SYMONDS

[BJ]

Why are you guys so hard on Symonds? It's not like he opens the friggin batting!

He usually bats down the order, after 40 overs have already been bowled. Of course he's not going to have many 50's or 100's.

He plays a good, no, great innings and you bag the shit out of him.
Everyone obviously has their favourite players, and they ones they don't like, but it sounds to me as if JLC is just trying to justify his sig.

BJ

[JLC]

Actually the Signature was out of Robert Craddocks article.

jlc

Symonds picked on potential for the fifth year running ;)

Skill is successfully walking a tightrope over Niagara Falls. Intelligence is not trying.

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[Brown26]

symonds will bat against some of the lesser teams - as long as hayden and gilly show something against india they'll most likely be rested, ponting maybe too if he's carrying a niggle (one at a time probably lol) during one of the games against holland or namibia, or even zimbabwe. I wouldn't be surprised if symonds, maybe not opens, but comes in at number three. defininetly not as low as six.

I hope harvey gets another chance too - he did exactly what the team needed of him against paki, and I need him to play well so I can chant for the VICS!!!

- Ben

Pies for Premiers 2002, 3, 4, 5, 6....

[JLC]

Symonds' innings well worth the wait
February 16 2003
By Brendan McArdle

Ricky Ponting and Trevor Hohns were right about Andrew Symonds. Now we, the critics, can jump on the bandwagon.

That innings last week must have sent shockwaves through opposition teams. Combined with the general look of the side, it confirmed Australia's favouritism for this World Cup.

The timing couldn't have been better, given the potential distraction of the Shane Warne saga. Now the squad must be feeling vibrant and ready for any challenge.

Both Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie look fit and fresh, while Brad Hogg and Ian Harvey appear ready to play their roles more than adequately.

One of the good things about the win was that it came without the opening batsmen having an influence. Despite the loss of wickets, Ponting led the charge with an aggressive run rate that was indicative of his team's willingness to push itself to a new level. Scores of 300-plus will now become a regular occurrence, testimony to Ponting's leadership and the team's ability.

The Australians have five weeks to work out their best batting line-up. Michael Bevan is needed at No. 6 because of his ability to intelligently guide the ship; Darren Lehmann's bowling is a good back-up and he is a capable No. 4 or No. 5. Maybe Damien Martyn needs to show that his steadiness is more valuable than Symonds' explosiveness.

Symonds has given the team an added dimension, as well as causing the selectors an enviable headache. His place in the side has always been questionable when he's been used at No. 7 and expected to bowl any more than a few overs. At No. 5 or No. 6, with a proper bowler at No. 7, he becomes a potent wildcard.

Tuesday's innings was a long time coming but well worth the wait. We haven't seen such power since the Viv Richards' era. These South African grounds are small and the big Queenslander is capable of a repeat performance.

Of course, Symonds was helped by some Pakistani incompetence. Their terribly slow over-rate necessitated the over-bowling of the spinners, though once Symonds was in the groove, it didn't matter what was served up to him. Shoaib Akhtar again showed that he is unreliable when his country needs him.

The balance of the Australian team looks good. Hogg will never be able to match Warne's efforts in the big moments, but he is doing well.

The recall of Harvey is both pleasing and ironic for his dwindling band of supporters, despite his omission against India overnight. Pipped at the post by Tom Moody for a place at the 1999 World Cup, he now has the chance to make a similar impact to that of Moody four years ago. He batted well on Tuesday and looks ready to be an integral part of Australian's best XI, one that is capable of big things.



Symonds picked on potential for the fifth year running ;)

Skill is successfully walking a tightrope over Niagara Falls. Intelligence is not trying.

Essendon 2000 premiers
2001 runners up
2002 fifth
2003 ????
The slide continues

[BJ]

My apologies JLC, you obvioulsy post both sides of the story. Didn't Craddock have anything to write about Symonds this week?

[CQ]

quote:

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I totally agree with you there PP2003. Symonds wont make another score for the next month.

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OH YER BARTROS???

bit hard to make a score wen ur never in and its a bit hard to make one wen ur partner gets u out!

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

[Donny]

Couragous Cloke posted about Symmo > " ... nothing against him and full credit for his great century but whats the bet he wont make another score past 30."

Probabably the easiest bet I ever won. Lol. Thanks, Clokey.

Donny.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN !!!!