does seem to get easier as the ball gets older.
Taylor needs to figure out the difference between being busy (good) and frantic (not good). Today he was the latter.
Be good to see Root and Ali to make big runs today. They've now got the chance!
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 8:21:47 GMT
Would suggest that 279 is perhaps 30 runs short of par.
The wicket is settling into a batsman's strip.
Whoops, that is unless your name is Johnson
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Post by partickpotter on Feb 1, 2015 8:23:40 GMT
Would suggest that 279 is perhaps 30 runs short of par. The wicket is settling into a batsman's strip. Whoops, that is unless your name is JohnsonWas just thinking the same - Johnson at the WACA could be too hot for our boys!
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 8:24:11 GMT
Johnson on a hat trick. Morgan let it go through. Shocker.
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Post by partickpotter on Feb 1, 2015 9:05:00 GMT
5 down now. Butler in so our last proper batting pair is at the wicket. After this it's the bowlers.
We're approaching Bopara time - that time when the match is effectively lost, the pressure is off and Bopara steps up with a good score.
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Post by partickpotter on Feb 1, 2015 9:28:03 GMT
Well - we're now in Bopara time. He certainly looks relaxed and confident. But sadly for him I don't think that time will last too long. Broad looks very nervous against Mitchell Johnson. Scared, you might think.
98-7!
A word for Woakes - it can only get better! In that it could hardly get worse. 0-89 followed up by a golden duck. That could be, statistically, the worst ever combined bat and ball performance ever for England in ODIs.
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Post by Robo10 on Feb 1, 2015 9:58:39 GMT
Awful from the top order.
Root is out if nick and Morgan has had possibly 1 good innings in 18 months
Poor all round, from Woakes bowling to the tepid batting.
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 10:05:37 GMT
8-144. Lost cause? You would think so.
This game will give Australia enormous confidence for the opening match in the World Cup.
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 10:12:15 GMT
I'm wondering who will be the Australian captain for the cup. George Bailey hasn't done himself any favours recently and Clarke is looking to take back the role..... And then there is Steve Smith. The internal politics would only be exceeded by the Qld election this weekend.
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 10:15:11 GMT
It's looking like Faulkner will miss the cup through injury. He will leave a hole.
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 10:24:16 GMT
Maxwell has to be MOTM
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 10:25:56 GMT
That's it......... all over.
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Post by sydneypotter on Feb 1, 2015 10:28:21 GMT
Good weekend.
Australia are Asian Champs, TMP's beat QPR and now Australia take the Tri Series.
Productivity must rocket next week.
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Post by partickpotter on Feb 1, 2015 10:36:09 GMT
I'm wondering who will be the Australian captain for the cup. George Bailey hasn't done himself any favours recently and Clarke is looking to take back the role..... And then there is Steve Smith. The internal politics would only be exceeded by the Qld election this weekend. Clarke for Bailey seems straightforward. The more interesting selection question is Watson. If it's a choice of him or Marsh for a batting all rounder, I'd go for Marsh. But Faulkner's injury opens up a slot for a late order slogger / occasional bowler. Perfect for Watson? If only England had those selection problems. Ours are quite simple; we just don't have enough good players. Our batting is too fragile, our bowling lacks depth. Anderson is outstanding, Broad very good. Beyond that nothing to inspire confidence. Australia look very strong.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2015 12:03:27 GMT
Once again we appear to have made a step or two forward and then taken a couple of giant strides back ! Disapointing if not totally unexpected performance from the batsmen again ....despite his marvelous century the other day , Morgan remains a concern for me , Moeen still seems to have issues with the short stuff , although it may prove to be that he's not alone in that respect ....Broad certainly looked apprehensive facing Johnson , I'm certain that on occasions that he was clearly backing away ! Bopara seemed unsure as to what kind of innings he should be playing , to be fair to him though today he was in a pretty hopeless situation , but I think that he clearly has to make way for Ballance in the World Cup , remarkably the other day I'm sure that I heard " Bumble " suggest that he thought that James Taylor's place might be under pressure from Ballance rather than Bopara's ......I must get my hearing aid a service !
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2015 12:05:26 GMT
I'm wondering who will be the Australian captain for the cup. George Bailey hasn't done himself any favours recently and Clarke is looking to take back the role..... And then there is Steve Smith. The internal politics would only be exceeded by the Qld election this weekend. Clarke for Bailey seems straightforward. The more interesting selection question is Watson. If it's a choice of him or Marsh for a batting all rounder, I'd go for Marsh. But Faulkner's injury opens up a slot for a late order slogger / occasional bowler. Perfect for Watson? If only England had those selection problems. Ours are quite simple; we just don't have enough good players. Our batting is too fragile, our bowling lacks depth. Anderson is outstanding, Broad very good. Beyond that nothing to inspire confidence. Australia look very strong. The Australians do look strong .....I would suggest that an Australia v South Africa final could be on the cards ? Perhaps with New Zealand as a dark horse ?
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Post by partickpotter on Feb 1, 2015 12:25:16 GMT
Once again we appear to have made a step or two forward and then taken a couple of giant strides back ! Disapointing if not totally unexpected performance from the batsmen again ....despite his marvelous century the other day , Morgan remains a concern for me , Moeen still seems to have issues with the short stuff , although it may prove to be that he's not alone in that respect ....Broad certainly looked apprehensive facing Johnson , I'm certain that on occasions that he was clearly backing away ! Bopara seemed unsure as to what kind of innings he should be playing , to be fair to him though today he was in a pretty hopeless situation , but I think that he clearly has to make way for Ballance in the World Cup , remarkably the other day I'm sure that I heard " Bumble " suggest that he thought that James Taylor's place might be under pressure from Ballance rather than Bopara's ......I must get my hearing aid a service ! 2 steps forward, 2 steps is a good description. I'm not disheartened though. We have too many weaknesses in the side and not enough quality. But, by and large, we have the best side in the field that we can put out at the present time. We can compete with most sides, but are still likely to come up short against the best. Seems Morgan ain't going to bowl Bopara (and today was the day to give him a bowl to relieve some pressure on Woakes) so if the #6 place is to be used for a batsman then Balance plays ahead of Bopara. Taylor has to play. Just needs to distinguish, as I said previously, between urgency and frantic. Today was the latter.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2015 13:36:29 GMT
Once again we appear to have made a step or two forward and then taken a couple of giant strides back ! Disapointing if not totally unexpected performance from the batsmen again ....despite his marvelous century the other day , Morgan remains a concern for me , Moeen still seems to have issues with the short stuff , although it may prove to be that he's not alone in that respect ....Broad certainly looked apprehensive facing Johnson , I'm certain that on occasions that he was clearly backing away ! Bopara seemed unsure as to what kind of innings he should be playing , to be fair to him though today he was in a pretty hopeless situation , but I think that he clearly has to make way for Ballance in the World Cup , remarkably the other day I'm sure that I heard " Bumble " suggest that he thought that James Taylor's place might be under pressure from Ballance rather than Bopara's ......I must get my hearing aid a service ! 2 steps forward, 2 steps is a good description. I'm not disheartened though. We have too many weaknesses in the side and not enough quality. But, by and large, we have the best side in the field that we can put out at the present time. We can compete with most sides, but are still likely to come up short against the best. Seems Morgan ain't going to bowl Bopara (and today was the day to give him a bowl to relieve some pressure on Woakes) so if the #6 place is to be used for a batsman then Balance plays ahead of Bopara. Taylor has to play. Just needs to distinguish, as I said previously, between urgency and frantic. Today was the latter. Yes , I would go along with all of that mate .
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Post by estrangedsonoffaye on Feb 1, 2015 14:55:08 GMT
Once again we appear to have made a step or two forward and then taken a couple of giant strides back ! Disapointing if not totally unexpected performance from the batsmen again ....despite his marvelous century the other day , Morgan remains a concern for me , Moeen still seems to have issues with the short stuff , although it may prove to be that he's not alone in that respect ....Broad certainly looked apprehensive facing Johnson , I'm certain that on occasions that he was clearly backing away ! Bopara seemed unsure as to what kind of innings he should be playing , to be fair to him though today he was in a pretty hopeless situation , but I think that he clearly has to make way for Ballance in the World Cup , remarkably the other day I'm sure that I heard " Bumble " suggest that he thought that James Taylor's place might be under pressure from Ballance rather than Bopara's ......I must get my hearing aid a service ! Mind you, I think hell will freeze over before we beat Aus at the WACA.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2015 15:35:51 GMT
Once again we appear to have made a step or two forward and then taken a couple of giant strides back ! Disapointing if not totally unexpected performance from the batsmen again ....despite his marvelous century the other day , Morgan remains a concern for me , Moeen still seems to have issues with the short stuff , although it may prove to be that he's not alone in that respect ....Broad certainly looked apprehensive facing Johnson , I'm certain that on occasions that he was clearly backing away ! Bopara seemed unsure as to what kind of innings he should be playing , to be fair to him though today he was in a pretty hopeless situation , but I think that he clearly has to make way for Ballance in the World Cup , remarkably the other day I'm sure that I heard " Bumble " suggest that he thought that James Taylor's place might be under pressure from Ballance rather than Bopara's ......I must get my hearing aid a service ! Mind you, I think hell will freeze over before we beat Aus at the WACA. I'm always optimistic , after almost fifty years of watching England ,it becomes second nature ......hope springs eternal as it were
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Feb 1, 2015 17:54:06 GMT
They remind me of Arsenal, when the going gets tough, they bottle it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 1:37:32 GMT
They remind me of Arsenal, when the going gets tough, they bottle it. " I did nod zee it "
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Post by Staffsoatcake on Feb 2, 2015 18:16:01 GMT
Ben Stokes, 150odd off 80odd balls plus 3 wkts.over in S Africa.
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