Not much has been said regarding Clarke's run rate. But this innings as well as his innings in Sydney are very good. It shows his intent to score at a decent clip as he has stated, he is certainly leading the way and his teammates are following his lead.

It also gives the likes of Marsh another opportunity to bat, despite a "putrid" summer to date.

Thats another 10 balls covered then......

Chances of Michael Clarke beating his highest test score?

We'd have to make 700.

...... he might have it by tea!

RR, Ponting did it against the same opposition in '03?

The Ponting-Clarke partnership continues and they now hold the record for the all time highest partnership v India (surpassing the Clarke-Hussey partnership - that didn't last long...lol) and the all-time highest Test partnership at Adelaide.

Lunch:

Brilliant innings Clarke. 210*

Brilliant innings Ponting. 198*

Partnership - 385*

But they're only doing it at just over 4 runs an over. Wasting valuable 5th day golf time.

C'mon boys, get on with it!! Go the tonk!!

3/469 - 134 runs for the morning session. Nearly 4.5 runs per over. Too slow ...

RR, Ponting did it against the same opposition in '03?

Nice pick up 45HG16. How could I have not recalled that?

Lunch:

Brilliant innings Clarke. 210*

Brilliant innings Ponting. 198*

Partnership - 385*

*Stands and applauds*

The biggest issue in my mind is that the pitch is playing so well I am concerned that even the out of touch Indians could score runs and not go out. But its so hard to tell. The bowling and captaincy seem listless and the batsman all over them

3/469 - 134 runs for the morning session. Nearly 4.5 runs per over. Too slow ...

Thats why I like Clarke at 5. Beautiful stroke player.

Hey HT, do you reckon Clarke was tempted to declare at lunch with Punter on 198?

Hey HT, do you reckon Clarke was tempted to declare at lunch with Punter on 198?

Not a snowflakes chance... .. However, it could be anytime soon. The fantastic run rate in the first session was remarkable. Clarke will be thinking of declaring. He may let Punter get his highest test score (current highest for Punter is 257), then bowl. The faster than expected clip in the first session has increased my initial target of 450-475 to 550-560 now.

I think Clarke might have been tempted it if it were Katich.....

Its definitely a case of when to declare. Given Clarke declared in SYD on 329no, i am not sure a personal run accolade for another player will be a consideration.

Notwithstanding Punter has made a few people eat their words. I'll admit to being one of them. Arguably the greatest post WWII batsman Australia has produced (Yes I know The Don played in 1948!). What a record and a career.

On a side note my fav O/S player Jacques Kallis has nearly 13k runs at about 57 and over 300 Test wickets. What a unit he is! Worth at least 2 players in any side.

I think I read somewhere this morning Kallis has ~12,260 runs. Superb record nevertheless. I think Ricky has re-joined him on Test centuries.

Good to see Ricky boost his average back up (~53) and Clarke is now over ~48, last I checked.

Can we get 3 double centuries in the one innings??

Ponting, Clarke.............

and Ashwin!!

Stating the obvious: I reckon we've got enough runs. Declare now.

Haddin should shout Clarke a beer tonight.

edit; Quickfire Haddin cameo chalks up 600 and we declare - 7/604.

Now let 'em rip boys.

Edited January 25, 201213 yr by H_T

Aust likely to bat most of tomorrow if they can (get 600+) and then go for the kill.

I got closest to the pin this time. Yippee.

Siddle takes a nice catch. And the hole in the wall is now getting bigger. Interest now rests on Tendulkar getting the ton.

Rotten tour for India. The only highlights have been Kolti and Yadav. Under very difficult circumstances both look like capable Test cricketers.

Howeever it beats me how international teams continue not to do the proper preparation for an Australian Test tour by ensuring that your key players are fit and that you have sufficient preparatory games in the lead up to the Test. If the BCCI are serious there will be a number of current players who will be making an exit.

Pakistam 7-256 at Stumps day one. 94 overs bowled! That included a wicket in the 92nd over. England rewarded for good intent.

Compare that to India bowling 76 overs in a day.

What, you think so, against this hack attack, and side.

No, a right & left hand opening combo with Warner to 3 or 4, IMO will be thew best. Cowan looks like a traditional opener, & Warner looks like someone who hasn't the best technique, but is a strokeplayer.

Marsh is battling and we need a No 3 and a Keeper as well.

Bump.

If fully fit, Watson will walk back in to this team.

IMO Siddle is a must test player. After 2 New ball strike bowlers we have to have a blood & guts, all heart workhorse to carry the big burden when the tracks are too flat. He is my Merv, can Bowl, can bat, & can field.

He's the one who'll dig them in and Dig them out when others give up the ghost. Must keep. All grit & schitt.

Bump.

Cant see the necessity for patting yourself on the back.

You are patently wrong on the first bump and have established no valid reason for a right/left combo above and beyond picking the best available.

And said nothing significant on the second bump.

Reckon Zaheer Khan could look Virat Kohli in the eye after that effort?

Edit: And on that note, why does Ishant Sharma bat after Zaheer? Obviously he's not great with the bat, but at least he treats his wicket with some regard. I know which of the two I'd prefer to have down the other end. If he can learn to cope with those bouncers, I don't see a reason why he couldn't become passable with the bat like Peter Siddle or Ryan Harris.

Ponting chalks up a half century in the second innings.

Can we re-visit those Best XI sides from last year ?

Ponting has already scored more runs this calendar year than last year.

Ponting has already scored more runs this calendar year than last year.

Good stat. I take back what I said about the WI. He will stay on for his 13000 run.

As we head towards a comprehensive white wash of India 4-0. I cant think of more stunning thrashing given out to a visiting team with big reputations who was expected to win this series easily. Possibly in 74/75 when an unknown Lillee and Thommo destroyed the then healthy careers of Amiss, Edrich, Denniss, Fletcher

of England

The selectors, the players and the Captain deserve alot of praise. I cant work out how much because the India side have been putrid. The only highlights have been Kohli and Yadav. The rest would struggle to get a pass mark. I cant believe we have not got a century from one of Gambhir, Sehwag, Sachin, Laxman and Dravid. They have all got progressively worse as the series went on.

And we did so without Watson, Pattinson and Cummins. Amazing.

Dravid and Laxman are finished in Test Cricket. Sad end to fantastic players. I can see Sachin, Khan and Sehwag joining them within 2 years. And then there is Dhoni. What a rout.

And we did it with a still unsettled top 3. Warner is the goods. Cowan blew a chance in Adelaide to grab the opening position. Marsh is gone.

It's Adelaide and it's India that we're playing.

Despite the indifference of the captaincy, ineptitude of most of the bowling attack, the very ordinary fielding and the psychological edge we hold over them after yesterday, their batting on reputation is still very strong and it's a flat track.

I'd be asking first if we can get them out twice in this test match.

You were saying?

On those totals, we could've enforced the follow on and won by an innings. I picked it, dammit, but Clarke blew it for me