AUST V ENG 2nd test Adelaide.

[Punk Rooster]

Unfortunately for Lee, he carried the drinks for 18 months, while selectors spent that time asking themselves whether Gillespie was finished or not- what a waste of Brett Lee.
The selectors do not reward current form often enough.

[am Bays]

But as Mal pointed out he averages over 50 in 1st class cricket

No he doesn't.

In the "unofficial" test spot bat off he beat Jaques, Hodge, Paine, Cosgrove and North in the Australian A series in Cairns and Darwin this year, so against is main rivals for a test batting spot against the same bowlers and on the same pitches he showed he was at least as good as them in the batting stakes.

If i was a richer man i'd be willing to put a substantial bet on here. The next game Watson plays in that any of those other you mention played in as well would you be willing to put your hard earned on Watson to make more runs that them?

1st point I'll check I'm relying on Mal's information

2nd point, you could well be right but when the opportunity presented itself the others didn't beat him so in front of a selector he showed he was next cab off the rank after M Clarke who they want to play too.

Apart from Jaques of the others who is a better bat??

Hey look I agree with you I don't particularly want him playing as it smacks of trying to play an all-rounder for the sake of it but no other batsman this year apart from Jaques is jumping up and down and say pick me, pick me, to the selectors (except maybe North and Rodgers from WA who have double tons under their belt on the WACA highway this year.....

[Dutchy]

SENSATIONAL, one of the best sporting moments Ive been to.

Gor down there when the last wicket fell, not many in the members so got a seat an arms length form the players race, was there some great scenes there!!!

Highlights -

- The crowd was so loud and into it, Crows fans take note
- Ponting running down the race with the biggest smile you will ever see, then running back up adn giving a star jump!
- Hussey - MR Cricket, the legend grows
- Giving it to Peiterson after the "7" and sent to the members fence!
- Pup has finally matured and we will now see the best of him
- Freddy's stone face!
- Hearing the Aussie crikcet team song being belted out so all the members could hear it - "AUSTRALIA - YOU FK'N BEAUTY"

still beaming, great day, replay is about to come on FOX

[mal]

But as Mal pointed out he averages over 50 in 1st class cricket

No he doesn't.

In the "unofficial" test spot bat off he beat Jaques, Hodge, Paine, Cosgrove and North in the Australian A series in Cairns and Darwin this year, so against is main rivals for a test batting spot against the same bowlers and on the same pitches he showed he was at least as good as them in the batting stakes.

If i was a richer man i'd be willing to put a substantial bet on here. The next game Watson plays in that any of those other you mention played in as well would you be willing to put your hard earned on Watson to make more runs that them?

Nearly average of 50, but about 50 when batting at number 3

The next game WATSON plays with JAQUES/HODGE/PAINE/COSGROVE/NORTH
I would bet he takes more wickets than those guys

[sydney-dog]

On Martyn he definitely has to go, too predictable, too easy to set a field too, my view is he has been disappointing at test level for a couple of years now and at age 35, it's time to move Hussey to #4, Pup to #5 and look to blood a new #6 whether that is a batsman or an all rounder

If the aussies win the next test which makes the final 2 test dead rubbers I would also start considering planning for the future and maybe look at the inclusion of Jaques

On Watson, he has not had any cricket, especially 4 day matches for a few weeks now, and Qld have no matches scheduled from now to the next test, so there would be a element of risk with his selection

[whufc]

I think Martyn was on a hiding to nothing anyway, he was only brought into the side as a short term fix to bring the ashes back, the selectors were never going to be brave enough to have two inexperienced middle order batsmen in the same team such as Hodge and Clarke or Clarke and Watson.

And once we win the ashes im certain no matter what his form, he will be the first player to make way for the new generation of the Australian test team.

He won't last the series out now in my mind and that's because his batting like a man who knows his test future has run it's course.

[Blue Boy]

SENSATIONAL, one of the best sporting moments Ive been to.

Gor down there when the last wicket fell, not many in the members so got a seat an arms length form the players race, was there some great scenes there!!!

Highlights -

- The crowd was so loud and into it, Crows fans take note
- Ponting running down the race with the biggest smile you will ever see, then running back up adn giving a star jump!
- Hussey - MR Cricket, the legend grows
- Giving it to Peiterson after the "7" and sent to the members fence!
- Pup has finally matured and we will now see the best of him
- Freddy's stone face!
- Hearing the Aussie crikcet team song being belted out so all the members could hear it - "AUSTRALIA - YOU FK'N BEAUTY"

still beaming, great day, replay is about to come on FOX

What you said Dutch !!!

[rod_rooster]

But as Mal pointed out he averages over 50 in 1st class cricket

No he doesn't.

In the "unofficial" test spot bat off he beat Jaques, Hodge, Paine, Cosgrove and North in the Australian A series in Cairns and Darwin this year, so against is main rivals for a test batting spot against the same bowlers and on the same pitches he showed he was at least as good as them in the batting stakes.

If i was a richer man i'd be willing to put a substantial bet on here. The next game Watson plays in that any of those other you mention played in as well would you be willing to put your hard earned on Watson to make more runs that them?

Nearly average of 50, but about 50 when batting at number 3

The next game WATSON plays with JAQUES/HODGE/PAINE/COSGROVE/NORTH
I would bet he takes more wickets than those guys

Maybe so but how many runs will he give up doing so. Cannon fodder.

[Dutchy]

SENSATIONAL, one of the best sporting moments Ive been to.

Gor down there when the last wicket fell, not many in the members so got a seat an arms length form the players race, was there some great scenes there!!!

Highlights -

- The crowd was so loud and into it, Crows fans take note
- Ponting running down the race with the biggest smile you will ever see, then running back up adn giving a star jump!
- Hussey - MR Cricket, the legend grows
- Giving it to Peiterson after the "7" and sent to the members fence!
- Pup has finally matured and we will now see the best of him
- Freddy's stone face!
- Hearing the Aussie crikcet team song being belted out so all the members could hear it - "AUSTRALIA - YOU FK'N BEAUTY"

still beaming, great day, replay is about to come on FOX

forgot to add -

- backing Strauss to make the most runs for Eng in 2nd dig, get out for 34 so I forgot about it only for him to remain the high scorer!!!
- Les Burdett getting applause as he walked off the Oval after all the crap that has been written about the pitch, these are world class bowlers they dont/shouldnt need help from the pitch

[Dissident]

On Martyn he definitely has to go, too predictable, too easy to set a field too, my view is he has been disappointing at test level for a couple of years now and at age 35, it's time to move Hussey to #4, Pup to #5 and look to blood a new #6 whether that is a batsman or an all rounder

If the aussies win the next test which makes the final 2 test dead rubbers I would also start considering planning for the future and maybe look at the inclusion of Jaques

On Watson, he has not had any cricket, especially 4 day matches for a few weeks now, and Qld have no matches scheduled from now to the next test, so there would be a element of risk with his selection

Definately agree.
Martyn has done his dash I think. And Pup has played himself in front of him no question.

I would even drop Martyn for the next test but if I were a betting man, I'd say the 4th or 5th, whichever (possibly) is the dead rubber.

The Australian team has been on top for so long, and it's amazing we are in the form we are in after all this time. Why not put in a youngen or two (as with Clarke) and let them soak up the experience and winning nature whilst it's there.

Sure, Australia could continue as it's going, with a dozen shield players knocking on the door, only to get a chance at 28 - 30... which actually has it's merits (I think Hussey is the batsman he is today because of the time he wasn't in the Australian team - and we are reaping the rewards). It's great having "ready made test players" come in. Hodge couldn't get a game - comes in and makes 200. Hussey couldn't - comes in with an average of 70 million after 20+ innings.

But I love the idea of some young players in - especially BATSMEN. It's easy to throw in a young bowler every now and then... Tait, Cullen etc. Usually it's due to injury, or conditions.

[Punk Rooster]

I believe we've now won 10 Tests in a row

[Dutchy]

Its definately all 8 test matches thsi year we have won...also heard that Englands 551 is the highest 1st innings losing score in history

[Dissident]

Its definately all 8 test matches thsi year we have won...also heard that Englands 551 is the highest 1st innings losing score in history

Highest first innings score declared I think ....
(Australia made more here when India won)

[mal]

Cant understand why Hoggard only got 4 overs in the 2nd dig
Maybe Flintoff is trying to win the bowling trophy

The great tragedy of cricket is how guys like Macgill + Haddin cant get a game
and people like Giles + Jones keep getting a game.

[rod_rooster]

The great tragedy of cricket is how guys like Macgill + Haddin cant get a game
and people like Giles + Jones keep getting a game.

Hooray, finally mal and i agree on something

[Rik E Boy]

Australia

Attack to remain the same, it is a bit rude to judge our attack on what they did not do on the road on Days one and two. Brett Lee bowled much better yesterday (it was line and length, not just the deck that helped him) and McGrath will be better for the rest. Watson won't play in Perth, he has been handled badly..the gym junkie should have been told to put his feet up for 21 Days like the footballers do. This hasn't happened and he's gone for the (Test) summer. Martyn won't be axed now but if we win in Perth I wouldn't be surprised to see Hodge be picked for the final two tests of the summer at Marto's expense. Jaques won't come in until Langer or Hayden are off the scene. I can't see the selectors dropping either so a waiting game for Philly.

England

Duncan Fletcher is our man of the series, some of his selection moves have really put England on the back foot. Anderson, Harmison and Jones probably should all go. Jones is a carp keeper who doesn't hang around with the bat. Chappelli's comments on how Flecther can justify Jones' inclusion on the basis of Read's 'unsuitable temperment' for Test cricket batting is spot on. Harmison has to go..Freddy has no confidence in him. I would expect Mahmood to take his place as Harmison just isn't bowling fast enough and that was his role..the opening spearhead to get JL and Haydos jumping. They'll bring Monty in for Anderson at Perth which is taking more spin than usual. Giles has been ordinary but he's been a star compared to the above named players. Bowling in tandem with Panesar will give Gilo the opportunity to revert to his traditional 'holding' role. Giles' length is rubbish becuase he is appears to be confused about the role he is supposed to fulfill in the side.

REB's teams

AUSTRALIA: Unchanged

ENGLAND

STRAUSS
COOK
BELL
COLLINGWOOD
PIETERSON
FLINTOFF
READ
GILES
HOGGARD
MAHMOOD
PANESAR

regards,

REB

[whufc]

Agree with all of that REB except i think if we win this test Martyn will be out, but it will be for one of the next generation players, not Hodge, i wouldn't be surprised to see a younger batsmen be giving the oppurtunity.

Also if we win the third test i wouldn't be surprised if Hayden's time is up, having the series won will give the selectors further chance to blood Jaques and slowly begin the changing of the guard.

[scott]

Its definately all 8 test matches thsi year we have won...also heard that Englands 551 is the highest 1st innings losing score in history

Highest first innings score declared I think ....
(Australia made more here when India won)

Fourth highest total in a losing Test; second highest declared total in a losing Test.

Australia ironically hold the record against England for the highest score in a losing Test, set about 110 years ago in Sydney. That Test was also notable as the first where a team won after having the follow-on enforced upon them. The Poms defended 177 in the fourth innings to win by 11 runs.

Sorry for stealing your limelight spell-check, resume normal proceedings now..

[Rik E Boy]

Agree with all of that REB except i think if we win this test Martyn will be out, but it will be for one of the next generation players, not Hodge, i wouldn't be surprised to see a younger batsmen be giving the oppurtunity.

Also if we win the third test i wouldn't be surprised if Hayden's time is up, having the series won will give the selectors further chance to blood Jaques and slowly begin the changing of the guard.

Marsh? Nah, none of em are ready whufc. Blood them against next year's bunnies.

regards,

REB

[another grub]

There is no doubt Giles has played his last test... bye bye Gilo!!