The Cricket Thread (part 7) - The Mitch Marsh Test Renaissance period

Morally?

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Let’s see what the Indian pitch doctor does for this final.

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Playing a reverse sweep is akin to not offering a shot IMO. You get hit on the pads, start walking :rofl:

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And on boundary countback.

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Unless you’re Maxy…. :wink:

But seriously, Marnus looked rattled that entire innings, he didn’t handle the pressure at all well.

Nor did Smith when Coetzee went around the wicket and telegraphed the short stuff.

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For those who didn’t get a full nights sleep, would you say Starc saved us?

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In a way yes. He batted very sensibly and he really looked like he wanted to see it through from the moment he got out there. If he had got out early then we probably don’t win.

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All of Inglis, Starc, and Cummins batted with great composure given the pressure.

Yes Pat was dropped on what was really only a half chance, but ā– ā– ā– ā–  me he’s got ice in his veins with the bat these days. Comin up clutch like it’s habit.

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You are so right

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Sure, 20 years ago.

Nowadays just about every batter from state level up has it in the toolkit. It’s not just an ultra aggressive shot, it can (and often does) get used to manipulate fields.

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Which is fine but no one should have any complaints when they are fired.
Lab was out every day of the week and I’m glad he was given out by the on field umpire

There were some horrible shots played by our batters last night. You could see the pressure in the shots they played. Warner, Labuschagne, Smith and Maxwell all played stinkers. The way Marsh got out was also very ordinary.

Chasing runs in big games is tough. I hope we can put India under this pressure on Sunday by batting first.

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The ā– ā– ā– ā–  are you talking about?

He was fired because he was stone dead LBW, not because he played a reverse sweep.

Nobody is complaining about him or any other coat being fired LBW. He missed the ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā–  ball in front of middle, doesn’t matter a ā– ā– ā– ā–  what shot he was playing.

I don’t have a heap of issue with Warner’s or Marsh’s dismissals. Sure you’d like them to execute better, but their intent was fine and in Marsh’s case in particular the shot selection was fine.
Warner misread the length badly and Marsh laced one through extra cover only for van der Dussen to take a hanger.
I’m 100% backing Marsh to continue to play that shot every time. Our team set up purely for him to do so, our top 3 are there to go as hard as they can in the powerplay and get ahead of the batting innings from the start. It’s the only reason why our ODI team has started to look remotely competitive against the likes of India and the Poms in the last 12mths. And in last nights game it was arguably even more important, given how hard it got to score once the spinners came on.
Of course you want him to execute perfectly every time (which is of course a fairy land dream that’ll never happen), but absolutely don’t want him to go into his shell or away from his instincts to take the bowling on.

If we’re to be any chance against India, it’s gonna be because our top 3 go berserk in the first ~15 overs and take down the Indians seamers to set a platform for the middle overs and back end.

I noted with interest that we’ve got the second highest strike rate in the powerplay for the tournament, only ~.1rpo behind the Indians.

Hard agree on Marnus and Smith though, the shots of blokes who didn’t handle the pressure.

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Right, now that’s done the question needs to be asked…
Is Bavuma the worst player to be a side’s captain you’ve ever seen? He is an absolute jobber, and that’s being kind.
In 40+ years of watching cricket he’s the worst I can remember. Shades Mike Brearley and Tim Paine comfortably (though Paine was only captain through circumstances… let’s be honest).
Choosing a captain and forming a team around them is absolute folly. Should ALWAYS be the best leader from the best 11.

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I’ve heard plenty of commentary this morning saying that it was only ā€œjust clippingā€ leg stump and that the shot made it look worse than it was. I don’t see that as the case and thought it was hitting middle

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Pfft, I haven’t heard any of that thankfully cause that’s some absolute dunce level garbage. He was ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā– ā–  plumb. In fact I reckon the ball tracking projection screwed the pooch cause that was smashing leg stump all the way.

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I’ve believed that to be the case for a long time. I’m not convinced that the technology has improved that much either TBH.
The Jansen dismissal off Trav was one of the easiest decisions you will ever get yet ball tracker seemed way off

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I think Smith and Marnus are clearly behind Marsh, Warner, Head and Maxi - but they are pretty good for your 5th and 6th best batsman!

They both clearly batted during the most difficult period of our innings, the SA bowlers were fantastic. Marsh especially, but all our bats struggle against quality spin at times. Its what makes India such a tough proposition, quality spin and pace.

Can’t wait for the game on Sunday, go Aussies.

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I don’t disagree either the intent of the Warner and Marsh shots was right. It is the execution I’m really worried about. Also it’s never a good look getting out first ball you have faced from a particular bowler - even if it is inside the power play.