*Official* Tour Matches

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah, has seemed very reliant on the sweep shot so far against Monty, and he hasn't been playing it all that well, one or two iffy moments with it. Other than that it's been a great knock though, really enjoying it.

Yeah, it'd be very interesting, as Swann challenges the batsman to hit through cover, which isn't Smith's natural scoring zone.

 

[Jacknife]

Great cherry from Shazhad to get Smith,pick of the seamers so far.

 

[pup11]

Smithy

I see him as a bit of an SWaugh type, early in his Test career for Australia. Make a few runs batting down the list, field well, and take a couple of wickets here and there. Definitely has a lot of upside to his game.

Haha... mate Tugga was pretty much a storkeless wonder in the early half of his career, that certainly ain't the case with Smith who infact has way too many shots in his arsenal, he is a much talented player than Tugga and its only matter of him sorting the temperamental side of his game.
As for his bowling its still a work in progress, but he is a definite future all-round prospect and not just a batsman who can bowl a bit.

 

[howardj]

I thought Tug went the other way - shot maker to nudger.

 

[howardj]

Agree with the bowling, I think he can really develop given some more exposure.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Haha... mate Tugga was pretty much a storkeless wonder in the early half of his career, that certainly ain't the case with Smith who infact has way too many shots in his arsenal, he is a much talented player than Tugga and its only matter of him sorting the temperamental side of his game.
As for his bowling its still a work in progress, but he is a definite future all-round prospect and not just a batsman who can bowl a bit.

Yeah, exactly; Waugh's always spoken of how he reined himself in after being dropped for his brother, and became much harder to get out. The old adage of not needing to play every shot, you just need to play a few shots very well.

 

[Jacknife]

How did the umpire miss that huge bat, pad and caught behind, great ball from Shahzad,then he gets him next ball, good stuff from Shahzad.

 

[Ruckus]

I reckon 200 is a reasonable score on this wicket. The ball is seaming around like crazy.

 

[Burgey]

I thought Tug went the other way - shot maker to nudger.

Yeah he did. Made back to back 90s vs WI in 88-89 as an example.. Crunched them off the back foot. Was quality.

 

[Sylvester]

Well played Smith would have loved a 100 but showed some fight in that innings and given Aus A a chance for a competitive total on the pitch although looks to be getting better.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Haven't heard Tony this excited about a piece of technology since the Scrotometer.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Reckon that Sok has displayed exactly how much faith he has in Cameron.

Really looking forward to Peter George batting. Tipping a second ball duck.

 

[pup11]

I thought Tug went the other way - shot maker to nudger.

Tugga wanted to play all the shots, but he wasn't any good playing most of them so he decided to become a grafter.
He is one bloke who made all those runs by playing gritty and determined cricket, and that's what really makes him such a great. If some of these modern day naturally gifted players had half the amount of grit he had, then they would be making truckloads of runs.

 

[Top_Cat]

Reckon England should be very worried about what Cameron is likely to do on this deck, tbh.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Haha... mate Tugga was pretty much a storkeless wonder in the early half of his career...

Tugga wanted to play all the shots...

Does not compute.

Haha, some vintage Bill. "Fumble fingers at mid-off... Ding dong!"

 

[Burgey]

Yeah he did. Made back to back 90s vs WI in 88-89 as an example.. Crunched them off the back foot. Was quality.

Hard to see England making more than 35-40 on this deck against a third string Aus A attack

 

[pup11]

I reckon 200 is a reasonable score on this wicket. The ball is seaming around like crazy.

Yup, don't see the point of preparing a wicket like this, as its nothing like what you are likely to get for a test match.

 

[DragonPunk]

Seems all the grounds, besides the MCG I think have been prepared as greentops, don't see the point. Just plummets moral more.

 

[pup11]

Does not compute.

Its his own words tbh, he said during an interview that he wanted to burst onto the scene as an attractive strokeplayer, who played all sorts of shots but he pretty soon realised that he is a lot more vulnerable playing like that, so he changed his game around pretty early in his career.

 

[pup11]

Reckon England should be very worried about what Cameron is likely to do on this deck, tbh.

Every bowler is dangerous on such a track, and that's why a pitch like this is ridiculous for a game which is virtually an audition for all the Ashes contenders.