The Ashes – Third Test, Adelaide Day 5: Citrus Bob’s Cricket Snicks
ADELAIDE DAY 5 25/26
CRICKET SNICKS
How obvious from the selection booth. Opening the bowling with a bowler who is so green his average with the ball this series is over 60! Don’t they want the boy from Snug in the team. No wickets for quite a few will not have helped his cause.
The old saying with the Australian cricket team ‘It is harder to get out than in’. Cameron Green needs to reappraise his whole career. The Indian rupees must have his eyes watering all the time.
How good is Labuschagne in the field? Whether it be in the slips or the outfield his work has been superb. As I said somewhere else I would nearly pick him for his fielding alone. However, he will need runs in Melbourne to cement that spot at number 3.
If only the Poms could have either Smudge or Marnie in the field.
Mind you if it wasn’t for the bias of the press from both sides of the world this was a very good Test match and 82 runs defeat meant it was a close game
The main difference was that England frittered away their chances. Good judges thought they had a chance late yesterday but people such as the heir apparent Brook got out bazballing.
However I was impressed with Will Jacks as a batter. Not that he played great shots but he at least got his body behind the ball. Jamie Smith showed us what a glorious stroke maker he can be.
We have heard the last of bazball in my opinion and the leader of the pack Brenden McCallum will not be coaching England next year. The body language behind the glass in Adelaide said it all.
Have we seen the last of Nathan Lyon as a Test champion? The second highest wicket taker after Shane Warne in world cricket, 567 victims, has injured himself diving for the ball and more than likely will be out of the final two Tests. Who would replace him that is the burning question. None of the players tried in recent times has set the world on fire so Maz and Traz could be used in Melbourne.
Speaking of Melbourne one scribe has suggested that Scott Boland should be rested. Unbelievable! If that happened there would be riot before the game even got under way.
Dare I say it, as a Victorian, the performances on the sporting fields of Adelaide would suggest that they would be quite happy to be the ‘sporting capitol of Australia’. Premier Pete would certainly be behind that. About 240,000 people attended the Test match and for you unbelievers in the North the same amount or near to it attended ‘gather round’.
Despite leading three zip the home team could make at least three changes for Melbourne. I can assure you that Boland will not be one of them! Inglis, Weatherall and Green will certainly be coming up for discussion while Lyon is certain to miss.
What can you say about the English team? Shoaib Bashir and Jacob Bethell must come into the side. Pope and Duckett should be omitted but who would replace them other than the two players mentioned above.
The religious experience of Boxing Day will continue to attract monstrous crowd and in the vicinity of 92,000 will be in attendance wearing all of their Christmas presents
Must give The Dream Team a pat on the back to. Some wonderful writing coming from them over the first three matches. They will continue to provide you with history in the making in Melbourne and Sydney.
Festive season greetings to all our friends, writers and readers. Come with us as we write around the world.
More stories from Citrus Bob Utber can be read Here.
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About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
CB
a great array of snicks here:
some players are blessed – more blessed than others (eg: the Golden Boy) – Webster … seriously, play him as a spinner/all-rounder!
Marnus: incredible as a fielder, agree with Dan Lonergan though: he could reign it in (just a tad!) in the field though
Boland: no chance to be rested for Friday
Merry Christmas
RITV
Cmon CB Weatherald scored 70 odd in Brisbane and red ink his spot isn’t even up for discussion
V happy to bet Out Inglis-Lyon-Cummins
In Smith-Murphy-Neser ( Richardson is a chance ) Green is the player who’s spot is in doubt way to much bowling machine and throwdowns for mine and is to mechanical yes doubts mentally but with the age of our side we need him to come thru.
As we all know it’s done by work loads if Cummins was ok -Boland may have been rested he will more than likely play.
RITV- It is amazing just how many “Golden Boys” have been around in both VFL/AFL and CA. In footy nearly every team has one but they never materialise into good players even. Have heard from another knacker that Matt Renshaw is not a fave of Cap’in Pat. Yes we had the news first! Yes, Marnus needs to reign it in. He is another player that seems outside the circle.
Victoria will make a move to become its own country if Boland is “rested”.
RULE- THINK YOU ARE RIGHT ON BOTH COMMENTS. Jyhe Richardson should come in for Cummins although the unlucky Neser could and should be a chance. Not sure what to do with C.Green. He is a big lad and perhaps a new fitness program might assist but I am mindful of his illness as well. Thanks again
Well said Bob.
I’m a Green fan, I think he will end up with a Test batting average upwards of 45, reminiscent of Steve Waugh’s faith in Matt Hayden despite his early struggles.
He was one of only three batsmen to pass 20 in the first innings in
Perth, and looked good, batted well in Brisbane before the brain fade, and yes, he was disappointing in Adelaide. I also think, if he is 100% fit, he should be bowling more.