*Official* Fourth Test at the MCG

[Top_Cat]

Bresnan was the better bowler at Bellerive, in my view. Shahzad started with a bang but Bresnan was more consistently threatening. Would back him to be the most likely to trouble guys like Hussey on a pudding MCG where Shahzad might slide onto the bat at a good hitting pace.

[Burgey]

Whoever comes in, I'd be surprised if they don't do a decent job. They've all bowled reasonably on tour and england's squad this tour has been finely honed and well prepared.

Which ever way they go, I reckon the player will be cherry ripe.

[FBU]

Originally Posted by Spark

Anderson missing will be a huge blow though. Even when he hasn't got wickets he hasn't gone for many runs.

Most economical fast bowler this year

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/eng...2010;type=year

England officials have declared Anderson available for selection.

''He just had some stiffness in his side. He's had some treatment, it's responded well to treatment and we would expect him to play in the Boxing Day Test,'' an ECB spokesman said.

He said Anderson would not be given a fitness test before the match. ''That's not the plan at this stage,'' he said. ''The day before the match the guys' practice is their time, it's what they feel is necessary preparation for the match. Expect that to be no different this week.''

[JBH001]

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

No doubt in my mind Shahzad is already the better bowler. Not absolutely express, but possessed of the sort of Simon Jones/Shane Bond, slippery, swingy kind of pace. Bowls high 80s/low 90s regularly. Probably our quickest bowler in the squad. Not tall (well, as fast bowlers go) so bowls a wicket-to-wicket line and threatens the stumps a lot.

Reverses the old ball and shapes his deliveries nicely back into left handers before the ball leaves them; with Hussey proved a massive pain in the aris this could be crucial.

Thanks BB. Looks like England should remember that faint heart never won fair ashes and pick Shahzad.

[pasag]

CW meetup/beer after stumps on Sunday for anyone who is there? Thoughts?

[Redbacks]

Originally Posted by howardj

Just wondering if Greg Chappell is going to rest or rotate Harris or Johnson for this Test, considering his explanation for Johnson's Adelaide ommission. lol

Assuming he was telling the truth, they wouldn't need to rest them as Johnson's problems were biomechanical and rest was required to fix them.

[TumTum]

So does anybody have a clue about what the pitch will be like? The media are coming up with conflicting stories. Why wouldn't the curator make a lively pitch like the WACA though? Seems a bit strange.

[Top_Cat]

Many things influence pitch prep outside the control of the curator, basically.

[GotSpin]

Originally Posted by pasag

CW meetup/beer after stumps on Sunday for anyone who is there? Thoughts?

Beer it is

[howardj]

The all important weather forecast released four minutes ago.

Probably as good as you could expect down the Eastern seaboard this summer.

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Put another $100 on Aussie today @ $2.50 after making a tidy profit on them last match. I reckon the draw is a possible here, but still think the value is in Australia.

[Evilhoopler]

Mmmmmm, Aussies will have confidence going out of Perth, while the English batsmen do not look invincible anymore.

The Pitch is supposed to be slow, which the English would be used to I guess.

[Evilhoopler]

I think that they should replace Smith with Cam White, of topic, but thought I'd voice my opinion.

[GotSpin]

Originally Posted by Evilhoopler

I think that they should replace Smith with Cam White, of topic, but thought I'd voice my opinion.

Woeful idea

[Uppercut]

Originally Posted by HeathDavisSpeed

Put another $100 on Aussie today @ $2.50 after making a tidy profit on them last match. I reckon the draw is a possible here, but still think the value is in Australia.

Hmm. The only way I can see a draw is if the curator churns out an absolute prank-pitch that's like the Gabba was on day four from the very start. Both teams are bowling a lot better than they're batting at the moment.