***Official*** 1st Test at The Gabba

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by dontcloseyoureyes

What's he proven though? At least Bracken has yards on him. It's plain obvious that Gillespie is past it, and unless can get back the 10kph he suddenly lost, he's history. If Kasper keeps taking bucketloads of FC wickets then maybe, but at the moment he's injured.

Johnson took some wickets on a helpful pitch after it rained. Sure, they were good, but he's been blasted in nearly every other international game he played. Even took some stick against the Bangas, before getting some late wickets. All the while Bracken has a proven FC record in Australia (especially at the GABBA and the SCG) and has more than shown he is the goods in OD cricket. I fail to see why they can't do horses for courses and slot Bracken in at the grounds that will make hima dangerous prospect.

Brackens record at the SCG is poor, to sort that out.

He'll be nothing more than an above average one day bowler, and that's coming from someone who likes Bracken, but I'm being realistic. Johnson had an awesome first class season last year and should be above Bracken.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

An above average one day bowler, with one of the best ODI bowling records in history?

A top FC season doesn't mean he should be playing test cricket. Bracken's had numerous top seasons in the Pura Cup, as well as taking wickets at around 20 for the Australian OD side.

In any case, he wouldn't be in my starting XI anyway. MacGill should be there for all five tests, I just don't think that those three (two of which are pretty much past it, and one, despiute being a hot prospect, has less FC cricket under his belt than Gelman) should be ahead of someone with an ODI record like his. Especially considering his form of late.

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by dontcloseyoureyes

An above average one day bowler, with one of the best ODI bowling records in history?

A top FC season doesn't mean he should be playing test cricket. Bracken's had numerous top seasons in the Pura Cup, as well as taking wickets at around 20 for the Australian OD side.

In any case, he wouldn't be in my starting XI anyway. MacGill should be there for all five tests, I just don't think that those three (two of which are pretty much past it, and one, despiute being a hot prospect, has less FC cricket under his belt than Gelman) should be ahead of someone with an ODI record like his. Especially considering his form of late.

Johnsons form of late is superior to Brackens. Opinions are pretty much pointless here, because it's a fact that Bracken isn't anywhere in the selectors thinking for test matches.

Anyways, you're right, MacGill should play all five tests, no questions asked.

[Nnanden]

Bracken - last time bowled at the `Gabba.

OD: 4/15 off 6.2. Took batsmen 2, 3, 9, 10 (Symonds, Hopes, Hartley)
FC: 8/81 off 40.2. (Match figures) Took batsmen 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (Maher twice, Symonds, Perren)
ODI: 3/44 off 10. Took batsmen 1, 3, 5 (Jayasuriya, Attapatu)
Test: 4/48 off 16. Took batsmen 4, 5, 8, 9 (Lara, Chanderpaul)
20/20 Int: 2/9 off 3. Took batsmen 2, 3 (Dippenaar, Gibbs)


I really don`t want to sleep. I don`t care that these stats are biased and mean nothing. I feel better.

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by Nnanden

Bracken - last time bowled at the `Gabba.

OD: 4/15 off 6.2. Took batsmen 2, 3, 9, 10 (Symonds, Hopes, Hartley)
FC: 8/81 off 40.2. (Match figures) Took batsmen 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (Maher twice, Symonds, Perren)
ODI: 3/44 off 10. Took batsmen 1, 3, 5 (Jayasuriya, Attapatu)
Test: 4/48 off 16. Took batsmen 4, 5, 8, 9 (Lara, Chanderpaul)
20/20 Int: 2/9 off 3. Took batsmen 2, 3 (Dippenaar, Gibbs)


I really don`t want to sleep. I don`t care that these stats are biased and mean nothing. I feel better.

****, fair dinkum, most pointless stats. Johnson in the Pura Cup final took a 10 fa on a road at the GABBA. Isolated stats are meaningless.

[Nnanden]

In reverse order, Bracken`s bowling in First-Class matches at the SCG.

1/20 off 17
2/63 off 24

1/20 off 8
3/61 off 29

5/36 off 14.2
1/28 off 13

1/33 off 16
2/20 off 13

1/28 off 15
2/64 off 27.4

0/24 off 12
4/32 off 18

0/45 off 17
7/4 off 7

1/18 off 9
1/22 off 13


To be fair, not an amazing record. But definately not poor.

Murphy, btw, I don`t even have an arguement. Just a bunch of numbers and an unhealthy obsession.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Johnsons form of late is superior to Brackens.

There's not much to sample to be honest, but going by their games in Malaysia, not really. Johnson bowled supremely in one game (albeit with helpful conditions, a night sky and after some nice juicy rain) but Bracken still consistently took wickets. The difference in averages is slight, but noticable. Johnson 6 @ 12.66 from two games whereas Bracken took 6 @ 15.33. The Champs Trophy could indeed prove me wrong (though match reports from warm up games suggest that Johnson's bowling has been rather innefective so far) but I don't really see how you could say his form has been superior, considering the few matches they've both played.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

****, fair dinkum, most pointless stats. Johnson in the Pura Cup final took a 10 fa on a road at the GABBA. Isolated stats are meaningless.

To be fair, the Vics pretty much batted like ****, especially in the second innings. If they hadn't been fielding for the last 3 months they could've batted forever.

[Nnanden]

Been typing up a post for the last 19 minutes and lost it all.

Highlights:

Warm-up OD for CT -
Bracken: 1/34 off 9
Johnson: 0/26 off 5

Only FC Match Bracken and Johnson have played together - SCG
Bracken: 3/83 off 44
Johnson: 1/123 off 27

ODI Matches together - New Zealand
Bracken: 1/41 off 9
Johnson: 0/64 off 9

Bangladesh
Bracken: 2/30 off 8 & 2/16 off 6
Johnson: 1/34 off 7 & 0/24 off 6

DLF Cup - West Indies
Bracken: 2/45 off 6.5
Johnson: 2/65 off 8

India (not together) -
Johnson: 4/11 off 4
Bracken: DNP

West Indies (not together) -
Bracken: 1/31 off 9 & 3/16 off 7
Johnson: DNP & DNP


Doesn`t have to mean anything, just interesting. However, to say Johnson has been in better form evidently isn`t true.

[Pratters]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

The funny thing is that there is a IND/SA series going on at the same time, and I might just be watching the Ashes and flipping over to IND/SA, instead of the other way around.

Both will be at different times. Most Aussie tests start at 5.30 AM IST while RSA ones start at 3.30 PM IST. Even for the East coast centres in Australia, there would be maximum 1 hour over lapping if at all (not sure).

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by Pratyush

Both will be at different times. Most Aussie tests start at 5.30 AM IST while RSA ones start at 3.30 PM IST. Even for the East coast centres in Australia, there would be maximum 1 hour over lapping if at all (not sure).

Sweet. What times GMT? I live in the US, so one or both of them may not fit. I am willing to stay up at night but I do need slee from time to time.

[Pratters]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

Sweet. What times GMT? I live in the US, so one or both of them may not fit. I am willing to stay up at night but I do need slee from time to time.

India is 9 and half hours ahead from most parts of the US AFAIK.

[Johnners]

Around 7pm Central American time

[Johnners]

It scares me really that the selectors do have Gillespie & Kaspa ahead of Bracken in the pecking order. Both are well past their peaks, and haven't shown anything much to suggest that they're returning to their form pre Ashes 2005.

In any case, Clark & Johnson will be the 1's fighting it our for the 3rd seamer spot imo. I would prefer they went with Johnson A) Because he's a queenslander and B) Because he is a Lefty, quick, and can get a decent amount of swing, whilst Clark is a similar bowler to McGrath, except nowhere near as good.

[Mister Wright]

If there are any forum members going to the first test I suggest a meet up. I'll be at The Morrison Hotel from whenever it opens - Hopefully 8am, but more likely 9am to begin preceedings for the day.