Player Ratings - As We Go By...

[vic_orthdox]

Im sure you were waiting for this post but today was another example that showed this is a bad policy. Hits ball to cover and calls partner for a suicide run while heading away from the danger end.

It really is a case of people over thinking the game and adding a strategy that is a downgrade and ignores common sense.

Utterly bizzare coaching strategy to put your wicket in the hands of someone else who is putting you in far greater danger than themselves. It is difficult for them to properly assess the the differing risks for both batsmen at the same time. Far better for each to assess their own risk and make a decision. Especially when careers are on the line. Watson running out Hughes could impact his entire career just because of a 3nd rate idea, that someone trying to be overly clever came up with, that the striker always calls.

A case of over thinking the game with negative consequences. I honestly cannot fathom the logic.

Anyway, thank you Watson for making this relevant again

You raise fair points, and I guess on occassions there will be times when you get burnt by your partner. However:

a) it doesn't mean that Hughes can't say "No".
b) does it suddenly become Watson's call if he hits it to the right hand side of Trott, so that Trott is moving towards the bowler's end?

To be fair, I think that the theory was more devised in the Bob Simpson era based on one day cricket, and the emphasis placed upon stealing as many singles as you can.

[GIMH]

Melbourne

Winners

Strauss 7 - decent innings, captained us to another innings win
Cook 7.5 - set the tone well at the top
Trott 10. - second only to Bradman, enough said
Pietersen 7 - decent innings, not out wound chimpy up and got booed by the filth when he passed fifty
Collingwood 1 - not having a good series but is awesome at the sprinkler
Bell 1 - had a good chance for a long one and blew it
Prior 7 - should have tonned up, missed one good chance, otherwise fine
Bresnan 9 - better than anyone expected, excellent
Swann 6 - excellent on day four, got tonked yesterday
Tremlett 9 - world-class
Anderson 9 - world-class

Losers

Twatto 3 - ok second dig but involved in another run out. Disgraceful first dig
Hughes 1 - worst batsman ever to play test cricket
Chimp 0 - no runs of note and lost the plot. Move along.
Clarke 1 - embarassing
Hussey 1 - like buses, wait all series for a hussey failure and two come along at one
Smith 2 - second worst batsman ever to play test cricket
Haddin 5 - resistance but too late
Johnson 4 - oh he was playing was he? He's better than Anderson though
Harris N/A
Siddle 8 - Crims' best player in this one
Hilfenhaus 3 - nice bloke

[Howe_zat]

Series so far 1st to 4th Test (in order of appearance)

Hilfenhaus 3 - Indeed, nice bloke.
Strauss 6 - Inconsistent batting - don't forget that Gabba duck & hundred - but extra points for captaincy.
Trott 8 - Is not bothered by your sledging or your bowling.
Siddle 7 - Thoroughly deserves his wickets, or lack thereof at Adelaide.
Cook 9 - The secret is the guyliner.
Johnson 5 - Set to "random".
Watson 7 - Potentially excellent bat, still not an opener.
Pietersen 8- Kicking the slow-left-armer when he's down.
Doherty 1 - Kicked.
Collingwood 2 - Ian Bell's nightwatchman.
Bell 7 - NuBell at least makes good-looking 70s rather than good-looking 30s.
Prior 6 - A mixed bag of batting, extra points for keeping.
Broad 4 - Bowled well but not that effectively. Will be dissapointed witht the bat.
Swann 7 - Hasn't been the key weapon, hasn't needed to be.
Anderson 8 - "The ball doesn't swing in Australia" - it does what Jimmy wants it to.
Finn 5 - Inconsisent, could perhaps dowith another season in county cricket.
Katich 4 - Steady, unimpressive, injured.
Ponting 2 - Possibly gone insane.
Clarke 3 - Will presumably remember how to bat at some point.
Hussey 9 - Tough son of a bitch.
North 3 - Australia's best spinner.
Haddin 7 - Can bat, and bat well. Loses a point for braindeath at MCG.
Harris 7 - Fine effort. Wish him the best.
Bollinger 1 - Rough outside off meant he took more Aussie wickets than English ones.
Tremlett 8 - Has won over CW.
Hughes 2 - Space occupier.
Smith 2 - Like North, a spinner that should bat at 8. And be replaced by a seamer.
Bresnan 8 - Told 'em reet an' proper.

[Jacknife]

Series so far 1st to 4th Test (in order of appearance)

Hilfenhaus 3 - Indeed, nice bloke.
Strauss 6 - Inconsistent batting - don't forget that Gabba duck & hundred - but extra points for captaincy.
Trott 8 - Is not bothered by your sledging or your bowling.
Siddle 7 - Thoroughly deserves his wickets, or lack thereof at Adelaide.
Cook 9 - The secret is the guyliner.
Johnson 5 - Set to "random".
Watson 7 - Potentially excellent bat, still not an opener.
Pietersen 8- Kicking the slow-left-armer when he's down.
Doherty 1 - Kicked.
Collingwood 2 - Ian Bell's nightwatchman.
Bell 7 - NuBell at least makes good-looking 70s rather than good-looking 30s.
Prior 6 - A mixed bag of batting, extra points for keeping.
Broad 4 - Bowled well but not that effectively. Will be dissapointed witht the bat.
Anderson 8 - "The ball doesn't swing in Australia" - it does what Jimmy wants it to.
Finn 5 - Inconsisent, could perhaps dowith another season in county cricket.
Katich 4 - Steady, unimpressive, injured.
Ponting 2 - Possibly gone insane.
Clarke 3 - Will presumably remember how to bat at some point.
Hussey 9 - Tough son of a bitch.
North 3 - Australia's best spinner.
Haddin 7 - Can bat, and bat well. Loses a point for braindeath at MCG.
Harris 7 - Fine effort. Wish him the best.
Bollinger 1 - Rough outside off meant he took more Aussie wickets than English ones.
Tremlett 8 - Has won over CW.
Hughes 2 - Space occupier.
Smith 2 - Like North, a spinner that should bat at 8. And be replaced by a seamer.
Bresnan 8 - Told 'em reet an' proper.

Wot no Swanny.

[Jacknife]

Melbourne

Winners

Strauss 7 - decent innings, captained us to another innings win
Cook 7.5 - set the tone well at the top
Trott 10. - second only to Bradman, enough said
Pietersen 7 - decent innings, not out wound chimpy up and got booed by the filth when he passed fifty
Collingwood 1 - not having a good series but is awesome at the sprinkler
Bell 1 - had a good chance for a long one and blew it
Prior 7 - should have tonned up, missed one good chance, otherwise fine
Bresnan 9 - better than anyone expected, excellent
Swann 6 - excellent on day four, got tonked yesterday
Tremlett 9 - world-class
Anderson 9 - world-class

Losers

Twatto 3 - ok second dig but involved in another run out. Disgraceful first dig
Hughes 1 - worst batsman ever to play test cricket
Chimp 0 - no runs of note and lost the plot. Move along.
Clarke 1 - embarassing
Hussey 1 - like buses, wait all series for a hussey failure and two come along at one
Smith 2 - second worst batsman ever to play test cricket
Haddin 5 - resistance but too late
Johnson 4 - oh he was playing was he? He's better than Anderson though
Harris N/A
Siddle 8 - Crims' best player in this one
Hilfenhaus 3 - nice bloke

A bit mean giving a 6 to Swanny, even though he went for a few yesterday,he still bowled beautifully and should have had both batsmen if the catches had been taken, especially considering he didn't have much spin to work with.

[GIMH]

True.

Let's upgrafe it to a 10

[Howe_zat]

Wot no Swanny.

Don't know what you mean

[flibbertyjibber]

Cook 7 - Another good knock to get England's batting off to a flyer.
Strauss 8 - Good knock and good captaincy.
Trott 10 - Wonderful innings and run out too.
Pietersen 8 - Only low point was the drop on day 1. Gets extra point for winding up Ponting
Collingwood 3 - Gets this for his catching, woefully out of form but not needed.
Bell 2 - Poor game but wasn't needed.
Prior 8 - Kept ok and solid innings.
Bresnan 10 - Awesome return to the side, destroyed the Aussie 2nd innings with inspired burst.
Swann 7 - Bowled steadily and tied an end down well.
Tremlett 9 - Again bowled well, looks a real asset to team.
Anderson 9 - Brilliant yet again.


Watson 4 - Got a 50 but brainfart cost side a runout.
Hughes 2 - Out of depth but unlucky 2nd innings dismissal.
Ponting 2 - So out of form and lost plot here under pressure.
Clarke 2 - Another out of form player had another shocker.
Hussey 1 - He fails, so does team.
Smith 3 - Showed a bit of fight and didn't bowl too badly.
Haddin 6 - One of the few to stand up and even try.
Johnson 1 - Dr Jekyll turns up again.
Harris 1 - Unluckily injured but wasn't bowling well before anyway.
Siddle 9 - Brilliant game for him, one man attack this test.
Hilfenhaus 1 - Been huge letdown and was no better here.

[Furball]

Hilfenhaus 3 - nice bloke

[Uppercut]

I'd give Siddle a 10. It's one thing to perform like that when your side's on top but doing it when you're losing the Ashes in the Boxing Day test in front of your home crowd is just something else. WAFG. Absolute hero.

[Furball]

I'd give Siddle a 10. It's one thing to perform like that when your side's on top but doing it when you're losing the Ashes in the Boxing Day test in front of your home crowd is just something else. WAFG. Absolute hero.

I loved how furious and annoyed he looked at getting out in the 2nd innings, as if his dismissal was of any consequence whatsoever.

Like I said in the match thread, I hate the ****, but dammit, I respect the guy.

[zaremba]

Series so far 1st to 4th Test (in order of appearance)

Hilfenhaus 3 - Indeed, nice bloke.
Strauss 6 - Inconsistent batting - don't forget that Gabba duck & hundred - but extra points for captaincy.
Trott 8 - Is not bothered by your sledging or your bowling.
Siddle 7 - Thoroughly deserves his wickets, or lack thereof at Adelaide.
Cook 9 - The secret is the guyliner.
Johnson 5 - Set to "random".
Watson 7 - Potentially excellent bat, still not an opener.
Pietersen 8- Kicking the slow-left-armer when he's down.
Doherty 1 - Kicked.
Collingwood 2 - Ian Bell's nightwatchman.
Bell 7 - NuBell at least makes good-looking 70s rather than good-looking 30s.
Prior 6 - A mixed bag of batting, extra points for keeping.
Broad 4 - Bowled well but not that effectively. Will be dissapointed witht the bat.
Swann 7 - Hasn't been the key weapon, hasn't needed to be.
Anderson 8 - "The ball doesn't swing in Australia" - it does what Jimmy wants it to.
Finn 5 - Inconsisent, could perhaps dowith another season in county cricket.
Katich 4 - Steady, unimpressive, injured.
Ponting 2 - Possibly gone insane.
Clarke 3 - Will presumably remember how to bat at some point.
Hussey 9 - Tough son of a bitch.
North 3 - Australia's best spinner.
Haddin 7 - Can bat, and bat well. Loses a point for braindeath at MCG.
Harris 7 - Fine effort. Wish him the best.
Bollinger 1 - Rough outside off meant he took more Aussie wickets than English ones.
Tremlett 8 - Has won over CW.
Hughes 2 - Space occupier.
Smith 2 - Like North, a spinner that should bat at 8. And be replaced by a seamer.
Bresnan 8 - Told 'em reet an' proper.

Class - especially the order you've arranged them in

[morgieb]

Overall results (although these might change if something special happens).....

Australia

Watson 6.5 - Was consistent at best, played a crucial role in Perth, but lacked the ability to go on.....
Katich 5 - Got injured before really taking off. Was OK before injury, but nothing really special.
Ponting 3 - His worst series ever? Proved that he was past it, despite a lot of his deliveries being to good balls.
Clarke 3.5 - Never did much either. Needs to move back down to #5....fast.
Hussey 9 - Excellent series, pretty much the only guy that stood up and proved his reputation. Changed the game in Perth, was awesome in Brisbane, but slowed down a bit later on.
North 2 - At least we won't see him again. Couldn't even go on with starts.
Haddin 7.5 - Was pretty damn good with the bat and probably our 2nd best bat after Hussey. Keeping was more troublesome but wasn't overly shocking either.
Johnson 5.5 - Won Perth single-handedly but was awful at Brisbane and not that much better at Perth and Sydney.
Doherty 1 - Worst player in a while to play for Australia? McGain was better than him, ffs.
Siddle 6.5 - Mix between the great and the ordinary. At least he produced 2 good performances unlike Johnson.....
Hilfenhaus 2 - Hardly took any wickets, bowled decent at times but was a massive liability also.
Bollinger 2 - Probably deserved to play more, but at Adelaide was pretty awful. Hard to rank but didn't do anything this series.
Harris 7.5 - Was awesome at Perth and at least didn't give up elsewhere - shame his ankle crapped out on him.....
Hughes 3 - Proved that his technique will never get him big scores at test level, which was what we desperately needed.
Smith 3.5 - Wasn't terrible, but like Hughes, his technique will never be that good at test level.
Khawaja 6 - Looked pretty good in the last test, but needed to get that big score to get us a test win.
Beer 4 - At least he was better than Doherty....but still isn't very good in my eyes.

England

Strauss 7 - Bizarrely inconsistent with the bat, was pretty damn good with the captaincy though.
Cook 10 - And here I was thinking he'd be dropped....had one of the best series by a English batsman ever.
Trott 8.5 - Was occasionally exploited by good bowling but in between played some excellent innings. Melbourne, much?
Pietersen 8 - OK, he wasn't much other than that double-century. Still, that alone deserves a high ranking.
Collingwood 3 - Time's up for him. Fortunately, it didn't matter that much for England.
Bell 8.5 - Played some excellent innings under pressure, but England's excellent batting meant that it didn't count for all that much.
Prior 6 - Great with the gloves, wasn't so much with the bat but the Melbourne innings stole the game away from Australia.
Broad 5.5 - Injuries meant that we didn't see the full side of him, bowled decently without luck when he did play.
Swann 7 - Bowled well when needed, but wasn't all that great. The important thing was that he didn't disgrace himself, and was good by spinner standards in Australia.
Anderson 9 - Sure, he wasn't great on paper, but he was still damn good regardless. Easily the best bowler on either side.
Finn 6 - Bowled strong regarding wickets, but wasn't that good with the ball I felt. Perhaps set up the platform for the Brisbane escape, however.
Tremlett 8.5 - Was superb when he played - only issue was that he lacked the big haul to support this (well Perth was, but England lost that game still).
Bresnan 8 - The big surprise. Thought he'd be cannon fodder but instead bowled very well.

Overall series 5 - Well, any series loss is a disappointment. Plus, no games were really that evenly balanced, apart from Brisbane (and even then, it was a mix of domination by both sides).