The Cricket Thread

[jacksplatt11]

There is definitely a few spots that need to be filled by retiring/out of form older players, and not just with other older players, I think we need to really look at bringing in younger players, not too young, maybe 23-25. India have shown that you can have success with a young team, so there is no reason why we cannot do the same. I'm not saying get rid of everyone over 30 or so, but for example when Hayden retires, get a younger player who we can really develop into an opener for the next 10 years.

We really need to find a spinner though, we've gone from having 2 great spinners in Warne and MacGill, to nothing, apart from an in form spinner who is 37 in McGain, who could only play for 1-2 years at most you would suggest, if he is even given another chance after his surgery.

I'd like to see Marsh given a go as opener, to be honest I haven't seen him much in domestic 4 day competition, but from what I have seen in ODI and 2020 he seems very solid, and a powerful hitter, similar to Hayden.

This test is really India's to lose, and by lose I mean result in a draw. With how we performed in the first innings, I can't see us going for a win no matter what target we are left with, considering India already have 300 over us with 10 wickets. India should bat till around lunch, putting on as much as possible, they have enough aggressive, fast scoring batsmen in Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dhoni as well as Ghambir and Sehwag who are at the crease to put on 150-200 more easily. Then hope that they have enough time to bowl us out.

[Borgeman]

if india bat at the rate they are, they will probably declare a bit before tea, and have one of those niglling periods at the aussies prior to the break.

india should be able to pass 500 lead easily in half a day (as long as dravid doesnt bat :P)

George

[Borgeman]

india 1/210 after 43...... gg australia

George

[optimus1]

Im looking more towards a Draw at best by Australia due to the current score and our form in the last innings
Unless our batsmen show more grit on this pitch!

Im hoping Bangladesh beats the Kiwis for a very rare win. I was impressed by how one of their bowlers who got 7/36 in their 1st innings

[STL]

Im looking more towards a Draw at best by Australia due to the current score and our form in the last innings
Unless our batsmen show more grit on this pitch!

Looks like we're falling to pieces but what's the biggest thing in the team is the disunity in the team. I can only imagine how divisive it is.

Australia dug itself into a hole again and Hayden played like a school kid thinking he could smack his way into form. All the Aussies look like rank amateurs and it doesn't come down to spin. Sharma was damaging and sharp on top of Singh (hate that nuff-nuff). I like to see us with our backs to the wall to see we pick ourselves up but I think we're falling apart as a team here. I have no idea what happened between Lee and Ponting but all I can think of is this would never have happened under Steve Waugh.

[Soundwarp]

IMO Ponting SUX as a captain, he has the best win ratio of all time but look at the team members he has had!

[i_amtrunks]

That ball Sharma bowled Ponting with was a right royal blinder, what a delivery!!!

I really hate it when Australia are going well, I turn off the radio, turn it back on 90 minutes later and we have collapsed. Hussey not scoring runs had me in shock, but Clarke scoring runs almost killed me with surprise. Clarke and Haddin have to hold the crease as long as possible, White is not the kind of Batsman to hold up an end, he needs to be allowed to play his natural game with all of his flair, much like Symonds learnt.

India have deserved this win (lets face it, we need a freak storm or some similar luck to get a draw) their bowling attack has been brutal, showing us what we are missing. Lee needs to be dropped, Johnson told to stop bowling so wide and giving away singles. If Clarke fails early today "resting" (read drop him) might give him the wakeup call he needs, and letting someone like D. Hussey or Hodges take his spot would be best. Lets hope Clark is back to full health we need his metronome ability.

[STL]

Lets hope Clark is back to full health we need his metronome ability.

Let's hope Ponting actualy bowls Clark a bit more. Last summer and the previous few tours now, Clark is always getting under bowled while Johnson seems preferred.

[i_amtrunks]

All over red rover

Clarke top scores with 69, India have their biggest ever winning margin of 320. I think Mishra will get motm, with no Aussie players even worth mentioning, it was a true team effort, not a single standout.

If only the Aussie selectors would stop playing favourites and drop half this team to select young blood. When we lose the 3rd test and the 4th is a dead rubber, it may be a smart idea.

[optimus1]

All over red rover

If only the Aussie selectors would stop playing favourites and drop half this team to select young blood. When we lose the 3rd test and the 4th is a dead rubber, it may be a smart idea.

I agree with that 100%!!

We need to bring back Symonds for aggression; bring in Shaun Marsh, give a specialist spinner a chance : Krejza or Casson (where is he??)