*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

Didn't think I'd ever say this, but if Australia are looking to pull the trigger and take 20 wickets at any cost, the best option is Jason Krejza.

Agreed.

[TumTum]

He went for 1/200 iirc at Perth last time.

[benchmark00]

What's your point?

The issue is that out of all spinners currently available in domestic cricket, he probably has the best 'big haul' potential.

Considering Australia's pacemen are impotent (in this current line up) but able to bowl relatively economical if instructed to, Krejza could be used as an out and out attacking option, which they didn't want him to do when he was selected first time around.

[Spark]

Eh, I don't know about that. England have been scoring at quite a lick all series, tying them down is the one thing we simply haven't been able to do.

Well, apart from taking wickets, that is.

[Redbacks]

Watto
Katich
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
North (home farewell test)
Haddin
Johnson (and tell him we are playing RSA and to picture Graham Smith before bowling to any left hander)
Harris
Siddle
Dougeh!

[TumTum]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

What's your point?

Point is it kinda doesn't matter who we choose as our spinner, if the pitch is flat and the batsman play sensibly, the spinners will get clobbered either way.

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by Spark

Eh, I don't know about that. England have been scoring at quite a lick all series, tying them down is the one thing we simply haven't been able to do.

Well, apart from taking wickets, that is.

I will re-quote a section of my post:

Considering Australia's pacemen are impotent (in this current line up) but able to bowl relatively economical if instructed to

The pace bowlers in this series have had to play a more attacking brand of cricket due to the non-penetrating nature of the spin options.

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by TumTum

Point is it kinda doesn't matter who we choose as our spinner, if the pitch is flat and the batsman play sensibly, the spinners will get clobbered either way.

This shows a disappointing lack of insight into slow bowling.

Obviously a spin bowler is aided when the pitch is taking alot of turn, but the pitch has absolutely nothing to do with flight, drift and pace through the air. Doherty is poor in all these aspects, in particular speed through the air. Krejza bowls a slower ball, with a higher trajectory through the air. It's conducive to going for alot of runs, but also able to take alot of wickets.

[TumTum]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

This shows a disappointing lack of insight into slow bowling.

Obviously a spin bowler is aided when the pitch is taking alot of turn, but the pitch has absolutely nothing to do with flight, drift and pace through the air. Doherty is poor in all these aspects, in particular speed through the air. Krejza bowls a slower ball, with a higher trajectory through the air. It's conducive to going for alot of runs, but also able to take alot of wickets.

Yeah Doherty is a poor bowler, but just because Krezja bowls in an attacking style doesn't mean he is going to get the wickets. Krezja was played easily in Perth last time where the pitch was flat and SA batsman in good form. England's batting atm is arguably better than SA's. All in all Krezja's selection is not going to help.

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by TumTum

Yeah Doherty is a poor bowler, but just because Krezja bowls in an attacking style doesn't mean he is going to get the wickets. Krezja was played easily in Perth last time where the pitch was flat and SA batsman in good form. England's batting atm is arguably better than SA's. All in all Krezja's selection is not going to help.

So your alternative is what exactly? Just stick with what we've got in the hope it turns around?

[flibbertyjibber]

Think you guys are getting ahead of yourselves a bit, still got plenty to play for in the 2nd test and could easily still be 0-0 on day 1 at Perth.

At least wait to see if the players in the 2nd test put up much of a fight before changing the whole team.

[Pup Clarke]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

So your alternative is what exactly? Just stick with what we've got in the hope it turns around?

Here's a radical idea...don't play a specialist spinner.

[TumTum]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

So your alternative is what exactly? Just stick with what we've got in the hope it turns around?

I really can't be ****ed with who we pick tbh. But Doherty certainly has to go (his fielding has annoyed me the most).

[benchmark00]

Originally Posted by flibbertyjibber

Think you guys are getting ahead of yourselves a bit, still got plenty to play for in the 2nd test and could easily still be 0-0 on day 1 at Perth.

At least wait to see if the players in the 2nd test put up much of a fight before changing the whole team.

That's not the issue though, Australia have to win the series to reagain the Ashes, a drawn series is not good enough. Sooner or later the selectors are going to have to select a team which gives Australia the best chance to secure twenty English wickets.

[Ruckus]

Originally Posted by benchmark00

So your alternative is what exactly? Just stick with what we've got in the hope it turns around?

Pretty much this. A bowling attack of Harris, Siddle and Bollinger shouldn't be impotent. These guys are quality bowlers, and hopefully the WACA will give them something more to work with. If the English batsmen continue their domination, then you have to simply yield, and admit sometimes there isn't much you can do.