God help me - the Test Cricket thread

[capcom]

We are paper thin at times ... especially bowling to the (supposed) tail

[Professer E]

Why Starc was picked in this test defies logic.  If he bitches about series fatigue after this match I'll spew up. This was the ideal game to give him a break and play Neser on his home deck.

[LP]

Warner's review confirms to me he has become the most selfish player since Steve Waugh, perhaps even more selfish than Steve Waugh, and Waugh was extraordinarily selfish.

[PaulP]

The only stat I've seen from Warne in this respect is the run out stat. Oh, and Waugh is a New South Welshman, and Warney is a Victorian. I'd say it's just sour grapes on Warne's part, based on :

1. the fact that Warne was dropped by Waugh for one test in 1999.
2. that Waugh refused to partake in Warne's yobbo-ish, frat boy antics.

https://www.espn.com.au/cricket/story/_/...al-cricket

Interesting that Warne brings up the "selfish" line every chance he gets. Waugh has barely said two words about it.

[capcom]

Are you sure LP?  Commentators (Fleming) suggested otherwise.  I missed the original finger up call.  Wasn't it caught and then referred with LBW ruling him out?

[Professer E]

Waugh has stayed quiet, and  refused to chuck fuel on the fire,  which is a solid strategy ('control the communication' as the PR guys call it).

If you go through the archives, history is littered with incidents concerning the Waugh(s) and Victorians, of which Warne is obviously one.  The deep seated antipathy seemed to start with sledging during Shield games,  the Elliot incident didn't win friends,  and dropping Warne in the Caribbean for MacGill caused a lot of bad blood. Coupled with a perception that Victorian players (Jones,  Elliot,  Hodge) were overlooked for NSW players and you get the picture.

Neither state has particularly liked each other at state level for decades. 

[PaulP]

I'm sure all professional players have a vested interest in their performance, and you could make a case for any number of players in AFL, cricket etc. being perceived as selfish.  Warne has conducted a one man attack on Waugh for ages. The only other person of note to buy into this was Ian Chappell, who also rips into Bradman and Botham. I'd suggest all these blokes are motivated by personal grievances rather than any genuine attempt at character analysis.

Warne isn't exactly humble and selfless himself.

[capcom]

Warne was 100% right to turn down an "instruction" from Waugh that they wear their Test Caps to Wimbledon.  Waugh was absolutely self centered in thinking they'd follow suit but he always was that way inclined.  There are other examples of that

[Professer E]

Why is it that Australia seemingly has to always take all the risks to win games,  while other countries sit back and wait?  Maybe we should sit on the splice for three days and drag everything to five day draws.

I for one am pleased that at least Australia has tried to push the game forward.  If the (inevitable) collapse occurs chasing the win,  then I say,  well done boys,  at least you had a go.  And to the usual media pile on, a big  ? you.

[Professer E]

So Sharma scratches guard and shadows bats while in the field... WHERES THE MEDIA PILE ON!?!