Back into the furnace

Donny · Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2003 8:34 pm

What's the underlying success factor present in the top five batsmen in our Test team?

Hayden,Langer,Ponting,Martyn and Steve Waugh all played Test cricket early and all were sent back into the furnace of state cricket to toughen up their game. All emerged better players.

Ponting, Waugh and Martyn were all flashy stroke makers who have come back with a more complete technique. Hayden seems to be playing like he always has but has tightened up his defence, especially against spin and Langer was a run accumulator who has blossomed into a real goer, particularly since he began his partnership with Haydos.

Our interstate comp - the Pura Cup - also produces such talented and hardened players like Lehmann, Maher and Love, when we need a replacement.

On the bowling front, Williams, Inness, Nicholson, Bracken, Noffke, Clark and Hauritz are all racking up valuable experience.

Donny.

GO THE MIGHTY WOODSMEN !! ALL THE WAY IN 2003 AND BEYOND !!!!

MrsTarrant · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2003 4:48 pm

Donny you forgot to mention Slater in your list!

CQ · ambitious that Joined: 25 Jul 2000 Location: melb

i dont think he forgot, im tipping that slats just didnt make the cut!
lol

TARKO TARKO MAN!
I WANT TO BE A TARKO MAN!

Donny · Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2003 5:14 pm

Well, he seems stuck in the furnace. LOL.

Donny.

GO THE MIGHTY WOODSMEN !! ALL THE WAY IN 2003 AND BEYOND !!!!

CQ · ambitious that Joined: 25 Jul 2000 Location: melb

stuck in the furnace! lol funny stuff!!

TARKO TARKO MAN!
I WANT TO BE A TARKO MAN!

MrsTarrant · Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2003 10:56 am

Ah shut up you two LoL

Donny · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2004 2:21 pm

Most recently, you could add Simon Katich and Brad Hogg to that list.

Katich was being talked about as possibly Australia's next captain when he toured England in 2001. He played in the 4th. Test and then lost touch with the Aussie squad as he went back to state cricket.

When he moved to NSW, his previously very part time spin bowling came to the fore and it was this aspect of his game that saw him replace the injured Darren Lehmann for the Sydney Test against Zimbabwe ahead of Martin Love or Brad Hodge.

He grabbed his chance with both hands, bowling Australia to victory with 6/65 in the second innings. He also scored 52.

He retained his place for the 4 Tests against India, performing well, culminating with a great double - 125 and 77 n.o. - in the 4th. Test.

Hoggy first came on to the international scene in 1996 but disappeared shortly after, having played one Test and 6 ODIs.

He returned from the wilderness in 2002 and has played 3 Tests in Warne's absence and 39 ODIs. He recently took a career best 5/41 against Sri Lanka and his fielding and general enthusiasm is an asset to the Aussie team. There's even speculation he may be added to the Test squad.

Michael Kasprowicz has also been rewarded for keeping his eyes on the prize, so to speak. Last night, he took career best ODI figures with his match winning 5/45.