***Official*** 2nd Test at the Adelaide Oval

[andyc]

Originally Posted by Matt79

My team for Adelaide, recognising there's still at least one more day's play in Brisbane would be:
Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Hussey
Watson
Gilchrist
Lee
Warne
Clark
McGrath

I'd bring Watson right back, and Clarke would have to go, although the selectors should let him know that's he's the number 1 reserve for the rest of the summer. I wouldn't play MacGill if it means dropping S. Clark.

Given Clarke's relative success, especially when compared to Martyn, could we see him dropped and Clarke (or even Watson) promoted to four? I doubt it personally, but it's hard to drop someone who hit a 50 in his comeback match.

[Matt79]

They're not going to drop Martyn.

[Matt79]

The getting one test, scoring a fifty and being dropped again is a pattern for the Aussie team however. Martyn himself was averaging 80 odd at one stage because he'd only get one test a series, hit an unbeaten half century, not bat in the second innings and then make way for whichever Waugh brother had been out. Katich did the same thing. On the strength of one half century by Clarke they're not going to drop Martyn.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by Matt79

The getting one test, scoring a fifty and being dropped again is a pattern for the Aussie team however. Martyn himself was averaging 80 odd at one stage because he'd only get one test a series, hit an unbeaten half century, not bat in the second innings and then make way for whichever Waugh brother had been out.

When was Martyn ever averaging that or doing anything of the sort?

[Craig]

New Zealand 99-00 and I assuming that he is talking about but I couldn't tell you the average right tbh.

[Matt79]

Originally Posted by marc71178

When was Martyn ever averaging that or doing anything of the sort?

When he wasn't a regular in the team, but was getting games here and there due to injuries in the top 6. He had a string of matches in a row where he was a temporary replacement at 6 either got 50s or was not out and it briefing boosted his average to ridiculous levels. Obviously it came down again once he began playing regularly.

It would have been around 1999.

[Matt79]

From cricinfo.com

1st Test v NZ in NZ 1999/00 at Auckland [1488]
17 -
36

2nd Test v NZ in NZ 1999/00 at Wellington [1491]
78
17*

3rd Test v NZ in NZ 1999/00 at Hamilton [1493]
89*
4

Makes way for returning regular

3rd Test v WI in Aus 2000/01 at Adelaide [1523]
46*
34*

Makes way for returning regular

Then got a regular slot for the tour of England in 2001.

So a slight exaggeration in terms of how long it was going on for, but yeah, his average was pretty high there for a while...

[Mister Wright]

Originally Posted by andyc

Given Clarke's relative success, especially when compared to Martyn, could we see him dropped and Clarke (or even Watson) promoted to four? I doubt it personally, but it's hard to drop someone who hit a 50 in his comeback match.

100 maybe, but not 50.

[marc71178]

Originally Posted by Matt79

When he wasn't a regular in the team, but was getting games here and there due to injuries in the top 6. He had a string of matches in a row where he was a temporary replacement at 6 either got 50s or was not out and it briefing boosted his average to ridiculous levels. Obviously it came down again once he began playing regularly.

It would have been around 1999.

His average has never got above 57, and aside from the post Ashes drop, he was never averaging above the mid 30's when left out of the side...

[Matt79]

Whatever, who cares?

[superkingdave]

So if Macgill plays, who makes way? Clark or Lee?

[Johnners]

Originally Posted by superkingdave

So if Macgill plays, who makes way? Clark or Lee?

Don't play Macgill imo.

[silentstriker]

So Stuart Clark now a certainty for test #2. You can't drop him now, can you? Him, along with McGrath accounted for 14/20 wickets...so dropping him can't be an option. MacGill might have to sit out.

[Laurrz]

Langer
Hayden
Ponting*
Martyn
Hussey
Gilchrist+
Lee
Warne
Clark
MacGill
McGrath

a bit worried about Gilchrist batting at 6... but i think 5 bowlers is the way to go in Adelaide... Watsons bowling i feel now will prolly put some of their batsmen in form
also Warne Lee Clark can all hold a bat for sure
then again i don't want to drop Clarke coz he seems to be in good touch...gonna be another really tough decision ...most likely tho they'll jsut pick the same side ... but i just think 4 bowlers in Adelaide and with Englands batting doing good now...

with England, i think with Anderson bowling so **** they need two spinners... but who knows they might bring Mahmood... or in Adelaide it swings sometimes a bit and maybe stick with Anderson

-----------------------

anyway i think we could be in for a real close match this time...hopefully not like Edgbaston.. my heart don't like that lol

anyways a lot of similarities with the Gabba game and Lords :O

1) England folded in the first innings
2) in that first innings McGrath dominated
3) England did a lot better in the second innings
4) England have a shocking record at Lords... and Australia have a terrific record at the Gabba

prolly one big difference was..... the English bowlers looked so threatening... and i think took 20 wickets

this time though, they took 9 .... and they'l have to turn it around heaps if they want to take 20 in Adelaide on a flatter wicket

and hopefully McGrath doesn't tred on a ball and we bat first :P

[silentstriker]

Well, an in-form Gilchrist can bat wherever the hell he wants. But can he regain his form and work out his around the wicket problems?