Picking the seam - All things Cricket

[Blackee]

Interesting discussion guys. Great analysis John!! Certainly some merit in your arguements!!!

Back to the game, Australia has defeated the Kiwis by 176 runs this morning. After some fireworks from McCullum and Tim Southee, Mitchell Johnson finished the game off with 6 second innings wickets and 10 for the match. This earnt him MOTM honours.

Australia completes a 2-0 series whitewash and now focus on the ICC World 20/20 in the West Indies.

A bit of a surprise seeing the name Brett Lee in the squad. Only played his second game last night, so a bit of a gamble taken by the selectors. I'll start another arguement here, but I can't see why Clarke is in the 20/20 squad. I think he would be better left out. Just my opinion.

[Dc449]

Great analysis, I agree there were many other players who should of got into the team before him, but you can drop him after the summer, unless he starts playing bad well of course. I commend him for his passion and how much he wanted to be in the team. There were plenty of times where he could of walked away. Look at the Allan Border medal how much it means to him.

BTW what got me angry was how you said you hope for him to get injured and be forced to retire, that was a terrible thing to say, no matter what sport or what team, you dont want a player to get injured and be forced to retire.

[Blackee]

Tomorrow morning sees the start of the 20/20 World Cup in the west Indies. Having been to the West Indies for the 2007 World Cup, I hope the locals are looked after better!!

I can't into 20/20, probably as I'm more of a purist. Maybe cause Australia are not as dominant. I see 20/20 as bowler killers, it will reduce their cricketing lifespan if they play too much IMO.

[Dc449]

Hussey you star, that was unbelievable

[Blackee]

As good as they are, the Aussies played their final against Pakistan.
England were far too good, reducing the Aussies to 3/8 before the Vic boys of Hussey (59) & White (30) made every attempt to post a reasonable score to defend.

Alas 147 was not enough to defend, with England passing the score with 7 wickets and 3 overs remaining.

[Blackee]

Not wrong there John!
Pakis are 4/41 in their second innings, after being shot out for 74. This was in response to England' 446.
Guarantee that if the Aussies had the Poms 7/102, they wouldn't have made 446!

Weak cricket team the Pakis!!

[Blackee]

Not only weak, but corrupt!
Such a shame for those unbeknown to what has transpired, but the Pakis must be booted out by the ICC.
The Sydney test was fixed, no doubt about it. And so was this, not that England was going to lose, but the sot fixing was all there to be seen. Some of those no-balls were shocking!

[Blackee]

Hooray, Marcus North has been dropped!!
However, they promote Phil Hughes, fresh from scores of 4 & 0 against South Australia. He is susceptible to the short ball and his technique is flawed. The Poms must be pumping the air as Messrs Chappell & Hilditch are giving them the Ashes in a platter.

And Michael Beer? oh dear!

[Monbulkian]

The Aussie team is not looking to flash at the moment, certainly a far cry from its glory days in the 90's and early-mid naughties. Looks like the Ashes will be wrapped up before Boxing Day (what a disgrace!) unless we get a miracle. Me thinks Warnie is a little bit too busy ATM to be any help....

[Blackee]

Not much to add after the 1st day at Perth!

[Monbulkian]

Well how things can turn around. Johnson you little ripper, who would've thought he would come back and bowl so well. 3 pom's down, 7 to go.

[HarleyB]

Wonderful effort by the Aussies. I still think the series will be drawn 2-2. Swann will have a huge influence in Sydney providing he isn't injured. I think it's safe to say we have this test sewn up now

[Petros]

Finally I feel proud to be an Aussie cricket supporter again

....... [edit] - and this makes the boxing day test BIG!.

[mad*moo73]

Awesome win by the boys, the Boxing Day test should be a beauty!

Finally Mitchell Johnson bolwed as good as his abs look!

[Lily]

There's a certain amount of cynicism out there regarding the Aussie win, some claiming it was a no brainer they would win in order to make the Boxing Day game more exciting... I wouldn't want to think that would happen, but I've heard a few people talk about it now and it's also been touched on by callers into 3AW

[Blackee]

Cricket Australia must be breathing a sign of relief!
Weather permitting, the test should see 3-4 days of 80k+ attendances!

Still think the Poms have a more balanced side than the Aussies.

Will be in attendance on Day 3, should be a good day!

[Anthony Violi]

Kicking back enjoying the Aussies getting demolished...and will for many years due to the incompetence of the top level of administration.

is this the 3rd year running they have lost their home series?

IIRC they lost to India and South Africa the last 2 summers?

[Blackee]

Whilst I am Australian, I too am enjoying the beating as it is highlighting (again) the deficiencies with our cricket, both on and off the field. I thought I was at Manchester yesterday, when our batsmen were being booed when walking to the wicket. Our supporter base is weak, as is our team, as is our Administration.

Looking forward to the following few days to see if these questions will be answered.

Will Hughes get dropped?
Will Ponting resign as captain?
Will Beer play in Sydney?
Why did they play Harris when they knew he was not 100%
Will they play an unfit Bollinger?
Why don't CA schedule 4 day matches during test matches in case of injuries or loss of form?

So many question for Hilditch, Sutherland and co to answer!!

[Anthony Violi]

i think it will be another massacre in Sydney as its traditionally a seaming wicket. Anderson, tremleet and bresnan all moved the ball on day one off the pitch. Add the swing Sydney provides and it could get ugly.

Hughes
Watson
Ponting
Clarke
Hussey
Smith
Haddin
Johnsom
Harris
Siddle
Hilfenhaus

Out of that list what changes do you think should be made?

Personally i think none will be and they will be demolished because of it.

[mad*moo73]

Well I for one will never get pleasure out of watching the Aussies getting massacred especially at the hands of the Poms!!!

But agreed the administration has a lot to answer for, the likes of Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Gilchrist, etc were never going to play forever & it seems there was no planning for when they retired. Also I think that a few have shown they can't perform without having superstars in the team as "back up" & once the pressure is on them to perform they have failed miserably - Clarke, Lee, McGill & to my suprsise Ponting, come to mind.

As for Sydney, Watson, Hussy, Haddin, Johnson, Siddle & for the sake of stability - Ponting should all stay. As for the rest some deserve a chance to develop Hughs & Smith come to mind. Harris injury will keep him out but I like what he has done this season. Give Beer a go - why not? The batting has let us down the most too many low scores putting an immense amount of pressure on the bowlers who without a superstar have a tough job as it is.

Whatever happens there will be some interesting times ahead.