This is definitely the weaker of the two semi finals. Gone for RI as I think his batting line up overall pulls more of a punch on Stretch than Stretch's bowling does over RI.
RedCafe Cricket Draft SF- Stretch vs RI
- Thread starter KM
- Start date
Slow day today. Not bothered much myself what with the game and all.
Hopefully we get a few votes in tomorrow.
Hopefully we get a few votes in tomorrow.
AldoRaine18 said:Hey mate, just wanted to tell you that I have submitted my vote to nm. I went for you, since he is offline and just letting you know in case he isn't around later. Gave the reason as well.
Not in a great mood so might have been harsh in the reasoning. The game sucked.
Aldo's voted for me apparently. I'll take that as a sign since he seems to vote for the winning side every time.
I'm sure Stretch will sympathise with his frustrations and not mind the harsh reasoning.
Thanks Aldo.
The cricket bot Aldo has spoken:
Voting for Red Indian in this one.
Tough game. Case of strong batting versus strong bowling. Not a big fan of Stretch's batting. A lot will depend on Amla and Khan. And both havent dominated many quality bowling attacks. His bowling is pretty sweet, but without a proper keeper, Murali's effect is reduced.
Still Steyn would easily get Viru. Read the discussion about Viru, and Steyn getting him is more down to the strength of Steyn and weakness of Viru. Adding to that Murali has troubled Sachin at times. Yet, I can see the likes of Smith, Sachin, Clarke and Aravinda to tackle the bowling. While Steyn, Lee and Bishop is a great attack, both Sachin and Aravinda have tackled better bowlers than those three. As for his bowling, McGrath speaks for himself, can see him removing the openers easily most times. Hence the pressure would fall on Amla and Khan, out of which Khan will go into his shell against Glen. With a weak lower middle order, Kumble would easily clean them up. Streak was at least good as Lee on his day, minus the pace. Nash however is a striking weakness at this stage. Him having such a great wicket keeper is a big bonus. With Glen moving the ball, you need someone really athletic to dive and swoop anything that is edged, and there isn't anyone better than Dujon for that job.
In short, While Stretch has the better bowling, including the wicket keeper it doesn't shade much ahead of RI's, while on the other hand RI has great quality and depth in batting, and the explosiveness of Viru as the X factor.
Voting for Red Indian in this one.
Tough game. Case of strong batting versus strong bowling. Not a big fan of Stretch's batting. A lot will depend on Amla and Khan. And both havent dominated many quality bowling attacks. His bowling is pretty sweet, but without a proper keeper, Murali's effect is reduced.
Still Steyn would easily get Viru. Read the discussion about Viru, and Steyn getting him is more down to the strength of Steyn and weakness of Viru. Adding to that Murali has troubled Sachin at times. Yet, I can see the likes of Smith, Sachin, Clarke and Aravinda to tackle the bowling. While Steyn, Lee and Bishop is a great attack, both Sachin and Aravinda have tackled better bowlers than those three. As for his bowling, McGrath speaks for himself, can see him removing the openers easily most times. Hence the pressure would fall on Amla and Khan, out of which Khan will go into his shell against Glen. With a weak lower middle order, Kumble would easily clean them up. Streak was at least good as Lee on his day, minus the pace. Nash however is a striking weakness at this stage. Him having such a great wicket keeper is a big bonus. With Glen moving the ball, you need someone really athletic to dive and swoop anything that is edged, and there isn't anyone better than Dujon for that job.
In short, While Stretch has the better bowling, including the wicket keeper it doesn't shade much ahead of RI's, while on the other hand RI has great quality and depth in batting, and the explosiveness of Viru as the X factor.
Nice surprise to wake up to 10-4 ahead but would be nice if people dropped a line on what and why they voted.
Cheers anyway folks.
Cheers anyway folks.
Ah well, it's a wrap then. Seems Dilshan finally caught up with me. Well done RI, now choose wisely and win this thing. I don't like losing to runner ups!
PS: is there 3rd/4th play off???
PS: is there 3rd/4th play off???
RI will take Steyn I assume
It's a no brainer.
I've been thinking about it for 10-15 minutes now. I'm actually inclined to try something radical to beat the likes of Interval and MBR. Our attacks will be too similar (though mine would be a shade better in my biased view) drawing attention to the fact that their batting shades mine.
I'm inclined to try going into the final with something different - a super spin attack in Murali and Kumble and make people really think about things. Draws a clear contrast between their team and mine. Both their teams are very pace oriented - Akram and Donald, Ambrose and Pollock. If i took Steyn, mine would be similar as well - McGrath and Steyn. Too boring.
Any views on this?
If MBR wins he will have Pointing, Kallis and Lara in middle order. Lara IIRC has a good record against Murali who went on record to term him the toughest batsmen he faced. Pointing will be susceptible to spin though.
Interesting anyway.
And it'll be fun rather than the same old, same old 3 pacemen, 1 spinner and one all-rounder attack. Finals should be fun and what's more fun than two of the greatest spinners of all-time - legspin and offspin bowling away together mesmerising the opposition for hours on end.
I'm waiting for Donadol's answer about Sehwag
Thanks for a good game Stretch. If it's any consolation, I don't believe the margin should have been this big myself.
You're probably right that Dilshan was a big factor. It's impossible to imagine an all time great team going into a final with a keeper who's barely kept for his national team. It's like an all time United team having O'Shea in goal because it's useful having the extra defender. At that level, you've got to have specialists.
Cheers anyway. I'll try and win that final.
You're probably right that Dilshan was a big factor. It's impossible to imagine an all time great team going into a final with a keeper who's barely kept for his national team. It's like an all time United team having O'Shea in goal because it's useful having the extra defender. At that level, you've got to have specialists.
Cheers anyway. I'll try and win that final.