1st Test Australia v Pakistan Dec 14-18 1250hrs @ Perth Stadium

[Borisdog]

I did like one suggestion on ABC radio last night, as a solution to slow over rates - the offending team should NOT be allowed to take the new ball until they catch up. This would mean the spinners would bowl more overs, allowing the allocation of 90 overs to be bowled sooner.

I like it..
Except I'd make the opening batsmen bowl the overs that are short.

 

[the_interloper]

I did like one suggestion on ABC radio last night, as a solution to slow over rates - the offending team should NOT be allowed to take the new ball until they catch up. This would mean the spinners would bowl more overs, allowing the allocation of 90 overs to be bowled sooner.

I'm ok with that. They need some sort of rule which actually imposes penalties during the game, not after. Shits me up the wall, Test cricket has been on the wane for years, do something drastic to improve bloody over rates

 

[philreich]

I like it..
Except I'd make the opening batsmen bowl the overs that are short.

That was mentioned by someone last night - the players that hadn't bowled at any stage during the day should bowl at least some of the overs.

 

[Borisdog]

I'm ok with that. They need some sort of rule which actually imposes penalties during the game, not after. Shits me up the wall, Test cricket has been on the wane for years, do something drastic to improve bloody over rates

There are certainly situations that are clearly mitigating, but.....
The dawdling between overs.
Getting to your mark and then changing the field.
Watching the slow single down to fine leg, then the throw, then trudging back to your mark.
The non stop glove changes, chat with the runner, unscheduled drinks, blah blah

They're some of the things that waste a lot of time.
And they're what umpires are for.

 

[SC_Power]

Giving blokes experience before they demand and deserve it has rarely been the Australian way. Oh no, they don't get two Tests against Pakistan before earning it. This will set us back a decade.

Isn't that how Warner got his gig in the first place?

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Our 5th best current batsman has our 5th most runs over that period. The ones above him by-and-large recognised as some of the very batsmen in the world still. The lower order batsman get more benign conditions and more not outs to raise those averages.

Oh and another "before today's Test" scenario just like the fabulous "every innings but his best one vs South Africa" analysis. I love that stuff.

When four players are averaging above 50 and the other is 28 of course there is going to be talk.

Not saying it doesn’t count you plonk. I don’t think there is going to be chatter about him getting dropped after this Test

 

[the_interloper]

There are certainly situations that are clearly mitigating, but.....
The dawdling between overs.
Getting to your mark and then changing the field.
Watching the slow single down to fine leg, then the throw, then trudging back to your mark.
The non stop glove changes, chat with the runner, unscheduled drinks, blah blah

They're some of the things that waste a lot of time.
And they're what umpires are for.

A bit of that responsibility goes to the fielding captain as well. But yes, stop ****ing about in general.

 

[Mr Meow]

When four players are averaging above 50 and the other is 28 of course there is going to be talk.

Not saying it doesn’t count you plonk. I don’t think there is going to be chatter about him getting dropped after this Test

If you call me a plonk again I will call the police.

To be honest they may have averaged higher but I was more disappointed in Labs and Smith during the Ashes, relative to their current level. They went on and got a big score each but then threw wickets away when it seemed they could have got Australia right on top. Ussy was superb even if he faded a little late. Warner dug in and was more valuable than people recognised, even if he didn't star. Based on this and his decisive edge on home soil, I didn't find the massive controversy to pick him for this tour entirely justified based on the alternatives available.

Anyway thankfully we'll be able to chat about more interesting things like the new player in the team soon enough.

 

[Mr Meow]

Isn't that how Warner got his gig in the first place?

Yeah, and what a massive mistake that turned out to be. I'd say Bancroft will only not surpass Warner's legacy through lack of opportunity.

 

[BGman]

things will get very dicey if we've got to fill both openers spots in 12 to 24 months.

Before last season Tim Ward and Henry Hunt were fully in the frame. They sure picked a bad time to have the worst season of their FC careers. I think both, Ward specially has the game to bounce back. No doubt that Hunt handing back the SA captaincy due to it affecting his batting, also hurt his confidence, so there may be some mental fragility there. His 10 hour long 162 this year on a seaming Gabba that set up the eventual win by the 'Spiders', belies that theory as it clearly shows his determination and resilience when under pressure is at Test match level..

 

[bh90210fan]

A few more of you lot to turn up at the ground to see it.

Must be nice having public holidays during every test

 

[SC_Power]

Yeah, and what a massive mistake that turned out to be. I'd say Bancroft will only not surpass Warner's legacy through lack of opportunity.

Not a Bancroft fan personally, but more just a point that sometimes a player gets a gig because of the intersection of recent form, potential and opportunity.

Warner got it, and good on him. But has been afforded a luxury last 3 years that very few have had before.

 

[BGman]

Really should play 2 or 3 tests in Perth every summer. A fast, bouncy track providing a challenge for the batsmen and perfect weather every day. What more can you ask for?

Contrary to opinion here I think Perth Stadium is a top cricket venue, one of my favorites in the world. But a word of caution WACA if you cant promote the match to get decent bums on seats, you stand to lose Test match status. A piddling 16,259 in a stadium that holds 600K is a rather sad affair, even tho it was a week day. To not have this wonderful amphitheatre for Tests would be a real travesty.

 

[Mr Meow]

Not a Bancroft fan personally, but more just a point that sometimes a player gets a gig because of the intersection of recent form, potential and opportunity.

Warner got it, and good on him. But has been afforded a luxury last 3 years that very few have had before.

I guess they thought he'd do a bit better than the alternatives during that time frame. We can't seem to get over that fact. Theses will be written, maybe even a movie made. Or...a guy at the end averaging low 30s was serviceable but no longer great.

 

[bh90210fan]

Contrary to public opinion here I think Perth Stadium is a top cricket venue, one of my favorites in the world. But a word of caution WACA if you cant promote the match to get decent bums on seats, Test matches will be taken away. A piddling 16,259 in a stadium that holds 600K is a rather sad affair, even tho it was a week day.

16,000 really isn’t bad against a low drawing nation on a school / work day.

 

[Voice of the G]

Contrary to public opinion here I think Perth Stadium is a top cricket venue, one of my favorites in the world. But a word of caution WACA if you cant promote the match to get decent bums on seats, Test matches will be taken away. A piddling 16,259 in a stadium that holds 600K is a rather sad affair, even tho it was a week day.

16,259 is not a bad attendance for a Thursday,lets wait till the week end before we judge WA fans on attendance.BUT how Pakistan bat later today will be important if we want the crowds to turn up on the week end.

 

[Crankyhawk]

There are certainly situations that are clearly mitigating, but.....
The dawdling between overs.
Getting to your mark and then changing the field.
Watching the slow single down to fine leg, then the throw, then trudging back to your mark.
The non stop glove changes, chat with the runner, unscheduled drinks, blah blah

They're some of the things that waste a lot of time.
And they're what umpires are for.

Yes so let’s also add the limited time between balls (ie no shits if batsmen not ready bowler can come in)

 

[Milang_Panthers]

Contrary to opinion here I think Perth Stadium is a top cricket venue, one of my favorites in the world. But a word of caution WACA if you cant promote the match to get decent bums on seats, you stand to lose Test match status. A piddling 16,259 in a stadium that holds 600K is a rather sad affair, even tho it was a week day. To not have this wonderful amphitheatre for Tests would be a real travesty.

Agree. Awesome place to watch cricket and I honestly prefer it to the WACA.

 

[Black Diamond]

Agreed too. Perth Stadium may not be a proper cricket ground, but it is superb venue. It is also absolute luxury compared to the WACA Ground.

 

[Borisdog]

A bit of that responsibility goes to the fielding captain as well. But yes, stop ******* about in general.

Absolutely agreed that the fielding Captain has a responsibility. So do the 2 batsmen. And there's only 2 people on the field that have "control" over the other 14 on it.

The ICC should be setting a time on all of this. I don't care what the time IS, but it needs to be quantified, communicated and enforced.

Otherwise both sides will keep taking the piss. But I really do like the suggestion with regards slow over rate caused by the fielding side, but there's plenty of it caused by the batting side also.

 

[Gough]

Props to the stadium for this.

Cricket Australia introduces alcohol-free Pakistan Bay at Perth Stadium

Cricket Australia has taken a proactive step to create an inclusive and unique experience for Pakistani cricket fans during the upcoming first Test of the Benaud Qadir Trophy at Perth Stadium on December 14.

cricketpakistan.com.pk

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

We all have fond memories of great cricket feats at the WACA over the years, but let's be honest. If you've been there as a spectator on a 40+ day, there is nowhere to hide. In the 2020s, Perth Stadium is a far more appropriate venue from a spectator point of view. I can't see Test cricket ever being played at the WACA in future.

 

[grumbleguts]

Must be nice having public holidays during every test

Must be nice having a weekend guaranteed during every test.

 

[the_interloper]

Absolutely agreed that the fielding Captain has a responsibility. So do the 2 batsmen. And there's only 2 people on the field that have "control" over the other 14 on it.

The ICC should be setting a time on all of this. I don't care what the time IS, but it needs to be quantified, communicated and enforced.

Otherwise both sides will keep taking the piss. But I really do like the suggestion with regards slow over rate caused by the fielding side, but there's plenty of it caused by the batting side also.

That's a fair point. Reminds me of an F grade game years ago, we made over 300 the week before and it was wet day 2. Comp rules meant if the start of play was delayed by more than 30 minutes you just played to 6pm not the overs.

Lo and behold they hadn't even started trying to dry the ground when we got there, no sawdust out etc. We got cracking and tried to get it playable but was 45 before we started.

You should have seen the pricks wasting time, blokes going out, forgetting the thigh pad and having to go back etc. And the central umpire was one of their spectators too and allowing it all to happen.

They finished at 4/180 or so at 6pm, their captain got a fearful spray from a lot of us, close to fisticuffs, **** that campaigner, I'm still annoyed about it ha ha

 

[Drunkcat]

16,259 is not a bad attendance for a Thursday,lets wait till the week end before we judge WA fans on attendance.BUT how Pakistan bat later today will be important if we want the crowds to turn up on the week end.

And they will get full house for the wrestling. lol