Random Cricket Thread (International Cricket)

[dan08]

And playing spin is just as tough as playing seam bowling IMO.

I would say playing spin is easier.

[dan08]

Ryan Hinds has been charged with rape.

[Alviro Patterson]

And playing spin is just as tough as playing seam bowling IMO.

I would say playing spin is easier.

From personal experience, facing a seam bowler on a wicket with underlying moisture is far trickier than facing a spin bowler on a dustbowl.

I remember Australian batsmen in the 2005 Ashes (IIRC Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer) saying they would rather face Steve Harmison at 90mph than Matthew Hoggard at 80mph, or words to that effect.

[dan08]

And playing spin is just as tough as playing seam bowling IMO.

I would say playing spin is easier.

From personal experience, facing a seam bowler on a wicket with underlying moisture is far trickier than facing a spin bowler on a dustbowl.

I agree. If you know what way the ball is turning (ie/ an orthodox spinner) then it's easier as you can play with the turn. A mystery spinner is different though. The ball swinging and seaming off the deck is much tougher.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Only perhaps arguably. There is the factor that a wrist spinner/long sleeve bowler can get more revs on the ball than an orthodox spinner, aiding flight and purchase. I think that is more important than turning it both ways. A good top spinner is as good as turning it the other way.

[dan08]

I have a superb defence and play spin very well. The only problem is that i never look to score. If you want 5 off 100 balls (and not getting out) then i'm your man!

[ddb]

Dravid's view, which I agree with, obviously.

What do you make of the general notion that struggling against fast bowling is worse than struggling against spin?

I think that sort of thing is a throwback to the days when there was no helmet, so there was a fear of injury when facing fast bowling. People were scared, and everyone would have been scared, but I guess those who showed it were considered weaker and that was not considered good to be. Also, I think subcontinent tours in the old days were not considered the No. 1 tours - people didn't necessarily value their tours to the subcontinent as much as they valued tours to England, Australia or South Africa. That has changed now and it's pretty obvious that, with the kind of audience and support that cricket generates in this part of the world, a tour to this part of the world is extremely important now.

Honestly, if you want to be a good batsman you have to prove yourself in all conditions. To say that it is okay to do badly in the subcontinent, to do badly against spin, is not acceptable anymore. It's slowly changing. When I look at the media in England, Australia, South Africa, in the past sometimes they would almost have a casual attitude to performances on subcontinent tours. They are also putting a lot more focus and emphasis on it now. When some of their players don't do well on the subcontinental tours, they get criticised and it gets pointed out and questioned, which is a good thing.

[Alviro Patterson]

I have a superb defence and play spin very well. The only problem is that i never look to score. If you want 5 off 100 balls (and not getting out) then i'm your man!

You'll do for losing draws for my Saturday cricket team

I just keep it basic by playing the V and drive, only shuffle I have to.

Anything full towards middle-leg stump, i'll paddle sweep or flick off the pads. Wide/short deliveries outside off stump, i'll hit over the head or straight drive.

It's straight, flighty deliveries aiming towards middle and off stump I have trouble sighting, resulting in LBW or clean bowling.

[dan08]

I have a superb defence and play spin very well. The only problem is that i never look to score. If you want 5 off 100 balls (and not getting out) then i'm your man!

You'll do for losing draws for my Saturday cricket team

I just keep it basic by playing the V and drive, only shuffle I have to.

Anything full towards middle-leg stump, i'll paddle sweep or flick off the pads. Wide/short deliveries outside off stump, i'll hit over the head or straight drive.

It's straight, flighty deliveries aiming towards middle and off stump I have trouble sighting, resulting in LBW or clean bowling.

I keep it more basic.

If it's straight, i defend. If it's outside off, i leave it.

[Peter Lanky]

I have a superb defence and play spin very well. The only problem is that i never look to score. If you want 5 off 100 balls (and not getting out) then i'm your man!

I guess that your hero was Chris Tavare then.

[dan08]

Johan Botha will be released from his Cricket South Africa national contract after the ICC World Twenty20 in September to take up the captaincy of South Australia.

[braveneutral]

I find spin trickier at times, as I have an impulse to attack. Unless there is significant movement from a seam bowler, then bat behind ball tends to do the job.

[meninblue]

I have a superb defence and play spin very well. The only problem is that i never look to score. If you want 5 off 100 balls (and not getting out) then i'm your man!

You'll do for losing draws for my Saturday cricket team

I just keep it basic by playing the V and drive, only shuffle I have to.

Anything full towards middle-leg stump, i'll paddle sweep or flick off the pads. Wide/short deliveries outside off stump, i'll hit over the head or straight drive.

It's straight, flighty deliveries aiming towards middle and off stump I have trouble sighting, resulting in LBW or clean bowling.

I keep it more basic.

If it's straight, i defend. If it's outside off, i leave it.

Been many years since i have missed club cricket. The only thing i have now is memory, trophy and appreciation of coaches. The trophy can be seen in my avatar pic.

[dan08]

I have a superb defence and play spin very well. The only problem is that i never look to score. If you want 5 off 100 balls (and not getting out) then i'm your man!

I guess that your hero was Chris Tavare then.

Ironically, we're both from the same small town in Kent - Orpington.

[Peter Lanky]

I've never understood why every year, the season starts off with these somewhat pointless university matches. The counties invariable play a couple of front line batsmen who go on to score half a million runs each, and a load of second string bowlers who skittle the students out for a few runs. When the season starts properly, the counties then moan that their batsmen are not fully prepared.

I'm sure a couple of friendlies between teams from different divisions would be more practical and useful, and of course more balanced.