The VB Series 2006

[irottev]

Sri Lanka are missing that big hitter. They couldn't hit a boundary from sheer power and timing nor from invention of shots.

They were unlucky from the boucher run out, that was pretty flukey, he was in line with the stumps and managed to get them. Was a stupid run from Atapattu. Also the Jaysuria wicket was a little unfortonate, Jaysuria not being balanced.

It was Sri Lankas game to lose really most teams should manage 12 from 8 or whatever it was. South Africa got wickets and dots and bowled well throughout the match.

 

[aussie1st]

2 key moments at the death decided the game. Arnold bowled by Hall and Vass bowled by Pollock. Both with Dilshan would have won them the game. Once Vass left Murali just couldn't give Dilshan enough strike. But in the end Hall, Pollock and van der Wath bowled brillantly at the death. That is how you are meant to bowl at the death.

 

[James219]

The runout of Bandara was also crucial as it immediately injected more panic into
the Sri Lankan camp. Strange why he batted ahead of Vaas though.

 

[aussie1st]

I agree it was strange but it was only 1 ball wasted. Then Vass came in and made a quickfire 9. 11 off 6 balls is quite hard if the bowlers bowl in the right place as was the case. Dilshan just had too much to do in the end. 10 off 3 ball and Hall in great form.

 

[kodos]

I agree Sri Lanka lack that big power hitter at the end apart from Vass. When Jayawardene was out I felt the Proteas were on top. Arnold is decent but he is more like a bevan, doesn't smash it just working the ball away. But South Africa deserved the victory as they bowled exceedingly well in the last 10 overs. Their bowlers showed bowling full, straight and yorker length works and have a good chance of picking up a wicket.

It is going to be tough for Sri Lanka and the schedule really does disadvantage them. They have another 3 more games in 5 days and if you include the 2 played already that is 5 games in 9 days. Interesting to hear that Steve Waugh also calls the rotation policy as lame and unfair for the fans who pay good money to watch the cricket. Also some are saying the Aus team should be concerned as they may be the team who misses out in the finals but I highly doubt that.

 

[James219]

Well they probably will make the finals, although I think the rotation policy is pretty pointless, especially the way the Australians are using it. You can't just rest the captain, he's supposed to be the man that leads and inspires a team by getting through rough periods, not having relaxation time and chucking in inexperienced players to lift the team.

 

[aussie1st]

Lol of course Waugh is unhappy with the rotation policy. When we used it against SA and NZ Waugh wasn't having his best time and the team wasn't winning. Due to them missing out from the rotation policy both Waughs were dropped. So obviously hes going to be against it.

I don't mind resting players if they are tired as you see with Gilly. Ponting hasn't done much this summer in the VB series so he too probably needs to freshen up. The problem is Jaques wasn't his replacement.
Bowling wise we need to try backups but with McGrath and Lee in the side.

 

[tsyrmas]

They were unlucky from the boucher run out, that was pretty flukey, he was in line with the stumps and managed to get them. Was a stupid run from Atapattu. Also the Jaysuria wicket was a little unfortonate, Jaysuria not being balanced.

i was at the ground and no one knew what was going on, because on the members side (where i was) Attapatu was blocking the stumps, it was very confusing!

 

[James219]

Maybe Gilchrist is ok for a rest, though I feel it should have been before this series, but Ponting I can't understand. Yes, he may have failed the last few innings, but he's a class player and he'll bounce back. He's been criticised for his captaincy, well this is the perfect opportunity to gain some experience in a time where they have not been fluent in a series and his character will shine thruogh if they bounce back with some steady leadership and influence on the players. It will be valuable learning so he can develop more as a captain. Now that the decision has been made, they should have atleast redeemed themselves a little by selecting Jaques, in a few years they'll only have about 2 players under 30!

 

[Sureshot]

Dippenaar is leading run scorer in the series Who'd have thought it.

 

[James219]

Yeah and he's leading it by 45 runs! Jayauriya is up there having only batted twice, and its good to see Ponting down the list for a change . I know Dippenaar was dropped from the test team for a while, but does anyone know if he was out with injury for the recent series, or just not selected?
By the way, Andrew Hall is the leading wicket taker!

 

[Sureshot]

Well on commentary Greig (i think) was saying he has had injury problems.

 

[aussie1st]

Hall has had that type of series. He really has been bowling well while the Aussie bowlers not so well. Lee is our best hope but without his buddy he hasn't been as successful.

Batting wise if Jaques wasn't being ripped off he would be at the top of that list

 

[James219]

Well Jaques has been ripped off again, though it wasn't exactly expected he would play today seeing as he played an ING match yesterday. Here's the side for today:
Adam Gilchrist (captain), Mike Hussey (vice-captain), Simon Katich, Brad Hodge, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark (super sub).
Why don't they ever see bowlers as captains? McGrath could have taken up the role of vice-captain easily, Damien Martyn also would have been a candidate.

 

[aussie1st]

They do see them as captains like Warne. But McGrath was never considered for the captaincy role. I don't know why but his name never seem to pop up when a new captain was choosen.

Supersub looks a bit stuffed if we have to bowl first. The side however does look a lot better this time round, bowling much stronger and great to see Gilly at the top to save the opening combo.