Cricket- the sport not the insect

[ramjambunath]

Good match in the end...hopefully more pitches like this in the future. I am bloody sick of complete road pitches.

On the first DRS decision (the one that was given out then overturned) if the match had ended right there and then without the use of DRS i don't think anyone could/would have complained. It was a decision which i don't think any team thought was bad and Aus only challenged because they could.

Good knock by Warner though. If Watson is fit for boxing day, Hughes definitely has to be the one to go

True and all I'll have to do is wait a couple of hours for the media to go mental over what a sham DRS is.

I have the right nationalities for the England team, but unfortunately only the skills to make the Australian one.

 

[daveinzambia]

I have to say I do rate Nathan Lyon as a spinner and a pesky number 11, and TBH I think in time he can move up a bit and even come in as nightw-atchman as he has a solid defence and is a million miles ahead of Chris Martin. I like the fact that Lyon isn't afraid to toss the ball up, and it will be interesting to see if he will still do that against the Indians as Sehwag has belted many a world class spinner back over his head for six. The other good thing about him is that he is able to wrap up the tail quickly, which for mine is an under-rated skill, and I also like the fact that Michael Clarke has a lot of confidence in him as a bowler.

After going through Hogg, MacGill, Casson, White (how he ever played Tests is beyond me), Krejza, Hauritz, McGain, Smith, Doherty, and Beer, Australia might finally have a winner.

to be fair my cat is a million miles ahead of Martin. and my cat died 12 years ago.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I have to say I do rate Nathan Lyon as a spinner and a pesky number 11, and TBH I think in time he can move up a bit and even come in as nightw-atchman as he has a solid defence and is a million miles ahead of Chris Martin. I like the fact that Lyon isn't afraid to toss the ball up, and it will be interesting to see if he will still do that against the Indians as Sehwag has belted many a world class spinner back over his head for six. The other good thing about him is that he is able to wrap up the tail quickly, which for mine is an under-rated skill, and I also like the fact that Michael Clarke has a lot of confidence in him as a bowler.

After going through Hogg, MacGill, Casson, White (how he ever played Tests is beyond me), Krejza, Hauritz, McGain, Smith, Doherty, and Beer, Australia might finally have a winner.

Craig, I think you or I are better than Chris martin.

 

[daveinzambia]

On a serious note, I have no problems with naturalised citizens playing for any country.

I am trying to increase my sons chances of international sporting success by qualifying him for as many nationalities as possible.

he is currently eligible for England, Scotland, South Africa, Zambia and Australia.

now if only he could learn to run without falling on his head....

 

[ramjambunath]

I have to say I do rate Nathan Lyon as a spinner and a pesky number 11, and TBH I think in time he can move up a bit and even come in as nightw-atchman as he has a solid defence and is a million miles ahead of Chris Martin. I like the fact that Lyon isn't afraid to toss the ball up, and it will be interesting to see if he will still do that against the Indians as Sehwag has belted many a world class spinner back over his head for six. The other good thing about him is that he is able to wrap up the tail quickly, which for mine is an under-rated skill, and I also like the fact that Michael Clarke has a lot of confidence in him as a bowler.

After going through Hogg, MacGill, Casson, White (how he ever played Tests is beyond me), Krejza, Hauritz, McGain, Smith, Doherty, and Beer, Australia might finally have a winner.

MacGill was pretty good for Australia. Lyon will not be the most important bowler for Australia against India, Pattinson and Siddle may well be.

Damn, a crow flew in my room.

 

[ramjambunath]

I am trying to increase my sons chances of international sporting success by qualifying him for as many nationalities as possible.

he is currently eligible for England, Scotland, South Africa, Zambia and Australia.

now if only he could learn to run without falling on his head....

Chris Martin's school of batting teaches footwork the wrong way, that may be a reason for the falling on his head.

The likelihood is he'll be in England or South Africa in a few years.

 

[Ferminal]

In Big Bash news, Warne burnt his hand but should be ok, Hodge done a hammy and looks stuffed.

 

[craig1985]

 

[daveinzambia]

heard on radio

If Phil Hughes is shaving tomorrow and gets a nick, Martin Guptil will appear out of the medicine cabinet with a band aid...

 

[ramjambunath]

heard on radio

If Phil Hughes is shaving tomorrow and gets a nick, Martin Guptil will appear out of the medicine cabinet with a band aid...

The best Kerry O'Keefe commentary I've ever heard.

Warne burnt his hand while cooking.

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/12/12/1226219/653798-shane-warne-039-s-burned-hand.jpg

He must be proficient at cooking to get burnt like that.

 

[daveinzambia]

The best Kerry O'Keefe commentary I've ever heard.

Warne burnt his hand while cooking.

http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/12/12/1226219/653798-shane-warne-039-s-burned-hand.jpg

He must be proficient at cooking to get burnt like that.

i saw the picture and first thought was oops, got the wrong ointment.

 

[ramjambunath]

Warnie's Finger chips.

South Africa Invitational draw with Sri Lanka, a pretty pointless 3 day match. When was the last time Sri Lanka toured the Saffers? Must be close to a decade, I'm pretty sure Jonty Rhodes was playing back then. Rubbish scheduling.

They changed it back to the original and the person who edited it can't spell

 

[craig1985]

Somebody posted it on FB and I got it from there.

 

[King Of The Wolds]

Good knock by Warner though. If Watson is fit for boxing day, Hughes definitely has to be the one to go

Warner, Watson and Hughes. Surely Australia have some proper test match openers somewhere, rather than players who want to smash it out the park from ball 1, don't they?

I'm being unkind to Watson, of course, he's a top player, but Warner and Hughes are only ever going to get found out by top drawer opening bowlers like Steyn or Anderson.

 

[ramjambunath]

Somebody posted it on FB and I got it from there.

Normally doesn't stay for more than a few minutes, this was nice. The worst I saw was after Tiger Woods won a major and it wasn't pleasant.

Warner, Watson and Hughes. Surely Australia have some proper test match openers somewhere, rather than players who want to smash it out the park from ball 1, don't they?

I'm being unkind to Watson, of course, he's a top player, but Warner and Hughes are only ever going to get found out by top drawer opening bowlers like Steyn or Anderson.

I wouldn't criticise Warner after today's knock. Let's not forget that the second highest score in the match was 56. If Watson doesn't get fit in time for the Boxing day match, Cowan has a good chance of playing, especially if he scores heavily against India in the 2 day practice match that he's playing.

 

[Ferminal]

Warner, Watson and Hughes. Surely Australia have some proper test match openers somewhere, rather than players who want to smash it out the park from ball 1, don't they?

I'm being unkind to Watson, of course, he's a top player, but Warner and Hughes are only ever going to get found out by top drawer opening bowlers like Steyn or Anderson.

Yeh that Sehwag guy is no good.

(Hughes and Watson don't play like that anyway, both have SRs around 50).

 

[42x16ss]

Normally doesn't stay for more than a few minutes, this was nice. The worst I saw was after Tiger Woods won a major and it wasn't pleasant.



I wouldn't criticise Warner after today's knock. Let's not forget that the second highest score in the match was 56. If Watson doesn't get fit in time for the Boxing day match, Cowan has a good chance of playing, especially if he scores heavily against India in the 2 day practice match that he's playing.

If Watson is fit I'd rather have him come into the side for Hussey or better yet, Ponting. Hughes needs to be replaced with Katich and if Clarke doesn't like it, the selectors need to hand down an ultimatum - Katich in or lose the captaincy.

I think that Warner and Katich opening together would work well, their styles would compliment each other. It's pretty obvious that Warner is the real deal, he's just a little raw. Give him a little time and he will be like a stronger Justin Langer or Desmond Haynes IMO.

 

[craig1985]

If you're going to drop Ponting I think you should do it before the Indian Tests, otherwise do retain him for the series and if he doesn't preform, them tap him on the shoulder and let him go out in dignity in Sydney. I don't see anybody that would be better off replacing him, I would rather Watson open then bat in the middle order, and have a rookie Test opener who played very well in Hobart and another one who is low on confidence or one who is scoring centuries for fun at in FC cricket, but would really do the job at Test level (Ed Cowan)? Sad to say that Katich won't play Tests again. For mine Marsh needs to get fit and stay fit or his Test career will be a short one, although I can't wait for the day to see his younger brother play regularly for Australia, Mitch looks like a star.

On a different subject, I was watching Inside Cricket last night, and I have to say I do like listening to Shane Warne, he is very knowledgeable when it comes to the game and offers rational arguments in the time of hysteria when it is a case of DROP EVERYBODY in the press. I wish Channel 9 would fire Ian Healy, but to do fire him out of a cannon and into the sun and hire Warne instead full-time.

 

[greenedge]

Warner was superb against NZ and was the only batsmen who showed composure for Australia. Ross Taylor and Bracewell won the match for NZ.

Good performers for Australia were Warner, Siddle, Starc and Pattinson. Lyon did well to clean up the tail as well. I am looking forward to him against India.

 

[craig1985]

I would say Brownlie played a big part as well. It's his 56 that got NZ to 150 and thus a lead. The irony that Vettori, New Zealand's saviour with the bat for so many years, misses a Test and it makes New Zealand a more balanced team and they beat Australia. The only thing he would have offered was his batting, he wouldn't have bowled much, not in the 1st innings, and I thought Boult bowled great in the 1st innings.

 

[Spider1964]

Warner was superb against NZ and was the only batsmen who showed composure for Australia. Ross Taylor and Bracewell won the match for NZ.

Good performers for Australia were Warner, Siddle, Starc and Pattinson. Lyon did well to clean up the tail as well. I am looking forward to him against India.

Lyon has been a revelation. This time last year he was making his debut in the Big Bash. I expect him to have a harder time of it against India, but so did Shane Warne. Hopefully the selectors show some patience with him, because he looks to have a long and fruitful Test career ahead of him.

Still not convinced about Starc though, I felt he was the only Aussie bowler who didn't create pressure on the batsmen. Didn't notice him swing or seam it too much throughout the whole match?

Siddle and Pattinson were 1st class, I get the impression that the young bowlers coming through the system have encouraged Siddle to reassess where he's at as a Test bowler and he's been spurred on by the challenge.

Test selectors love a batsman that shows ticker under the pressures faced by Warner yesterday, reminded me of when Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer won a test in Hobart against ****stan, that kick started both of their careers.

It was the old blokes who let Australia down yesterday... Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Haddin.

Selection should be interesting for the Boxing Day Test? Who goes? Because someone has too. Hughes and Hussey? Hughes a no brainer, but then the choice will be out of Ponting or Hussey or both? Who comes in? Watson for one, but I'm still hearing that Marshs' back may need surgery? It may be the only thing that saves one of them? Is someone like Ed Cowan in the frame? Who'd be a selector?

 

[42x16ss]

On a different subject, I was watching Inside Cricket last night, and I have to say I do like listening to Shane Warne, he is very knowledgeable when it comes to the game and offers rational arguments in the time of hysteria when it is a case of DROP EVERYBODY in the press. I wish Channel 9 would fire Ian Healy, but to do fire him out of a cannon and into the sun and hire Warne instead full-time.

As much as it pains me to say it, Warne should be offered the Australian coaching role sometime in the future. Sooner rather than later. He is easily one of the greatest cricketing minds in the world and a true leader.

Shane Watson credits him with helping get his head straight when he was with Warne at the Rajasthan Royals during the first IPL. Ever since that series Watson went from underperformer with potential to world class.

 

[Ferminal]

Marsh is supposedly playing in the 2 day game against India in a week.

 

[Spider1964]

Marsh is supposedly playing in the 2 day game against India in a week.

I hope you're right.

 

[craig1985]

I hate 2-day games with a passion. They offer no prep for the visiting team at all, and the conditions in Canberra will be vastly different to those in Melbourne.