The Winter Cricket Thread

[RedRag]

Bit unfair that one. I was giving my opinion on Pietersen. I'm pleased that he came out and proved me wrong by batting incredibly well. But, I honestly do think that the foundation for that innings was build upon a solid defence. He didn't give his wicket away by playing an outrageous shot. He wasn't hoping around like a cat on a hot tin roof. He applied himself, got a start and then punished anything wayward. There was the odd audacious shot, but that didnt come until he was seeing the ball like a football.

I didn't think that Pietersen had that in him at this stage of his career. As you get older your poweres decline. You don't see the ball as well and you can't move as quickly. Some of the most successful players with long careers have adapted their game to cope with this. I could be wrong, but I believe that Pietersen could probably have biffed the Indians around a while ago without concentrating on defence because of pure talent. Now though, its a different stage of his career. I don't think he can just walk out there and consistently biff it. If he becomes a little more orthodox (as he was in this innings) I think he will score a lot more runs for England. If he returns to the way he approached the first test, then I believe he will fail more often than not - As he will be batting with the same mentality as a number 7. 

[RedRag]

Woops.  Just meant to say NMH that I was being a bit harsh.

Share your opinion in para 1 in fact but not sure Pietersen can't bif from ball 1.  His record in 20:20 is pretty impressive too..

I just happen to think KPs unorthodoxy can be a danger to others as well as to himself and when he gets it wrong early in tests he is very frustrating but then even more conventional batsmen play horror shots (eg Bell) with less comment.

I didn't see the outcome of the second test coming.

Can't wait for the third test now

[TheMajorSTFC]

when does the third test start.

Wednesday 5th of December, I thought it was this weekend, but there is a tiny break in the schedule! Nice to see big Steve Finn taking 4fer yesterday! I think he'll replace Broad...England's tail would grow even longer with Panesar, Anderson and Finn!

[Nemo]

Giles replaces Flower as ODI Coach...the separation of the formats continues.

[Reg Smeeton]

 Ponting to retire at end of next Test    Shame he couldn't have hung around for a bit more Ashes humiliation..

[DMR]

Went up in my estimation in 2005, despite all the shenanigans, with his innings at Old Trafford to save that test. What a fucking knock. What a player, let's be fair.

[Paolo69]

A whole lot more than highly respectable career and a nuggety little fucker to boot. The fact that his average against us is far lower (44 according to Wiki) against his 53 total average makes me happy though.

He is an Aussie afterall - can't get too carried away with the praise. The Ashes will miss him next year. Was looking forward to him coming over for one last crack - and failing miserably of course.

[Nemo]

Ponting lbw b Philander 5

I'm experiencing the very strange feeling of regret at seeing Ponting dismissed (last experienced when he played for Somerset)

Aussies 43/5 and in need of more Clarke heroics. Surely he can't do it yet again?

[Summerof69]

The Aussies need a miracle. Saffers leading by nearly 300 with 8 wickets left, and currently scoring at 6 an over.

It says something that the Aussies best bowler is Mitchell 'He bowls it to the left, He bowls it to the right' Johnson.

[TheMajorSTFC]

Money placed firmly on SA to win this by a landslide and putting Ian Healy and the rest back in their place that Australia aren't the cricketing nation they once were!

[TheMajorSTFC]

Big win for South Africa by over 300 runs, Ponting out for next to nothing and SA win their second consecutive away series' in Australia! (They're still #1 as well)

[fittons_coaching_badge]

Early start for the third test tomorrow.  Starts at 3.30am due to the light closing in quicker on the east side of India.

I expect Bell and Finn to come in for Broad and Bairstow.  So England should line up:

Cook, Compton, Trott, KP, Bell, Patel, Prior, Swann, Anderson, Finn, Panesar

With the extended tail it needs to top 7 to step up.  Especially those other than KP and Cook.  They've made the majority of the runs in the first two test and are both due to fail.

I expect India just make the one change and bring in a seamer for Harbhajan, probably Ishant Sharma. 

[Nemo]

I'd probably pick that team FCB, although Root for Patel may be a dark horse as Root just scored a ton in a tour match and he's not a dreadful third spin option himself, while Patel hasn't really done much yet.

[Paolo69]

I'd go for that team too. Agree with your points too FCB although not sure you can level the accusation at KP that he's due a failure. Plenty were calling for his head on a stick before that monumental knock in the last test.

[TheMajorSTFC]

I'd go with FCB's team, are you out there watching the test still FCB?

I'm going for an England win here, momentum with us and all that!