Player Ratings - As We Go By...

[Spark]

Watson - 8. Outstanding knock second dig. Not too fussed about him not getting a hundred
Hughes - 2. Form, technique, whatever, he didn't look the part today
Ponting - 4. Bad with the bat - very bad - but captaincy deserves a few points.
Clarke - 3. Not good
Hussey - 9. Gun.
Smith - 4. Up for the fight.
Haddin - 6. Fighting 50 1st dig but threw it away.
Johnson - 9.5. Wow.
Harris - 9. Matchwinning performance in any other match. Outstanding fast bowling.
Siddle - 6. His batting first innings was really good, and bowled OK
Hilf - 5. Was OK. Kept it tight.

Strauss - 5 - Meh. Very meh performance.
Cook - 4. A few old demons came to light here.
Trott - 3.5. Not much one can say, other than he didn't look the player of the previous three Ashes tests.
Pietersen - 1. God almighty. At least he didn't drop a catch.
Collingwood - 2. No way he should bat above Bell. No way.
Bell - 6. Left stranded first dig but not a brilliant effort second.
Prior - 5. Scrapes a 5 with his glovework which was outstanding.
Swann - 4. Underbowled second dig. Bowled well first dig.
Tremlett - 8.5. Bowled really well.
Anderson - 7. Bowled tight but didn't look that threatening
Finn - 6. Lot of wickets, loooot of runs.

 

[morgieb]

Series to date rankings....

Watson - 7.5
Katich - 6
Hughes - 2
Ponting - 3
Clarke - 3.5
Hussey - 9.5
North - 3
Smith - 4
Haddin - 7.5
Johnson - 7
Harris - 8
Doherty - 2
Bollinger - 2
Siddle - 6
Hilfenhaus - 4

Strauss - 6
Cook - 8.5
Trott - 8
Pietersen - 8
Collingwood - 4
Bell - 8
Prior - 6.5
Swann - 7
Broad - 4
Tremlett - 8.5
Anderson - 8
Finn - 6

 

[Spark]

Is that on the fly or averaged?

 

[morgieb]

Is that on the fly or averaged?

Define what you mean by "on the fly"?

Probably the former. Wasn't averaged.

 

[vcs]

Finn should get a lot poorer ratings, picks up (cheap) wickets but his habit of leaking runs through short-pitched bowling was very, very crucial to Australia getting the upper hand in this game. All four Australian bowlers were pretty tight even when they weren't getting wickets, Finn was all over the place and a big liability in a low-scoring game.

 

[Kylez]

Perth

Australia

Watson - 8. Very important 2nd innings knock.
Hughes - 1.5. Looked shaky at the crease and also looked to have the same technical issues with his batting. Few fielding errors as well.
Ponting - 4. Batting wasn't up to standard but his captaincy was better this game. The bowling changes were spot on.
Clarke - 3. Not good enough.
Hussey - 9.5. Brillant
Smith - 5.5. Batting was average but his fielding and ethusiasm were fantastic.
Haddin - 7. Solid
Johnson - 10. MOTM, awsome.
Harris - 8.5. Bowled well all match.
Siddle - 6. Bowled alright but his fielding and batting effort were solid.
Hilfenhaus - 5. Wasn't threatening but he did a job for the team.


England

Strauss - 5. Batting reasonably well in the first innings. Captaincy was't great though it has to be said.
Cook - 5. Not the best game.
Trott - 3.5. Ordinary
KP - 1 Pathetic game for KP.
Collingwood - 2. Looked all over the shop at the crease. Bowled better then he batted.
Bell - 6. Solid effort
Prior - 4. Batted wasn't up to scratch and looks to have a problem with the short ball. Keeping was great though.
Swann - 5. Bowled okay in some spells and poor in others. Strauss should of bowled Swann more though.
Tremlett - 8. Came in for his ashes debut and bowled very well on the big occasion.
Anderson - 7. Keeps bowling nicely without the stats to show it. Can't keep using this as an excuse though
Finn - 5.5. 80% dross bowling, 20% good bowling.

 

[morgieb]

Finn should get a lot poorer ratings, picks up (cheap) wickets but his habit of leaking runs through short-pitched bowling was very, very crucial to Australia getting the upper hand in this game. All four Australian bowlers were pretty tight even when they weren't getting wickets, Finn was all over the place and a big liability in a low-scoring game.

Agreed, but at least he gets wickets, so I can't fail him that hard.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Australia

Watson 7 - Vital knock 2nd innings.
Hughes 1 - Technique exposed once more.
Ponting 4 - Gets most for his captaincy and the parry to Haddin, woefully out of form with bat.
Clarke 2 - Totally out of nick.
Hussey 10 - In brilliant nick and doesn't look like not scoring heavily.
Smith 4 - Plays some nice shots but gets out sloppily.
Haddin 6 - Another steady game from him.
Johnson 10 - Brilliant comeback from the mercurial Aussie talisman.
Harris 9 - Barged open the door placed ajar by Johnson to win game.
Siddle 6 - Honest trier and steady lower order batting.
Hifenhaus 5 - Didn't threaten but kept it tight.

England

Strauss 0 - Won toss sent them in and lost. Enough said.
Cook 2 - Was due a failure, but 2 sloppy dismissals.
Trott 2 - Lucky to get that.
Pietersen 0 - 2 failures says it all.
Collingwood 1 - Got a wicket but totally out of form.
Bell 7 - Looks the class act bat in the side. Must move to 5 for Melbourne.
Prior 6 - Undone by short ball, kept very well though.
Swann 1 -poor game from him, pitch didn't suit.
Tremlett 9 - Brilliant return, can he do it again though.
Anderson 6 - Bowled well but didn't get wickets.
Finn 4 - Was unsure whether to give him 4 or 6, gets wickets but is too expensive.

 

[NUFAN]

Haha so harsh on Strauss for getting a 0 after scoring a half century in the first innings!

 

[GotSpin]

Haha so harsh on Strauss for getting a 0 after scoring a half century in the first innings!

His captaincy was rubbish

 

[zaremba]

English poster ratings after two Tests:

BoyBrumby - 6. Does ok for himself despite the obvious handicap.
flibbertyjibber - 4. Jesus weeps after every post.
Marcuss - 2. Usually good value, but the decline has been sudden and quite noticeable. Might be terminal.
Goughy - 7. Gets the highest rating for being a self-hating pom.
marc71178 - 1. Improving.
zaremba - 3. Consistent drivel for two Ashes series now. Impressive.
four_or_six - 5. Will you still need Watto when he's 64?
Jamee999 - 3. Goes missing when England do poorly and then suddenly he's back when they do well. The ultimate bandwagon fan.
GIMH - 0. Oxygen thief.

haha, ****face.

 

[Goughy]

a) The call can come earlier from the batsman himself.
b) The batsman on strike has more information to make the call.
c) Lessens confusion, in working out when it is the striker/non-striker's call.

I agree with you on most things with coaching, but looks like we'll have to sit on opposite sides of the fence for this one.

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

 

[Jarquis]

Hughes should've sat on his bat tbf.

 

[Goughy]

Hughes should've sat on his bat tbf.

Absolutely but that doesnt fit in with the Australain 'striker calls and the non-striker runs' philosophy.

IMO, sit on yout bat, shout 'No!' and let the **** run himself out if he wants to play silly beggars.

 

[Spark]

Skull brought up an interesting point on comms yesterday. Suggested that because Watson tends to hold the pose after hitting the ball, the batsman at the other end sees it and instinctively feels as if he won't run, so hesitates.

 

[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.