The Cricket Thread

[jacksplatt11]

Hussey does well when his brther does not run him out.

Dave Hussey was playing in the last few test series's?

[i_amtrunks]

Dave Hussey was playing in the last few test series's?

You knew I meant the shorter forms of the game!

Not looking good tonight, Ferguson is saving our bacon after a massive failure from #1-#5.

Haddin needs a break, and Ponting and Clarke has been sucktacular since the third test, a rest might do them well.

[STL]

You knew I meant the shorter forms of the game!

Not looking good tonight, Ferguson is saving our bacon after a massive failure from #1-#5.

Haddin needs a break, and Ponting and Clarke has been sucktacular since the third test, a rest might do them well.

SA crushes Australia

That was over pretty quickly. Nice to see Hauritz go for a few. Clarke and Ponting haven't been performing consistently for awhile now if my memory serves me well. Big score here, big score there but little inbetween. Pretty disappointing of two key figures in the team.

More interestingly, the test match in NZ really sucks. The more I read about India, the more I really don't like them. They have 531 run lead. Do they really think NZ's brittle batting line up can make that? They should move in for the kill and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Instead all they ever do is sit back and wait for the other team to roll over. Yes they win. But there's no class or stamp of authority.

[STL]

Har[d]wood bought in to bolster the stocks

[i_amtrunks]

Fast bowlers and their injuries...

Clark has been called into the ODI side for the rest of the SA series and for the UAE.

Since we have been crushed this series, why not tamper and play with our lineup now, before we play Pakistan? Clarke is a failure, Haddin has lost his rhythm, both players need a break. We need to find some openers, at least one to partner Clarke/Haddin/Hopes or whoever else they want to try opening.

[i_amtrunks]

Thrashed.

That was abysmal. Marsh was run out in the 9th over, before Haddin and Watson put on a 50 partnership. From 1/94 we collapsed to be 9/122 after 31 overs thanks to some great Pakistani spin bowling. Clarke and Symonds looked useless, Ferguson was out to a great catch. The tail matched the middle order, with Hopes (unbeaten on 48) and Hilfenhaus managed to drag us to a paltry 168 in 39 overs. Clarke was almost as poor as Ponting in using the powerplays, and once again failed to be of use when the pressure was on.

Pakistan took forever to chase down the target, taking 44 overs to make 6/171. Hopes was again the pick of the bowlers, and bracken was miserly, but not threatening. Hauritz never looked like replicating the feats of the Pakistani spinners.

Australia are not looking good in the short forms of the game, we would be more successful in the T20 format if we recalled Gilchrist, Hayden and Warne (dont think he could bowl more than 4 overs a game now). The middle order needs a revamp for the ODI's. We are missing a Bevan type player, Hopes is very good, and can bat from 1-8 but with such a weak middle order providing no assistance, he is having to do too much with a mediocre (and long) tail.

[Jimreborn]

*shakes head* I have been so over Clarke for a long time now...

[STL]

Remember too that Marsh pulled a hamstring while batting though. bad news for the young talent. Where's Hughes though?

Anybody watch the cricket (IPL) last night? Gilly smacking Steyn. It don't get much better den dat!

[optimus1]

I forgot the Pakistan series has started.

Most of my attention was on the recent ICC Trophy, it was good to see the Afghani team get ODI Status.

[i_amtrunks]

Remember too that Marsh pulled a hamstring while batting though. bad news for the young talent. Where's Hughes though?

Marsh cannot catch a break, that is his second hammy injury in a row, he should stay away from Watson (who I think will move to open with Haddin). North has been called into the squad (hooray!) while Hughes is getting batting practice in England County cricket.

Missed the ICC tournie, last I heard was Netherlands and Argentina were not doing well.

Watched Hayden bludgeon the ball last night though.