Jaques averages just under 50 in Tests (just over 50 in first-class cricket), Rogers has a similar first-class average and Hughes averages a touch over 50 from five Tests (with an even more impressive first-class average).

So, who are our openers? Katich (averaging 52 in Tests as an opener, which spans 2008-09*) and Watson Both could certainly hold down a middle-order spot instead IMO.

Bored? Rate the aforementioned from 1-5 as your choice for opener!

*I imagine his average would be similar since 2008 regardless of where he was batting

6/371

WI plucky but lack class and application. Australia bats had nearly all got good starts and had thrown away a great opportunity to dominate despite the scoreboard.

And who have thunk it?

Qld wins toss and sends a strong Victorian batting line up in on a moist wicket with overcast cloudy sky and they are 3/47 with Hussey on 17 and Rogers GAWN cheaply.

Jaques averages just under 50 in Tests (just over 50 in first-class cricket), Rogers has a similar first-class average and Hughes averages a touch over 50 from five Tests (with an even more impressive first-class average).

So, who are our openers? Katich (averaging 52 in Tests as an opener, which spans 2008-09*) and Watson Both could certainly hold down a middle-order spot instead IMO.

Bored? Rate the aforementioned from 1-5 as your choice for opener!

*I imagine his average would be similar since 2008 regardless of where he was batting

Bored.

Katich

Hughes

Jaques

Rogers

Watson

Hussey 174 off 183

Such a poor start to the summer.

Given the opposition, it's going to be hard to make judgements about a few players.

Such a poor start to the summer.

Given the opposition, it's going to be hard to make judgements about a few players.

Agree. W.I. dominance in cricket really is a far distant memory. If you had introduced someone new to the game and later told them that the West Indies were a dominant force for over a decade and a half in the 80's and early 90's......they would retort "What the hell happened to them ..?"

Such a poor start to the summer.

Given the opposition, it's going to be hard to make judgements about a few players.

It depends what judgements you want make. The start of this summer was not unexpected. The opposition this summer is pedestrian at best.

But if there are wickets like Brisbane through the summer and you cant make runs against the Pakis or the Windies then it does send a messge.

FWIW, I think the Windies have got a player in Barath. A plucky innings at 19. They need six of him.

Gayle should have missed this Test. His batting has been poor and his judgement challenging the umpire on both occassions was just dumb.

Its interesting I looked at the 2000/2001 Windies series in Australia where Aust won 5-0 and easily. It was a quick drop from world champions in 1995 to basket case in 5 years.

They continue to bounce along the bottom of the standings 9 to 10 years later

Did you see McGrath's 10-27 match figures in the first test? What a bowler

It depends what judgements you want make. The start of this summer was not unexpected. The opposition this summer is pedestrian at best.

But if there are wickets like Brisbane through the summer and you cant make runs against the Pakis or the Windies then it does send a messge.

...and my contention is that regardless of who is selected they're likely to do well against WI.

Gayle should have missed this Test. His batting has been poor and his judgement challenging the umpire on both occassions was just dumb.

Agree. He was plum on that lbw. Pitched in line, hitting off stump (high). To begin walking, then think, "hang on a second" was silly.

Its interesting I looked at the 2000/2001 Windies series in Australia where Aust won 5-0 and easily. It was a quick drop from world champions in 1995 to basket case in 5 years.

True. Although the West Indies were better back then in 2000/01 (with Lara in the side), than they are now. Albeit, not by much.

Edited November 30, 200915 yr by High Tower

Agree with a lot of what's being said here. Day 1 showed that the Windies' bowlers aren't all hacks. Roach looks good, Rampaul is OK, Taylor is the best of the lot but injury ruined him (and he's gone for the series). It's their batting that's abysmal. Chanderpaul's shot in the second innings was inexplicable and completely un-Chanderpaul. I was shaking my head when I saw that. I don't know what prompted him to do that, considering how unflappable he was 18 months ago.

Anyone waiting for a decent contest will have to wait until the limited over stuff begins. Pakistan is the best T20 team in the world and they're good at ODIs too.

Jaques averages just under 50 in Tests (just over 50 in first-class cricket), Rogers has a similar first-class average and Hughes averages a touch over 50 from five Tests (with an even more impressive first-class average).

So, who are our openers? Katich (averaging 52 in Tests as an opener, which spans 2008-09*) and Watson Both could certainly hold down a middle-order spot instead IMO.

Bored? Rate the aforementioned from 1-5 as your choice for opener!

*I imagine his average would be similar since 2008 regardless of where he was batting

Katich

Rogers

Jaques

Hughes

Daylight

Daylight

Daylight

Daylight

Watson

That's at the moment, though. Selecting with a view to the future would put Hughes above Rogers and Jaques.

Watson is hopeless. He's only there because he can bowl. He would never have been selected in the first place if it wasn't for the fact that he provided insurance for Johnson in England. He isn't good enough and should either drop down the order, or, better still, get lost.

IMO Rogers > Jaques at domestic level, but Jaques has performed at Test level. Rogers had one go at it and failed, which probably sticks out in selectors' minds.

Hilfenhaus is out of the 2nd test with knee soreness: http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvwi09/content/c...ory/437450.html

Bollinger will almost certainly play. Deservedly so. Clint McKay gets Hilfenhaus's spot in the squad. A bit unfair on McDonald, maybe. But it may well signal the end of Stuart Clark.

Brad Hodge retires. Good on him and well done on a fine career.

Hodge has scored the most runs for Victoria in first-class cricket, 11,278 at an average of 47.39. Dean Jones is next best with 9622 at 54.05.

Hodge has played 222 first-class matches making 17,012 runs at an average of 48.88 with 51 centuries and 63 ffities.

In one-day matches, he averages 41.80, with 23 centuries and 35 fifties.

In 73 Twenty20 matches Hodge averages 40.10 with one century and 17 fifties.

Hodge has played 25 one day matches for Australia, averaging 31.33, with one century and three fifties.

Time to focus on international 20/20 money now his Test window is closed.

Brad Hodge retires. Good on him and well done on a fine career.

Hodge has scored the most runs for Victoria in first-class cricket, 11,278 at an average of 47.39. Dean Jones is next best with 9622 at 54.05.

Hodge has played 222 first-class matches making 17,012 runs at an average of 48.88 with 51 centuries and 63 ffities.

In one-day matches, he averages 41.80, with 23 centuries and 35 fifties.

In 73 Twenty20 matches Hodge averages 40.10 with one century and 17 fifties.

Hodge has played 25 one day matches for Australia, averaging 31.33, with one century and three fifties.

Time to focus on international 20/20 money now his Test window is closed.

I know he is a Victorian and Demons man but thank god, I have become sick of his whinging everytime someone sticks i mic in front of him

Truth is he was not up to test or 1day international level. Other that that 200 against S.Af in which he was dropped 4 times he was very ordinary in all the other tests he played and never looked comfortable at that level.

He got enough one day oppurtunites at one day level and failed , one tour of india sticks out in particular could not handle the pressure and failed everytime he batted

thanks for all you have done for the vics, but the hard done by tag he carriers with alot of cricket supports in this state is wrong imho

Brad Hodge retires

...only from first-class games (and Tests) from what I read.

...only from first-class games (and Tests) from what I read.

Yes. Twenty20 and Ford Ranger Cup are what he is concentrating on. Excellent first class career. Good decision.

Indian series heats up....1/312 off 56 overs. Sewhag 184 not out off 162 balls.

Wow. Since I wrote that, they have moved onto 1/330 from 57 overs, Sehwag 202 off 168 - yes, 18 off that over. Fastest double ton ever? (No, but still)

Edited December 3, 200915 yr by 45HG16

Well done 45!

They are now 1/373 off 64 overs. At almost a run a ball!!!

Virender Sehwag (rhb) 233runs 193 balls 31 fours 7 sixes. That is 6 200s in a career. Amazing player. Half way to the Don's record of 12.

Best of the bowlers is UWMBCA Welegedara 16 2 73 0. Only bccause his runs per over is the lowest at 4.56. Why does he have so many names???

262 off 215. 1-406 off 70 overs.

Why are Sri Lanka struggling to bat on these pitches, intimidated?

I chose to believe that his first names are each one letter long.

Sehwag has 54 balls to break his own record for the fastest triple ton

stumps - 1-443 after 79 overs. Sehwag 284 off 239, has 39 balls to break his record

Edited December 3, 200915 yr by 45HG16

262 off 215. 1-406 off 70 overs.

Why are Sri Lanka struggling to bat on these pitches, intimidated?

I chose to believe that his first names are each one letter long.

Sehwag has 54 balls to break his own record for the fastest triple ton

stumps - 1-443 after 79 overs. Sehwag 284 off 239, has 39 balls to break his record

Wow. Thanks for the updates on this game.

39 balls....should do it in a canter..

In 79 overs, Pakistan have scored 229. In 79 overs, Sehwag has scored 284

While the Windies bat like millionaires but perform like paupers.

A perfect batting pitch and they blow it...

Thankgod for Chanderpaul & Bravo. Ensuring at least by the look of things a target of over 300 at this stage. But things could just as easily change dramatically...

Score: 3/186 - 49 overs.

Chanderpaul 51 not out

Bravo 41 not out

Sure enough...wickets to Shane Watson.

WI 5/261 with Bravo not out on 96...

Nash is retired hurt.

I hope the WI get 300+ and make a game of it.

I hope the WI get 300+ and make a game of it.

And at 6-336 you have your wish HT......