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buzz-lightyear
couldn't agree more 🙂
What I find interesting is the remarks of some commentators that swann had a bad tour because of his modest wicket taking. Yet he is so feared that his presence had the biggest influence on Aussie tactics. He was a good contender for man of the series IMO . No that was deserved by cook for exceptional batting and possible jimmy for leading the bowling. Jimmy reminded me of McGraths ruthless discipline this time. How the tables have turned.
Agree with Buzz about Swann. Also the fact he could tie an end up for 35 overs a day as well meant that Strauss could rotate 3 seamers at will; rarely did they have to bowl under pressure or when tired, as soon as the Aussies got their measure, it was 'well try this then'. I think he still had a large impact overall on the series.
For me the most pleasing aspect was that we now have a 5 or 6 man seam bowling battery that we can pick from to suit conditions. We rolled the Aussies time and again but in the bowling stakes, unlike batting (where we outscored Aus by I think 9 centuries to 3) we only had 3 5-fors in the series. Because everyone was taking wickets.
Jimmy - enough said
Broad - hope he comes back from injury well, that's key. He's young and I'm not sure his frame is suited to out and out strike bowling but he can bowl with great control as he did in T1 and T2, and if he was to come back a yard down in pace but with his height, supreme control and the ability to nip and nibble the ball, could be another Glenn McGrath.
Bresnan - I thought he should have come in when Broad was injured (I was wrong), again to provide that control. He was actually a bigger threat than I'd imagined - 11 wkts in 2 games at less than 20 is a great return
Finn - almost forgotten but when he bowed out through fatigue / risk of injury he was top wicket taker. Can be expensive but also very dangerous. Not quite the finished article but on his day / on the right surface
Tremlett - hugely impressed. Menacing and yet miserly. Stay fit PLEASE!
Shahzad - could easily have been picked in place of Finn, Broad, Tremlett or Bresnan; will get his chance in the summer I think.
I agree about Swann - very much the unsung hero of this tour - a great slipper as well. The best part of it is that it seems he doesn't mind at all not having the figures he "deserved" (being #2 in the world, all the talk beforehand was that he'd top the bowling stats), so long as he's done his part to help the team.
the TDF lasts several months,
wtf?
well, the race itself goes on for a couple of weeks or so, and then the lawyers and blood/wee laboratory boffins take over and tell us who didn't get caught using epo.
the whole process usually takes months.