Cricket

[Streak]

Who is our dedicated ball polisher?
Cook does it for the Poms and his efforts seem to give their bowlers an advantage over ours.

This is a concern to me. I saw a close up of the ball after about 38 overs, and the damage to one side of it was bordering on unbelieveable. Unfortunately to me, and I have played cricket for some time although not at a high level, the ball looked to have unusual marks on it. Not your typical abrasive scuffs anyway.

I sincerely hope for the good of the game that the English are not doing another 'particular brand of mint' thing with the ball.

 

[Streak]

Credit to Paul Collingwood (never thought I'd see those two words put together on this site ).
He knows when to call time. Let's hope some of the Australians follow his lead.

Yes. Collingwood gave a great interview at the close of play today about his decision.

Good on him.

 

[Streak]

Interesting call. He has certainly had a disappointing final two tests.
Can't see both Punter and Mr Cricket surviving this series.
Let alone Hughes & Clarke!

Hughes will until Katich recovers.

Even then, I think you will see Watson pushed down the order to take Hussey's spot and Hughes will stay as opener.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

A superb technician with both bat and ball. Catches everything that comes his way too. Ideal temperament. Has serious claims to be described as the second-greatest all-round cricketer ever. His numbers are very similar to Sobers, although I'm sure Sobers' batting strike rate would have been a fair bit higher. Nonetheless, a magnificent player: a bloke as hard to dismiss as Rahul Dravid, also capable of taking the pill and giving the best players a hurry-up. One of the best bowling actions I've ever seen. Bowls a lovely outswinger and a killer bouncer. And in 15 years at the top level I can't recall a single controversial incident or example of less than exemplary behaviour. A giant of the game who doesn't get the kudos he deserves.

Absolutely agree, especially the last bit.

 

[poppa x]

This is a concern to me. I saw a close up of the ball after about 38 overs, and the damage to one side of it was bordering on unbelieveable. Unfortunately to me, and I have played cricket for some time although not at a high level, the ball looked to have unusual marks on it. Not your typical abrasive scuffs anyway.

I sincerely hope for the good of the game that the English are not doing another 'particular brand of mint' thing with the ball.

Bryce McGain said this morning that the Vics polish the ball the way the Poms do. We have a dedicated polisher - some-one with dry hands. When he played his Test he said the bowlers from different States all had different ideas on how to look after the ball. As a result, they couldn't agree and they just gave it a bit of a random polish with no ball strategy in mind. He said the Victorian ball looks just like the Pommy ball after 30 or so overs and our Vic bowlers swing and seam it. He also confirmed Cook is the go to ball polisher for the Poms and probably because he doesn't sweat much.

Amazing how simple things can determine major outcomes eh? ??? ???

 

[IanG]

Bryce McGain said this morning that the Vics polish the ball the way the Poms do. We have a dedicated polisher - some-one with dry hands. When he played his Test he said the bowlers from different States all had different ideas on how to look after the ball. As a result, they couldn't agree and they just gave it a bit of a random polish with no ball strategy in mind. He said the Victorian ball looks just like the Pommy ball after 30 or so overs and our Vic bowlers swing and seam it. He also confirmed Cook is the go to ball polisher for the Poms and probably because he doesn't sweat much.

Yep thats exactly right they actually tested all players for how much they sweated. Sounds like the Vic bowling coach should be looked at for the Australian bowling coaching spot.

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

Bryce McGain said this morning that the Vics polish the ball the way the Poms do. We have a dedicated polisher - some-one with dry hands. When he played his Test he said the bowlers from different States all had different ideas on how to look after the ball. As a result, they couldn't agree and they just gave it a bit of a random polish with no ball strategy in mind. He said the Victorian ball looks just like the Pommy ball after 30 or so overs and our Vic bowlers swing and seam it. He also confirmed Cook is the go to ball polisher for the Poms and probably because he doesn't sweat much.

Amazing how simple things can determine major outcomes eh? ??? ???

In addition, as you previously posted poppa, when you have a guy like Johnson bowling, it it hard to keep one side of the ball shiny because he rarely hits the seam. The poms keep a good seam position which helps.

 

[IanG]

Raining in Sydney, if we'd just shown some more spine yesterday we might have been a chance to draw this.

 

[mb64]

Raining in Sydney, if we'd just shown some more spine yesterday we might have been a chance to draw this.

l thought the forecast was good

 

[mld]

If this weather keeps up, England may escape with a draw here.

 

[mb64]

If this weather keeps up, England may escape with a draw here.

Big call

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Reckon they've erred in not starting with Anderson, with his sideways movement.

 

[mb64]

Michael Clarke to quit as 20/20 game today apparently & no longer play the shorter form of the game.

 

[Leysy Days]

Bryce McGain said this morning that the Vics polish the ball the way the Poms do. We have a dedicated polisher - some-one with dry hands. When he played his Test he said the bowlers from different States all had different ideas on how to look after the ball. As a result, they couldn't agree and they just gave it a bit of a random polish with no ball strategy in mind. He said the Victorian ball looks just like the Pommy ball after 30 or so overs and our Vic bowlers swing and seam it. He also confirmed Cook is the go to ball polisher for the Poms and probably because he doesn't sweat much.

Amazing how simple things can determine major outcomes eh? ??? ???

In addition, as you previously posted poppa, when you have a guy like Johnson bowling, it it hard to keep one side of the ball shiny because he rarely hits the seam. The poms keep a good seam position which helps.

Good points there boys. England also have guys in there side that they will lot allow the ball to touch at all if it can be helped.

The way they get the ball scuffed so early there is certainly something in it.

Michael Clarke to quit as 20/20 game today apparently & no longer play the shorter form of the game.

Long overdue.

 

[mb64]

l was really looking forward to the Ashes,the series has been a massive disappointment with a woeful performance by Aussies.Time for a decent review with some must needed changes to be implemented on & off the field.

 

[spook]

Good points there boys. England also have guys in there side that they will lot allow the ball to touch at all if it can be helped.

The way they get the ball scuffed so early there is certainly something in it.

That's the thing. It's one thing to keep the shine on one side but how the hell do they get it looking like a dog's been gnawing on the other? The Aussies should have a camera trained on the ball at every moment, see if they can't pick up the secret. That or talk to the Vics.

 

[Big Cat Lover]

That's the thing. It's one thing to keep the shine on one side but how the hell do they get it looking like a dog's been gnawing on the other? The Aussies should have a camera trained on the ball at every moment, see if they can't pick up the secret. That or talk to the Vics.

Agree, very surprised they can get the ball to look so "bad" after 15 overs.

But surely the cameras would have picked up some sort of illegal action if there was one?

 

[mb64]

Agree, very surprised they can get the ball to look so "bad" after 15 overs.

But surely the cameras would have picked up some sort of illegal action if there was one?

You would think so

 

[Punxsutawney Phil]

That's the thing. It's one thing to keep the shine on one side but how the hell do they get it looking like a dog's been gnawing on the other? The Aussies should have a camera trained on the ball at every moment, see if they can't pick up the secret. That or talk to the Vics.

even when the ball isn't swinging, the Poms build up the pressure by bowling on one side of the wicket and keeping the ball in the channel. On the other hand, we spray it all over the place and are unable to build pressure for any length of time. england's bowling attack surprised me as to how good they actually are.

Even if our bowlers could swing it it would be less threatening than england because we don't bowl the ball in the right areas often enough.

 

[SfB_AkA._DeLiCiOuS]

Don't like it at all, They rub their hands on the pitch then the ball to scuff it up.