Opening Bowlers

[greg]

So who do you think will get the new ball with Hoggard in Brisbane and who should get it?

Personally i think Harmison will get it but it should go to Anderson to try and exploit any early swing movement when it is still there.Harmison has been too hit and miss and could easily bowl his usual wayward stuff and set the Aussies of to a flyer.

[Ernest]

Being serious now greg, what about Mahmood - he could open the batting also, he seems as good a choice as anyone.

[greg]

I don't think Mahmood will be in the team so i have ignored him.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Being serious now greg, what about Mahmood - he could open the batting also, he seems as good a choice as anyone.

Ern I think your love of Mahmood has reached delusional levels!!

If Harmison is fit, which looks likely, he will play and Mahmood will carry the drinks, and I get the feeling that most people on this forum, most other serious commentators and genuine experts will agree that that is the right thing to do.

Yes he is quick, but he is also very inaccurate and expensive, today he bowled 5 overs (without a wicket) for more runs than Anderson bowled in his 10!! Yes he bowls wicket taking deliveries, but fast bowlers need to build pressure as well. Until he adds more to his game then just pace, he will not be amongst the first choice seamers for England..

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Ern I think your love of Mahmood has reached delusional levels!!

FF my remarks were a bit .

Originally Posted by flanflinger

If Harmison is fit, which looks likely, he will play and Mahmood will carry the drinks, and I get the feeling that most people on this forum, most other serious commentators and genuine experts will agree that that is the right thing to do.

However I will try and make a case.

Harmison is out of form, and can get carted like Mahmood, both can also get wickets.

Although my post was 'toungue in cheek', it's maybe not as daft as it first sounds.

[Rachael]

If Australia were batting first I'd aim to bowl Hoggard for a long spell from one end... say 8-9-10 overs... and get Anderson to do 3-4 from the other end, have a rest, and then take over from Hoggard (with an occasional bowler earmarked for an over or two before lunch). At the end where Anderson started I'd switch in Harmison for 6 overs and then get Monty in on the action.

1			Hoggard			2		Anderson
3			Hoggard			4		Anderson
5			Hoggard			6		Anderson
7			Hoggard			8		Harmison
9			Hoggard			10		Harmison
11			Hoggard			12		Harmison
13			Hoggard			14		Harmison
15			Hoggard			16		Harmison
17			Anderson		18		Harmison
19			Anderson		20		Panesar
21			Anderson		22		Panesar
23			Anderson		24		Panesar
25			Anderson		26		Panesar
27			Collingwood		28		Panesar
29			Collingwood		30		Panesar

That would keep Flintoff fresh to do a lot of the donkey work alongside Panesar in the afternoon and up until the second new ball was taken.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Harmison is out of form, and can get carted like Mahmood, both can also get wickets.

True, but Harmison, if he gets it right, is probably Englands most dangerous bowler. The problem has to be whether he can get it right!! But at this stage in Mahmood's career, I would prefer a slightly under-cooked Harmison to Mahmood.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

But at this stage in Mahmood's career, I would prefer a slightly under-cooked Harmison to Mahmood.

I agree I would start with Harmison and see how it goes, I do think though that when Mahmood gets bowling a better line, his batting will come into contention , possible an all-rounder at some stage.

Off topic but I bet you had a smile on your face with Bells ton - and under pressure.

[Collyisamackem]

Who was it who hit Langer with the second ball of the Ashes 2005? Harmison is a more imposing opener than Anderson and should always open. I don't see it as myself being biased, but I think his start to the Ahses '05 will be in the back of the Aussie top order's minds, especially as Ponting reinforces his grill!

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Off topic but I bet you had a smile on your face with Bells ton - and under pressure.

Oh yes I did enjoy it, but as Gillispie said, after the game, this was a warm up tour game. It will be different on Thursday, but it is good to see that he is in form, and confident.

Cricket is a game played mostly in mind. Which is why players like Hick and Ramps struggled. Their technique could only get them so far. Confidence for me is the key, if a player feels he is good enough it is half the battle. That knock will have give Bell that confidence, especially with a couple of potential Test bowlers in the line up.

The annoying thing is that we have batted second in both games, meaning that the batters have had just two innings. I am baffled whyh we are going into such an important series with very little proper cricket under our belts!!