2nd Test Australia v West Indies Jan 25-29 1430hrs @ the Gabba

[Around the Wicket]

Its not even close with their bowling, we only really use marsh as a last resort but green gets used a legit 5th bowler when he is fit to bowl.

no he doesn't. he bowls a couple spells to give the bowlers a rest thats about it.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Are the Windies better than we thought, the Aussies worse than we thought, or is this just an anomaly that we can ignore?

We've looked weak all Summer against two sides that really shouldn't trouble the reigning WTC holder.

Green doesn't look ready to me. I wonder whether we should persist with him or go for a specialist batsmen instead. The batting allrounder spot is filled with a better alternative in Marsh. Labuschagne's form is concerning though his place isn't in danger. Our batsmen are doing just enough to keep their spots. Smith going big as opener is one of the few wins I'll take out of this Summer.

I'm not filled with a lot of confidence going into the NZ test series.

You'd have to lack all powers of observation if you haven't realised the Australian Test cricket team is on the wane. Cracks have been forming for some time, and for the team to achieve the success they have is a credit to them.

I do think this recent Test should serve as a warning to Cricket Australia that they are neglecting the Test team, but sadly it won't. I also feel there is an element of arrogance creeping into the team, highlighted by their haphazard approach to this Test. Trying hard not to detract from the West Indies win because it meant so much to them, but I can't help but think an attitude has crept into the team that no matter how many players are below their best, they can still manage to win. The 1st innings declaration when 22 runs behind just highlights my point. This happened after being thrashed in the 1st innings and being rescued by 60s from Carey and Cummins.

I'm worried several players have developed an attitude that Greg Chappell spoke of years ago about a mentality that if I fail today, there's always tomorrow. An elite sportsman should be prepared to play at their best every time they take the field. I'm not picking on Marsh but using him as an example. At one time he misfielded a ball through apparent lack of effort, then trotted after the ball at snail pace, turning a 2 into an easy 3. I've had captains who would have booted me in the backside for that kind of effort, and it happened on the Test arena.

The decay may not happen in New Zealand, it may not even take hold for the next 3 years, but it will happen, and Cricket Australia won't be prepared for it when it does.

 

[JackOutback]

You'd have to lack all powers of observation if you haven't realised the Australian Test cricket team is on the wane. Cracks have been forming for some time, and for the team to achieve the success they have is a credit to them.

I do think this recent Test should serve as a warning to Cricket Australia that they are neglecting the Test team, but sadly it won't. I also feel there is an element of arrogance creeping into the team, highlighted by their haphazard approach to this Test. Trying hard not to detract from the West Indies win because it meant so much to them, but I can't help but think an attitude has crept into the team that no matter how many players are below their best, they can still manage to win. The 1st innings declaration when 22 runs behind just highlights my point. This happened after being thrashed in the 1st innings and being rescued by 60s from Carey and Cummins.

I'm worried several players have developed an attitude that Greg Chappell spoke of years ago about a mentality that if I fail today, there's always tomorrow. An elite sportsman should be prepared to play at their best every time they take the field. I'm not picking on Marsh but using him as an example. At one time he misfielded a ball through apparent lack of effort, then trotted after the ball at snail pace, turning a 2 into an easy 3. I've had captains who would have booted me in the backside for that kind of effort, and it happened on the Test arena.

The decay may not happen in New Zealand, it may not even take hold for the next 3 years, but it will happen, and Cricket Australia won't be prepared for it when it does.

There's no doubt the end is coming sooner rather than later for this current iteration of the Test team, but the idea that it's been on the wane for a long time and it was obvious to all just isn't true. First, we must ask, on the wane from what? The team fell in a hole when Smith and Warner were suspended, so if anything they have been on the improve for the last few years. This is evidenced by the fact they have been consistently winning across all formats. Then there's the fact the bowling attack has been superb, the best since the days of McGrath, Warne, Lee and Gillespie, the opposite of being on the wane. The batting definitely has some flaws but different people have stood up to ensure the team succeeds.

The retirement of Warner exposed the lack of depth in batting and there are some arguments to be made about development and the Shield, but that's separate from discussions around the current Test team.

Also, there was nothing arrogant about that declaration, the Windies had their own flaws and the opportunity to bowl at them late in the day and snare a couple of wickets was sound tactics. Australia were a handful of runs behind and believed the potential wickets were more valuable than 20 runs. On any other day, they would make that total easy.

 

[western royboy]

You'd have to lack all powers of observation if you haven't realised the Australian Test cricket team is on the wane. Cracks have been forming for some time, and for the team to achieve the success they have is a credit to them.

I do think this recent Test should serve as a warning to Cricket Australia that they are neglecting the Test team, but sadly it won't. I also feel there is an element of arrogance creeping into the team, highlighted by their haphazard approach to this Test. Trying hard not to detract from the West Indies win because it meant so much to them, but I can't help but think an attitude has crept into the team that no matter how many players are below their best, they can still manage to win. The 1st innings declaration when 22 runs behind just highlights my point. This happened after being thrashed in the 1st innings and being rescued by 60s from Carey and Cummins.

I'm worried several players have developed an attitude that Greg Chappell spoke of years ago about a mentality that if I fail today, there's always tomorrow. An elite sportsman should be prepared to play at their best every time they take the field. I'm not picking on Marsh but using him as an example. At one time he misfielded a ball through apparent lack of effort, then trotted after the ball at snail pace, turning a 2 into an easy 3. I've had captains who would have booted me in the backside for that kind of effort, and it happened on the Test arena.

The decay may not happen in New Zealand, it may not even take hold for the next 3 years, but it will happen, and Cricket Australia won't be prepared for it when it does.

Sadly, what you have detailed above has happened at every level of cricket in Australia but particularly grassroots - it is inevitable that it’s got all the way thru to the top level. The gaps between each level (Community / Grade-Premier / First Class / International have never been bigger.

CA will point to massive participation numbers but they are essentially bullshit padded out by In2Cricket and an obese junior system which rather than producing the players we need is doing the opposite

 

[Cleavy]

Pink-ball rematch for Australia, West Indies in play as Ambrose likens Joseph to iconic Marshall

Shamar Joseph’s pink-ball heroics have earned the highest praise from Curtly Ambrose and opened the possibility of a three-Test rematch between the West Indies and Australia next year

www.theage.com.au

might be a 3 Test series (incl pink ball test) in the Caribbean next time

 

[010203]

Also, there was nothing arrogant about that declaration, the Windies had their own flaws and the opportunity to bowl at them late in the day and snare a couple of wickets was sound tactics. Australia were a handful of runs behind and believed the potential wickets were more valuable than 20 runs. On any other day, they would make that total easy.

At the very least, the declaration was unnecessary. Had Cummins declared behind on late on day 4, I could understand it but there was no need to declare behind on day 2. If you get bowled out 20 behind, so be it but don't essentially give yourself 22 extra runs to chase on day 2 before the opposition have started batting a 2nd time.

 

[JackOutback]

At the very least, the declaration was unnecessary. Had Cummins declared behind on late on day 4, I could understand it but there was no need to declare behind on day 2. If you get bowled out 20 behind, so be it but don't essentially give yourself 22 extra runs to chase on day 2 before the opposition have started batting a 2nd time.

Wasn't there severe weather coming through on days 4 and 5? The declaration was presumably made with that in mind and getting a result.

 

[frankrizzo]

I dont think it was the weather more just that we had triggered rapid collapses late in day few times this summer so was hope new pink ball might get 3 quick ones, we did get one opener dropped one out in little session if first chance had been taken who knows it may have triggered mini collapse before stumps.

It was a gamble for sure but not massive mistake people are trying to turn it into this is josh hazlewood we are talking about he couldnt even hang around for a few overs for smith in second dig but he was going to score runs under lights first dig?

 

[Santana]

I watched the west indies slaughter them and it was glorious, why does that make you wanna cry lol

Thanks for confirming beyond any reasonable doubt that you are a troll and not worth interacting with

 

[western royboy]

Wasn't there severe weather coming through on days 4 and 5? The declaration was presumably made with that in mind and getting a result.

Play was said to be unlikely on days 4 & 5 due to the cyclone but in all honesty I thought it was a strategic decision

 

[Burtonsgottago]

One match finishing at about 4am local time is unlikely to register on most people's radar at all, unfortunately.

You obviously haven’t been there

 

[chriso11]

Have a look at his record as SA captain.

Is it good?

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

Is it good?

Nope.

 

[BGman]

BUT failures in the 1st test will they finally make the call to drop one or 2 of these players

There are a couple on thin ice. One is Labuchagne who currently occupies the strategic #3 spot. With every failure he adds more pressure to Green who has to come in earlier than he expects and face a newish ball.