Australian summer of cricket 2009-10

[gUt]

Ponting is injured and shouldn't be playing.

 

[Jeba]

Australia will lose before tea tomorrow and the media will roast po9nting's toss decision, exonerating unjustly the abysmal efforts of Clarke, Haddin and North in particular this test.

Agreed.

Clarke has done the job for Australia before and is very much proven at this level, but the other 2 you mentioned are crap. Even when North makes runs, he strikes at about 35-40. I know it's not limited overs cricket but you've got to keep the scoreboard ticking over, especially when you're number 5 or 6. Haddin can't bat, can't keep, and is a total smart arse. Worst full-time wicket keeper ever to play for Australia.

Hughes at the moment is not ready I agree, but he is only young, and Katich won't be around for too much longer, so he will get his chance. He just needs to bide his time in Sheffield Shield for a couple of years, maybe get the occasional call-up to the Test team, and it will do him the world of good.

Hussey has been the target of criticism lately (from myself included) but he is not the biggest problem. In fact he batted very well today. In saying that, I would swap him around with Clarke, I reckon Hussey is the perfect number 5 batsman.

So in summing up, heading over to New Zealand, drop Haddin and North, swap Hussey and Clarke. Hartley in for Haddin, pluck someone from obscurity for North.

 

[Browny]

1.Watson
2.Katich/Hughes
3.Ponting
4.Clarke
5.Hussey
6.Haddin
7.Steve Smith
8.Johnson
9.Hauritz
10.Siddle/Hilfy
11.Dougie

Pick Steve Smith as a batting allrounder who can bowl some leg spin, move Haddin up into a batting position and see if he pulls his head in.

 

[gUt]

When is Callum Ferguson back from injury? That's who I would bring in for North.

 

[Browny]

Ferguson had a knee recon so he would be out for a while yet. Its a pity Brad Hodge retired.

Another idea is move Katich down and have Hughes and Watson open

 

[m1c]

Surely you didn't just bracket Hughes with Katich... Jesus christ man!

 

[Woody]

My god Pakistan are butchering this! [eusa_doh [icon_ee [eusa_doh

 

[Fozz]

175 is not good enough unless Johnson produces one of those unplayable spells.

Well done to Siddle, he faced more deliveries than most of the upper order. I'd still drop him for Hilfy though.

 

[Browny]

Surely you didn't just bracket Hughes with Katich... Jesus christ man!

The middle order has no spine so Katich in for North maybe [icon_shru

Not the best solution but North and Haddin crumble too easily

 

[m1c]

Yeah agreed, Katich along with Clarke are our best performing bats over the last 2 years though. He is one of the first picked.

I'd like to see Huss go down to 6, i forgot how good he is batting with the tail and that gives Clarke the opportunity to bat higher which he is screaming out for.

Honestly, we are short a batsman, and I cant offer any solution. Put whoever you like in at 5. Hopefully Fergusen comes back ok.

 

[Major JW Hochstetter]

What an awesome finish coming up. I love Test Cricket.

 

[Bannermania]

What an awesome finish coming up. I love Test Cricket.

This is what it's all about. COME ON AUSSIE.

 

[Black Philip]

Damn. Way to **** it up Pakistan.

 

[gUt]

Poor Pakis. Their keeper should wear this loss.

 

[Fozz]

We didn't win that, Pakistan lost it.

 

[Steve]

A great Test and a fantastic finish. I feel so sorry for the Pakistan supporters. Today was a debacle and there's nowhere to hide for the captain. The whole team clocked off when Hauritz was dismissed late yesterday instead of going for the kill. And the performance this morning was just lifeless. In less than 24 hours they've just imploded. I wanted to see them win this test match but instead of celebrating - they will be haunted by this loss until they next win in a Test in Australia.

Finally, there is something about the SCG which produces great matches. Over the last three years the number of memorable Test's on this great arena just keep mounting:
- Clarke rolls the Indians two summers ago
- Johnson bowls a brave Graham Smith in the penultimate over last year to win the test match
- and now today's dramatic events.

And let's not forget Steve Waugh's perfect day vs England seven or so years ago. It's a wonderful cricket ground which just seems to bring about the best in most players (apart from the Pakistan team today).

 

[Scumbag]

I've never been there. Might one day. It had better be good.

 

[Woody]

We didn't win that, Pakistan lost it.

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