Anyone for cricket?

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

Australian Cricket hit Rock bottom today. 85,000 witnessed such a poor display.

Hussey copped a cracker, but to all the other batsmen it was just poor-All wickets were caught.

The bowlers were left with nothing to defend. Tomorrow could be very ugly.

[WonnaJurah 5]

Was going to go ,but was no tickets left. Feel lucky i didnt go after today, how many be there tommorrow?

[45HG 1,539]

England should've batted.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

England should've batted.

Ha Ha. They would have been 2/300 at stumps. I wonder if JJC lost interest from Strauss's use of the toss.

Gosh!!! What a disappointing day at the Test!!!

They bowled well and we batted badly, then they batted well, and we bowled only fairly.

I was looking forward to today for ages, hoping for a close game(won by Aust!).

I cant think of a more adverse day of Australian Test cricket in over 40 years.

England's bowling in the conditions was outstanding. For once I agree with WYL, in that only Hussey could complain about getting a jaffa. He was good enough to knick it. But the other all showed technical deficiencies and a lack of patience with the moving ball. Clarke's was the worst for mine. If ever a guy needed to make a statement....and he didnt.

Australian Cricket hit Rock bottom today.

Has it yet?

Tomorrow could be very ugly.

Could not be worse than today unless the Poms wrap it up in 2 days.

Where's HT with his cricket is a funny game posts.

Its needs a real sense of humor at this point.

BTW, the highlight of the day for me was when Graeme Swan took a "catch" low down and despite the jubiliation of the English team immediately gestured to the square leg umpire that he was not sure. Great sporting stuff.

[titan_uranus 22,912]

Really, what today showed was that Perth was won more by an accidental Johnson spell of swing than anything else.

We cannot bat against the moving ball. Watson, Ponting and Hussey got hood balls but the other 7 just pushed too hard at the ball outside off. Hughes and Smith are not good enough. Hilfenhaus is useless. He is possibly the least threatening new ball bowler in the world.

But the problem is the batting. It's not good enough.

[Nasher 33,187]

Rain? Four days of heavy rain?

Please?

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Not unless we can relocate the game to Rockhampton!

I am going today and I am taking a good book and a rain jacket.

Its like heading to a footy game where you hav missed the 1st qtr and you're 10 goals down after having the wind.

[Nasher 33,187]

You'll be able to tell your grandchildren that you were there, in person, to witness one of the most humiliating Ashes loses of all time. Awesome!

[45HG 1,539]

It'd have to be one of the worst days in Australian cricket history wouldn't it?

[titan_uranus 22,912]

Siddle bowled a very nice line and length earlier today, got both openers. Seems he and Harris will get the new ball after lunch so that's a sign that Ponting respects his effort.

Hilfenhaus won't play in Sydney.

It'd have to be one of the worst days in Australian cricket history wouldn't it?

All cricket history in fact! Apparently it's only the second time ever that at the end of Day 1 a team has bowled its opponent out and then overtaken their score without losing a wicket.

[titan_uranus 22,912]

How many times over the last 2 years have we taken 'wickets' off no-balls? This time Dar didn't call the no ball until he'd paid it out, but later saw the footmark was close. I'm not entirely convinced he did the right thing given at the time he didn't think it was a no ball but in the end the ball was illegal and the batsman shouldn't have been out.

That's another thing England do better than us: their bowlers learn to bowl with their entire foot behind the line.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

How many times over the last 2 years have we taken 'wickets' off no-balls? This time Dar didn't call the no ball until he'd paid it out, but later saw the footmark was close. I'm not entirely convinced he did the right thing given at the time he didn't think it was a no ball but in the end the ball was illegal and the batsman shouldn't have been out.

That's another thing England do better than us: their bowlers learn to bowl with their entire foot behind the line.

I find this test match just so depressing. i can handle losing, but this is beyond that.

At least siddle is playing-without him the Poms would still be wicketless!!!

It's a bit like watching Melbourne play fitzroy in 1979 (round 17)

Those who were there that day at Waverley will remember and understand what i mean.

England could end up 500 in front, and that is taking into account that the australian bowling has been ok.

It just shows how bad yesterday was, at least now i hope Cricket Australia reassess how they operate.

We need more coaches and more opportunities for players to have a solid chance to make the australian sides.

(an interview with Chris Rodgers i heard last week on radio kinda summed up a lot of what is going on (or not going on).

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

It'd have to be one of the worst days in Australian cricket history wouldn't it?

Yep. Without a doubt.

Hilfenhaus won't play in Sydney.

Nor should he. I am stuffed why he was given the ball so often. Impotent.

A touch of the Scott Muller about him at Test level...Cant bat, cant bowl.

Normally the Ashes in Australia provides an Englishman who bowling in strange conditions is effectively a pie thrower.

We have one of our own.

It just shows how bad yesterday was, at least now i hope Cricket Australia reassess how they operate.

We need more coaches and more opportunities for players to have a solid chance to make the australian sides.

(an interview with Chris Rodgers i heard last week on radio kinda summed up a lot of what is going on (or not going on).

I would hope Cricket Australia undertake the necessary review with intelligence and insight rather than hooking up to naive misconceptions and conspiracy theories pedalling by disgruntled ex-players.

And if there was ever a period where a player who performed would have had a great chance of selection its over the past 12 months. Unfortunately few if any have put there hands up when it counted.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

And if there was ever a period where a player who performed would have had a great chance of selection its over the past 12 months. Unfortunately few if any have put there hands up when it counted.

Unforetunately a lot of those actually in the Australian side have also failed to put their hand up either-so i suppose it depends which way you look at it.

I recommend you find the Podcast on SEN and have a listen to Chris Rodgers. He speaks well and frankly.

Edited December 27, 2010 by why you little

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Unforetunately a lot of those actually in the Australian side have also failed to put their hand up either-so i suppose it depends which way you look at it.

I recommend you find the Podcast on SEN and have a listen to Chris Rodgers. He speaks well and frankly.

Right so if there are players who are not putting pressure on those incumbent players in the Test team then it hardly gives rise to your comment.

Rodgers is an ex player with an axe to grind in two states and is also an individual who was apparently a prickly teammate. I am sure he made good SEN fodder.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

Right so if there are players who are not putting pressure on those incumbent players in the Test team then it hardly gives rise to your comment.

Rodgers is an ex player with an axe to grind in two states and is also an individual who was apparently a prickly teammate. I am sure he made good SEN fodder.

Listen to the podcast then make up your mind RR, plenty of shield players have been making scores over the last 12-18 months, but never get a look in, for whatever reason.

I think it's time the selection process was totally revamped, because i don't think there is a lot of communication getting back to players.

Next week will be interesting after the Ashes are gone & the side is picked for the final Dead Rubber.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Listen to the podcast then make up your mind RR, plenty of shield players have been making scores over the last 12-18 months, but never get a look in, for whatever reason.

I think it's time the selection process was totally revamped, because i don't think there is a lot of communication getting back to players.

Next week will be interesting after the Ashes are gone & the side is picked for the final Dead Rubber.

If there has been plenty of shield players over the past 12-18 months that have been making scores then who should have come in and who should have gone out.

You have been asked repeatedly to come up with the changes YOU would have made and you have come up with only dropping Hussey (and labelling him a list clogger)--sage stuff there! And also putting Smith as our No 1 spinner when its patently obvious that he isnt up to that atm and wont be for a few years.

Great the selection process needs to be totally revamped from someone who seems to understand it as well as they do debt.

Like I said I trust Cricket Australia will undertake the review with intelligence and insight.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

If there has been plenty of shield players over the past 12-18 months that have been making scores then who should have come in and who should have gone out.

You have been asked repeatedly to come up with the changes YOU would have made and you have come up with only dropping Hussey (and labelling him a list clogger)--sage stuff there! And also putting Smith as our No 1 spinner when its patently obvious that he isnt up to that atm and wont be for a few years.

Great the selection process needs to be totally revamped from someone who seems to understand it as well as they do debt.

Like I said I trust Cricket Australia will undertake the review with intelligence and insight.

Smith will make it, although he is batting at 6, i would have him at 8. Marsh should be opening Watson down to 3, Ponting to 6. Clarke out D. hussey should have played this ashes campiagn.

There's a few changes to start with. Glad you have undying faith in Cricket Australia RR, cause right now i don't.

Like i said next week will be interesting. I wonder if Hilditch will emerge from his cave????

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Smith will make it, although he is batting at 6, i would have him at 8. Marsh should be opening Watson down to 3, Ponting to 6. Clarke out D. hussey should have played this ashes campiagn.

There's a few changes to start with. Glad you have undying faith in Cricket Australia RR, cause right now i don't.

Like i said next week will be interesting. I wonder if Hilditch will emerge from his cave????

You have hardly touched the surface of the issues with those alleged "changes".

Smith is no certainty to make it with bat and ball at this point (but he is young) and batting him at 8 when he doesnt bowl.

Marsh should come in for Hughes who has neither the technique or the temperament for Test cricket. The issues with Watson opening would be worse off at 3. Silly move.

Ponting will be "retired" hook or by crook after the Sydney Test. And the player to replace him is the current VC..Clarke. I am not enamored with CLarkes form but he is a proven class batsman and I not sure they will pull out a freshie to Captain in his place. And if you are thinking Hussey D should have replaced Clarke at the start of the series then you really are naive. A bad case of hindsight with no insight.

Its not a matter of faith in Cricket Australia. Its a matter of undertaking the right analysis and taking the appropriate corrective action needed. As you have proven time and time again uninformed sweeping criticism work well on talkback but do little to address the problems.

Its ironic that you make reference to Hilditch's cave when you have supplied some true neanderthal thinking thus far on the woes of Australian cricket.

FWIW, I think they should make the following changes:

In/Out: Marsh for Hughes. Cameron for Hilfy. If Ponting does not pull up "fit" for the next Test then I would play Khawaja. Clarke to Captain. Three first gamers demands that they at least have a Captain with some experience. Might do Clarke some good. He could hardly do worse than now.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

You have hardly touched the surface of the issues with those alleged "changes".

Smith is no certainty to make it with bat and ball at this point (but he is young) and batting him at 8 when he doesnt bowl.

Marsh should come in for Hughes who has neither the technique or the temperament for Test cricket. The issues with Watson opening would be worse off at 3. Silly move.

Ponting will be "retired" hook or by crook after the Sydney Test. And the player to replace him is the current VC..Clarke. I am not enamored with CLarkes form but he is a proven class batsman and I not sure they will pull out a freshie to Captain in his place. And if you are thinking Hussey D should have replaced Clarke at the start of the series then you really are naive. A bad case of hindsight with no insight.

Its not a matter of faith in Cricket Australia. Its a matter of undertaking the right analysis and taking the appropriate corrective action needed. As you have proven time and time again uninformed sweeping criticism work well on talkback but do little to address the problems.

Its ironic that you make reference to Hilditch's cave when you have supplied some true neanderthal thinking thus far on the woes of Australian cricket.

FWIW, I think they should make the following changes:

In/Out: Marsh for Hughes. Cameron for Hilfy. If Ponting does not pull up "fit" for the next Test then I would play Khawaja. Clarke to Captain. Three first gamers demands that they at least have a Captain with some experience. Might do Clarke some good. He could hardly do worse than now.

I put Smith at 8 because he should follow Haddin. You can feel his nerves through the TV. I want him to make it, because i think his bowling will make it-slowly, i don't want him frightened off like they already may have done with Doherty (i hope Doherty gets another chance-because he was thrown to the wolves, and did take at least a couple of wickets)

But that's why i would have Smith at 8.

The rest i agree with what you say, apart from Clarke-He is SO FAR off being captain right now IMO. He is a shot duck, and needs time to recharge in the Domestic Comps.

Bugger playing him in the world cup squad either, he is too slow as a number 4 in the 50 over game, as he is the 20/20

Khawaja i do not know enough about yet as i have only read and heard talk on the radio. I am yet to see him play, but many an ex Test player have commented he has the technique to make it.

Big Call i know but i would give Cameron White the Top Job right now. He has captained Victoria long enough-He deserves a shot at it for at least 2 years.

What will happen in reality is about 20% of what you and i have both put forward. But christ if Siddle hadn't played today we would have gone wicketless!!! & he was the big talk during last week as the one to miss out for a spinner....Test Cricket is such a great game even when you get thumped, but not by the Poms.

It was a bit sad seeing Ricky explode today-I think he now knows that its just about over, if it was me selecting this could be his last game. He has one more innings left to keep his spot. I would be talking to White now, getting him ready.

White for the Sydney Test

Edited December 27, 2010 by why you little

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I put Smith at 8 because he should follow Haddin. You can feel his nerves through the TV. I want him to make it, because i think his bowling will make it-slowly, i don't want him frightened off like they already may have done with Doherty (i hope Doherty gets another chance-because he was thrown to the wolves, and did take at least a couple of wickets)

But that's why i would have Smith at 8.

So you are playing a specialist batsman at 8!!!! FMD. When are you going to realise that you cant hide batsman in a Test match. If he is not good enough to bat 6 or he is not good enough to bowl spin then he should not be in there. We have 11 spaces in the team and you are let a player with "nerves" get a free ride. He knows what is required at Test level so let him go back to Shield level and prove his worth and his confidence. But it truly bad for team line up to have a batsman at 8.

The rest i agree with what you say, apart from Clarke-He is SO FAR off being captain right now IMO. He is a shot duck, and needs time to recharge in the Domestic Comps.

Bugger playing him in the world cup squad either, he is too slow as a number 4 in the 50 over game, as he is the 20/20

Big Call i know but i would give Cameron White the Top Job right now. He has captained Victoria long enough-He deserves a shot at it for at least 2 years.

I would not be adverse to Cameron White in the longer term but no one gets a guarantee in the role for any period. They must perform. And with so many first gamers and newbies over the next 2 years they need to ease White in. Its tempting to drop Smith and pick White for Sydney. Clarke will captain. Ponting will be out with an "injury" and is finished unless he can play a 200+ and lead to a draw for Sydney. The potential landslide result and his outburst with the umpires might seal his fate. Its the only way he should go to Sydney.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

So you are playing a specialist batsman at 8!!!! FMD. When are you going to realise that you cant hide batsman in a Test match. If he is not good enough to bat 6 or he is not good enough to bowl spin then he should not be in there. We have 11 spaces in the team and you are let a player with "nerves" get a free ride. He knows what is required at Test level so let him go back to Shield level and prove his worth and his confidence. But it truly bad for team line up to have a batsman at 8.

I would not be adverse to Cameron White in the longer term but no one gets a guarantee in the role for any period. They must perform. And with so many first gamers and newbies over the next 2 years they need to ease White in. Its tempting to drop Smith and pick White for Sydney. Clarke will captain. Ponting will be out with an "injury" and is finished unless he can play a 200+ and lead to a draw for Sydney. The potential landslide result and his outburst with the umpires might seal his fate. Its the only way he should go to Sydney.

Is Smith in the side now for his batting or his bowling?? I am not sure the selectors are quite sure. Me i would say his bowling, that's why he comes in after Haddin IMO. There are loads of better number 6 batsmen than Smith is at present.

If Clarke was in form then i would agree with you concerning the Captaincy but he isn't, and with a bunch of first gamers and Newbies i wouldn't have him there, But like Punter he has one innings to prove his worth as a captain, i will give him that until the curtain is drawn.

Who would you want in the Trenches White or Clarke?? I have admired Clarkes Batting at times, and he was once a bowler but his back injury has finished that one i would say.

He has never come across as a leader to me. Cameron White was an inspired project thanks to Hooksey. He deserves a shot.

But of course Clarke is NSW and White is a victorian, so your scenario is what i suspect the selectors to do, it's not what i would do.

[Nasher 33,187]

The selectors have been perfectly clear that Smith is in the side for his potential as a batsman, that's why placing him at 8 defies logic.

I'm not sure how this couldn't be clear actually. He's batting at six, didn't bowl a ball in Perth and bowled 18 overs when the quicks all bowled more than 25 in this test. A specialist spinner would've bowled a shirtload of overs today I'd have thought.

[Sir Why You Little 35,170]

The selectors have been perfectly clear that Smith is in the side for his potential as a batsman, that's why placing him at 8 defies logic.

One of the reasons i am disagreeing withe selectors. For mine Smith is more a bowler-but its early days. I just hope they don't kill his spirit too early.

He has taken a couple of catches, so that would help the confidence.

[H_T 2,941]

Where's HT with his cricket is a funny game posts.

Its needs a real sense of humor at this point.

I'll give you something funny. You may have gone today. But guess what, I'm taking a break from my holiday to attend day 3 with a few mates tomorrow !

The positive is, hopefully we'll see two sides bat tomorrow !

Whilst I have said before that cricket is indeed sometimes a funny game; peaks and troughs can be experienced throughout. The Aussies on day 1 experienced a record trough that I doubt even the most optimistic of people believe the Aussies cannot come back from.

But I'll leave you with words of wisdom and hope: Two days down, three to go.

The bright side of things says:

1. good batting conditions with sunshine ahead

2. Most of the Aussie top order are due (despite poor form/technique)

3. Perhaps a day 5 pitch that may keep low.

4. Heaven help the Aussies.......

Really, what today showed was that Perth was won more by an accidental Johnson spell of swing than anything else.

It showed how important the toss was. And how important that whoever batted first must dig in the first two hours of play and retain wickets.

It'd have to be one of the worst days in Australian cricket history wouldn't it?

Yep. Probably the biggest deflation after one of the biggest build ups to a series alive at 1-1 after Perth.