Fast Bowling

[mikemanc]

Originally Posted by Aleem Dar

Who's the West Indian who sells himself as a T20 specialist? Name escapes me, atm, but he's refused to play Tests afaik to play T20 for various clubs around the globe.

Aye, Kieran Pollard. Said he's going to scale back his T20 next year because he's made enough money to look after his family and he always wanted to play test cricket.

As EB said, he hasn't played many games and his record isn't that great. We'll see if he's a man of his word.

Actually I'm not sure if he refuses to play for WI or if he's part of the same dispute Gayle is having.

[The Breen Machine]

I'd debate whether Kieron Pollard is even good enough to get a game in the WIndies test side. He probably would due to how poor they currently are, but he's nothing more than a hitter and dibbly dobbly bowler IMO. Whether that's down to him concentrating too much on T20 I don't know, but from all the T20 specialists around the world who are fit, there's only Malinga who would markedly improve any test team.

[essex boy]

Originally Posted by The Breen Machine

I'd debate whether Kieron Pollard is even good enough to get a game in the WIndies test side. He probably would due to how poor they currently are, but he's nothing more than a hitter and dibbly dobbly bowler IMO. Whether that's down to him concentrating too much on T20 I don't know, but from all the T20 specialists around the world who are fit, there's only Malinga who would markedly improve any test team.

Its not whether they would improve them in the short term, clearly none would. Its what Pollard maybe doing in the test arena now, if hadnt spent the last 5 years touring the world perfecting his slog over cow for 6.

I would llike to point out that the worlds best test players or one day players have usually been the best in the other format anarl. Top players can adapt

[The Breen Machine]

Originally Posted by essex boy

Its not whether they would improve them in the short term, clearly none would. Its what Pollard maybe doing in the test arena now, if hadnt spent the last 5 years touring the world perfecting his slog over cow for 6.

I would llike to point out that the worlds best test players or one day players have usually been the best in the other format anarl. Top players can adapt

Thats fair enough but it's a lot of speculation to think that Pollard, Nannes etc. would automatically be good in another format as they are handy in another. Completely agree that the top players in the world can adapt and players like Kallis, KP, De Villiers have, players like Nannes and Pollard aren't near their class and would only improve poor test teams.

[essex boy]

Originally Posted by The Breen Machine

Thats fair enough but it's a lot of speculation to think that Pollard, Nannes etc. would automatically be good in another format as they are handy in another. Completely agree that the top players in the world can adapt and players like Kallis, KP, De Villiers have, players like Nannes and Pollard aren't near their class and would only improve poor test teams.

It is all speculation. How good might Ben Holliaoke have been? Who knows

Top draw 20/20 specialists will more often than not in time turn out good test players

[Aleem Dar]

Originally Posted by essex boy

Keiran Pollard

He has only played a few 4 day games so he aint no good either though dont forget

I didn't say he was much cop. It was just the debate about players making themselves unavailable for Test cricket to play T20 and that came into my head. Couldn't remember his name.

He also strikes me as a sort of Chris Gayle character. Everyone raves about him but whenever you watch him, he's poor.

[chunkylover53]

On the whole, good cricketers are well.....good cricketers.

But Pollard is not a good cricketer....he is 20/20 cricketer. as is that Alfonso Thomas at Somerset to an extent

and

sorry

but

maybe

Ben Stokes

hits it a mile but crap technique

[3.142]

Rose tinted spectacles and all that. Also, other players used to seem better to us as they tore England apart, where now we do it to others but struggle to realise England have some VERY good players.

You could have the same debate on spinners if you wanted.. Warne, murali, kumble etc not replaced.

[chelt_mackem]

Originally Posted by essex boy

It is all speculation. How good might Ben Holliaoke have been? Who knows

Top draw 20/20 specialists will more often than not in time turn out good test players

I'm not convinced that's the 2 way street you suggest. I can see how good test players will become good ODI/T20 players, as a bowler who is used to putting in 20+ overs per innings can easily do a sprint of 4 or 10 overs in quick succession. Equally, a batsman who can bat for 2 days in a test won't have a problem with half a day at the crease provided they can keep their strike rate high. I just don't see that a short game specialist is automatically going to be able to step up to the long game.

I hope I'm wrong as T20 could have a very useful place in the game for youngsters coming through to get international experience in matches where the result is not important.

[essex boy]

Originally Posted by chelt_mackem

I'm not convinced that's the 2 way street you suggest. I can see how good test players will become good ODI/T20 players, as a bowler who is used to putting in 20+ overs per innings can easily do a sprint of 4 or 10 overs in quick succession. Equally, a batsman who can bat for 2 days in a test won't have a problem with half a day at the crease provided they can keep their strike rate high. I just don't see that a short game specialist is automatically going to be able to step up to the long game.

I hope I'm wrong as T20 could have a very useful place in the game for youngsters coming through to get international experience in matches where the result is not important.

Is David Warner now progressing towards the Aussie test team?