2016/2017 Big Bash League

[Booney]

Is Hodge f**king serious here

Im a big Hodge fan but he has faced a lot of criticism about Hodge playing for Hodge and im struggling to defend him here.

I'm hardly a Big Bash lover, but in the spirit of being an SA boy I tuned in last night ( for the 1st time this summer ) to watch the Strikers as I had heard it was an important match in regards to keeping finals hopes alive.

- Pollard, is he always that shape? Looks like he knows where the best restaurants are. All over the world.
- Hodge, did I hear him in the call while batting say "We wanted to consolidate for a couple of overs"? WTF...is T20 at the point where they have time to "consolidate" now?
- What's wrong with bowling at the top of off stump and making the batsman do the thinking? Low full tosses, slower bouncers, bouncers, no wonder bowlers don't get in any rhythm when the captains move the field every ball, even after a dot ball!
- I didn't watch all of it. I went to bed to read when the Stars lost Pietersen. By all accounts a thriller and I didn't stick it out. Me, or the game?

[whufc]

Yeah agree mate and for me the worse part was Hodge should never have came in at 2 for in that situation

Pollard is the big money man make the bastard step up and do what we pay him for

If Pollard had came in 2 things would have happened

1. He fires and we potentially score 200+

2. He doesn't fire and gets out quick and Hodge comes in and can still play that slowly built innings that he loves to play

We have a combination of a selfish Hodge and pea heart Pollard

[whufc]

The theory by the changing the field every ball is that the field is set to the length that ball will be bowled

Yes the batsmen knows what length the ball will be but with a 'perfect' field set for it the batsmen still struggles

To be honest it works, it's probably been the last couple of years now where there has come in and we are seeing lower scores world wide in t20, not often teams get above 180 these days

[bennymacca]

If the batsman knows the length too it is easy for them to pre-medidate. which in turns means the ball goes sailing. So you have to mix it up

[Booney]

The plan works, in theory. But when you put all the men back deep on the leg side suggesting a short ball at the body and some part time muppett slings one full on the off side you all look stupid.

If last nights game is anything to go by then captains and bowlers haven't done much thinking about the game.

[The Bedge]

I think you're being harsh on Hodge.

Pollard has been the real issue - lazy, unfit, looks disinterested and hasn't fired a shot! Bowled about 4 overs all tournament, his batting is deplorable and even his ground fielding leaves a lot to be desired. Missed a relatively easy ball last night off Neser's bowling that went for 4 - no one commented, but said Neser eased the pressure with that ball. Batsman regularly taking 2 on Pollards arm because he's slow to the ball and throws off balance.

Waste of time, waste of money.

As for Hodge, granted he bats slow, but the Strikers have struggled all season with the bat, regularly lose wickets in clumps - Hodge has no option but to bat a bit of time or run the risk of being bowled out in 15 overs for 100. Ludeman should've been the one who went early, and could've had the hitters bat around Hodge.

Losing Rashid over the winter was the biggest blow, and Head/Stanlake into the Aussie side has rattled the lineup. Agar was all over the shop last night, and hard to expect Kelvin Smith or Ludeman to fire straight away coming in for their first game past the halfway point of the comp.

[whufc]

If the batsman knows the length too it is easy for them to pre-medidate. which in turns means the ball goes sailing. So you have to mix it up

They can pre meditate these days the ball will come at any speed between 90k-140k so u still have to adjust

The proof is in the low scoring we see now!!

[The Bedge]

To be honest it works, it's probably been the last couple of years now where there has come in and we are seeing lower scores world wide in t20, not often teams get above 180 these days

I would think it's the opposite - sides seem regularly able to score higher scores - maybe not 180, but there were times when 120-140 was enough.. now 160 you're hardly in the game.

[The Bedge]

If last nights game is anything to go by then captains and bowlers haven't done much thinking about the game.

Or they try and over think it and go the old "double bluff" and look stupid.

I agree with you, whilst i respect the need for variation, you cant beat bowling good areas and setting fields accordingly. Take Laughlin for example - mixes his pace every ball, but really bowls only two lengths - a good length or full. The spinner last night Sodhi and also Bowe from the stars, just hit regular good areas and made the batsmen force the issue.

As a batsman with these varied lengths and mix ups though, you know you can swing hard at the ball knowing it's likely to be short or wide and no chance of being bowled if you miss it.. but hit it and BOOM.

[bennymacca]

The plan works, in theory. But when you put all the men back deep on the leg side suggesting a short ball at the body and some part time muppett slings one full on the off side you all look stupid.

If last nights game is anything to go by then captains and bowlers haven't done much thinking about the game.

always great to see some informed opinions

[Booney]

If last nights game is anything to go by then captains and bowlers haven't done much thinking about the game.

Or they try and over think it and go the old "double bluff" and look stupid.

I agree with you, whilst i respect the need for variation, you cant beat bowling good areas and setting fields accordingly. Take Laughlin for example - mixes his pace every ball, but really bowls only two lengths - a good length or full. The spinner last night Sodhi and also Bowe from the stars, just hit regular good areas and made the batsmen force the issue.

As a batsman with these varied lengths and mix ups though, you know you can swing hard at the ball knowing it's likely to be short or wide and no chance of being bowled if you miss it.. but hit it and BOOM.

On a good length or full of a length on or around off stump. 3rd man, point, sweeper, cover, mid-off and if you can get it through there good luck to you. Even bring fine leg up to an extra cover with a mid-wicket, long off and sweeper. If the batsman can take a full ball from outside off to behind square on a regular basis with no risk ( not possible, the risk part anyway ) then let him. The game, cricket, will take care of batsman who try to do that too often by sitting them down to take the pads off.

[Booney]

The plan works, in theory. But when you put all the men back deep on the leg side suggesting a short ball at the body and some part time muppett slings one full on the off side you all look stupid.

If last nights game is anything to go by then captains and bowlers haven't done much thinking about the game.

always great to see some informed opinions

Tell me, is it wrong?

[bennymacca]

Yes, as WHUFC and others have said, T20 has actually changed quite a bit, especially with bowling tactics and field placings.

[The Bedge]

Yes, as WHUFC and others have said, T20 has actually changed quite a bit, especially with bowling tactics and field placings.

A good ball is still a good ball regardless of the format..

[am Bays]

I think you're being harsh on Hodge.

Pollard has been the real issue - lazy, unfit, looks disinterested and hasn't fired a shot! Bowled about 4 overs all tournament, his batting is deplorable and even his ground fielding leaves a lot to be desired. Missed a relatively easy ball last night off Neser's bowling that went for 4 - no one commented, but said Neser eased the pressure with that ball. Batsman regularly taking 2 on Pollards arm because he's slow to the ball and throws off balance.

Waste of time, waste of money.

As for Hodge, granted he bats slow, but the Strikers have struggled all season with the bat, regularly lose wickets in clumps - Hodge has no option but to bat a bit of time or run the risk of being bowled out in 15 overs for 100. Ludeman should've been the one who went early, and could've had the hitters bat around Hodge.

Losing Rashid over the winter was the biggest blow, and Head/Stanlake into the Aussie side has rattled the lineup. Agar was all over the shop last night, and hard to expect Kelvin Smith or Ludeman to fire straight away coming in for their first game past the halfway point of the comp.

^
This

Every team has worked Pollard over, nothing in the slot so he can go downtown and keep him cramped on the hip.

Hodge was correct to consolidate in those overs given how we've batted this year so far outside the top three.

I also thought we just couldn't execute our plans when required bowling.

Beer's, first ball we go for the yorker and it's a fully on leg stump.

Too many times what we aimed for we didn't hit.

We are where our skills allow us to be - bottom half of the table.

[whufc]

If last nights game is anything to go by then captains and bowlers haven't done much thinking about the game.

Or they try and over think it and go the old "double bluff" and look stupid.

I agree with you, whilst i respect the need for variation, you cant beat bowling good areas and setting fields accordingly. Take Laughlin for example - mixes his pace every ball, but really bowls only two lengths - a good length or full. The spinner last night Sodhi and also Bowe from the stars, just hit regular good areas and made the batsmen force the issue.

As a batsman with these varied lengths and mix ups though, you know you can swing hard at the ball knowing it's likely to be short or wide and no chance of being bowled if you miss it.. but hit it and BOOM.

On a good length or full of a length on or around off stump. 3rd man, point, sweeper, cover, mid-off and if you can get it through there good luck to you. Even bring fine leg up to an extra cover with a mid-wicket, long off and sweeper. If the batsman can take a full ball from outside off to behind square on a regular basis with no risk ( not possible, the risk part anyway ) then let him. The game, cricket, will take care of batsman who try to do that too often by sitting them down to take the pads off.

The problem with that though is these guys bat 360, it's not often u see blokes these days get out to the ramp etc they play it that well and affective, the bats are that big that some of these guys are bunting full balls that go to the boundary in seconds

A lot of the grounds now are tiny straight and the boundaries square of the wicket are alot bigger. Gabba, WACA, spotless, Etihad, Hobart

Batsmen move that quick on the crease now you can't guarantee a full ball won't be on their pads or giving them massive room outside before they have jumped a foot to the leg or foot across to off which once again they do so affectively

If u just bowl top off a batsmen will take guard on off stump and bat from one stump out side off and just smash everything off his pads

[The Bedge]

The problem with that though is these guys bat 360, it's not often u see blokes these days get out to the ramp etc they play it that well and affective, the bats are that big that some of these guys are bunting full balls that go to the boundary in seconds

A lot of the grounds now are tiny straight and the boundaries square of the wicket are alot bigger. Gabba, WACA, spotless, Etihad, Hobart

This is where your variations of pace come into play though.

I would hazard a guess the more economical bowlers e.g. Botha would bowl largely in the same areas, set fields accordingly and vary their pace.

[whufc]

The problem with that though is these guys bat 360, it's not often u see blokes these days get out to the ramp etc they play it that well and affective, the bats are that big that some of these guys are bunting full balls that go to the boundary in seconds

A lot of the grounds now are tiny straight and the boundaries square of the wicket are alot bigger. Gabba, WACA, spotless, Etihad, Hobart

This is where your variations of pace come into play though.

I would hazard a guess the more economical bowlers e.g. Botha would bowl largely in the same areas, set fields accordingly and vary their pace.

Come on mate you know spinners and pace are two completely different things. A spinner won't get away with bowling short in any Comp, any format any ground. Pacemen can bowl short as an affective tactic

[Booney]

If last nights game is anything to go by then captains and bowlers haven't done much thinking about the game.

Or they try and over think it and go the old "double bluff" and look stupid.

I agree with you, whilst i respect the need for variation, you cant beat bowling good areas and setting fields accordingly. Take Laughlin for example - mixes his pace every ball, but really bowls only two lengths - a good length or full. The spinner last night Sodhi and also Bowe from the stars, just hit regular good areas and made the batsmen force the issue.

As a batsman with these varied lengths and mix ups though, you know you can swing hard at the ball knowing it's likely to be short or wide and no chance of being bowled if you miss it.. but hit it and BOOM.

On a good length or full of a length on or around off stump. 3rd man, point, sweeper, cover, mid-off and if you can get it through there good luck to you. Even bring fine leg up to an extra cover with a mid-wicket, long off and sweeper. If the batsman can take a full ball from outside off to behind square on a regular basis with no risk ( not possible, the risk part anyway ) then let him. The game, cricket, will take care of batsman who try to do that too often by sitting them down to take the pads off.

The problem with that though is these guys bat 360, it's not often u see blokes these days get out to the ramp etc they play it that well and affective, the bats are that big that some of these guys are bunting full balls that go to the boundary in seconds

A lot of the grounds now are tiny straight and the boundaries square of the wicket are alot bigger. Gabba, WACA, spotless, Etihad, Hobart

Batsmen move that quick on the crease now you can't guarantee a full ball won't be on their pads or giving them massive room outside before they have jumped a foot to the leg or foot across to off which once again they do so affectively

If u just bowl top off a batsmen will take guard on off stump and bat from one stump out side off and just smash everything off his pads

If batsman are moving around the crease, taking guard outside off stump etc then they're taking a risk. Risk sometimes = reward but often it results in sitting down for a drink. So as the bowling side are you more worried about a bloke taking a risk every ball or you changing your line and length to accommodate the field you just set after every ball? Put the pressure on the batsman, not your bowler.

[whufc]

It's not the 80's mate these guys aren't taking any greater risk when they move around the crease because they move to their strengths

They spend hours on hours doing this

For some batsmen (let's say strong through the leg side) a bigger risk is to stand in normal position and try and smash through off (weaker hitting area) compared to moving across and smashing through leg which is their strong hitting area