The VB Series 2006

[Sando]

If you're looking at ODIs, not many ODI averagea really reflects the batsmans ability.

For example. Afridi 24, Vaughan 28, Flintoff 30 (iirc), etc.

You're right, averages don't gauge ability, they gauge productivity, and when I last checked the most important thing when it comes to batting is the number of runs you make and how long it takes you to make them. Does Katich strike the ball as hard as Afridi or Flintoff? Nope. Does he drive the ball with the elegance that Vaughn does? Not even close, and it doesn't matter one little bit. Katich will fight hard at the top of the order and seldom give his wicket away to an ill-advised shot, allowing him to frequently protect his middle order from the new ball and the oppositions best bowlers.

That's what is frustrating me about the current Katich/Jacques debate, no one seems to care that in his past 20 knocks, he's past 50 on six occasions and 30 on twelve occasions.

52, 19, 0, 60, 2, 36, 54, 47, 58, 30, 36*, 5, 43, 58, 0, 5, 9, 0, 76, 38.

That's good production for an opener, and if he's striking it at 75, he's hardly holding the team back.

and lets hope the latter is the case. exactly why should he be "rested though"? its not like hes had a bad series

I don't have a problem with him being rested (not that he really needs it now that he is out of the Test side), but I reckon at this stage he deserves to be in Australia's best XI when fit. I'm actually hoping Jacques gets another crack during the prelim matches, he certainly deserves it.

 

[aussie1st]

52, 19, 0, 60, 2, 36, 54, 47, 58, 30, 36*, 5, 43, 58, 0, 5, 9, 0, 76, 38.

And there in lies the problem. An opener should have at least a couple of 100s in that amount of games. Those figures look more like a guy batting at 6 or 7 where he doesn't have much time to bat hence him only getting 50s. Aka Bevan. When Bevan moved up to 4 the 100s flowed in. 100s is what an opener should be getting to be considered good enough to make the starting 11.

Onto the game SL win the toss and bat first.
Dorey was supersub but is basically worthless now.
Attaputu is out injuried, Vass is captain and Sanath is back opening.

 

[kodos]

Ouch! Massive blow, Sanath is out now. Don't see Sri Lanka winning this now, pitch seems to quick and bouncey for them. Plus they have a weak middle order.

Well this game is a turn off now. Sangakarra and Sanath both gone. At least the teniis is on tonight

 

[m_vaughan]

Yup Aussies on fire yet again!!

 

[kodos]

This match has probably got to be the most uninterested match ever. Even the crowd are finding it boring judging by the noise. The Sri Lankans can't bat on this pitch and look very tired juding by their shots.

 

[Sando]

Great start by the Aussies, will be interesting to see if the Sri Lankan middle order can show some character and dig in here.

 

[James219]

Well they have a guy at seven who has played only 3 first-class matches so it'll be interesting to see how he handles the pressure. Stuart Clark already showing his worth with the wicket of Muburak, though it was a shot reflecting panic and poor judgement.

 

[aussie1st]

Symonds isn't going so well. His bowling is yet again being exposed. Clark should have had 2 but Hogg dropped a tough chance. Its good to see him and Bracken proving the can back up the opening bowlers.

 

[m_vaughan]

They are more than just back-up bowlers.

This match has probably got to be the most uninterested match ever. Even the crowd are finding it boring judging by the noise. The Sri Lankans can't bat on this pitch and look very tired juding by their shots.

Believe me, this is pretty much the only thing I am watching now.

 

[kodos]

They are more than just back-up bowlers.


Believe me, this is pretty much the only thing I am watching now.

How about india v pakistan match or in an hours time the tennis

 

[irottev]

Lee kicks ass. He gave the crowd back their ball.

LEE! LEE! LEE!

 

[aussie1st]

Lee got smacked for 12 runs though.
Then Hogg bowls a long hop and drops a sitter. That could be a huge miss as these two are looking comfortable.

 

[kodos]

Well at least the Sri Lankan middle order has shown some resillience which is good to see and that they don't have to always rely on their top order.

 

[donkey]

lankans are very unpredictable sometimes

 

[kodos]

Geez, Brett Lee is seriously acting like a w***** today. He is a fine bowler but most times he really does have an attitude problem.