We won the series 2-1 and Swann bowled us to victory in two.
He was poor the other three, no arguments. But I think his overall career thus far tells us who the best spinner is.
Originally Posted by Axl Rose
RIP Craigos. A true CW legend. You will be missed.
The only time that Swann had an effect on the game was when Australia were chasing super-unlikely targets. He was a contributor, but not that vital in determining the series.
Yeah, have said it before he'd be bloody tough to face in a pressure situation but he seems to retreat to ultra defense quite quickly when the conditions don't suit or the batters don't look troubled.
Everyone remembers Jimmy's & Monty's glorious last wicket stand, but really it wasn't a game we should've got as close to losing as we did. I remember most Aussies at the time being fairly convinced it'd be a safe draw when we started our second innings.
Think Nath said earlier in the thread (or it might be in aussie's "Hauritz is a ****" thread) that his figures did flatter him slightly and that's def true of Cardiff. Was tidy but (if memory serves) in the first innings he got KP trying to sweep a ball that pitched 18 inches outside off to the leg side and two tailenders on the mow.
Cricket Web's current Premier League Tipping Champion
- As featured in The Independent.
"Like queuing at the post office, or a cardboard cup of weak milky tea there is a quality of slightly clichéd but still beautifully reassuring Englishness about watching Cook bat"
- Barney Ronay
2nd innings, wasn't it? Was doing a little on day five from memory I think. Doogie bowled well without ever really threatening to run through us. I remember being distinctly chuffed that Punter went for two overs of spin from him & North right at the end rather than one of pace from (probably) Hilfy.
TBF to Hauritz he pushed it wide when he saw KP get down for the shot. The pitch map made that blindingly obvious, it was a foot wider than anything he'd bowled that day. Gotta give him credit for that one.
I agree that Hauritz's figures for the series flatter him somewhat while Swann's are a bit harsher than they should be, but Hauritz was definitely the better spinner in that series nevertheless.
Needless to say, Swann's miles better in general.
Didn't domiante him a la Lara 2001. But his 86 in partnership with Langer @ Colombo, he played Murali excellently. He played Murali that day as competently as Thorpe did in 01/02 & 03/04.
While of course Katich was excellent vs Kumble/Harbhajan in IND 04 & 08. Plus his batting vs Kumble @ SCG 04 turner saved AUS from losing @ home to IND in that series.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)