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Craig HillDunces and Duxes from the Second Test
December 5th 2006 22:10
Let’s just start by saying that cricketnews.com.au bravely predicted a fascinating draw from yesterday’s proceedings and heads the list of DUNCES as a result but onto the performers in the Adelaide Oval epic.
AUSTRALIA
Justin Langer; DUNCE, with scores of 4 and 7 in his two innings he is one of a number of players that will the heat from the press in the lead up to Christmas.
Matthew Hayden; DUNCE, failure in both innings after some mediocre returns in the first test, mean that it might be Hayden who feels the hot breath of Phil Jacques on his neck rather than Langer.
Ricky Ponting; DUX, in reaching his 33rd test century in the first innings Ponting invited comparisons with none other than the Don. His mature approach to the 2nd innings run chase shows how easily leadership now sits on his shoulders after a tumultuous campaign last year in England.
Damien Martyn; DUNCE, 11 and 5 are poor returns for a cricketer who has very few chances left with loyal selectors, expect Watson in his place for the Perth despite the protests of the local WA crowd.
Michael Hussey; DUX, batted sublimely in both innings and was unlucky to miss out on his hundred in the first innings. He reinforced his adaptability in the second innings with a mature run chase in testing conditions.
Michael Clarke; DUX, took his chance at the right time and with Martyn out of form he is likely to move up to number 5 in the order to accommodate Watson.
Adam Gilchrist; DUX, finally ended his run of outs against the England quicks and compiled a half century. Missed a sharp chance off Collingwood at the end of the England second innings but the end was nigh regardless.
Shane Warne; DUX; turned the match with a vintage spell on the 5th morning. His competitive presence after initial inroads caused England to crawl into their survival shells rather than play positively. Bowled poorly in the 1st innings and let Pieterson get to him.
Brett Lee; DUNCE, Despite now being able to classify Flintoff as his bunny Lee will be disappointed with his overall bowling. He lacks penetration and variety and needs some serious work.
Stuart Clark; DUX, Clark is improving with every game and has an uncanny knack of getting blokes out with his uncomplicated style and even temperament.
Glen McGrath; DUNCE, the vultures are circling and despite picking up two late wickets in the 2nd innings McGrath struggled on an unresponsive surface.
ENGLAND
Andrew Strauss; DUNCE, two moderate scores will give cause for concern after meagre offerings in the first test. Was unlucky in the second innings but charging Warne without the intent to put the ball beyond the ring of close fielders is always fraught with danger.
Alastair Cook; DUNCE, Stuart Clark has his measure and Cook needs a big score to really make his mark on this series.
Ian Bell; DUX, Bell showed his new found maturity in both innings and will have been annoyed with his inability to convert in the first innings and sloppy running in the second. Terrific in the field and one of England’s most consistent performers so far.
Paul Collingwood, DUX, close to man of the match performance from a player that until now had always had his place in the team questioned.
Kevin Pieterson, DUNCE, A terrific first innings was marred by a foolhardy attempt to sweep Warne early in his second innings. This was the turning point of the match where the Aussies smelt vulnerable opposition and went in for the kill.
Andrew Flintoff, DUNCE, His mind is awash with the burdens of a team that is not functioning as it should. No surprises to see him dismissed cheaply in both innings. His injury will be of concern and it will do nothing to clear his mind in the lead up to the third test.
Geraint Jones. DUNCE, Picked for his batting he kept well and missed out on opportunities to repay the selectors faith in his willow wielding abilities. Fletcher’s contemplative face and Read’s longing look were ever present in the dressing room shots captured by Channel 9 during and after Jones’s two innings.
Ashely Giles, DUNCE, failed to exert any pressure with long defensive bowling spells. Two wickets for the match is a poor return on a pitch that has traditionally favoured the spinners.
Matthew Hoggard, DUX, excelled himself in the first innings with good, old-fashioned hard work and persistence. Underused in the second innings Hoggard should be steeling himself to be a major contributor for the remainder of the series.
Steve Harmison, DUNCE, improving but still way below his best. Hopefully some long net sessions and further technical advice from the England coaching staff will see him back to his best in the next fixture. How much longer can England sustain an underperforming strike bowler?
James Anderson, DUNCE, cannon fodder for the Aussies and largely ineffective despite trying hard throughout and never letting his head drop in the field. A strong performance from either Mahmood or Plunkett in the tour matches to come will mean his place is under scrutiny.
AUSTRALIA
Justin Langer; DUNCE, with scores of 4 and 7 in his two innings he is one of a number of players that will the heat from the press in the lead up to Christmas.
Matthew Hayden; DUNCE, failure in both innings after some mediocre returns in the first test, mean that it might be Hayden who feels the hot breath of Phil Jacques on his neck rather than Langer.
Ricky Ponting; DUX, in reaching his 33rd test century in the first innings Ponting invited comparisons with none other than the Don. His mature approach to the 2nd innings run chase shows how easily leadership now sits on his shoulders after a tumultuous campaign last year in England.
Damien Martyn; DUNCE, 11 and 5 are poor returns for a cricketer who has very few chances left with loyal selectors, expect Watson in his place for the Perth despite the protests of the local WA crowd.
Michael Hussey; DUX, batted sublimely in both innings and was unlucky to miss out on his hundred in the first innings. He reinforced his adaptability in the second innings with a mature run chase in testing conditions.
Michael Clarke; DUX, took his chance at the right time and with Martyn out of form he is likely to move up to number 5 in the order to accommodate Watson.
Adam Gilchrist; DUX, finally ended his run of outs against the England quicks and compiled a half century. Missed a sharp chance off Collingwood at the end of the England second innings but the end was nigh regardless.
Shane Warne; DUX; turned the match with a vintage spell on the 5th morning. His competitive presence after initial inroads caused England to crawl into their survival shells rather than play positively. Bowled poorly in the 1st innings and let Pieterson get to him.
Brett Lee; DUNCE, Despite now being able to classify Flintoff as his bunny Lee will be disappointed with his overall bowling. He lacks penetration and variety and needs some serious work.
Stuart Clark; DUX, Clark is improving with every game and has an uncanny knack of getting blokes out with his uncomplicated style and even temperament.
Glen McGrath; DUNCE, the vultures are circling and despite picking up two late wickets in the 2nd innings McGrath struggled on an unresponsive surface.
ENGLAND
Andrew Strauss; DUNCE, two moderate scores will give cause for concern after meagre offerings in the first test. Was unlucky in the second innings but charging Warne without the intent to put the ball beyond the ring of close fielders is always fraught with danger.
Alastair Cook; DUNCE, Stuart Clark has his measure and Cook needs a big score to really make his mark on this series.
Ian Bell; DUX, Bell showed his new found maturity in both innings and will have been annoyed with his inability to convert in the first innings and sloppy running in the second. Terrific in the field and one of England’s most consistent performers so far.
Paul Collingwood, DUX, close to man of the match performance from a player that until now had always had his place in the team questioned.
Kevin Pieterson, DUNCE, A terrific first innings was marred by a foolhardy attempt to sweep Warne early in his second innings. This was the turning point of the match where the Aussies smelt vulnerable opposition and went in for the kill.
Andrew Flintoff, DUNCE, His mind is awash with the burdens of a team that is not functioning as it should. No surprises to see him dismissed cheaply in both innings. His injury will be of concern and it will do nothing to clear his mind in the lead up to the third test.
Geraint Jones. DUNCE, Picked for his batting he kept well and missed out on opportunities to repay the selectors faith in his willow wielding abilities. Fletcher’s contemplative face and Read’s longing look were ever present in the dressing room shots captured by Channel 9 during and after Jones’s two innings.
Ashely Giles, DUNCE, failed to exert any pressure with long defensive bowling spells. Two wickets for the match is a poor return on a pitch that has traditionally favoured the spinners.
Matthew Hoggard, DUX, excelled himself in the first innings with good, old-fashioned hard work and persistence. Underused in the second innings Hoggard should be steeling himself to be a major contributor for the remainder of the series.
Steve Harmison, DUNCE, improving but still way below his best. Hopefully some long net sessions and further technical advice from the England coaching staff will see him back to his best in the next fixture. How much longer can England sustain an underperforming strike bowler?
James Anderson, DUNCE, cannon fodder for the Aussies and largely ineffective despite trying hard throughout and never letting his head drop in the field. A strong performance from either Mahmood or Plunkett in the tour matches to come will mean his place is under scrutiny.
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Comment by jon
Orble News
Urban Hint
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I agree with your assessment of some of the Aussie batters. Martyn and Hayden especially. I do feel sorry for Hayden. We all know he can be such a great batsman but he just does not seem to click.
How good is Warne though. The best bowler of all time? He must be getting close.
Comment by DavidH
Defending the indefensible