Left Arm Chinaman
Sure our spinning stocks look depleted, but replacing a genuine attacking off-spinner for Ashley fúcking Giles is beyond obscene. This Queensland reject can’t even get a start for his new state who already depleted with 5 players on National Service. To look at the spinning options available he’s unlikely to feature in a top 5 of those who are actually playing domestic cricket, many of whom can also bat. Anyway, looks like we’re stuck with the prick while the quicks take wickets from the other end, and at least he can help us draw matches with his defensive lines.
What really has me stumped though, is what the hell is wrong with Ponting that he just refuses to bowl Simon Katich? After giving him for a few overs early on in India and seeing how well he turned the ball he’s been pretty much completely ignored with the ball. Perhaps the aggression that Katto brings to the task of bowling that doens’t fit with Pontings ideals of a metrosexual bollywood singing bowler?
If fit, Katto’s bowling record should at the very least get him at few token overs. Let us compare him to our specialist spinner, Nathan Hauritz.
Katich has taken 87 1st class wickets to Hauritz’ 81, despite Hauritz having bowled 40% more deliveries. Katto averages 37.8 compared to Hauritz 47.2, roughly 20% less. His strike Rate is 62.5 compared to Hauritz 93.8, which is to say it takes Hauritz approximately 1/3 more deliveries to pick up a wicket than Katich.
Katich has bowled fewer balls in 4.5 times more matches, so it’d be a safe assumption that he bowls many fewer overs per match. In spite of this, Katto has three 5 wicket hauls to Hauritz none.
Best figures in a first class match? 7/130 for Katto, again shades the Queenslanders best figures of 4/95.
Maybe Punter doesn’t want the selectors thinking he doesn’t admire their choices, given that his job security ain’t what it was…
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Krejza’s useless. Let him take 20 wickets a season at 45 for Tassie.
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Wow.. no wonder they are up Ponting’s ass. I think there’s something severely wrong with the selectors and the captain. Not sure what exactly… but seriously man.. whats gotten into them? They r acting too subcontinental…
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If Katich notches up bowling success to go with batting success, then Ponting’s captaincy will be under threat especially if the team continues to lose.
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