The Cricket Thread

[Arnoldtoo]

Moeen's back.

2 Sri Lanka tests next month.

England squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes (wk), Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

Reserves: James Bracey (wk), Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55273780

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Outrageous.

 

[aussiespursguy]

Destroyed India in Adelaide. They were on top in the first innings. We then finished them for 36, the lowest test innings since 1925 and their lowest ever, needing 90 to win. Over in 2.5 days.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Shame India can’t catch!!

 

[VegasII]

Aussies were be off like greased lightning. Incredible.

Crouching Cobber, Hidden Sandpaper

 

[aussiespursguy]

Shame India can’t catch!!

Well catches win matches.

 

[UncleBuck]

5-8 is taking the Mitchell, even extras didn’t register!?

 

[aussiespursguy]

5-8 is taking the Mitchell, even extras didn’t register!?

I think that Hazelwood spell was as good as I have ever seen. Yeah the pitch was seaming but you still have to put the ball in the right spot. He did.

 

[EaMidSpurs]

Watching the BBL, surprised they don't have DRS, the last couple of days there bave been some amazing umpires decisions.

 

[aussiespursguy]

Watching the BBL, surprised they don't have DRS, the last couple of days there bave been some amazing umpires decisions.

I think in a way it makes it more interesting!

Edit: well while the strikers are winning! lol.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

@aussiespursguy

What's the vibe with Smith currently? His record is obviously outstanding but he hasn't really been great in Tests in the last few...almost since the emergence of this weird/creepy copycat role Marnus ****aschagne has adopted. The extravagant leaves, the stupid calling of "no run" and just all round looking like a bit of a greasy haired serial killer. Has anyone picked up on this over there?

Merry Xmas, love the Boxing Day Test, what a spectacle.

 

[aussiespursguy]

@aussiespursguy

What's the vibe with Smith currently? His record is obviously outstanding but he hasn't really been great in Tests in the last few...almost since the emergence of this weird/creepy copycat role Marnus ****aschagne has adopted. The extravagant leaves, the stupid calling of "no run" and just all round looking like a bit of a greasy haired serial killer. Has anyone picked up on this over there?

Merry Xmas, love the Boxing Day Test, what a spectacle.

Hey Bear.
He hasn't looked comfortable for a while its fair to say. He did make an interesting comment before the test series started saying he had "found his hands again". He didn't explain it but I'm guessing he meant wrists and feel. He looked great in the ODI's and batted really well but has certainly struggled so far both here in Adelaide and now Melbourne.
I don't think Marnus has anything to do with it. There is no doubt Smith has been a huge influence on him though. He is a pretty oddball fella, but then again so is Smith. They both live eat and drink cricket.
Back to Smith, that's the second time this series Ashwin has got him and I think both the same way. They have a plan and he needs to adjust his game to it. Much like Warner becoming Broads bunny.

It is a real pity due to the current circumstances we can't see a packed MCG but it is still such a special test.

Hope you had a great Xmas day and take care and stay safe.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Well that has put the cat amongst the pigeons, fair play to India and the Aussies will be disappointed. That's a great win without their skipper and one of their main bowlers.

I still think Marnus is causing issues for Smith just by being a weird ****...

 

[aussiespursguy]

Well that has put the cat amongst the pigeons, fair play to India and the Aussies will be disappointed. That's a great win without their skipper and one of their main bowlers.

I still think Marnus is causing issues for Smith just by being a weird ****...

Look fair play to them. They took their chances. We dropped 6 (yes 6) catches during their first innings. As I said in the first test catches win matches. But they showed grit and determination and we didn't. Not good enough from the top order again. Smith really has become Ashwins bunny.
Well Sydney will go ahead but again will be different this year. The "pink test" which supports the McGrath foundation is another special event but still no word on crowds yet. Sydney had an outbreak and part of the city has been locked down.

Third Test stays in Sydney despite COVID-19 restrictions

The third Test in Australia's Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India will remain at the SCG, after officials were satisfied by the NSW Government's COVID-19 measures.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Well catches win matches.

I blame you for this:

Moeen's caught covid.

 

[buckley]

Regard Smith he has obviously been fantastic but he is one of only two batsmen that has you would have thought too many moving parts to be a top player but he has proved everybody wrong . The only other player that moved about a lot with lots of moving parts was Derek Randall there may be others but I dont recall except maybe Colin Milburn .

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Regard Smith he has obviously been fantastic but he is one of only two batsmen that has you would have thought too many moving parts to be a top player but he has proved everybody wrong . The only other player that moved about a lot with lots of moving parts was Derek Randall there may be others but I dont recall except maybe Colin Milburn .

The first one I can remember who had a batting style anything like Smith was Peter Willey. Then Chanderpaul came along

But as you say, certainly not recommended as Bradman always practiced and preached being as still as possible before the ball arrived

 

[buckley]

You mentioning Bradman could you imagine a player today with a 99 average and no head guard .
He would be a god among all other cricketing mortals

 

[midoshairband]

the Pakistan guy, Fawad Alam has one of the oddest stances i can remember. George Bailey changed his stance and that was very odd.

Also Kim Barnett from back in the day was a bit out there.

 

[aussiespursguy]

You mentioning Bradman could you imagine a player today with a 99 average and no head guard .
He would be a god among all other cricketing mortals

And he survived bodyline. I have seen old footage and how someone wasn't killed is beyond me.