Cricket

Get out your hat, grab some sunscreen and get settled in for another summer of cricket, there is nothing Sportsmouth enjoys more then a day or 5 at a test, watching Aust. put all opponents to the sword (I must admit, it was much more enjoyable when you could get a full strength beer!).

This new season brings us two opponents, who have traditionally struggled out here, being Sri Lanka and India, although at times have certainly put up the odd fight with the most memorable or should I say most boring, when India scored about 700 in the first innings a few seasons back at the SCG Test.

Lets start with the first opponents, Sri Lanka.

If memory serves me correctly have only beaten us once in a test and that was in Sri Lanka and I don't think they'll beat us here, but they do have some genuine test class cricketers, Sangakkara, Murali, Jayawardene and Jayasuriya and throw Chaminda Vaas in as well. But the core of this team still lies with Murali, Jayasuriya andVaas, who are well into their mid to late thirties, sure they may produce the odd moment of brilliance, but only Murali still produces on a regular basis and Aust. play him as well as any team. Jayawardene is a good captain and pretty handy with the bat, while Sangakkara is their best batsmen, but will have to produce probably after long stints in the field with the gloves on, as he's also the first choice keeper, so just imagine having to keep to Murali for 50 overs, then changing pads and having to bat!!

They will keep us honest, but don't think they can win a test here. Murali......okay I still don't agree with his action being legal, nor do i agree with the ICC bending over and changing the interpretation of the bowling laws, buts whats done is done and we just have to accept that he'll take a few wickets and will probably end up being the greatest wicket taker ever, I really do not believe that his record will ever be under threat.

Now, before I go a word on Twenty20 or however they write it, if you want to watch or play 20 overs per side, go down to your local oval and support your local under 12's I'm sure they'd appreciate it and that is where 20 over cricket should stay!

I'll get to India after we despose of Sri Lanka.

The team Sportsmouth would pick for the first test.

Hayden
Jacques
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Symonds
Gilchrist
Hogg
Lee
Clark
Hilfenhaus

Hogg is bowling well, better then MacGill and MacGill is not fit at the moment and the Gabba is not a spinners pitch (Warne excluded, it was one of his most successful Aust. grounds) so Hogg who bowls with more control and bounce then MacGill should get a start, let MacGill grind a few overs out in shield cricket until India arrive. Hilfenhaus I hear Qld's scream what about Johnson, well he bowls pretty good, but hasn't proved it in the long form of the game, yes he can bowl some unbelievable balls, but they seem to be split with some very erratic stuff of which he may get away with in one day cricket because he has boundary riders to cover, but in a test, just let him go until you get the ball you want, which you know is coming! Hilfenhaus is a genuine swing bowler who would enjoy the conditions at the Gabba on day one and I believe has the ability to become a Terry Alderman type of bowler for us. Even the very best are troubled by good swing bowling, an opening batsmans worst nightmare......take guard on leg, first ball......looks to be angled towards leg, make small adjustment to dispatch of first ball gift.....oh shit, is that swinging towards off.........try and get forward.....no try and go back (first and second slip rub their hands in waiting)......prod, yes prod outside off.........!!!!!

cheers