After 2 Tests what do we know?

[greg]

Australia

Hayden is not in form and is unsure whether to grind it out or play shots to get back into form.
Gillespie is not the bowler he was.Maybe the injuries have caught up with him.
Kasprowicz looks cannon fodder when ball is not swinging.
Martyn keeps getting out after getting in.Big score only a matter of time.
Gilchrist ready to unleash a big knock.
McGrath badly missed at Edgbaston.Aussies need him fit for Trent Bridge.
Ponting is not as good a captain as those before him.
Lee is not just a show pony and is showing he has heart of a lion.
Clarke is putting poor county record in England behind him and looks class act.
Katich is possibly the weak link in the batting line-up.
Langer is a classy opener.
Warne is a genius.

England

Trescothick may have ended his demons against Australia but McGrath didn't play so not entirely sure.
Strauss can't pick Warne but not massively troubled by pace bowlers except McGrath.
Vaughan has a serious fault with his technique.Needs to spend time with Sir Geoffrey.Captaincy is better than Pontings.
Bell looks like he is beginning to sort himself out.
Pietersen was made for International cricket.
Flintoff is Flintoff.
Jones needs runs but that catch could be the making of him.
Giles 1 bad game 1 good game needs another good one at Old Trafford on the bunsen burner.
Hoggard see Kasprowicz.
Harmison troubles Aussies with his pace and bounce back to what got him to number 1.
Jones doesn't take enough wickets.

Summing up both sides have plenty of areas that need improving and there will be many more twists and turns in this series before we get a winner.I just hope that we don't get any rain to ruin the series.

[davo ramone]

So your telling us tresco is a new man after his flat track bulling of the first innings and Bell is a better player than Katich? When Bell gets runs in England nevermind India then you can compare him to Katich. Then you go on to say that Vaughan is a better captain than punter. Vaughan had a shocking day 4 and nearly cost you the game with his flogging of freddy and tactics.but saying that punter did not have a good first 2 days. And the biggest insult of them all is when you compare kaspar to the pie chucker hoggard. Kaspar has taken wickets all over the world and while he is not firing on all cyclinders at the moment he is a class or two above the man who has no right to be playing test cricket IMHO.!

[greg]

Hoggard 42 Tests 162 wkts 29.72 avge

Kasprowicz 34 Tests 105 wkts 31.26 avge

Who has the better record?????????? The stats don't lie.

IN INDIA
Hoggard 3 matches 9 wkts 31.22
Kasprowicz 8 matches 19 wkts 39.21

In New Zealand
Hoggard 3 matches 17 wkts 23.64 avge
Kasprowicz 3 matches 8 wkts 39.87 avge

Overseas
Hoggard 21 matches 81 wkts 28.80 avge
Kasprowicz 18 matches 56 wkts 31.87 avge

In England
Hoggard 21 matches 81 wkts 30.65 avge
Kasprowicz 4 matches 17 wkts 24.64 avge


Would be a good idea to check your stats
Yes Kasprowicz has a better record in England than Hoggy but Hoggy beats him in all countries the world over where both have played more than 1 game.

[davo ramone]

Originally Posted by greg

IN INDIA
Hoggard 3 matches 9 wkts 31.22
Kasprowicz 8 matches 19 wkts 39.21

Check your stats

You must have plenty of time to spend on computer checking facts with all the lovely weather you have up in Yorkshire and your defence of the local boy is touching but where in my post did i mention the pie chucker v kaspar in india? I was talking about your boy bell against the "weak link" katich.

[Microshocker]

DONT DARE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT ENGLAND while greg is on here. I've already been on the recieving end of many attacks.
And btw, don't you think it is too early to say Lee is just a show pony? A show pony with a 24 test average!??? I'LL TAKE IT!

[greg]

The point about Katich was a hint of irony.He is your weakest bat but would still get in our side on current showings.Trescothick has a record which is abysmal against you compared to his overall record but in this series he is doing better,that you cannot deny.

Tresco 12 matches 741 runs 30.87 avge 5 50's no hundreds.
7 at home 480 runs 34.28 avge 4 50's

[Clive Dunn]

Originally Posted by davo ramone

where in my post did i mention the pie chucker v kaspar in india?

I'm a bit surprised that the Aussies don't rate Hussey enough to give him a shot at the 6 position, he's looked a class act everytime I've seen him.

Originally Posted by davo ramone

It looks like we may have underestimated this English team, well played chaps - a thoroughly deserved victory

There, much better now

[greg]

Originally Posted by Microshocker

And btw, don't you think it is too early to say Lee is just a show pony? A show pony with a 24 test average!??? I'LL TAKE IT!

Lee 39 matches 149 wkts 31.54 avge. His record against England was abysmal before this tour,he is putting it right though in this series.

As for defending England i will when the attacks on them are not backed up with hard evidence.If i am wrong i will admit it.

[davo ramone]

Originally Posted by Clive Dunn

I'm a bit surprised that the Aussies don't rate Hussey enough to give him a shot at the 6 position, he's looked a class act everytime I've seen him.

horribly fawed is englands cricket development system that needed an aussie to take charge to stop the need to import players from around the world to cut the mustard and hodge is the next cab off the rank and we love him because he is a victorian!

[greg]

Not going to deny that it took Rodney Marsh to get the wheels in motion in England.He and Duncan Fletcher have turned England from the worst in the world to a side capable of taking on Australia.No different to India using Lillee in the past to try and help their fast bowlers,just it has worked better here than there.

On a side issue.Would the Aussie public turn on Marsh if England won this series?And i did say IF.