The Cricket Thread

Clarke didn't even thank the NZ team in the post-match speech or say they deserved to win ... quite a few NZers are fuming about it over here!

Personally I don't really care. Probably a sign he's a bit of a dodgy captain though!
 
I still don't know why people hate clarke.... he's a good captain as his record shows and has got us out of a number of holes with the bat numerous times... everyone I know personally likes him but i guess haters gonna hate
 
jamesgould said:
Clarke didn't even thank the NZ team in the post-match speech or say they deserved to win ... quite a few NZers are fuming about it over here!

Personally I don't really care. Probably a sign he's a bit of a dodgy captain though!
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Blasphemy! He is a gentleman and a scholar... he also has a knack for finding really hot girlfriends.

He's a great batsman and an underrated left arm orthodox. For such a young guy back in the day he has achieved many remarkable feats and has a natural cricketing brain, exhibited by not only his all round proficiency (including fielding) but he knows a thing or two about captaining.
 
Shane Watson has been ruled out of bowling in the first test and is only a slight chance of batting.. considering its a series i wouldn't be risking him if he is in that bad shape. Id rather see Dan Christian get a run for a test match.

---------- Post added at 12:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 PM ----------
Alicia said:
My dream team at the moment if all were fit and available:

1. Katich
2. Warner
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Khawaja
7. Watson
8. Paine
9. Pattinson
10. Cummins
11. Lyon

The only players that should have their names in concrete for boxing day are: Watson (if fit) Pattinson and Lyon IMO
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This has to be the side Arthur manages until he can work out a successful transition strategy to replace Ponting, Hussey, Katich in the long run. The only slight alteration i would have is an extra bowler to replace Khawaja because its just abit to batting heavy.
 
Quinny said:
Hodge is retired and Katich is playing like garbage was rightly sacked.
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That's the problem everyone keeps wanting to get rid of the old players without having a young guy there knocking down the door demanding selection.. Let's not kid ourselves this isn't twenty twenty experience wins test matches.. And some of the young guys (mainly batsman) are simply not ready for test match cricket.

The problem with Clarke's captaincy is that he is to worried about offending people rather then looking outside the box and selecting the best possible 11. Its all i keep hearing from Clarke is that he is trying to get the best 11 together but he is so far off the mark.

Clarke cannot tell me that:

Phil Hughes is a better batsman than Simon Katich

That Brad Hodge hasn't been Australia's number one batsman for the past two seasons
(a simple phone call would get Hodge straight into the test team)

Mark Wade isn't a better keeper then Brad Haddin

Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes are ready for test cricket (not one of these players would make an English or Indian side).

---------- Post added at 01:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:02 PM ----------

The best openers Australia have at the moment are:

1. Simon Katich
2. Shane Watson

However due to Shane Watson's all round capabilities he simply cannot maintain his current workload and needs to be placed down the order to help his test match longevity.

Replacing Shane Watson with the next best option David Warner.. Australia must be careful here though the guy is in good form at the moment but he must be developed slowly.. Early success at test level means nothing just ask Phil Hughes.

Openers:

1. Simon Katich
2. David Warner


Thoughts?
 
Hughes has decided to give the BBL a miss in order to focus on getting other things right. Brave call, but for his sake I hope it turns out well for him.
 
Sachin Tendulkar was retired on 92 today in India's tour match against the CA Chairmans XI.
 
Shane Warne's statue at the MCG has been revealed today.

---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------

The squad for the boxing day test is:

Michael Clarke (c), Dan Christian, Ed Cowan, Brad Haddin (vc), Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes have been dropped, Waston and Harris are still out injured.
 
Madman said:
Shane Warne's statue at the MCG has been revealed today.

---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------

The squad for the boxing day test is:

Michael Clarke (c), Dan Christian, Ed Cowan, Brad Haddin (vc), Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes have been dropped, Waston and Harris are still out injured.
Click to expand...

Yea great squad. Thank god they did not recall Katich, he belongs in the past with one of Ponting or Hussey.

Team I would go with:

1.Cowan
2.Warner
3.Marsh
4.Ponting/Hussey
5.Clarke(C)
6.Christan
7.Haddin(VC)
8.Siddle
9.Pattison
10.Hilfenhaus
11.Lyon

The Selectors will go with
Cowan,Warner,Marsh,Ponting,Clarke,Hussey,Haddin,Siddle,Hilfenhaus,Pattison,Lyon.
 
Madman said:
Shane Warne's statue at the MCG has been revealed today.

---------- Post added at 01:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------

The squad for the boxing day test is:

Michael Clarke (c), Dan Christian, Ed Cowan, Brad Haddin (vc), Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes have been dropped, Waston and Harris are still out injured.
Click to expand...


My team would be

Cowan
Warner
Marsh
Clarke
Ponting
Hussey
Haddin
Siddle
Pattinson
Hilfy
Lyon
 
Australia's starting XI for the Vodafone First Test v India at the MCG on Dec 26: Warner, Cowan, Marsh, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, Hadddin, Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Pattinson, Lyon.
 
Who do people have their money on in this test?

I know the pitch is doing a bit, but I think India are in the box seat, right now ... unfortunately!

Also, who saw Healy fall off the seagueway yesterday? What a drongo!!!
 
My money was on India @ 3.50 but also has South africa to beat Sri lanka. SA are getting smashed
 
I don't think India would want to chase more than about 275. Unless Austalia can get a lead of more than that then I'd have my money on India.

Australia are lucky the selectors didn't listen to everyone who wanted Ponting and Hussey dropped. Those two have kept Australia in the match.
 
I always said, even before last year to not drop Ponting or hussey but if they don't get some big scores soon they may be dropped
 
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