JD's Cricket thread

[Jack Daniels]

Some interesting matches starting this weekend.

International:

Aust $1.33
Draw $4.25
Paki $9.50

Australia seem to struggle with dead rubbers and face up to Pakistan on January 2nd for the third and final test match in a series already wrapped up by the all conquering Aussies. Pakistan are struggling with injuries. Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Malik are out of the 3rd Test and Abdul Razzaq is in hospital for observation with a mystery illness, Inzamam-ul-Haq has a back complaint but should be cleared to play. Australia look likely to make some changes with McGill and Watson comming into the squad, I believe Lehmann was given a reprieve by not being required to bat in the 2nd innings of the last game and he will get a start in the 3rd test. McGill will probably get a run at the expense of Kasperwicz and Watson will be 12th man.

As I will be at the opening days play I am hoping Australia bat first and set a big target for the Paki's.

RSA $?
DRW $?
ENG $?

South Africa Vs England in the third of a five test series, England go into the third game with a 1-0 lead. But I think South Africa has shown improvement in their cricket and as some of the newer players get more game time they can improve further. I think South Africa where complacent in their second appearance in the field, after bowling England out for 139 in the first innings it seemed as though they came out expecting the same in the second innings.
Not withstanding the form England have shown throughout 2004, I believe that South Africa is close to a win.

ING Cup:

Tas $2.10 Vs QLD $1.67 in a top of the table clash, could an upset be on the cards, QLD will be without Martin Love who has failed to recover fully from a finger injury sustained earlier in the season. QLD are 6 ponts clear of Tasmania on the ladder but have only one more win than the Taswegians plus two extra bonus points. Tasmania have the home ground advantage which I think will play a big part in their attempt to beat the Bulls.

Vic $1.45 Vs SA $2.60 . Victoria are 3 and 3 so far this year whereas SA have won 1 from 6 and are equal last on the table with a woeful NSW, (although they have played one more game than NSW). SA have excuses in that they are looking to the future and have blooded a lot of young players this year. I think a Victorian win at home is inevitable.

WA $1.78 VS NSW $1.95 . Brett Lee back into the side and playing at the WACCA, can he make the difference NSW has been so severly lacking this year. The WA side has performed quite well this year and are 3 and 2 they too are in the same position as NSW with a game in hand over the rest of the teams.
This is a must win game for NSW if they are to have any chance at a finals berth. Making the finals appears unlikely but a win here would not be beyond NSW don't write them off.

Prices from sportstab

[Chuck]

My Views:

AUS: $1.20
DRAW: $4.50
PAK: $10.00

RSA: $2.50
DRAW: $2.80
ENG: $3.20

QLD: $1.30
TAS: $2.80

VIC: $1.75
SA: $1.95

WA: $1.45
NSW: $2.60

[Jack Daniels]

Some interesting matches starting this weekend.

International:

Aust $1.33
Draw $4.25
Paki $9.50

Australia seem to struggle with dead rubbers and face up to Pakistan on January 2nd for the third and final test match in a series already wrapped up by the all conquering Aussies. Pakistan are struggling with injuries. Mohammad Sami and Shoaib Malik are out of the 3rd Test and Abdul Razzaq is in hospital for observation with a mystery illness, Inzamam-ul-Haq has a back complaint but should be cleared to play. Australia look likely to make some changes with McGill and Watson comming into the squad, I believe Lehmann was given a reprieve by not being required to bat in the 2nd innings of the last game and he will get a start in the 3rd test. McGill will probably get a run at the expense of Kasperwicz and Watson will be 12th man.

As I will be at the opening days play I am hoping Australia bat first and set a big target for the Paki's.

RSA $3.85
DRW $2.50
ENG $2.30

South Africa Vs England in the third of a five test series, England go into the third game with a 1-0 lead. But I think South Africa has shown improvement in their cricket and as some of the newer players get more game time they can improve further. I think South Africa where complacent in their second appearance in the field, after bowling England out for 139 in the first innings it seemed as though they came out expecting the same in the second innings.
Not withstanding the form England have shown throughout 2004, I believe that South Africa is close to a win.

ING Cup:

Tas $2.10 Vs QLD $1.67 in a top of the table clash, could an upset be on the cards, QLD will be without Martin Love who has failed to recover fully from a finger injury sustained earlier in the season. QLD are 6 ponts clear of Tasmania on the ladder but have only one more win than the Taswegians plus two extra bonus points. Tasmania have the home ground advantage which I think will play a big part in their attempt to beat the Bulls.

Vic $1.45 Vs SA $2.60 . Victoria are 3 and 3 so far this year whereas SA have won 1 from 6 and are equal last on the table with a woeful NSW, (although they have played one more game than NSW). SA have excuses in that they are looking to the future and have blooded a lot of young players this year. I think a Victorian win at home is inevitable.

WA $1.78 VS NSW $1.95 . Brett Lee back into the side and playing at the WACCA, can he make the difference NSW has been so severly lacking this year. The WA side has performed quite well this year and are 3 and 2 they too are in the same position as NSW with a game in hand over the rest of the teams.
This is a must win game for NSW if they are to have any chance at a finals berth. Making the finals appears unlikely but a win here would not be beyond NSW don't write them off.

Prices from sportstab

From the Age

Australia has omitted fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz and batsman Darren Lehmann from its team to play the third Test against Pakistan at the SCG on Sunday.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting announced that leg spinner Stuart MacGill and all-rounder Shane Watson had both been included in the side in a surprise move from the hosts as they attempt to secure and three-nil sweep of the series.

Kasprowicz can consider himself unlucky to lose his place after bowling superbly for Australia throughout the year while Lehmann's omission places his international future in jeopardy.

Ponting said Australia had opted to go for the team best suited to SCG conditions and the most likely to beat Pakistan again.

Ponting also said breaking the news to Kasprowicz and Lehmann was one of the hardest things he has had to do as skipper.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill, Michael Kasprowicz (12th man).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well there you have it Lehmann finally gone after a woeful batting display this summer, like the Age said Kasprowicz should feel unlucky but McGill was always going to get the nod at the SCG.

[blackpantha]

would it be wise to have a small wager on a pakistan win, considering our record in dead rubbers?

[Jack Daniels]

would it be wise to have a small wager on a pakistan win, considering our record in dead rubbers?

BP I think it is going to take a big effort by the Paki's to beat us in the third test, considering the injuries they have sustained. But as is well known the Aussies have a bad record in dead rubbers, so I wouldn't put it passed the Paki's to pull off an upset and at $9.50 they are juicy odds.

I can't see myself having a bet on the Paki's to win but having a little something on the draw may be an option. I know they have predicted possible storms for Sydney tomorrow, here is what the weather channel say is happening over the next five days, weather forecasters are often way off so who knows til the day really.

Sunday - cloudy possible late showers (very late I hope, going to the game).
Monday - cloudy
Tuesday - thunderstorms
Wednesday - sunny
Thursday - showers

I think McGills inclusion in the Australian team playing at the SCG will be a big plus for Australia. Lehmann is out and Watson in. I hope he goes well. I'd have picked Katich over Watson but alas I am not a selector.

[DR RON]

I backed the pakis in both tests so far but cant see them getting close considering their injurie problems. My predicted result, if we bat first Australia to win between 100 to 200 runs if they bat first Aussies by 3to 5 wickets .

[Chuck]

Time to have a big gripe, i feel

The selectors are a COMPLETE JOKE! Alright, if you want a 2nd spinner, then why not take someone who has carried the drinks in IND and SRL, like Cameron White. This guy can also bat No.6 as opposed to Macgill down at 11. Macgill has more long hops that Bob Beamon and doesn't drift it either.

I don't know what the selectors want from Watson either. Do they not no past scores? and that in the last 5 years at the SCG there hasn't been a match without a team scoring 450 or more in an innings. Its turning into an extremely long and frail tail, with 7. Watson 8. Warne 9. Gillespie 10. McGrath 11. MacGill. Alot seems to ride on the performance of the top 5 + Gilchrist.
If they want to drop a batsman, in lehmann, then why don't they replace him with a batsman, instead of greatly weakening our batting line up with a bowler who has never taken a wicket as the SCG in o.d.i s without going for more than 70 runs! Katich seems the obvious replacement, scoring 52, 125 + 77* in his only 3 bats at the SCG @ an average of 84.67! - He has also taken 6/65 in one of his only two bowling efforts there!

hmmmmmm...this might turn out to be quite an intersesting game

MY VIEW (if we bat first): AUS 442 (Langer 109 - Gilchrist 100 - Kaneria 6/122) PAK 374 (Youhana 88 - Ul-Huq 94 - Gillespie 3/62 - Clarke 2/13)

thats the 1st inns anyway...

Chuck

[Sportz]

I agree that it's weird, but at least they are changing something and not just sticking to a 'winning team'. Katich should have already been in the team anyway, but he should definitely be a starter at the SCG. The funny thing is that if he was a fast-medium bowler instead of a spinner, he'd be a certain starter. They're definitely looking for an all-rounder who bowls fast medium and bats 6 or 7. I'm fairly confident that Watson will make a good Test and One-day player in the future. Just don't know about now though. One good thing is that it gives us 5 bowlers. I always feel that our tactic of only using 4 bowlers puts too much pressure on them.

[rabbitz]

Australia $1.28
Too Skinny for this little black Rabbit
Wait till Australia get out
Last week you could have got $1.55 at one stage
Dont think we need Mac Gill or Watson,its elementary really
Cheers

[Chuck]

I don't think i've ever seen Warney drop a catch, let alone one as easy as that! And Gilly the same thing next ball! Dizzy had 2 plays and misses + two regulation nicks from his first 4 balls.

[sparkus8]

Chuck you are right about the selectors being a joke. They go on this whole spiel about it being horses for courses, but when we were in India we didn't play two spinners at anytime and the reasoning was that we didn't want to change a winning formula. So what has changed since then!!

Personally I thought it was right to leave out Lehmann, but if they wanted to bring in a second spinning option just put Katich in because he is pretty handy with the ball when he gets a chance. That way you only have to make one change, which in theory should strengthen both our batting and bowling attack.

Also Kaspers has to be the unluckiest bloke in cricket, he has done nothing wrong. I guess they just wanted to blood Watson in a game that isn't that crucial for the Aussies.

[sparkus8]

And that is why I am not a selector!! Macgilla what a genius!!

[Sportz]

As far as I'm concerned, Stuart MacGill would ALWAYS be a certain starter in my Australian team at the SCG. As I've said before, the only reason I perhaps wouldn't play him in every single test is his poor batting and fielding. I certainly wasn't the least bit surprised that he took most wickets and the $5 was a great price.

[sparkus8]

Hey Sportz where do you think Macgill is going to bat? I was having a look at the lineups on Baggygreen and it had Macgill listed at 10. Somehow I think McGrath would be pretty hot under the collar if he is not put in at 10 eh ;)

[Sportz]

Definitely 11.

[Sportz]

....although I think his average is still fractionally higher than McGrath at the moment. Not for long probably.

[Sportz]

I was having a look at the lineups on Baggygreen and it had Macgill listed at 10. Somehow I think McGrath would be pretty hot under the collar if he is not put in at 10 eh ;)

Perhaps they put those two in alphabetical order? :D

[sparkus8]

Yeh I was thinking it could be alphabetical and I also saw that Macgills average is about a run higher. I don't mind watching Macgill bat though because there is no real technique to it and he just throws the bat around. It reminds me of how I bat when I play :)

If McGrath comes in at 10 I reckon he will probably fancy himself for another 50. Could be interesting to watch if those to are at the crease together!!

[Sportz]

I don't mind watching Macgill bat though because there is no real technique to it and he just throws the bat around. It reminds me of how I bat when I play :)


I remember earlier in the season, he actually batted incredibly responsibly in that Pura Cup game where he and Thornely had that huge partnership. Don't fancy the chances of it happening in this game if Shoaib's bowling.

[sparkus8]

Yeh i remember that as well. They had something like a 200 run partnership and MacGill scored about 20 of them.

Just saw that he is averaging 12.5 this year in Pura Cup not bad for an 11, but it will be a bit different for him with Akhtar charging in. Somehow I think we will see middle stump cartwheeling away, hopefully not before we have seen him try and throw the bat around a bit.

[Jack Daniels]

A bit of an up and down start to the 2nd day for Australia today and at Lunch we see it this way thanks to 702, no thanks to channel 9. :p

Australia wrap up the Paki's innings at 304 this morning.

Langer 13 out bowled early, followed a little while later by Hayden out bowled for 26.

Australia at lunch 2/89. Ponting and Martyn at the crease.

I'd love to see Punter get a ton, he missed out last year, Martyns form to continue with another ton he got 6 last year I think.

Come On Aussie!!!! :D

[Sportz]

Don't like Hayden's form right now. Something's gone wrong. I think he's playing in an arrogant fashion and not treating the bowlers with enough respect.

[Jack Daniels]

Great to see Ponting get the TON, a good effort from Martyn to get 67 too. Lets see what Clarkey can do to the Paki's in his debut at the SCG.

:)

[Jack Daniels]

Great to see Ponting get the TON, a good effort from Martyn to get 67 too. Lets see what Clarkey can do to the Paki's in his debut at the SCG.

:)

Australia 3/263 a little after Tea.

Trail by 41.

[Jack Daniels]

A good days play today.

Aussies wrap up the Pakistani tail with only 12 runs added this morning. Kamran 47 caught Warne bowled McGrath, Pakistan all out for 304

McGrath 16.4 overs 4/50
McGill 22 overs 5/87
Warne 24 overs 1/84

Langer out first bowled Naved-Ul-Husan on 13.
Hayden didn't last too much longer and was also out bowled Kaneria on 26.
Ponting reaches the 100 mark with ease and continues on to be not out 155 at stumps.
Martyn made a fine 67 before being out stumped Kamran bowled Kaneria.
Clarke made a quick fire 35 before being stumped Kamaran bowled Kaneria too.
Gilchrist comes to the crease towards the end of the day and produces a solid 17 not out at stumps.
Extras put in a good effort to be unbeaten on 27.

Naved-Ul-Hasan 14 overs 1/61
Danish Kaneria 30 overs 3/106
Shoaib Akhtar 10 overs 0/46

Australia are in a very good position at 4/340 at stumps.

Hopefully a good lead will see the Aussies put this game out of reach of the Pakistani's.

The Paki's are however due to recieve the new ball first thing in the morning and if they take a wicket early it will be a fire breathing Akhtar that welcolmes Watson to test match cricket at the SCG tomorrow.

Anything above 250 should see the Paki's struggle on a turning SCG wicket by the end of day 3 or early on day 4.

[Jack Daniels]

RSA in a good position closing in on stumps on day 2

RSA 441
ENG 55/2 :p

England trail by 386.

[sparkus8]

Gillespie out, now we get to find out who comes in at 10!! It has to be McGrath doesn't it??

[sparkus8]

And it is McGrath!!!!!! C'mon son another 50 is in order!!

[Jack Daniels]

Good day for the Aussies ended with 568.
Ponting 207
Gilchrist 113

Paki's 1/67 at stumps, bad light stops play again.

_________________________________________________

In South Africa the Poms are get a much needed touch up. :p

South Africa 441
England 149/9

England trail by 93 and may be forced to follow-on.