*Official* Second Test at the Adelaide Oval

[Howe_zat]

Originally Posted by Spark

Ponting and Hussey back to near their best is massive for us. Clarke is never more than an innings or two away nowadays, he's been like that for four years now, and if those three are firing...

Ponting 82.28
Hussey 91.60
Clarke 77.80

Those numbers go into the ridiculous territory if you only count tests that actually mattered, though.

What are these figures?

[Spark]

Series averages 2006-7. If you make it just the first live test all three averages go well over 100.

[robelinda]

Adelaide is such a tough test match for bowlers. I've always been against picking two spinners, they just get carted, as overseas teams have found over the years. You need some tight accurate bowling, guys like Johnson who just wang up and let go will get punished more severely. Stuart Clark type bowlers are useful to tie an end up. I can see Trott just eating up that leg side short fence, just like the Indians, they always bat well at Adelaide. Stifling tight bowling is the order of the day, I'd drop Mitch for Dougeh. MAYBE Xavier for Harris, i'd love Harris to be there, but not sure if losing a frontline spinner is the answer, depends how North is used I guess.

[Howe_zat]

Originally Posted by Spark

Series averages 2006-7. If you make it just the first live test all three averages go well over 100.

Fair point. Remember, though, that was was against a broken Harmison, Saj Mahmood, Ashley Giles and Bad Jimmy (TM)

[Goughy]

Has Stuart Clark officially been put out to pasture?

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Howe_zat

Fair point. Remember, though, that was was against a broken Harmison, Saj Mahmood, Ashley Giles and Bad Jimmy (TM)

True. But when those three are in form simultaneously, they are a ravenous bunch.

The times when they've all been in form at once the amount of runs they put on the board is really quite frightening. They work unbelievably well in partnerships.

[howardj]

I think Dohers Doherty and Hilf will miss.

Harris and Doug to make the final XI.

[GotSpin]

Originally Posted by Spark

As I said he's a hundred away.

And to write off Hussey when he's scored such a positive, fluent hundred is ludicrous. Can't a guy be in form nowadays?

Like Deus wrote, Hussey has been in terminal decline for three years until 3 days ago. I'm not ready to accept he's back yet

[Spark]

Originally Posted by Got_Spin

Like Deus wrote, Hussey has been in terminal decline for three years until 3 days ago. I'm not ready to accept he's back yet

TBH it's really the way he got it that has me hoping. His footwork was positive, his judgement of length was outstanding and the cover drive is coming back.

If it was a gritty, scratchy innings a la SCG/Oval then I wouldn't be so convinced - but it wasn't.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by howardj

I think Dohers Doherty and Hilf will miss.

Harris and Doug to make the final XI.

Reckon it's extremely unlikely they'll go in with four quicks in Adelaide, especially when Watson is there. It's a ground that teams contemplate playing two spinners on if they've got two decent ones - I don't see Australia playing one more spinner in Brisbane than they do in Adelaide.

[GotSpin]

Originally Posted by Spark

TBH it's really the way he got it that has me hoping. His footwork was positive, his judgement of length was outstanding and the cover drive is coming back.

If it was a gritty, scratchy innings a la SCG/Oval then I wouldn't be so convinced - but it wasn't.

Oh I agree. It was his best innings in 4 years. But I'll wait until the end of Adelaide before I make assumptions he is back for the summer

[Spark]

He might not be but this is definitely the best he's looked in three years or so.

[howardj]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

Reckon it's extremely unlikely they'll go in with four quicks in Adelaide, especially when Watson is there. It's a ground that teams contemplate playing two spinners on if they've got two decent ones - I don't see Australia playing one more spinner in Brisbane than they do in Adelaide.

Spinners don't do as well as people think in Adelaide, in Tests anyway. It's usually the quicks that get the wickets. As for comparing Brisbane with Adelaide, I take your point, but the difference is that we're now desperate (1 for 500 will be ringing in Ponting's ears) and I think will go with the attack that's most likely to take 20 wickets rather than one that looks balanced on paper.

[Howe_zat]

Since 2000, the average rpw in Australia is 36.83. This is broken up as 39.29 for spinners and 36.15 for the quicks.

Adelaide stats since 2000:

Spinners:

97 wickets, average 42.61, economy 3.04, 5 5w hauls, 0 10w hauls.

Fast bowlers:

197 wickets, average 38.41, economy 3.19, 6 5w hauls, 0 10w hauls.

Total

312 wickets, average 38.68, economy 3.11.

So it seems to be about the standard difference you would expect in Australia, though with a higher runs per wicket than most. No real need to play a spinner more than any other ground, and a more pressing need to take your best wicket-takers.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Howe_zat

Since 2000, the average rpw in Australia is 36.83. This is broken up as 39.29 for spinners and 36.15 for the quicks.

Adelaide stats since 2000:

Spinners:

97 wickets, average 42.61, economy 3.04, 5 5w hauls, 0 10w hauls.

Fast bowlers:

197 wickets, average 38.41, economy 3.19, 6 5w hauls, 0 10w hauls.

Total

312 wickets, average 38.68, economy 3.11.

So it seems to be about the standard difference you would expect in Australia, though with a higher runs per wicket than most. No real need to play a spinner more than any other ground, and a more pressing need to take your best wicket-takers.

Yeah I definitely agree, but I don't think the selectors will see it that way. The myth is more important.