4th Ashes Test: Trent Bridge, 25-29, August: Pre-Match Thread

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

I believe is a bit nippy, amd that has mattered this series.

Does anyone know hhow quick he is compared with Lee? The fact is Tait could have a great start to his Test career, or it could be a disaster. This is why this particualar debut is so fascinating.

England have stuggled with Lee in some spells, but other spells they have got on top. I wonder if we will have the same with Tait.

I also feel this is a gamble that the Aussies are taking in response to how England have played. Three genuine quickies moving the ball, so Australia are (for once) following England's lead.

Had our quick bowlers not been so effective this series I think they would have gone for Kaspa... I don't think Tait was in the squad for anything more than obtaining experince.

The Aussies all week have been saying how momentum is now with them after the draw, and that the real Aussie team will turn up soon. I think this seleection alone says that they are actually more worried tthan they would like us to believe...

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Does anyone know hhow quick he is compared with Lee? The fact is Tait could have a great start to his Test career, or it could be a disaster. This is why this particualar debut is so fascinating.

Yes good point ff, I think he can bowl as fast as Lee, one for the Aussies when they log on.

Fast anyway

[Clive Dunn]

I think it's interesting that the Aussies have turned to the young prospect in order to give them a spark, normally it's England in this position. I haven't seen him bowl yet ( although I did see his county figures from last year - ouch ) but you can't help but feel England have won a mental battle in knocking Dizzy out of the team and forcing the Aussies to pick a new player to come in.

We'll see over the next 5 days I suppose, historically new caps for Australia appear to have done very well - but then again it's much easier to come into a team that is dominating - rather than this one, which is merely competing at the moment.

A fascinating test awaits.

[anthman]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

I also feel this is a gamble that the Aussies are taking in response to how England have played. Three genuine quickies moving the ball, so Australia are (for once) following England's lead. Had our quick bowlers not been so effective this series I think they would have gone for Kaspa... I don't think Tait was in the squad for anything more than obtaining experince.

The change is because of how ineffective Gillespie has been, which has lead to extra pressure on all parts of our game. Despite how well England are bowling, if Australia were genuinely worried about them they'd be changing batsman. (I think they probably should have made one change, but that's another story..)

The rationale behind selecting Tait is as follows:

a) at his worst Tait will leak runs and be ineffective.
b) at his best he will be destructive and take wickets.
c) If he's somewhere in between those two extremes, he will leak runs and take wickets

a) is no worse than what they're getting out of Gillespie, which is still 3 runs short of a 2-1 lead despite some attrocious fielding and batting efforts
b) will probably win the series
c) will probably be enough to win one match (assuming any net improvement in fielding and batting), which at this point is enough courtesy of the draw at Old Trafford.

Kasper would have been the safer more reliable option, but "safe and reliable" may not be enough if the other aspects of our game don't pick up. I don't think it's a gamble, I think it's the right choice.

[Pabs]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Yes good point ff, I think he can bowl as fast as Lee, one for the Aussies when they log on.

Fast anyway

90mph at age 17...
http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ashes200...552141,00.html

[flanflinger]

90 MPH spearing down leg and wide outside off-stump won't take wickets...

I don't care how quick players can bowl, the best fast-bowlers combine pace with accuracy, Lee has looked good this series, mainly because he is now combing the two, when we last played Pace alone did him no favours.

As McGrath has proved, accuracy alone can take wickets..