Brett Lee singled out by Ricky before today's test to lead Australia and cause Sth AFrica to self-destruct.

PUNTER STARTS THE MIND GAMES

VICS WELL ON THE WAY TO KNOCKING OFF WA - AND IN THE PROCESS BOOKING A SPOT IN SHEFFIELD SHIELD FINAL AGAIN- IMO

VICS WELL ON THE WAY TO KNOCKING OFF WA - AND IN THE PROCESS BOOKING A SPOT IN SHEFFIELD SHIELD FINAL AGAIN- IMO

It's not even christmas. I can't remember a sheild this one sided. GO THE VICS!

Another Failure from hayden.

Those dark storm clouds have to be gathering by now! if he fails in the 2nd innings -GOODBYE!

Hopefully rogers does some damage this arvo v WA

Another Failure from hayden.

Those dark storm clouds have to be gathering by now! if he fails in the 2nd innings -GOODBYE!

Hopefully rogers does some damage this arvo v WA

How Phil Jaques wishes he was not injured right now. Hayden, the fat lady is clearing her throat.

Game is over at the G. Rogers wasn't able to inflict much damage on WA thanks to some good VICS bowling.

Another Failure from hayden.

Those dark storm clouds have to be gathering by now! if he fails in the 2nd innings -GOODBYE!

Likely to last until the end of the series IMO, particularly if we win this game.

Likely to last until the end of the series IMO, particularly if we win this game.

You might be right.

I heard this morning (SEN) that it was 'known' said the host, can't remember his name - it may have been Jason Richardson - that this will be Haydo's last test series or test series in Australia, with an announcement expected sometime during the series. From what I gather this piece is "unconfirmed."

So, just take it as gospel at this stage.

You might be right.

I heard this morning (SEN) that it was 'known' said the host, can't remember his name - it may have been Jason Richardson - that this could be Haydo's last test series, with an announcement expected sometime during the series. From what I gather this piece is "unconfirmed."

So, just take it as gospel at this stage.

I really think these days it's harder to get out of the side then get in these days! Imagine if Michael Bevan had have had the chances hayden and symonds have had. He may well have been one of the best of the last generation of players.

I really think these days it's harder to get out of the side then get in these days! Imagine if Michael Bevan had have had the chances hayden and symonds have had. He may well have been one of the best of the last generation of players.

If you look at the number of changes in the Australian Test team over the past 18 months then it makes a mockery of that statement.

Bevan did have his chances and blew them. At the top level he is not in either categories class. Hayden is probably one of our greatest opening batsman and Symonds has averaged 60 with the bat over the past two years. Bevans' position was taken by other (better) players. Bevan and others of his ilk suffered from playing at time of high quality cricketers

I really think these days it's harder to get out of the side then get in these days! Imagine if Michael Bevan had have had the chances hayden and symonds have had. He may well have been one of the best of the last generation of players.

Hayden's got runs on the board so its a bit unfair on him

However IMO his large credit is all but gone now and a Jacques/Rogers is the go Boxing day.

Symonds however has had a dream run. He's a marketing machine as he's the only one with a personality in a team full of robots and that's why he got back in the team without even looking one bit interested for QLd.

I've been critical of MClarke b4 but credit to him he has making runs when his team needs it.

Bevan and others of his ilk suffered from playing at time of high quality cricketers

Fair Point re bevan's era

Hayden's got runs on the board so its a bit unfair on him

However IMO his large credit is all but gone now and a Jacques/Rogers is the go Boxing day.

Symonds however has had a dream run. He's a marketing machine as he's the only one with a personality in a team full of robots and that's why he got back in the team without even looking one bit interested for QLd.

I've been critical of MClarke b4 but credit to him he has making runs when his team needs it.

Jacques in injured and I doubt Rogers will get a look in if we win this Test.

Maybe Symonds got back in because he actually scored heavily at Test level over the past 2 to 3 years.

And the rule you apply to Clarke should equally stand for Symonds.

At 9/365 with batsman 6 to 11 getting a dozen or more runs each suggests that if the SA batsman knuckle down and the Aust bowlers are not at their best this could be difficult to get a result. The absence of Stuart Clarkes height and bounce could really hurt us.

The pitch is belter to bat on and with Siddle and Krejza (now allrounders ) in just their 2nd tests then Australia could be tested with the ball.

At 9/365 with batsman 6 to 11 getting a dozen or more runs each suggests that if the SA batsman knuckle down and the Aust bowlers are not at their best this could be difficult to get a result. The absence of Stuart Clarkes height and bounce could really hurt us.

The pitch is belter to bat on and with Siddle and Krejza (now allrounders ) in just their 2nd tests then Australia could be tested with the ball.

Siddle, Johnson, Krejza would be the best 9,10,11 bats in the world so hopefully we can get a few of them early. The test that siddle played in India he by far looked the most dangerous bowler so lets cross fingers. I wonder who will open as I get the feeling Johnson is not seen as a new ball bowler so maybe siddle and lee.

Siddle, Johnson, Krejza would be the best 9,10,11 bats in the world so hopefully we can get a few of them early.

Lets not over do the accolades.

The test that siddle played in India he by far looked the most dangerous bowler so lets cross fingers. I wonder who will open as I get the feeling Johnson is not seen as a new ball bowler so maybe siddle and lee.

This test is in Perth and Johnson has proven dangerous is more likely to get the new ball than Siddle IMO.

Anyway he will be exhausted after his marathon 23!!!!!

Hayden's got runs on the board so its a bit unfair on him

However IMO his large credit is all but gone now and a Jacques/Rogers is the go Boxing day.

Jacques in injured and I doubt Rogers will get a look in if we win this Test.

Australia all out. 375.

If Hayden fails 2nd innings, I'm not so sure he's an absolute shoo-in come Boxing Day, regardless if the Aussies win. A draw looks more likely by the way as the pitch is a road in Perth.

Australia all out. 375.

A draw looks more likely by the way as the pitch is a road in Perth.

Even more of a reason if hayden fails, give him a rest, he might even come down with the windy hill flu!

This test is in Perth and Johnson has proven dangerous is more likely to get the new ball than Siddle IMO.

Your a good judge Rhino! 1/12 for johnson!

"IF" Hayden is given his marching orders for the Boxing day Test in Melbourne, don't be surprised if Hughes for NSW gets a gig ahead of Rogers/Klinger/Jaques(inj).

"IF" Hayden is given his marching orders for the Boxing day Test in Melbourne, don't be surprised if Hughes for NSW gets a gig ahead of Rogers/Klinger/Jaques(inj).

Hughes at 21 would have been given his baggy green before the "valued NSW" cap for sure! I think this is on the cards being that katich is batting very well ATM.

None the less as a victorian bring on ROGERS/Klinger or even promote M.Hussey to open and bat D.Hussey in the middle - Now I like that!

Your a good judge Rhino! 1/12 for johnson!

A bit of luck and I'm left handed too.

Hughes at 21 would have been given his baggy green before the "valued NSW" cap for sure! I think this is on the cards being that katich is batting very well ATM.

None the less as a victorian bring on ROGERS/Klinger or even promote M.Hussey to open and bat D.Hussey in the middle - Now I like that!

I can't see them tweaking the side that much Monty, but your opinion is noted. I agree with the old Baggy Green with NSW cap theory. However Hughes is in sparkling form. In all this Brad Hodge must be very, very frustrated. Overlooked so much. Victoria's all time run machine now having passed Dean Jones of recent times.

This test is in Perth and Johnson has proven dangerous is more likely to get the new ball than Siddle IMO.

Awesome Awesome Awesome.

After looking set and had they lasted the next half hour then SA were in the box seat at 3/260+.

On a good batting pitch late in the day with a hint of reverse swing, Mitchell Johnson put together one of the most devastating spells of old ball swing bowling at 140+kph. Swung the Test match and made his mark on the series

If the signs were there before, then there in big lights....This guy is something special and the big thing in quick bowling.

Great stuff

Awesome Awesome Awesome.

After looking set and had they lasted the next half hour then SA were in the box seat at 3/260+.

On a good batting pitch late in the day with a hint of reverse swing, Mitchell Johnson put together one of the most devastating spells of old ball swing bowling at 140+kph. Swung the Test match and made his mark on the series

If the signs were there before, then there in big lights....This guy is something special and the big thing in quick bowling.

Great stuff

It's going to be a big year for Johnsons!

On a good batting pitch late in the day with a hint of reverse swing, Mitchell Johnson put together one of the most devastating spells of old ball swing bowling at 140+kph. Swung the Test match and made his mark on the series

People criticise test match cricket for being too boring, and lets face it, 80% of the time there is not much happening. But when you get a performance like we saw from Johnson tonight, it makes the waiting worth it. What a star!

Almost nothing beats test cricket at its best, and thats what we saw tonight.

A bit of luck and I'm left handed too.

All hail the Orical!

Interesting to note though that the damage was done with the old ball,

so for mine still may not be the best for us to be opening the bowling!

(But then again I'm right handed and a victorian!) so might be a bit biased!