England v Australia, 1st Test TRENT BRIDGE commences 10/7/13

[Ecky]

I'm talking about over a 4-5 year period he has constantly averaged around the 40 mark in the shield, not this flash in a pan one half decent season stuff.

Must be eating you alive that Smith is the second best bat in the country while ur boy cam is still spudding away with the spooners

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

The only season where Smith put any real pressure on the national selectors to pick him through weight of runs was back in 2009/10. Plenty of batsmen ahead of him in every other season.

Steve Smith First Class averages by season - last 5 seasons - source Cricket Archive

2008/09 207 runs @ 29.6
2009/10 772 runs @ 77.2
2010/11 380 runs @ 31.7
2011/12 500 runs @ 38.5
2012/13 363 runs @ 40.3

You can't argue against the fact that the elusive concept of "potential" has got him where he is today much more than weight of runs. I'm sure the selectors would agree with this.

[Jim05]

I couldn't believe Tubby Taylor saying at drinks and then re-iterating at lunch how good our openers bowled, they were tripe and bowled probably 1.5 good balls an over. Simply not good enough with a deck that was doing so much, too many balls that the batsmen didn't have to play at.

I agree, Pattinson struggled early with the swing and it was all over the shop! Siddle at one stage was going at near 6 an over and Agar was either too full or too short. I thought the 1st session we bowled awful but a couple of good balls kept us in the hunt.

Siddle started from the wrong end, his first 4 overs were rubbish, completely differant bowler when he changed ends

[Jim05]

Well smith hasn't actually done anything yet. Come back if he gets a 100.

A 100 would nice but his been our highest run scorer out of the specialist batsmen for about the fourth out of the last five times we have batted.

Behind Clarke his Australia's second best bat

Id still have Warner though before Cowan, whatever people think of him he still is currently the 2nd best batter stats wise in the current side, if I was the Poms I know who I would rather see walk out at number 3 and it aint Ed

So the poms want warner playing as well? Not trying to be smart, if I was cook I would take warner and his one good knock with 7 guaranteed failures as opposed to cowans occupation of the crease.

That went well, in fairness to Warner he averages just under 40, seemed to get a fair few starts last year but kept getting out in the 25-40 run region too often, reckon we would take that from an opener ATM

[westcoastpanther]

I'm talking about over a 4-5 year period he has constantly averaged around the 40 mark in the shield, not this flash in a pan one half decent season stuff.

Must be eating you alive that Smith is the second best bat in the country while ur boy cam is still spudding away with the spooners

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

The only season where Smith put any real pressure on the national selectors to pick him through weight of runs was back in 2009/10. Plenty of batsmen ahead of him in every other season.

Steve Smith First Class averages by season - last 5 seasons - source Cricket Archive

2008/09 207 runs @ 29.6
2009/10 772 runs @ 77.2
2010/11 380 runs @ 31.7
2011/12 500 runs @ 38.5
2012/13 363 runs @ 40.3

You can't argue against the fact that the elusive concept of "potential" has got him where he is today much more than weight of runs. I'm sure the selectors would agree with this.

This has always been my beef!! Then when he failed, they would drop him then pick him again at the next opportunity.

[Jim05]

I couldn't believe Tubby Taylor saying at drinks and then re-iterating at lunch how good our openers bowled, they were tripe and bowled probably 1.5 good balls an over. Simply not good enough with a deck that was doing so much, too many balls that the batsmen didn't have to play at.

Agreed, far too straight and strayed on the pads too often.
Would think over half their runs came between square leg and mid on.

[Lightning McQueen]

I couldn't believe Tubby Taylor saying at drinks and then re-iterating at lunch how good our openers bowled, they were tripe and bowled probably 1.5 good balls an over. Simply not good enough with a deck that was doing so much, too many balls that the batsmen didn't have to play at.

I agree, Pattinson struggled early with the swing and it was all over the shop! Siddle at one stage was going at near 6 an over and Agar was either too full or too short. I thought the 1st session we bowled awful but a couple of good balls kept us in the hunt.

Siddle started from the wrong end, his first 4 overs were rubbish, completely differant bowler when he changed ends

That's the fast bowler mentality. Try to bowl from what end becomes available first or going downwind to get as much pace as possible. Good to see common sense prevail and he came good, ever better that it allows me to cash my ticket in after work and have 8 or 9 beers paid up already.

[whufc]

I'm talking about over a 4-5 year period he has constantly averaged around the 40 mark in the shield, not this flash in a pan one half decent season stuff.

Must be eating you alive that Smith is the second best bat in the country while ur boy cam is still spudding away with the spooners

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

The only season where Smith put any real pressure on the national selectors to pick him through weight of runs was back in 2009/10. Plenty of batsmen ahead of him in every other season.

Steve Smith First Class averages by season - last 5 seasons - source Cricket Archive



2008/09 207 runs @ 29.6
2009/10 772 runs @ 77.2
2010/11 380 runs @ 31.7
2011/12 500 runs @ 38.5
2012/13 363 runs @ 40.3

You can't argue against the fact that the elusive concept of "potential" has got him where he is today much more than weight of runs. I'm sure the selectors would agree with this.

So his averaged about 44 over the last four seasons good luck finding anyone with a better record over the same period of time, you proved my point further.

The only bloke who would come close would be phil hughes

What would u rather see, flash in the pan blokes who have half a good season get selected or a bloke who has averaged decently over a long period of time.

I know I would rather see the bloke who can consistently hit runs

[Phantom Gossiper]

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

Dont dare insult the great Bradman like that!

[Lightning McQueen]

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

Dont dare insult the great Bradman like that!

You got training tonight?

[whufc]

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

Dont dare insult the great Bradman like that!

In 10 years time you will be saying dont insult Steve smith like that

[RustyCage]

2nd best bat in the country, over the last 3 Tests?? Didn't you just say you don't want flash in the pan stuff?

He hasn't done a thing yet....

You mean he hasn't done a thing wrong yet

[woodublieve12]

fair few negative nancy's on this thread.. we've only played one day...

[whufc]

2nd best bat in the country, over the last 3 Tests?? Didn't you just say you don't want flash in the pan stuff?

He hasn't done a thing yet....

You mean he hasn't done a thing wrong yet

Exactly, the way people carry on you would think we are the world champions with batsmen smashing the door down to get in.

So far it looks like the selectors got the pace bowling selections correct (including Siddle ) the Agar selection will be either genius or stupidity depending on England second innings.

[whufc]

fair few negative nancy's on this thread.. we've only played one day...

Im the opposite im getting carried away!!!! We can win this test and then who knows from there.

Considering i thought Pattinson only bowled average, Siddle bowled terrible early and Starc was a tad unlucky especially early we still bowled them out for 215. Agar showed enough that he could cause some trouble if the pitch turns a bit (he had Trott in all sorts early)

[Lightning McQueen]

2nd best bat in the country, over the last 3 Tests?? Didn't you just say you don't want flash in the pan stuff?

He hasn't done a thing yet....

You mean he hasn't done a thing wrong yet

Exactly, the way people carry on you would think we are the world champions with batsmen smashing the door down to get in.

So far it looks like the selectors got the pace bowling selections correct (including Siddle ) the Agar selection will be either genius or stupidity depending on England second innings.

I thought the Agar selection was a bit of an insult to Gazza, he's done enough to retain his place in the team and Agar's record isn't exactly flattering at first class level. I guess that's a risk Boof was prepared to take and I'm sure there will be many more in store in the near future.
I can see Boof leading the side into the 2020's.

[RustyCage]

With Agars height he gets good bounce. Plus he adds something with the bat too, he won the game for WA against the Redbacks earlier in the year

[RustyCage]

True smith hasn't done anything yet,

and yet its still more than any other batters at the minute,.


If smith plays he should be bowling IMO, other wise id play warner.


(I don't actually want smith to bowl)

Smith is a better batsman than Warner.

[whufc]

[flash=][/flash]What I thought was strange is that imagine a big part of the Agar selection would have been because of KP troubles against the left arm spinner yet when he came in Agar wasn't used (not that KP lasted long)

The decision was made pretty early (monday midday aus time) as well.

Agree with most that I think Lyon was pretty hard done by, struggled early in the Indian tour then produced his best performance in the last test.

If Agar bowls well in the third innings it will be genius

[Ecky]

I'm talking about over a 4-5 year period he has constantly averaged around the 40 mark in the shield, not this flash in a pan one half decent season stuff.

Must be eating you alive that Smith is the second best bat in the country while ur boy cam is still spudding away with the spooners

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

The only season where Smith put any real pressure on the national selectors to pick him through weight of runs was back in 2009/10. Plenty of batsmen ahead of him in every other season.

Steve Smith First Class averages by season - last 5 seasons - source Cricket Archive



2008/09 207 runs @ 29.6
2009/10 772 runs @ 77.2
2010/11 380 runs @ 31.7
2011/12 500 runs @ 38.5
2012/13 363 runs @ 40.3

You can't argue against the fact that the elusive concept of "potential" has got him where he is today much more than weight of runs. I'm sure the selectors would agree with this.

So his averaged about 44 over the last four seasons good luck finding anyone with a better record over the same period of time, you proved my point further.

The only bloke who would come close would be phil hughes

What would u rather see, flash in the pan blokes who have half a good season get selected or a bloke who has averaged decently over a long period of time.

I know I would rather see the bloke who can consistently hit runs

But you could also argue that Smith's numbers are inflated by his one "flash in the pan" season in 2009/10.

First class averages since 2009/10 (members of Ashes touring party)

Clarke 56.5
Rogers 47.2
Warner 45.3
Smith 43.9
Khawaja 42.6
Cowan 42.6
Watson 41.6
Hughes 38.7

First class averages since 2010/11 (members of Ashes touring party)

Clarke 56.1
Warner 47.4
Rogers 45.6
Cowan 40.7
Watson 40.0
Khawaja 39.6
Smith 38.4
Hughes 37.0

So only Hughes has a lower first class batting average than Smith over the last 3 years - Smith definitely isn't a standout in this group.

What this really shows I think is how low our batting stocks are apart from Clarke - you can basically throw a blanket over the rest of them (and others in first class cricket) and put forward an valid argument why any of about 10 batsmen should be chosen (using both stats and "potential" arguments)

[Swervyn]

I'm talking about over a 4-5 year period he has constantly averaged around the 40 mark in the shield, not this flash in a pan one half decent season stuff.

Must be eating you alive that Smith is the second best bat in the country while ur boy cam is still spudding away with the spooners

You have gone very quiet on here since the blonde don has done good!!

The only season where Smith put any real pressure on the national selectors to pick him through weight of runs was back in 2009/10. Plenty of batsmen ahead of him in every other season.

Steve Smith First Class averages by season - last 5 seasons - source Cricket Archive



2008/09 207 runs @ 29.6
2009/10 772 runs @ 77.2
2010/11 380 runs @ 31.7
2011/12 500 runs @ 38.5
2012/13 363 runs @ 40.3

You can't argue against the fact that the elusive concept of "potential" has got him where he is today much more than weight of runs. I'm sure the selectors would agree with this.

So his averaged about 44 over the last four seasons good luck finding anyone with a better record over the same period of time, you proved my point further.

The only bloke who would come close would be phil hughes

What would u rather see, flash in the pan blokes who have half a good season get selected or a bloke who has averaged decently over a long period of time.

I know I would rather see the bloke who can consistently hit runs

What about this guy?

2008-09 (Australia) 303runs at 60.60
2009 (England) 780 runs at 60.00
2009-10 (Australia) 511 runs at 42.58
2010 (England) 1187 runs at 49.45
2010-11 (Australia) 806 runs at 53.73
2011-12 (Australia) 347 runs at 34.70
2012-13 (Australia) 784 runs at 39.20