The Cricket Thread

[i_amtrunks]

2/37.

And we are lucky that the over-appealing Indians have bothered Billy Bowden who just gave Clarke not out when he was plumb.

Katich gone, Ponting run out beautifully, its up to Hayden and whoever comes in after Clarke gets out. I'd prefer to lose 2-0 and go out swinging though.

[STL]

Pretty stupid morning imo. My days as an opening junior cricketer were better than this.

[jacksplatt11]

What the hell is up with the Aussies? I mean, our selections all series have been pretty poor, we come into this test 1 down and will most likely lose the series unless we can win somehow, so be it..

Then, yesterday we are in a perfect position to bowl India out for 100 or so less than what they ended up with, and Ponting persists with spin to the tail? If this is a case of putting Ponting's needs (not getting a 1 match ban for slow over rates) over the teams needs (a chance to win this test that would result in us keeping the trophy) I will be pretty pissed..

Then today, to make matters worse, Katich goes out going for a slog when it wasn't really necessary, then Ponting getting ran out going for a stupid single. One has to wonder what is going through their minds. Then, an injured Clarke comes in at 4, when I would think the logical choice would be Hussey or even Watson. I know AUS would have wanted a right/left handed partnership, but an injured player over a perfectly healthy?

I think we are really seeing Ponting as a captain, who has never really had to do anything to be honest, and now when he has to make some real decisions and get the team to perform, he fails... OR there is some stuff going on behind the scenes which we aren't hearing, who knows...

[jacksplatt11]

And AUS have turned a chance of a win, most likely a draw, into a win for the Indians

[i_amtrunks]

And we lost a game we had in our paws even after 4 days of previous bad cricket.

Krezja got man of the match for giving away more rns than Australia did in either innings. 12 wickets is not bad for debut though, but I doubt that we will be seeing him again anytime soon. Ponting made some bad decisions, but so did Kumble and Dhoni, its part of cricket, Ponting had a relatively poor series, but in comparison to almost everyone else (bar perhaps Hussey) it was not a terrible tour for him. The selectors have themselves to blame, and Border criticising Ponting is a joke, he gave Ponting this mediocre team, passing the buck is not what selectors should be doing, they should be seeing where they went wrong and trying to fix it. So what Clarke doesnt like Symonds, Symonds lifts when things are bad, something no one in the tail did.

Dhoni had an ordinary start to his long term captaincy debt, but handing the rains over to Ganguly for the final session was classy, something I wished we would see more in this day and age.

Overall the Aussies were outplayed and comprehensively out bowled, only Watson on the second to last day of the tour got reverse swing, and Australia's choices in bowling were overall horrible. Every Batsman had one good innings, Hayden got of to an unlucky start but improved from there, Katich was solid if unspectacular, Ponting, other than that century was overall poor, Clarke was horrendous and how he retains his spot I do not know, his bowling was poor, and batting patchy, even his century needed some very lucky breaks. Hussey was the rock of the Aussie batting, Watson was okay,his bowling improved, but he was also underbowled and too hasty to give his wicket away. Haddin was woeful, Australia need to try Ronchi in the ODI series and perhaps blood him against NZ, Haddin was poor all over. White was also a poor selection, his batting was alright for coming in at 8, he was overbowled for his skill level, and his poor showing may cost him a spot he deserved in the ODI side. Johnson was okay if unspectacular, Lee terrible, and undeserving of his spot, he had better bounce back very strongly against the Kiwi's or kiss his spot away, Clark was very unlucky to be dropped he was economical and allowed Johnson to strike at the other end. Siddle was good on debut and may see a recall this summer when Lee is dropped or injury takes it's toll on another bowler.

Bring on the Kiwi's we need some games that we can win to boost our confidence.

[STL]

And AUS have turned a chance of a win, most likely a draw, into a win for the Indians

My sentiments exactly. How we went from tea yesterday to the result today was astounding and farcical. I'm happy they gave it a roll of the dice but it hardly felt calculated. Like school yard boys.

Krezja got man of the match for giving away more rns than Australia did in either innings. 12 wickets is not bad for debut though, but I doubt that we will be seeing him again anytime soon.

I hope that's not the case. Warne went for plenty early on in his career. Spinners don't come overnight, they take years to mature and a young one is something special. Look at McGain. Unequivocally the best spinner in Australia at the moment BUT look just how long it took for him to blossom.

The selectors have themselves to blame, and Border criticising Ponting is a joke, he gave Ponting this mediocre team, passing the buck is not what selectors should be doing, they should be seeing where they went wrong and trying to fix it.

I think that's unfair b/c we've got to remember that Ponting too has a say on the squad make up. He sits down w/ the coach and the selectors and they make the decisions together. To throw it all on the selectors is unfair.

Overall the Aussies were outplayed and comprehensively out bowled, only Watson on the second to last day of the tour got reverse swing, and Australia's choices in bowling were overall horrible. Every Batsman had one good innings, Hayden got of to an unlucky start but improved from there, Katich was solid if unspectacular, Ponting, other than that century was overall poor, Clarke was horrendous and how he retains his spot I do not know, his bowling was poor, and batting patchy, even his century needed some very lucky breaks. Hussey was the rock of the Aussie batting, Watson was okay,his bowling improved, but he was also underbowled and too hasty to give his wicket away. Haddin was woeful, Australia need to try Ronchi in the ODI series and perhaps blood him against NZ, Haddin was poor all over. White was also a poor selection, his batting was alright for coming in at 8, he was overbowled for his skill level, and his poor showing may cost him a spot he deserved in the ODI side. Johnson was okay if unspectacular, Lee terrible, and undeserving of his spot, he had better bounce back very strongly against the Kiwi's or kiss his spot away, Clark was very unlucky to be dropped he was economical and allowed Johnson to strike at the other end. Siddle was good on debut and may see a recall this summer when Lee is dropped or injury takes it's toll on another bowler.

I agree with that assessment. Clark was the unluckiest though, given so limited opportunities and being underbowled. Hayden is showing the touch of class we know him well for in the last few innings. Especially when they were under the pump. An unlucky run out and the unfortunate predicament he was in today meant that he couldn't play w/ his usual freedom. We should stick with him. With Katich you're right, he's serviceable and reliable but I'm not sure if that's what we should stick with. It might be good but he's a band aid. I'd really like to see us blood some young players. Look at India, Vijay, Mishra and Sharma are all pretty young. We need some young blood in this team. Experience is important but that's not the only thing that one needs for success.

Clarke though has a great excuse that he was not "well" despite the fact that he just cannot hold it together. He's been extraordinarily fortunate and seems to be loved by the media and the selectors. But doesn't everyone just feel that once Clarke comes in, there's nothing much left? That's certainly how I feel.

In relation to Symonds being called for that 20/20 match, I'm not sure I'm pleased about that.I think he's important to our set up but his results just haven't justified that. Since it's a promo/publicity match, I don't mind but I hope he does find form that warrants his selection. We need to start rewarding people who perform and not play favourites. Many a player have not played for Australia and giving guys who are just struggling chance after chance is unfair.

[jacksplatt11]

Go Hodgey, show 'em how a Victorian bats

[i_amtrunks]

So on form, Dighton, Hodge and Langer all get drafted into our ODI side?

That game was really Australia A vs. All Stars, only Hussey, Watson and Hayden were in both the test side and 20Twenty side, poor Hussey had a terrible team to captain, his bowlers were crudtacular.

But how good was Dighton and watching Langer bat was fantastic.

[jacksplatt11]

Well well, all out for just over 200... Clarke was actually the only batsman who played well apart from Hussey, disappointing for him to do all the hard work then go out for 99 though..

I wonder how NZ will go batting, they have been struggling a lot lately, but if they have a couple of good partnerships, they could get a handy lead.

Will be interesting to watch tomorrow, I'm finished uni now so can spend all day watching the cricket ahh I love summer

[i_amtrunks]

Clarke was very lucky to make it to 98. Was dropped a few times, and was lucky with his edges too. at the end of the day, one could be excused for thinking that Stuart Clark was the batsman, it was like he was shielding Clarke.

At least he hung around long enough to make a decent score, the top order had no idea about the pitch, and Watson and Haddin both played stupid shots to get out. it was a messy innings from Clarke, but at least he stood up for a change.

How good were the Kiwi bowlers? All of them, Vettori is a damn fine captain, he did his homework and knew exactly where to place his field to restrict the Aussies as much as possible. Ryder is a big fella, but bowled well, but the day belonged to Southee.

Clark snared a wicket on the first ball, and looked dangerous early. Lee looks out of touch still, he should have had Ryder cheaply, but Haddin grassed a catch Hayden was going to take easily. 2 balls later, Ryder's cup took a beating, sounded painful.. It's the only thing I've heard that has ever silenced Kerry O'Keefe... Ryder doesnt like to run much, he hits a lot of 4's to compensate.

Should be interesting to see Johnson and Symonds bowl later on. If Watson gets some reverse swing, he could snare a heap of wickets.