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The great paper innings

BoyBrumby

Englishman
In that circumstance, what should he have done? Should he have got out for 20, conceded his spot in the side and lost the Ashes anyway? That defeat was brought about by the entire batting line-up spontaneously combusting in the first dig.
LHC's point about parochialism is well made, but I think one has to acknowledge that Broad bowled an amazing spell in your first knock.

One that most observers, self included, didn't think he had in him.
 

Dan

Hall of Fame Member
LHC's point about parochialism is well made, but I think one has to acknowledge that Broad bowled an amazing spell in your first knock.

One that most observers, self included, didn't think he had in him.
Fair enough, I didn't realise that was a Broad spell of epic proportions. 2009 was a while ago and I can't say I saw it live, so going off Cricinfo scorecards (combined with my prevailing cynicism regarding our batting line-up), and my utter hatred for Broad probably combined to make me assume it was a collapse. Which, in turn, basically makes me look like a complete idiot for that post.

I blame Stuart Broad. WAC.
 

Adders

Cricketer Of The Year
utter hatred for Broad probably combined to make me assume it was a collapse. Which, in turn, basically makes me look like a complete idiot for that post.

I blame Stuart Broad. WAC.
And this is why I love him, if Broad never takes another test wicket I will forever be grateful to him for making so many Aussies feel like that :p
 

the big bambino

International Captain
In that circumstance, what should he have done? Should he have got out for 20, conceded his spot in the side and lost the Ashes anyway? That defeat was brought about by the entire batting line-up spontaneously combusting in the first dig.
It showed the man batted for himself and **** the team.
 

Dan

Hall of Fame Member
And this is why I love him, if Broad never takes another test wicket I will forever be grateful to him for making so many Aussies feel like that :p
TBF I'm not one for rampant nationalism when it comes to sport. I don't dislike Broad because I'm Australian and he took poles in that spell, I dislike Broad because he comes across as an absolute **** of a human being. Like Glenn Maxwell

Although ironically enough I don't mind Graeme Swann, who I'm sure many would consider similar in that respect.

It showed the man batted for himself and **** the team.
So in that situation, what would have shown him not to be selfish, and not '****ed' the team? 400* off 200 balls to win the match while the rest of the batsmen crumbled around him because Stuart Broad decided he had learned how to bowl that game (apparently).

Look, you can argue that Hussey was in **** form and deserved to be dropped. You can argue he was a selfish prick if you so desire (I wholeheartedly disagree, but that doesn't magically remove your right to an opinion), but I do not see how him making that ton shows him to be selfish.

I don't think he ever actively wanted to get dismissed cheaply in the Ashes, only to suddenly decide he would make runs in a lost cause.
 

Jarquis

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
For the Oval spell, Clarke's shot was a bit gash but the others were decent balls. The one to get Haddin was a beauty. Though trying to flick full outswingers on offstump through midwicket isn't a brilliant ploy.
 

the big bambino

International Captain
So in that situation, what would have shown him not to be selfish, and not '****ed' the team? 400* off 200 balls to win the match while the rest of the batsmen crumbled around him because Stuart Broad decided he had learned how to bowl that game (apparently).

Look, you can argue that Hussey was in **** form and deserved to be dropped. You can argue he was a selfish prick if you so desire (I wholeheartedly disagree, but that doesn't magically remove your right to an opinion), but I do not see how him making that ton shows him to be selfish.

I don't think he ever actively wanted to get dismissed cheaply in the Ashes, only to suddenly decide he would make runs in a lost cause.
Look; it wouldn't have made up for the loss but some compensation if he got a duck and was finally dropped like he should have been ages before.

The team carried him for the longest time. But when his position was under the gun then whey hey hey! Look at me ton up. Then look at how he repays loyalty with his retirement notice...

Selfish prick. Paper innings. Which is what this thread is about right? Well this Hussey gem qualifies.
 

Cabinet96

Global Moderator
It showed the man batted for himself and **** the team.
So him failing and getting dropped wouldn't qualify as him being selfish? Well, if performing and saving your career when you probably should've been dropped, then there have been a lot of incredibly selfish players over the years.

I mean seriously, what did you expect him to do?

For the Oval spell, Clarke's shot was a bit gash but the others were decent balls. The one to get Haddin was a beauty. Though trying to flick full outswingers on offstump through midwicket isn't a brilliant ploy.
Did get drawn into playing away from his body because of the swing, at good pace, as well though. Reminds me of Hussey's dismissal to Bresnan at the MCG in that respect. And of course, with both dismissals the scrutiny and intensity the batting side was under because of the quality of bowling on show was immense.
 

Jarquis

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
It swung but it was already a good foot and a half outside off to begin with. Just leave it alone.
 

Top_Cat

Request Your Custom Title Now!
All too easy from the sheds, isn't it? Speaking of playing the game on paper. And bagging Haddin for playing across the line to a swinging ball at pace? ****'s just different > 80mph, the decision to play one way isn't so easily reversed and you can look like a nitwit.
 
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the big bambino

International Captain
So him failing and getting dropped wouldn't qualify as him being selfish? Well, if performing and saving your career when you probably should've been dropped, then there have been a lot of incredibly selfish players over the years.

I mean seriously, what did you expect him to do?
I am just saying that it would have been good if Hussey was dropped after that test. That he wasn't meant no good thing came out of it. It meant that a bloke who couldn't score a run to save his team always managed to do it to save his hide. Well that's not much of a player is it? It was a rat of an innings. And definitely a paper one as well.

I think it qualifies for this thread and on reflection I'm sure you do too.
 

Pothas

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Yeah all those great Australian batsmen deprived of a place in the side becaue of selfish Mike Hussey....
 

KungFu_Kallis

International 12th Man
Bore off. Huss is the man. And always been a team man.

Not you Pothas I know you weren't srs :cool:
 
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KungFu_Kallis

International 12th Man
Fair enough, I didn't realise that was a Broad spell of epic proportions. 2009 was a while ago and I can't say I saw it live, so going off Cricinfo scorecards (combined with my prevailing cynicism regarding our batting line-up), and my utter hatred for Broad probably combined to make me assume it was a collapse. Which, in turn, basically makes me look like a complete idiot for that post.

I blame Stuart Broad. WAC.
But on the other hand this is pure gold :laugh:
 

the big bambino

International Captain
Geez you Hussey fanbois...

Point isn't that he kept great batsmen out. If he isn't scoring runs he should be dropped. Thats fair. With idea of firing him up to get his spot back. You know; in the time honoured way. Remember that?

But atleast we agree it was a paper innings. No one is disputing is that right?
 

KungFu_Kallis

International 12th Man
I vote Matthew Hayden in the 5th Test Ashes 2005. Took nearly 2 days to score his ton to save his place whilst accepting the offer of bad light a couple of times even though Aus were something like 250/1 and desperately needed quick runs to give enough time to bowl England out and retain the Ashes. To me that's a much better (worse) example. Because unlike Hussey he probably harmed the team's chances beyond a certain point whilst batting for himself.

Oh wait someone's already inb4'd me :ph34r:
 
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Dan

Hall of Fame Member
A ton that did nothing for the team? Yeah. There's hundreds of those around. One could argue any hundred scored in a lost cause is a 'paper innings'.

But I don't think it quite fits the spirit of the thread - innings that actively hurt the team's chance of winning that game.


My last word on the Hussey issue - I'd still rather an out-of-form, 50+ averaging Hussey than playing Phil Hughes as a middle order batsman, picking Andrew McDonald as a specialist bat (since he was the only other alternative on tour, IIRC), or pulling someone from the County circuit at short notice. Form is temporary, class is permanent and all that.
 

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