The Cricket Thread

[i_amtrunks]

More than impressive. he has been patient, collected and decisive. He has been happy to leave balls, but more than happy to punish the woeful bowling England have provided, too full, too wide and Agar has been picking them off at a run a ball. I hope he can get his 100 on debut, he already has the highest score for a number 11 in the history of the game.

The Australian batting contingent should be made to watch every ball to see how they should have batted.

Hughes has done an excellent backup role, for both Smith and Agar, still scoring at a great rate for tests, accumulating runs without being too destructive. sadly his efforts will be (rightfully) overshadowed by Agar's brilliant batting debut.

If the sun stays out, this pitch may be a wonderful batting surface for another day or so, but the spin Swann has been getting worries me about our second innings.

And now Agar gets out with a good hit out of the middle that found the fielder. Great innings, unlucky, that ball was there to be put away. Bugger!

[i_amtrunks]

Up to Agar once again to score big to save us father another inept batting display. Cowan must be dropped, Clarke and even Hughes must be near the end of their chances too. Not that Clarke will be dropped, I think his use of the DRS on 50/50 calls has always been irresponsible and he always seems to waste them.

If Australia win it'll be only because of the tail batting better than the actual batsmen. Bring on Kawajha and anyone else who can actually craft an innings.

[Kazza]

Yeah i completely agree cowan has to be dropped, watching him bat is atrocious, for a no.3 he does not display much technical skill. They probably end up sticking warner back in for cowan.

[Kazza]

Need 20 more to win with Haddin and Patterson, no wickets left. God i hope we can finish it off with a win. Haddin taking control and batting his way, good on him.

[serialmonkey]

Let's hope the boys haven't fallen asleep over lunch.

[i_amtrunks]

This is nail biting stuff. Good bowling, stoic batting and wonderful fielding.

Thought we were done for with only pattinson to go as I thought Hardin would do something silly, but he has been exemplary.

Excellent game of test cricket.

[serialmonkey]

Well, that's just a bit crap.

[Kazza]

Piss off DRS review.

[i_amtrunks]

Had Clarke used his DRS options better, left it available to get the clangers like it is meant to be used, then Broad would be gone, and we would have been even closer.

DRS didn't lose this match for Australia, their batting did. If not for Agar and Pattinson we would have lost by 150+

[Kazza]

Yeah i'm aware our top order batsman failed to deliver in this first test, its just disappointing to see this game lost in a controversial manner. Would of been happier if haddin smacked the ball and was caught in the field. Though terrific batting from him.

Something really needs to be done with the top order batsman. I suspect the drop of cowan for warner.