Viv Richards knows instinctively (and from great personal experience) how best to deal with Haydos marching down the pitch and turning the tables: intimidating the bowler.

[What would you least like me to bowl to you?] "Full length," said Viv without hesitation. "If I'm coming down, I'm looking for the length ball, and then if you drop shorter it is easy to rock back and pull. (...) Pitch it right up and it will cramp me."

But then he added a rider. "If the bowler is quick enough and he wants to go short, he has to make sure the height is right. (...) Get it to chest or shoulder height only," he continued, "and it is an easy shot to just go back and pull. But get it up to eye level and higher and no batsman walking down the pitch will be able to control the stroke. From chest high I can hit it in front of square. From above the eyes it will only go in the air to fine leg. So if you are going short, make sure you get it right up."

Well, Sir Viv should know. But will anybody take heed of the Master Blaster's words? Or will they all go on feeding the Colossus?

Yes of course, the full length to an advancing smiter risks a juicy full toss or a ball sliding off wide. And the head-high, rearing delivery is surely illegal more than once an over. But Viv (as ever) presupposes that the bowler knows what he is doing, and is some good at his trade.

Intelligent and readable writer, Selvey.

Good article.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Hayden comes up against the high-class quicker bowlers in this tournament like... Um... Give me a minute... I'll think of one eventually...

quote:

Originally posted by The Supreme Emperor of Planet Zog:
Good article.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Hayden comes up against the high-class quicker bowlers in this tournament like... Um... Give me a minute... I'll think of one eventually...

He has on many ocassions. And he has shred them to pieces.

Shane Bond maybe? if he sparks. (And doesn't break down.)

Malinga is too sidelong-roundarm to get it up high, though he can crunch toes.

As maybe can Ntini. On a good day. ...

Not many genuine quicks outside Tait.

quote:

Originally posted by Silly Point:

quote:

Originally posted by The Supreme Emperor of Planet Zog:
Good article.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Hayden comes up against the high-class quicker bowlers in this tournament like... Um... Give me a minute... I'll think of one eventually...

He has on many ocassions. And he has shred them to pieces.

Irony really is lost on you, isn't it?

quote:

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Hayden comes up against the high-class quicker bowlers in this tournament like... Um... Give me a minute... I'll think of one eventually...

007 He really is something else and steps it up a gear against Oz.

Presumably becase he's in traction 99% of the time there have been relatively few contests between the two. Hope he lasts long enough to put FTB in his place this time. Should be great to watch

quote:

Originally posted by The Supreme Emperor of Planet Zog:
Good article.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Hayden comes up against the high-class quicker bowlers in this tournament like... Um... Give me a minute... I'll think of one eventually...

Ntini?

quote:

Originally posted by Leo:

quote:

Originally posted by The Supreme Emperor of Planet Zog:
Good article.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when Hayden comes up against the high-class quicker bowlers in this tournament like... Um... Give me a minute... I'll think of one eventually...

Ntini?

Or Pollock even

The Ginger Ninja would be flat out bouncing Tatenda Taibu.

If the tracks are flat i would fully expect Hayden to continue on his merry way.

You run round the Colossus's legs really fast with a piece of rope and when it takes a step forward it falls down.