The Official Ashes 2013 Thread - ENG vs AUS

Wall

Sports Addict
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
30,841
Only true if SA drops the under-performing G Smith, and bring in Quinton de Kock :twisted:

yeah, drop our leader, our captain, the one who scored 234 in his last test :rolleyes:

who also has 9000+ test runs, with 27 centuries at an average of 49 opening the batting whilst also shouldering the burden of captaining the team.
 

Bizkit87

Executive Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
5,254
yeah, drop our leader, our captain, the one who scored 234 in his last test :rolleyes:

who also has 9000+ test runs, with 27 centuries at an average of 49 opening the batting whilst also shouldering the burden of captaining the team.

yeah, some people just don't get it...

Hate him or love him, but G. Smith is one of the best opening batsmen EVER, and he is also not a bad captain, a bit of a tool, but a great cricketer.
 

Devill

Damned
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
26,822
Only true if SA drops the under-performing G Smith, and bring in Quinton de Kock :twisted:

In the ODIs it looks Like QdK has replaced Biff, but there will not be any replacing Smith in the test team as his test form is still great.
 

Wall

Sports Addict
Joined
Mar 12, 2009
Messages
30,841
yeah, some people just don't get it...

Hate him or love him, but G. Smith is one of the best opening batsmen EVER, and he is also not a bad captain, a bit of a tool, but a great cricketer.

People still hate on Smith because of his early arrogance. He has mellowed quite a bit in recent years and you can see it in the way he and the team play.
 

Bizkit87

Executive Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
5,254
People still hate on Smith because of his early arrogance. He has mellowed quite a bit in recent years and you can see it in the way he and the team play.

Yes, he was uber cocky in the beginning, but he has mellowed. I'm not his greatest fan, but i'm enough of cricket fan to recognize his importance in our test squad, and to appreciate what he brings to the game.
 

Devill

Damned
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
26,822
Yes, he was uber cocky in the beginning, but he has mellowed. I'm not his greatest fan, but i'm enough of cricket fan to recognize his importance in our test squad, and to appreciate what he brings to the game.

As a 21yo I doubt he would have gotten as far if he was not as cocky. He pushed back as hard as the world pushed him.
 

Stefanmuller

Expert Member
Joined
Mar 12, 2008
Messages
2,924
agreed but their batsman haven't faced quality bowling during this series. England's bowlers have been horrendous, a prime example was Jimmy getting hit for 28 in the last over of Australia's second innings. SA will be a different prospect

Can't be. He is arguably the best bowler in the world :D
 

FrankCastle

Executive Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2010
Messages
8,337
Also, Cook isn't captain material. He doesn't push the game forward in any way. He plays safe cricket and waits for opposition mistakes. When that doesn't work, he is clueless.

Agreed.

Just a pretty boy who happens to be good with the bat.

Knows squat about aggressive captaincy.
 

FrankCastle

Executive Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2010
Messages
8,337
Yes, he was uber cocky in the beginning, but he has mellowed. I'm not his greatest fan, but i'm enough of cricket fan to recognize his importance in our test squad, and to appreciate what he brings to the game.

His run making abilities has mellowed out along with his attitude.

We'll need some of that early arrogance against the Aussies.
 

AthenianOwl

Executive Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2009
Messages
8,897
It's not looking good for Oz :(

England 255

Australia 160/7 (70.1 ov)

Australia trail by 95 runs with 3 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

They should have batted first.
 
Top