Ashley Giles

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

I think you're being quite harsh on Mark Nicholas there Zainub!!!! I reckon he is, without the cult following of Greig or Lawry, the best commentator in the commentary team. I am of quite high praise of his commentary work and believe he should be the next Richie Benaud.

I'm afraid I have to admit, I am with all due respect harsh on Nicholas, I do admit that, but even that is not my fault since he apparently resembles one Math teacher I had who gave me a very tough time - he even has a similar sort of voice as him - every time I listen to him he tends to remind me of him...

There can only be only Richie Benuad - even my bashness apart - I don't think Nicholas is in anyway near his class...next best commentator to Richie I would say in the world right now...would probably be Blowers.

[Glamorgan Wanderer]

Atherton has been superb on the radio for Talksport and during his TV stints with C4. I just hope that either Sky or TMS offers him a contract when the coverage leaves C4.

[Ernest]

IMHO Giles is Test class, he is not a good attacking spin bowler, but he can dry the runs up at one end,and of late he has been taking wickets.
Not the best spin bowler in the world, but still Test class.

talkSPORT is not the same without Tony Greig,he is a class on his own.

[Zainub]

I do enjoy Atherton's columns a lot, and I also think he has fantastic analysing skills - haven't heard him do a lot of commentary though except for the one time when he was in India standing by for someone in the recent Aus-Ind series...I think he did well then, I'd probably like to listen to him more often to form an opinion, but from his writing skills, you will have to say, he certainly has that ability to catch the readers' (in commentary's case listeners') attention. I hope too that Sky sign him.

I like Tony Grieg as well. Love his hat.

[flanflinger]

I think Athers would fit nicely into the TMS team and am very suprised he is not already on it.

Giles got to 100 wickets 1000 Runs and is therefore not to be ignored. Ern is right he is Test class, nobody would ssay about Vaas evrytime he played - he's OK, but he's no McGrath or Pollock. Spinners currently get judged agianst the best, and if the are not a Warne or a Murali (two of the Best bowlers ever) they are written off. There are four SLA's playing Test Cricket regularily Boje, Vettori, Rafique and Giles. On current form I would put Giles as the one I would want in my team....

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Spinners currently get judged agianst the best, and if the are not a Warne or a Murali (two of the Best bowlers ever) they are written off.

No they are not. If you have ability and you ball reasonably well enough you do get credit when its due - some one like Danish Kaneria is proving that you don't have to be a Warnie to get recognized, some times you can just get success but adding that extra bit of hard work to your innate skill, and people notice that.

Its fair to say neither Harbajjan Singh nor Saqlain Mushtaq are/were in the same class as Murali , in the same way that neither Kumble nor Mushie were/are in the same league as Warnie (Murali and Warnie have something special)...but neither of these names I just menioned ...Harbajjan Singh, Saqlain Mushtaq, Anil Kumble, Mushtaq Ahmed...were/are apparently ever written of during the coarse of their careers (like Giles was unfairly for much of his career until of late), as a matter of fact these bowler were/are very much respected and highly though of at the highest level.

[Paoli]

What i mean, Zainub, is that there needs to be the commentary team "captain", as such, eg Benaud with 9, Gower with SkySports.

Obviously it'll mean to don the white coat and be beside the slow Simon O'Donnell whilst he pretends to know what he is talking about.

But for Mr. Nicholas, from Paoli 69, it is a big thumbs up.

[Seamer]

Giles could be quite effective against Gilchrist you know. One of his relative weaknesses is left arm finger spin and right arm leg spin. Vetorri and Kartik has had some success against him.
A few stats
Bowler Dis bwd c fi c wk st lbw hit Ave 0
DL Vettori (SLA) 4 1 3 0 0 0 0 37.00 1 NZ
M Kartik (SLA) 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 14.00 0 Ind
U Afzaal (SLA) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 25.00 0 Eng
CW Henderson (SLA) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 7.00 0 SA

As you can see, his average against slow left arm is well below his test average. Giles will have to bowl a tight consistent line though, and be able to deal with the pressure of Gilchrist,s aggresion.

[Zainub]

I'm glad you've put those stats up. And hopeful Giles will do well.

[Paoli]

Gilchrist should be troubled by Giles. And I've got 2 questions, one that can be answered and another that opinions can be had

1. Why is Ash Giles nicknamed "Gilo the King of Spain". I saw the Barmy Army hold up a Spanish flag with "Gilo is our king" written across it.
2. Ray Price, Daniel Vettori, Ashley Giles, Nicky Boje. All seem as if there is one thing in common? Yes, Slow left Armers. Also, why is it that these bowlers have averages in the mid 30's when they are quite good bowlers?