Thread: Stuart MacGill

Here's another bloke who reckon stats mean nothing:

Originally Posted by SMH

MUTTIAH Muralitharan has advised Australian selectors to sack injured leg spinner Stuart MacGill and select a young slow bowler in his place.

Muralitharan, who will almost certainly usurp Shane Warne as Test cricket's all-time leading wicket-taker by the end of the year, said the spin bowling position was the only obvious weakness in the Australian side and described MacGill as "not the bowler he used to be".

Statistically, Muralitharan had a worse series than MacGill, returning combined figures of 4-400 from the two Tests, as opposed to the Australian's 5-326. Neither was assisted by the pitch conditions in Brisbane nor Hobart, and both were pitted against batting line-ups adept at playing spin.

You've got to have a bit of empathy with McGill. For years he has probably been Oz's best Test spin bowler after Warne, yet he only gets to play when Warnes out or they put 2 spinners into the SCG.

Nevertheles, I can't really help but think he's past it. Obviously unfit and underdone, then exascerbating his injuries in Hobart. I thought he was OK in Brisbane but Hobart was nothing short of embarassing. Can't see any excuse for what must have been 12+ full bungers, most went for 4. Add the fact that he can't bat nor field, we can't support a specialist when he's not performing.

These guys are on $150k pa plus endorsements, match fees etc.In McGills case probably circa $500k. Non performance = dropped. He needs to go back to domestic stuff until (if) he gets it together.

The scary thing is we don't have a replacement. Hogg at a pinch, but he's more of a one day guy - and pretty old. Maybe its time for Cullen?

MacGills averages may be better than Warne's, but he gets to play on "spinner friendly " wickets, while Warney played on all wickets.

Let's give him a chance to get fully fit and select him if his form warants it.

Originally Posted by Buzzer

MacGills averages may be better than Warne's, but he gets to play on "spinner friendly " wickets,

Oh! How silly of me!

Of course!

Like Brisbane and Hobart!

P

At least he's not chucking it!!

Seem to remember times when Warney's fitness and weight were under question too, until he found a spot in the slips. It was always following one or two ordinary performances, like they're doing to MacGill now. You can't drop a guy for one bad performance....unless he's an AFL umpire of course.

McGill outbowled Warne everytime they bowled in the same match. So forget the stuff about him only being in on on spin friendly tracks. As for him being too affected by the previous ball McGill is the guy who is happy to be hit over the fence and the field as he sets a guy up for a fall. Warne on the other hand prefered to tie a batsman down and get him that way. McGill likewise has had few chances but has always managed to get himself up and do well when he got a chance without any any hard done by feelings. He is a top bowler and I wouldn't be dropping him. He has got wickets after all and has not had the fortune to bowl on a 5th day wicket in the past series. McGill also has been able to succeed in India which Warne could not. Stick with him for now has been injured and will do better in Melbourne.

Studley

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

I
He's got his 200 wickets (at the fourth best rate on record as I recall) so get him off and give Hoggie a go till he's fit.

Just to recap!

Besides, apparently he had a nerve problem in his arm as well in Hobart which meant he couldn't feel anything. That might have made it a bit harder!

Glad to see someone else has actually read Warne's stats in context!

P

Never liked him, never liked his attitude.

The sooner he's gone the better


Bring in a Victorian..bring back big Merv..I love him...I wanna boof him.

Never liked him, never liked his attitude.

Nobody said you had to like him!

Fortunately, Merv and his mates don't pick their sides the way we used to pick sides at school

But he's a Victorian, we love him.

Silent, don't you go turning into Tony Greig.

Damn, I just had a bowl of Nutrigrain for breakfast...

Originally Posted by silentC

Damn, I just had a bowl of Nutrigrain for breakfast...

How very 90's!

P

"Always bowl straight"

Originally Posted by silentC

Damn, I just had a bowl of Nutrigrain for breakfast...

Stays crunchy, tastes great?