Shaun Tait unlucky to miss out in this series .

[Milo]

....as is the other fast bowler the Aussies are hyping up, Hilfenhaus. There was much about him playing for Australia but if he continues to perform as he has in Pura Cup this season (something like 10 wickets at 50 in 5 matches) then his time is a long way away.

Because the Australians have dominated for such a long time we are all led to believe that they have this conveyor belt that simply churns out replacements. We heard this with MacGill (and now Hogg) for Warne and it simply isn't the case. The West Indies thought that they would continue to find fast bowlers and everyone believed (including myself) that Reon King and Franklin Rose would be natural successors. They weren't. And nor are the young Australian seamers. They have a long way to go to be anywhere near as accomplished as Gillespie, Reiffel, Fleming and McDermott (let alone McGrath).

[acker]

Tait did not have his finest day.

But I think there is more of a willingness of hope that he fails in this thread from non-Australian participants on the Australian board I shall add.

More so than giving a valued opinion.

We know Tait is hit and miss. What did not work out today may just as likely shoot out well tomorrow, in two days time or during our next ashes campaign in England.

Hilfenhaus may be having a lean time but like Johnson a few years ago is still on the test bowler in the making production line that more often that not produces an article better than the rest of the teams in world cricket.

Including yours.

[Seamer]

There is a lot of pressure on Tait. The media have been talking him up bigtime, headlines in the paper how he is to be "Ponting's hitman" ect.

You never know how these things are going to affect a person.

Like all bowlers under pressure, Tait needs a wicket or two. If he does, things can change very quickly.

And Milo,

It is not Hilfenhaus' time now, so it is pretty much irrelevant how he is performing at the moment. When his time comes and he is called apon, that will be the time to see what he is made of. Jury is still out for me too. Talent is one thing, performance under pressure is another.

I have no doubts about Noffke though.

[DarkKnight]

Yeah just as acker has said ,a bad day at the office.maybe he might clean up the tail or bowl better in 2nd innings.still early days for him

[Beny]

Tait has always been ordinary... We just keep making to old mistake of seeing that a bowler is quick and jumping on his bandwagon without considering weather he has any sort of talent for 'bowling' as opposed to slingshoting.

Tait bowls not much faster than Lee or Johnson but without the accuracy. Always has and whilstever we have those two guys in the team I dont see the point in having Tait there.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Beny

Tait bowls not much faster than Lee or Johnson but without the accuracy. Always has and whilstever we have those two guys in the team I dont see the point in having Tait there.

Ian Chappell is of the same opinion...

Originally Posted by Ian Chappell

I'm never convinced that four quickies is a good idea. I always believe that if three cannot do the job for you, the fourth one is not going to help too much. There is also the thing about variety if, heaven forbid, we get 90 overs bowled in the day.

See Cricinfo - Four quicks are too many - Ian Chappell - Transcript

The cricinfo bulletin would also make grim reading for Tait and his speed-gun crazed followers:

Originally Posted by cricinfo bulletin

Though Clark was the slowest bowler on view, he also appeared the most dangerous, frequently beating the bat with subtle seam movement. Johnson replaced Lee at the other end, but even with the wind behind him, he struggled to find his rhythm. Clark's control though was making all the difference [...]

After 56 came in the first hour, progress slowed, and the pressure created by Clark's accuracy was finally capitalised on by Johnson, who got some extra bounce to catch the upper edge of Sehwag's bat as he went for another audacious slash [...]

Tait was erratic [...] With both batsmen threading Tait through the off-side field for fours, Ponting opted for change in the shape of Johnson and Clark

See Cricinfo - Late wickets give Australia the edge

[acker]

From the Cricinfo quote in Rachael's post

Though Clark was the slowest bowler on view, he also appeared the most dangerous,

I think who ever wrote this for cricinfo exagerated a fair bit to get his personal point of veiw accross.

Clark bowled well, but Lee bowled a lot better and some may argue so did Johnson.

As for Noffke I agree with Seamer the bus has gone and he has missed it. Hilfenhaus still has a couple of hours before his reaches his stop.

[acker]

Did anyone else notice Tait stuttering and slowing down in his last few paces to the wicket.

He does seem to have an excessive run up.

[darksideofthemoon]

Originally Posted by acker

As for Noffke I agree with Seamer the bus has gone and he has missed it. Hilfenhaus still has a couple of hours before his reaches his stop.

Too true.

[DarkKnight]

Looks like our winning streak has come to an end . But at least the trophy is safe and some of the indian seniors players dreams