spouse of scouse

Wags Are Guilty?

JoeBloggs80

None of Broads wickets were hitting the stumps. I think only 4 balls of his all day would have. Its down that little corridor just outside off that he hit consistently.

It was good bowling but the Aussies were very very poor in their technique and patience.

Great fun.

Beoz

OK let me explain how this works. "Hit the top of off" is an expression rather than an action. It's where the bowler aims to get the ball in the corridor, not only just outside off, but at a good height as it passes the batsman - keeps the batsmen in two minds whether to go forward or back, play the shot or pull out, protect the wicket or let it go. Too full and its half volley sweet spot time, too short, step back and pow. Aim there an let the pitch, seam and movement do the rest. If the aim was to actually hit the stumps you'd aim at the bottom of middle. The beauty of bowling with this method in England is there is so much more a ball can do off the wicket, especially early on in a test, as opposed to Australia where there is not as much seam or swing deviation where the pitches are more like a road than a slippery carpet. Of course there are exceptions to this rule. See big green monsters in 2010/11 Ashes and the Lords pitch in this Ashes. The duke ball in England also has a more pronounced seam than the Kookaburra.

Australia's bowlers are not taking advantage of these conditions, and are really struggling to change the way they bowl to adapt to the conditions. England on the other hand are just doing what they know how to do so well in their own conditions. "Hit the top of Off". Pace is not the key here like it generally is in Australia. In fact pace can sometimes reduce ball movement because there isn't enough airtime. I had great hopes for Josh Hazlewood because he's got that slower airtime action, coming from height, and has generally been really accurate before this series. When he has hit the spot he's causing a lot of trouble, but he's just so inconsistent. The line and length are all over the place, giving England batsmen ample opportunity to make decisions. When they have hit the spot on the rare occasions, its bingo. See Cook wicket. .

JoeBloggs80

Thanks Captain Obvious

Yes perfect bowling for the conditions but still immensely poor discipline from the Aussies.

Amazulu

I agree

This is being over-analysed

Australia played shit and England didn't

Amazulu

They are currently 6th but if England win this series 4-1 they go 2nd meaning that the series in SA at the end of the year will be between the 2 top ranked teams in the world

Bring it on!

Beoz

I'm glad I could be of assistance

Beoz

Just don't roll out the green carpet - is the message you should be taking away.

Alfresco

Alfresco

....and a bit of humour...

"When Michael Clarke said he wanted to bowl this morning, I didn't realise he'd go to these lengths"

Amazulu

Yes, barring any unforeseen disasters, SA will be No.1 for the 3rd year in a row

A drawn series away in India this Spring and against England will be enough - although I think we will beat the Souties

Beoz

Test cricket no longer counts. Its all about pyjama's and world cups.

Amazulu

funny that........

Beoz

Gotta run with your strengths and pyjama's and world cups certainly aren't South Africa's right now

Amazulu

I.care.not a jot for ODI cricket.and.can just about tolerate T20

I'll leave the also ran forms of.cricket for others to get excited about