The thing that KP could have done that no one else would do was to completely dismantle a bowling line up, or bat a particular bowler out of the game. Psychologically that was more important than how many runs he'd score. Bell (or Key or Shah for that matter) isn't going to do that, even if he makes 3 centuries between now and the last Test. Fortunately for England, the Aussie attack is no better than a moderately good international side at the moment, so an in-form Bell should be able to step up.
The Ashes 2009
- Thread starter Santino
- Start date
paulhackett
voiced by strother martin
This series KP hasn't been mobile in the field or between the wickets and was averaging about 35, so it shouldn't be too much for Bell to match and improve on this (on current performance) and god forbid strengthen the side, assuming he makes some runs? The KP averaging 50 against the Aussies as he did before the series is more of a loss. Bell may even allow Bopara to drop down one and relax.
Pluses for Broad were his catch, getting Ponting, almost Clarke first ball, and amazingly being our most economical bowler, so with the loss of KP I'd keep him in as well (depending on other stuff of course)
Pluses for Broad were his catch, getting Ponting, almost Clarke first ball, and amazingly being our most economical bowler, so with the loss of KP I'd keep him in as well (depending on other stuff of course)
Idaho
blah blah blah
Broad doesn't appear to be getting much consistent movement off the seam. I think this is leading him to bowl a hundred variations. He's out of rythym and confidence. The bowling coach just needs to get him in the nets bowling a consistent line and length and go through the bowling plan against each batsman.
I think last Ashes I mentioned my sure-fire plan for victory, which is to bring in Derren Brown as the short-leg specialist. It cannot fail, why has he not been called up?
butchersapron
Bring back hanging
Well done the Langer btw - goes past Bradman as Australia's highest ever run-scorer in first-class cricket.
Dirty Martini
gets what he cant want
Sri Lanka having a pretty good go at chasing down 492. 160 to go with 4 wickets down, 40-odd overs left ...
strung out
💩 🤣 🍆 💦 🧐 👻 🐝 🐈⬛
sri lanka need another 100 runs, 6 wickets in hand, final session
Dirty Martini
gets what he cant want
Ah, bollocks. Draw.
Someone'll do it, one day
e2a: Glad it wasn't last week
Someone'll do it, one day
e2a: Glad it wasn't last week
Has anyone mentioned Ramprakash coming in to the team yet??? What a fairy tale that would be.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
I think I would have picked him a couple of years ago. It would be similar in a way to Simon Katich for Australia – dropped after some poor results, but then going away to the 1st class game and scoring massive runs. Katich was a success on his return, and I think Ramprakash could have been too.
Maybe too late now though.
A couple of commentators picked up on the fact that it took him an age to score his 100th century, having knocked out the previous dozen more or less weekly, leading to speculation that he was still very sensitive to pressure.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Don't think it was quite an 'age'. A couple of months iirc.
Idaho
blah blah blah
It's just terrible what a bad time he is having this tour
It seems that the ability to handle pressure is more important than talent.
Talent with a bad temperament is just as bad as no talent.
Monkeygrinder's Organ
Dodgy geezer swilling vapid lager
It can be worse - keeps players in the team for ages while doing badly, in the hope they'll live up to their talent soon.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Good good. I don't really rate him – ordinary batsman, ordinary bowler – so I wish him all the best in this match.
Good good. I don't really rate him – ordinary batsman, ordinary bowler – so I wish him all the best in this match.
Didn't he win player of the tournament in the first IPL? Maybe wrong player..
Still - he's pretty handy.
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Don't know, but Brendan McCullum of New Zealand had a blinder in the IPL and is also a very ordinary test player. 20/20 success ≠ good test player.
Yeah, Watson and Hughes at the top of the order.
Confirmed no Lee at Edgbaston.
TrippyLondoner
Well-Known Member
Edgbaston will be a draw i reckon.
liquidlunch
fargonebeauty
you dont know nuffin
We will triumph of course,just like i saw in my crystal ball(new one too)
I smashed the other one as it lied
littlebabyjesus
one of Maxwell's demons
Eight matches, average 19. A very very poor record.
The word on the pitch isn't very promising.
Did you lose money betting on the Aussies at Lord's then?you dont know nuffin
We will triumph of course,just like i saw in my crystal ball(new one too)
I smashed the other one as it lied
