Gillespie's bowling becoming a concern.

[Mongoose]

Originally Posted by Beny

Who thinks we should play 4 pacemen for the first test and see what happens....

Are you serious? I know we've tried that in England, usually to disastrous effect. And we didn't have Shane Warne as an option! The man who has had a spell over England's batsmen since his very first ball on these shores. No, it would be madness to leave out Warne. England are used to playing pacemen. But some of our guys really struggle against quality spin. If Warne targets Flintoff, England may have a no.6 averaging less than some tailenders.

[greg]

Going back to Gillespie,when he was out of form in New Zealand did his pace drop from high 80's to low to mid 80's?

Could be a bit like Gough for us,as soon as some of the pace goes he becomes a lot easier to hit and less of a wicket taking force.Thus when he has been hit around a bit his head goes down slightly then everything goes wrong gradually.Having said that the wickets he got yesterday could kick start his tour.

[Beny]

Originally Posted by Mongoose 57052

Are you serious? I know we've tried that in England, usually to disastrous effect. And we didn't have Shane Warne as an option! The man who has had a spell over England's batsmen since his very first ball on these shores. No, it would be madness to leave out Warne. England are used to playing pacemen. But some of our guys really struggle against quality spin. If Warne targets Flintoff, England may have a no.6 averaging less than some tailenders.

I mean 4 pacemen and Warne...

[Mongoose]

That sounds more balanced to me. I presume you'd drop Katich. Let's face it, Gilchrist fills out a high quality top 6, so you don't really need that extra batsman. The extra bowler might come in handy, given the age of the attack. They might be starting to need a bit more careful handling to continue to get the best out of them. Not that I expect this to happen. It'll come down to a battle between Dizzy, Kaspa and Lee for the final two seamers.

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Leafy Seadragon

I've still seen nothing to change my opinion that we'll start the first test with the same bowling lineup that finished the previous. Gillespie still has to show that his effort yesterday is indicative rather than a one-off. But given the three-day match does this, then IMO McGrath, Gillespie, Kasprowicz & Warne will front.

I would like that to happen too. Don't get me wrong Leafy, i like Dizzy and hope he gets it right in time. His effort on teusday was encouraging.

Originally Posted by Leafy Seadragon

Even if it doesn't, I suspect the selectors will be unwilling to take the risk with Lee. Fear not Seamer, I think your precious Kasprowicz is safe (and rightly so)

I love a Queenslander and are'nt afraid to admit it. But i am a realist and if deep down i did'nt think Kaspa had the goods, i would'nt back him. But the NSW-centric attitude of the selection panel has always annoyed me. M Taylor, M Waugh, S Waugh, B Lee, M Slater - these guys should have been dropped long before they were but they kept there spot because they were NSW. Hayden, Bichel, Kaspa - all these guys should have played far more tests than they did because they were not NSW.
I digress from the thread there, but if Lee gets in ahead of Kaspa, i will know why.

[Seamer]

Not a bad idea, Beny but perhaps overkill. I don't think we should change the long-standing balance of the team just so we can avoid drpping Dizzy, Kaspa or Lee. Three pace bowlers and Warne i think. Fatigue will not be an issue for Kaspa - he is one of the fittest men in world cricket and far fitter than any of the English bowlers. McGrath can easily bowl 30 overs in a day and still back up the next day. Dizzy and Lee however are expended a lot quicker. Hope the selectors get it right.

[Seamer]

Well my fears were confirmed when i saw Gillespies name in the 11. No specialist change bowler - unbalanced side. Once the ball gets old, just watch what happens. Gillespie came on with England 5-25 and already, the momentum is swinging back to England at 5-68. Bloody selectors. Poor Kasprowicz. In the end - poor Gillespie.

[Aussie-Yank]

Originally Posted by Seamer

Well my fears were confirmed when i saw Gillespies name in the 11. No specialist change bowler - unbalanced side. Once the ball gets old, just watch what happens. Gillespie came on with England 5-25 and already, the momentum is swinging back to England at 5-68. Bloody selectors. Poor Kasprowicz. In the end - poor Gillespie.

Couldn't agree with you more, then again I am also a Queenslander

[Maranello]

I am with you two gentlemen - seeing Gillespie's name on the team-sheet this mornig, me and my Western Australian* colleague both let out an audible gasp/groan! The only rationale for this move would have been if Lee had been bowling tripe, and the Aussies wanted to use Gillespie on the new ball; as that was not the plan, the move was daft. Kaspa is a much, much better old ball bowler than either of Lee or Gillespie, and that's despite the reverse swing Lee was getting tonight.

* who incidentally is a good mate of "Just-in Just-out" Langer, or so he tells me

[Seamer]

This thread is now irrelevant. His bowling is not a concern any more - it is a terminal cancer that needs to be cut out. Come on selectors - wake up and **** him off home on the next plane before he costs us the series. Its not too late!!!!