Australia need a quick of his calibre: Khan

[IronMan2009]

Australia need a quick of his calibre: Khan



IF PETER SIDDLE needs any more reason to feel down in the dumps after match figures of 1-128 against South Africa in Perth, the NSW left-armer Doug Bollinger restated his case for a Test call-up yesterday.

Bowling once more with the spirit and zip - and inswing - which had him lead the first-class bowling table last summer, Bollinger claimed 6-47 to lead his team to victory at the SCG.

Bollinger's summer has been slow to start, the red-haired quick arriving back late from the Australian tour of India where he failed to gain a Test start.

Yesterday he impressed his captain Dominic Thornely but also Younus Khan, the Pakistani Test batsmen playing for South Australia, who made 90.

Khan said Bollinger, 27, was ready for Test cricket. "He's a much improved bowler," he said. "In this game, especially, he bowled really well and he can't give me any singles, any fours.

"Australia at the moment have Brett Lee and [Mitchell] Johnson and they need more quick bowlers so if Bollinger made it, it would be very nice."

If Australia call, Bollinger, of course, is ready. "Absolutely, absolutely, who wouldn't be?"

While praising his heart, Thornely believes it is Bollinger's mind that sets him apart - especially on flat tracks. "He's got that unique ability and I think it's more mental than anything. He just runs in and thinks he can get a wicket with every ball he bowls regardless of who is batting," he said.

"He's bowled to an absolute quality Test player today in Younus Khan, who played a fantastic innings, and not once did Doug think, 'My God this is so hard, I'm never going to get anything to happen'.

"A lot of fast bowlers would just throw the towel in there because that [wicket] is just so dead and flat."

Source

[siccric]

For a second, I thought Khan was ZAK.

..

[itduzz]

[Savak]

He should be in for Lee. A message needs to be sent to Lee that his place in the team is not guaranteed, he has been a passenger since the Indian tour. Seriously such a poor and pathetic side NZ has become that is no surprise that Lee's 5 wicket haul against them has been discounted immediately and forgotten.

I would bring Clarke in for the next test match if he is fit but it has to be Johnson, Bollinger, Clarke and some other leg spinner. I think a leg spinner might be more effective against the Proteas in comparison to a conventional offspinner like Kretza. I wonder what happened to that guy Beau Cassion?

But Australia's record has been shocking since the the two legends retired. Yes they beat Sri lanka at home but Sangakarra who was batting so well in the final test match got a really shocking decision in the end. Even though the Sri Lankans lost 2-0, it has to be said that the Sri Lankans arent the best side in the world, there was no Mendis at that time and Murali was not the same bowler anymore. Lee was in the form of his life as well.

Then they barely struggled to achieve victory against the Indians at home even though Lee was in the form of his life and that infamous Maa Kee test match and Bucknor. They lost the VB series as it is.

They scrounged to Victory against the WI 2-0 and comfortably won the ODI series.

We all know how the Indian tour went and now i am afraid the Australian-South African tour seems to be heading in the same direction.

[Osman]

What has happened to that bloke Stuart Clark??

[Savak]

Originally Posted by Osman What has happened to that bloke Stuart Clark??

Elbow injury apparently. He could keep the runs down, might be able to pick up wickets too if the pitch did something for him. They used to say he operated like Mcgrath bowling to a tight line and length and enticing batsmen to make mistakes. But in reality he is a lot slower than Mcgrath and doesnt have the same Wicket taking skills.