1st ODI Australia v Pakistan, November 4 1400hrs @ the MCG

[PhatBoy]

It just kind of shows that the runfests which comprise most of cricket these days aren't the sort of contests people like watching. Give me a deck which lets the bowlers in a bit and that'll produce an interesting match, whether we're talking T20 or ODI's or a test match.

And no, a low and slow deck with most of the runs scored through third man or via deflections in which players who want to attack are penalised is not a good deck. It just creates attritional cricket, which bores any particular audience.

I'm looking at you, England, when I say this. If you produce the sort of deck Ian Bell or Al Cook could bat forever on, that's boring for the majority of cricket fans. A fast deck with regular bounce; a turning deck with consistency; a green deck with good movement in the air for ODI's ant T20's; something more challenging for tests, and you'll see a lot more interest in those formats again.

Agree bar one point: Bell by the end of his career was a joy to watch IMO

 

[Gethelred]

Agree bar one point: Bell by the end of his career was a joy to watch IMO

I had a lot of time for Ian Bell, but his preferred surface was one of the most boring surfaces imaginable. However deft and delicate his strokeplay behind square either side of the wicket he was, those surfaces were the bane of positive cricket and favoured attritional approaches.

 

[010203]

Pat Cummins Captain Climate is Captain Clutch.

 

[Nuggetz]

flipping cummins. Too good again.

 

[western royboy]

He is struggling as he does not know his position...up and down the batting order....he is a part time bowler but the selectors want to make him into a genuine all rounder..he is a batter firs IMO

If he’s a batter first then what was that?

Better players have had NTBS put against their name for less in the past compared to what he and JFM did last night.

 

[Tugga27]

He is struggling as he does not know his position...up and down the batting order....he is a part time bowler but the selectors want to make him into a genuine all rounder..he is a batter firs IMO

Sorry Westy, I'm not copping that.
Showed no match awareness at all.

Dreadful shot.

 

[Black Diamond]

The match awareness point is a good one. Only Smith batted responsibly. Inglis may have scarred a few but with unnecessary risks.

There was a time when the openers could have been trusted to try reaching the total themselves.