Cricket International Series & General Chat

[nottocus]

Oh yeah, baby!!

Things are getting interesting!

Steve Smith unimpressed with Virat Kohli's send-off during Twenty20 at Adelaide Oval

Australian Test captain Steve Smith has hit back at Virat Kohli, labeling the sledge of his dismissal "not on".

Smith was talking to the Channel Nine commentary team when caught by a fired-up Kohli in Tuesday's Australia Day Twenty20 loss to India.

Kohli, clearly aggrieved by Smith's on-field analysis, proceeded to gesture with his right hand and mouth off that the Australian skipper had been talking too much and should focus on his batting

Speaking to Fox Sports on the Allan Border Medal red carpet, Smith believes Kohli's celebration was not necessary.

"He gets pretty emotional out there, doesn't he?" Smith said

"I don't think you need to do that kind of thing when someone gets out.

"It's fine to have a little bit of banter when you're out in the field, but when someone is out I don't think that's really on."

The 26-year-old fell short of blaming Channel Nine for his wicket, saying his dismissal was due to a bad shot.

"It [the commentary] was on at the time, but for me it was just a bad shot," Smith said.

"I tried to chip one over the top for two rather than trying to hit him for four or six.

"It was my fault and I got to do better next time."

It's not the first time Kohli has been caught getting under the skin of Australia this summer, telling all-rounder James Faulkner "I've smashed you enough in my life, just go and bowl" in an exchange between the pair during the third one-day international in Melbourne.

In response to the Faulkner sledge, Kohli said in a Facebook Q&A last week that teams are looking for an edge in a competitive environment.

"It's happening on a regular basis nowadays. Cricket has become really, really competitive and people will try and disrupt you in any way possible." Kohli said.

"The opposition has every right to use that as long as it doesn't cross the line. And you have every right to reply as long as it doesn't cross the line.

"I think there have been a lot of smart comments over the years and mine turned out to be a perfectly timed one. I didn't intend to do that, I just said what came to mind, which was actually not far from the truth."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/steve-smith-unimpressed-with-virat-kohlis-sendoff-during-twenty20-at-adelaide-oval-20160128-gmfrvz.html#ixzz3yVBDYrzJ

Priceless.

Typical bully behaviour.

Dish it out but can't take it.

[Will27]

Another T20 loss.

Any danger of the Aussies batting first for a change?

2 nil down and Usman still not good enough to get a game.

Still trying to work out the worst player in the side, Lyon or Wade.

[BookMan]

Another T20 loss.

Any danger of the Aussies batting first for a change?

2 nil down and Usman still not good enough to get a game.

Still trying to work out the worst player in the side, Lyon or Wade.

Lyon got given ONE over by Finch.. went for 17 runs.

Sean marsh... jesus...how many times does he keep getting another go at it

[Will27]

Khawaja replaces injured Finch, captaincy wide open

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2015-16/content/story/966819.html

At last Usman gets a call up.

How on earth can the captaincy be wide open?

Watson is the logical one. Wade shouldn't even be in the side

and Marsh is hanging on by a thread.

[Will27]

Another T20 loss.

Any danger of the Aussies batting first for a change?

2 nil down and Usman still not good enough to get a game.

Still trying to work out the worst player in the side, Lyon or Wade.

Lyon got given ONE over by Finch.. went for 17 runs.

Sean marsh... jesus...how many times does he keep getting another go at it

I know the selectors are tinkering with the side before the WC, but you do that whe you're 2 up, not 1 down.

Blind Freddie could see we were a batsman short.

Travis Head should've played before Lyon and bowled his part timers if needed.

Marsh getting a game on reputation (which isn't great anyway) and honestly, there would be at least 3 other

keepers I'd pick before Wade.

The decision to push Finch through for that single was mind boggling

[BookMan]

Khawaja replaces injured Finch, captaincy wide open

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2015-16/content/story/966819.html

At last Usman gets a call up.

How on earth can the captaincy be wide open?

Watson is the logical one. Wade shouldn't even be in the side

and Marsh is hanging on by a thread.

What is the deal with Wade?

I read an article a week or so back from a journo pointedly questioning why Rod Marsh keeps Wade around, when others in the know agree there is several better choices

Khawaja would have been perfect yesterday.

Lyon?? <deleted>?? i was astounded he played

[BookMan]

Blind Freddie could see we were a batsman short.

Travis Head should've played before Lyon and bowled his part timers if needed.

[BookMan]

Blind Freddie could see we were a batsman short.

Travis Head should've played before Lyon and bowled his part timers if needed.

[BookMan]

Blind Freddie could see we were a batsman short.

Travis Head should've played before Lyon and bowled his part timers if needed.

Marsh getting a game on reputation (which isn't great anyway) and honestly, there would be at least 3 other

keepers I'd pick before Wade.

The decision to push Finch through for that single was mind boggling

Lyon can't bat and he can't bowl

Plenty of domestic cricketers who would fill the spin roll AND can bat who would slot in nicely

Lyon cannot contain runs in a test match, what are they expecting in T20 or T50?

[Will27]

Blind Freddie could see we were a batsman short.

Travis Head should've played before Lyon and bowled his part timers if needed.

Marsh getting a game on reputation (which isn't great anyway) and honestly, there would be at least 3 other

keepers I'd pick before Wade.

The decision to push Finch through for that single was mind boggling

Lyon can't bat and he can't bowl

Plenty of domestic cricketers who would fill the spin roll AND can bat who would slot in nicely

Lyon cannot contain runs in a test match, what are they expecting in T20 or T50?

**Surely this should prove to the selectors that Lyon is a test match bowler.

The limited over stuff just ain't his go. Maxwell bowls offies so you don't need another one.

Wade dropped 2 catches in the last ODI. Peter Neville, Handscome, Bancroft and Luderman

are all better options.

I know you don't agree with that first sentence either BookMan

[BookMan]

**Surely this should prove to the selectors that Lyon is a test match bowler.

The limited over stuff just ain't his go. Maxwell bowls offies so you don't need another one.

Wade dropped 2 catches in the last ODI. Peter Neville, Handscome, Bancroft and Luderman

are all better options.

I know you don't agree with that first sentence either BookMan

Because he is abysmal at T20 and t50, I'm not sure the logic follows he is a test match bowler

I know for sure opposition teams love facing him, which tells us a lot

[farmerjo]

I thought Marsh complimented Finch well turning the strike over and he chanced his hitting at the right time.

India's spinners are a class above ours in the short format.

Doesn't matter which players you pick when you walk out to bat needing 10 an over,very few players will get the job done.

[BookMan]

I thought Marsh complimented Finch well turning the strike over and he chanced his hitting at the right time.

India's spinners are a class above ours in the short format.

Doesn't matter which players you pick when you walk out to bat needing 10 an over,very few players will get the job done.

T20 i reckon a batsmen needs a strike rate of 120-150+ these days.

Run a ball would only give a score of 120

Marsh is a decent player, but just doesnt perform at the Australian level consistently... Khawaja should have played game 1 & 2

[Will27]

When entertainment becomes intrusion

Broadcasters' desire to get in players' heads for the sake of good TV is beginning to affect game play

http://www.espncricinfo.com/blogs/content/story/967137.html

[BookMan]

Interesting game last night. Even with Australia scoring 197 it looked like India would run it down..and run it down they did, with 19 in the final over, winning off the last ball.

Highlights for Australia were Watson with his century and Cameron Boyce with his Leg spin. he took 2/28 and should have had 3, but Bancroft, standing in for Wade, missed the stumping..oh, what could have been...

Khawaja got his chance but was out early. Still he was on the hammer from the get go, something Shaun Marsh needs to learn. His slow starts cost momentum and when he fails, which is usually, it adds pressure.

This Indian tour has shown one thing for certain: India is an awesome batting team in t50 and t20. The confidence they go about in accumulating runs has been stunning.

Ice-cool Raina lifts India to 3-0 whitewash

A thrilling chase and a cruel missed chance saw India seal a Twenty20 series sweep over Australia at the SCG, as the more settled side was victorious once again.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli laid the groundwork for India's pursuit before Suresh Raina was able to finish things off with the help of Yuvraj Singh, who looked out of touch before finding his timing at precisely the right moment as the pair took 19 off Andrew Tye's final over of the innings to finish off the win.

Victory also lifted India to No.1 in the ICC T20 rankings; they were eighth before the series began.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2015-16/content/story/967475.html

Edited February 1, 2016 by BookMan

[Will27]

Interesting game last night. Even with Australia scoring 197 it looked like India would run it down..and run it down they did, with 19 in the final over, winning off the last ball.

Highlights for Australia were Watson with his century and Cameron Boyce with his Leg spin. he took 2/28 and should have had 3, but Bancroft, standing in for Wade, missed the stumping..oh, what could have been...

Khawaja got his chance but was out early. Still he was on the hammer from the get go, something Shaun Marsh needs to learn. His slow starts cost momentum and when he fails, which is usually, it adds pressure.

This Indian tour has shown one thing for certain: India is an awesome batting team in t50 and t20. The confidence they go about in accumulating runs has been stunning.

Ice-cool Raina lifts India to 3-0 whitewash

A thrilling chase and a cruel missed chance saw India seal a Twenty20 series sweep over Australia at the SCG, as the more settled side was victorious once again.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli laid the groundwork for India's pursuit before Suresh Raina was able to finish things off with the help of Yuvraj Singh, who looked out of touch before finding his timing at precisely the right moment as the pair took 19 off Andrew Tye's final over of the innings to finish off the win.

Victory also lifted India to No.1 in the ICC T20 rankings; they were eighth before the series began.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2015-16/content/story/967475.html

Yep, the Aussies finally decided to give themselves a chance and bat first.

Boyce can start visiting the duty free shops. He's off to India.

Makes his dropping for the 2nd game for Lyon even more bewildering as he also

bowled well in the first game.

I assume Peter Nevill is still in Australia?

If he is, what has he done wrong?

Bancroft is a future test player (so they say), but he's a part time keeper.

Doesn't even keep for WA. Only kept for the Schorchers due to injury.

Shaun Marsh, he's just not up to it.

Has a career average of under 20 with strike rate of 104.

Not good enough when you are in the power play.

TBH, I can't see Australia frightening too many with that attack.

[Will27]

Me as well.

I reckon the selectors have made a lot of poor choices this last 12 months.

Bancroft selection shocked me: Haddin

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/cricket/a/30701973/bancroft-selection-shocked-me-haddin/

[BookMan]

Me as well.

I reckon the selectors have made a lot of poor choices this last 12 months.

Bancroft selection shocked me: Haddin

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/cricket/a/30701973/bancroft-selection-shocked-me-haddin/

Ian Healy has been very quiet in the subject of wicket keepers during his commentary stint.

Be nice to have commentators were meant to offer up opinions

Bancroft was chosen for his batting skill? He is more a specialist batsman than a keeper. I don't mind that kind of selection, but the keeper does have to take the stumping like the one he missed

Edited February 1, 2016 by BookMan

[Will27]

Me as well.

I reckon the selectors have made a lot of poor choices this last 12 months.

Bancroft selection shocked me: Haddin

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/cricket/a/30701973/bancroft-selection-shocked-me-haddin/

Ian Healy has been very quiet in the subject of wicket keepers during his commentary stint.

Be nice to have commentators were meant to offer up opinions

Bancroft was chosen for his batting skill? He is more a specialist batsman than a keeper. I don't mind that kind of selection, but the keeper does have to take the stumping like the one he missed

In T20, Bancroft will be batting at 6 or 7 so really shouldn't be needed that often.

He also doesn't hit a big ball so keeping is more important in the 20 over stuff.

You just need the best keeper available IMO.

As for commentators having an opinion. If it's not about the "funniest new show on television",

then you can forget it.

Edited February 1, 2016 by Will27

[BookMan]

.

As for commentators having an opinion. If it's not about the "funniest new show on television",

then you can forget it.

[BookMan]

Glenn Maxwell video interviews Virat Kohli

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/virat-kohli-glenn-maxwell-interview-australia-india-sachin-tendulkar-james-faulkner-ipl-mitch-starc/2016-02-01

[Will27]

Glenn Maxwell video interviews Virat Kohli

http://www.cricket.com.au/news/virat-kohli-glenn-maxwell-interview-australia-india-sachin-tendulkar-james-faulkner-ipl-mitch-starc/2016-02-01

Thanks for that BM....enjoyed it.

Although I did cringe when they were saying how much of a softy

Mitchell Starc is. We need some mongrel back in the team.

[Will27]

Still can't find a spot for him

Australia v New Zealand: Usman Khawaja left out of ODI side in Auckland

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-new-zealand-usman-khawaja-left-out-of-odi-side-in-auckland-20160202-gmjcov.html#ixzz3yy223dLz

[BookMan]

Still can't find a spot for him

Australia v New Zealand: Usman Khawaja left out of ODI side in Auckland

Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-new-zealand-usman-khawaja-left-out-of-odi-side-in-auckland-20160202-gmjcov.html#ixzz3yy223dLz

Good grief!

Khawja is in Kohli like form...

He should be given all 3 games

It is becoming embarrassing for the selectors..the selection mistakes in the Ashes series in England and in the just finished t20 series

[BookMan]

Michael Slater joins chorus of pressure on Australian selector Rod Marsh

Former Australian opener Michael Slater has all but called for the head of chief selector Rod Marsh over the way he's handled Usman Khawaja.

Khawaja will carry the drinks in Wednesday's series-opening one-day international against New Zealand, despite scoring 863 runs at 123.29 in all forms of cricket since the start of November.

"It's a joke, it's a joke and the pressure that should be mounting on Rod Marsh," Slater told the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio.

"There's no great planning when it comes to some selections and there is no great logic when they leave someone out like Khawaja. So Rod Marsh should be in the sights."

Khawaja was originally left out of Australia's squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Marsh reasoning no batsman from the recent home series against India deserved to be dropped.

All seven batsmen originally selected for the New Zealand tour averaged over 40 in the series, but Slater says it shouldn't have come down to the hamstring injury to Aaron Finch to allow Khawaja to tour.

"I don't care who you leave out, it's a tough decision and they've made tough decisions over the years," he said.

"The selectors need, when you've got a guy in this sort of form, and he's better than the guys in there, to make a tough decision."

Slater also pointed to Australia's failed 2015 Ashes series, where Mitch Marsh was replaced by his brother Shaun in the fourth Test and Peter Siddle played only one match as a reason for his concern.

Slater's views were further backed by former Australian quick Geoff Lawson, who also couldn't believe Khawaja's continued omission.

"It's a nonsense all round, and I guess from that point of view the selectors have been consistent from that point of view with Usman, and we know what to expect from them," he said.

"That used to be the mantra of Australian cricket, you just picked people who were in form, no matter who they were. The currency was making runs or taking wickets and you played."

They are not the first former players to attack Marsh this week, after Brad Haddin questioned how the former wicketkeeper could select Cameron Bancroft behind the stumps for Australia's third Twenty20 against India.

Marsh has been chairman of the Australian selectors since May 2014, when he took over from John Inverarity, who he had served under since 2011.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-slater-joins-chorus-of-pressure-on-australian-selector-rod-marsh-20160202-gmk7v2.html#ixzz3z3cE6sMx
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

[farmerjo]

With the amount of games they play these days i wonder how much control the medical staff have.

Although i agree if Usman is over his hamstring injury,he's over it.

I wouldn't be to quick to hang Marsh out to dry.

Australia on top in ODI rankings and can regain no 1 spot in the tests coming up.

T 20 is the "3rd" form of the game.

What they say about Australia used to be picked on form is garbage,it was harder to get out of the side than in it.

Edited February 3, 2016 by farmerjo

[Will27]

Michael Slater joins chorus of pressure on Australian selector Rod Marsh

Former Australian opener Michael Slater has all but called for the head of chief selector Rod Marsh over the way he's handled Usman Khawaja.

Khawaja will carry the drinks in Wednesday's series-opening one-day international against New Zealand, despite scoring 863 runs at 123.29 in all forms of cricket since the start of November.

"It's a joke, it's a joke and the pressure that should be mounting on Rod Marsh," Slater told the Big Sports Breakfast on Sky Sports Radio.

"There's no great planning when it comes to some selections and there is no great logic when they leave someone out like Khawaja. So Rod Marsh should be in the sights."

Khawaja was originally left out of Australia's squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, with Marsh reasoning no batsman from the recent home series against India deserved to be dropped.

All seven batsmen originally selected for the New Zealand tour averaged over 40 in the series, but Slater says it shouldn't have come down to the hamstring injury to Aaron Finch to allow Khawaja to tour.

"I don't care who you leave out, it's a tough decision and they've made tough decisions over the years," he said.

"The selectors need, when you've got a guy in this sort of form, and he's better than the guys in there, to make a tough decision."

Slater also pointed to Australia's failed 2015 Ashes series, where Mitch Marsh was replaced by his brother Shaun in the fourth Test and Peter Siddle played only one match as a reason for his concern.

Slater's views were further backed by former Australian quick Geoff Lawson, who also couldn't believe Khawaja's continued omission.

"It's a nonsense all round, and I guess from that point of view the selectors have been consistent from that point of view with Usman, and we know what to expect from them," he said.

"That used to be the mantra of Australian cricket, you just picked people who were in form, no matter who they were. The currency was making runs or taking wickets and you played."

They are not the first former players to attack Marsh this week, after Brad Haddin questioned how the former wicketkeeper could select Cameron Bancroft behind the stumps for Australia's third Twenty20 against India.

Marsh has been chairman of the Australian selectors since May 2014, when he took over from John Inverarity, who he had served under since 2011.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/michael-slater-joins-chorus-of-pressure-on-australian-selector-rod-marsh-20160202-gmk7v2.html#ixzz3z3cE6sMx

Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

As the late Glenn Frey used to sing "the heat is on".

Australia number 1 ranked side in ODI's and 8th in T20.

That's too much of a discrepancy IMO.

It's a completely different game.

Maybe a different selection panel for T20?

Rod Marsh, Andy Bichel, Trevor Hohns and Mark Waugh have never played the game.

People like Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge would be good value I think.

[Will27]

With the amount of games they play these days i wonder how much control the medical staff have.

Although i agree if Usman is over his hamstring injury,he's over it.

I wouldn't be to quick to hang Marsh out to dry.

Australia on top in ODI rankings and can regain no 1 spot in the tests coming up.

T 20 is the "3rd" form of the game.

What they say about Australia used to be picked on form is garbage,it was harder to get out of the side than in it.

Khawaja just had to be picked.

As tough as it is, Shaun Marsh or Bailey had to dropped for him.

Shaun Marsh should've never been in the T20 side instead of Usman, that was outrageous.

Marsh has a terrible record in T20 cricket.

I'm not so sure about T20 being 3rd now to be honest. Apart from the WC, I find 50 over cricket

really boring.

[BookMan]

*edited*

Edited February 3, 2016 by BookMan

[BookMan]

I'm watching the New Zealand v Australia one day game..

We are looking at a 350 total for New zealand. 3/191 after 27 overs

Watching here: (no need to sign up as member or download anything)

http://cricfree.sx/watch/live/new-zealand-vs-australia-live-streaming