How important are runs from number 8?

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

I'm not sure to take advantage of what tbh. Ensuring a draw and not taking 20 wickets?

Yeah, surely on a flat pitch picking bowlers who can get anything out of the pitch is important?

 

[kyear2]

Yeah, surely on a flat pitch picking bowlers who can get anything out of the pitch is important?

I would think so.

 

[kyear2]

Yeah, surely on a flat pitch picking bowlers who can get anything out of the pitch is important?

This is where we get caught up in useless stats due to running up scores.

 

[Stefan9]

Depends on how strong the top 7. Runs from 8 should be a secondary concern but you don't want a bunny either.

 

[Coronis]

Which would you rather?

Knott+
Steyn
Ambrose
McGrath

Gilchrist+
Imran
Wasim
Lindwall

 

[TheJediBrah]

It's all relative to team balance and the bowling you've got. As an extreme example, I
if you're 4 best bowlers are all no. 11s but they are your best bowlers by a distance then your number 8 being able to score runs is irrelevant in comparison. Significantly weaking bowling for someone that might average an extra 10 runs at 8 would be bad selection

 

[the big bambino]

Hoggy at 8 was pretty funny though. 9, 10 and 11 were Dymock, Hurst and Higgs. In two innings they collectively scored 8 runs with Dymock making 6 of them in one innings but not one of them got a pair. They got all 20 wickets and gave Australia our only win that series.

 

[kyear2]

Which would you rather?

Knott+
Steyn
Ambrose
McGrath

Gilchrist+
Imran
Wasim
Lindwall

The first one.

Easily.

 

[Randomfan]

Which would you rather?

Knott+
Steyn
Ambrose
McGrath

Gilchrist+
Imran
Wasim
Lindwall

First set.

It has way more chance to pick 20 wickets in all kind of conditions and against all kinds of oppositions.