Shaping up for a big Day 5. I think all four results are possible. If we bowl well and their lead is under 200, and we get about 2 sessions to chase it, we'll certainly give it a crack, with Warner and Watson at the top of the order. Not sure what our limit is on runs, but I would have thought, if we do in fact bowl them out halfway into the day, we wouldn't want much more than 200.

Won a thriller!!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/west-indies-v-australia-2012/engine/current/match/540176.html

It would have been an outstanding final day to watch.

Damn, shame I missed it. I was out of bed at the right hour too. Shame Clarke didn't sent Lyon in to get the last couple of runs with Harris - that would've been fitting! It's not often that a specialist bowler wins MOTM for his outstanding performance with the bat - absolutely no doubt Harris (ably supported by Lyon) was chiefly responsible for this win with that innings.

Edit: Also, seems laughable that it wasn't that long ago that Bob and I were bemoaning the lack of batting power in the tail. In the last six months, every single one of Siddle, Harris, Lyon and Pattinson have contributed an important innings with the bat - and Hilfy is capable of an amusing cameo of unconvincing fours when the mood suits.

If you have Foxtel, they're replaying it tonight on one of the sports channels.

Of course, it's nowhere near the same when you know the result.

The game will go down in history as one of the more inspired captaincy decisions because the last pair in the first dig looked as if they could bat on for hours.

Definitely a stellar win, and you'd have to say it was an inspired declaration from Clarke.

Edit: Also, seems laughable that it wasn't that long ago that Bob and I were bemoaning the lack of batting power in the tail. In the last six months, every single one of Siddle, Harris, Lyon and Pattinson have contributed an important innings with the bat - and Hilfy is capable of an amusing cameo of unconvincing fours when the mood suits.

Yeah, I thought about that when I read that the tail wagged furiously in this game.

Ha! I was up at that point watching us as we were collapsing. All I was hoping that they'd bowl badly to Hilfy and he'd smack a quick 30 odd. Harris batted very well and Lyon was fantastic!

I was waiting for the moment when Nathan Lyon was going to surpass Siddle's highest first class score of 45. The way Lyon was batting it looked like he'd get there comfortably too.

I'm still not exactly thrilled with our tail (despite their performance this match). Before this match Harris averaged 10 with that bat, Siddle 15, Hilfy 15 and Lyon 8. We are fine if these guys batted from 9 on, but we lack a real number 8 who is capable of playing long innings. They are all capable 'Brett Lees', but not many 'Mitchell Johnsons'. Pattinson should become that number 8 in time, as he looks very accomplished, so I'm not as worried as a long term issue.

Ha! I was up at that point watching us as we were collapsing. All I was hoping that they'd bowl badly to Hilfy and he'd smack a quick 30 odd. Harris batted very well and Lyon was fantastic!

I was waiting for the moment when Nathan Lyon was going to surpass Siddle's highest first class score of 45. The way Lyon was batting it looked like he'd get there comfortably too.

I'm still not exactly thrilled with our tail (despite their performance this match). Before this match Harris averaged 10 with that bat, Siddle 15, Hilfy 15 and Lyon 8. We are fine if these guys batted from 9 on, but we lack a real number 8 who is capable of playing long innings. They are all capable 'Brett Lees', but not many 'Mitchell Johnsons'. Pattinson should become that number 8 in time, as he looks very accomplished, so I'm not as worried as a long term issue.

There's also young P J Cummins who is on the comeback trail from a foot injury after making hist test debut in South Africa last year. He's currently taking part in an Under 19 Carnival with Australia making the semi finals which are being played today. He scored 50 not out in Australia's innings against NZ. Could make a handy number 9 one day?

There's also young P J Cummins who is on the comeback trail from a foot injury after making hist test debut in South Africa last year. He's currently taking part in an Under 19 Carnival with Australia making the semi finals which are being played today. He scored 50 not out in Australia's innings against NZ. Could make a handy number 9 one day?

Aussies won their semi in a nailbiter by 4 runs and play India who thrashed the Poms in the final tomorrow.

Unbelievably good Test. It will undeservedly not get the praise/attention it deserves, not being an Ashes Test or a win against India, or in our home summer even. But to be so far behind in the middle of Day 4, and to turn things around like that, no matter who the opponent is, is brilliant cricket.

Kudos has to be given to Clarke. Only the second time ever that a team has declared behind on first innings and gone on to win the match. I'm sure that's in part due to the total lack of captains declaring behind on first innings. It's hard to be anything other than mighty impressed with Clarke's captaincy so far.

Not sure about our side for the next Test. Pattinson is a great bowler, but I can't see any room for him at the moment. Siddle is our 'leader', if you will, and it would be extraordinarily harsh to drop him after one Test, where previously we'd said we were grooming him to be our long term Test bowling leader. Harris and Hilfenhaus pick themselves, and we won't go without a spinner. Pattinson may have to sit this one out.

I'm still not exactly thrilled with our tail (despite their performance this match). Before this match Harris averaged 10 with that bat, Siddle 15, Hilfy 15 and Lyon 8. We are fine if these guys batted from 9 on, but we lack a real number 8 who is capable of playing long innings. They are all capable 'Brett Lees', but not many 'Mitchell Johnsons'. Pattinson should become that number 8 in time, as he looks very accomplished, so I'm not as worried as a long term issue.

I agree, I think Pattinson (or even Cummins) will be the number 8. Siddle and Harris aren't consistent enough, but their best is good enough to bat at 8. As I've always said, though, it doesn't fuss me much at all, and I'm confident that we will make enough runs whether our number 8 is more like Johnson or more like Lee, or worse than both.

Clarke wins the toss and we're batting in the 2nd Test . Venue , Port of Spain , Trinidad .

Harris and Siddle out for Pattinson and Beer .

The last Test was a beauty with a terrific declaration by Pup .

Nice to see 2 spinners operating in Test cricket though it's interesting that the Windies have only 1 in this Test . Shillingford the tallish right arm off break bowler coming in for Bishoo .

Edited April 15, 201213 yr by Macca

No idea why Harris was 'rested'. With Siddle out with back soreness, that opened the door for Beer as our second spinner. No need to change Harris (MoM in Barbados, and with good reason too) for Pattinson. He shouldn't need a rest. I guess he must be injured then, and they don't want to admit it.

Slow day's cricket. Tough to score runs on this pitch it seems. Watson and Clarke were batting quite well until Clarke threw it away. Watson scored his umpteenth 50 that didn't make it to 100.

Anyone who watched the last hour's cricket today would vouch for the fact that cricket's a funny game. Windies coasting at 4/230 with Chanderpaul nudging towards a ton and the chances were that the home side would end up with a sizable first innings lead ... and then Nathan Lyon strikes, five wickets fall and it's game on ... we should get a result now.

No idea why Harris was 'rested'. With Siddle out with back soreness, that opened the door for Beer as our second spinner. No need to change Harris (MoM in Barbados, and with good reason too) for Pattinson. He shouldn't need a rest. I guess he must be injured then, and they don't want to admit it.

Given they have lost Johnson, Harris, Cummins, Patterson,Cutting and now Siddle to stress injuries in the past 12 months, do you think that CA might start to see the light and rotating bowlers to prevent injuries?

Anyone who watched the last hour's cricket today would vouch for the fact that cricket's a funny game. Windies coasting at 4/230 with Chanderpaul nudging towards a ton and the chances were that the home side would end up with a sizable first innings lead ... and then Nathan Lyon strikes, five wickets fall and it's game on ... we should get a result now.

Was thinking how do we get Chanderpaul out?

Then whack. Australia are in a good position to push for a result.

Interesting that 5 of the first six dismissals in the WI innings were LBW.

3rd Test , Roseau , Dominica ( part of the Windward Islands ) Might be the 1st time the Aussies have played at this venue .

Beer and Pattinson (inj) are out for Starc and Harris . Pup won the toss again and we're batting .

Early wicket ! Cowan out lbw (leaving one) for 1 .

No mention of Wade's 100? Haddin's return becomes increasingly unlikely...

On that note, anyone know what the 'personal issues' are that mean he's not playing at the moment?

Only the 2nd ton of the series that sets up an Aust win being 300+ ahead at stumps.

The batting has been really benign in this series. The bowlers are not outstanding but the run rate is b/w 2 and 3 an over.

Wades effort just about finishes Haddin off. Dont know what his personal issues are. Paine must be cursing his injuries over the past 6-9 months. Golden opportunity lost for the moment.

Wades effort just about finishes Haddin off. Dont know what his personal issues are. Paine must be cursing his injuries over the past 6-9 months. Golden opportunity lost for the moment.

Haddin's young daughter has been diagnosed with cancer. She was hospitalised right before the tour started......

This is completely and unfortunately true, and he has been given all the support in the world from his team.

And cricket-wise, century or not I'm not sold on Wade, it's Paine for mine.

Edited April 27, 201213 yr by QueenC

And cricket-wise, century or not I'm not sold on Wade, it's Paine for mine.

Please elaborate...

Please elaborate...

OK, this is the first score of substance (good that it was) and he has been less than able to bat the way that is needed......

His One Day scores were staggeringly slow, good scores maybe but wretchedly slow, and the average for this series has been low, although he isn't alone here.

Now I am not taking anything away from what he did in that innings, because the batting in the Windies has been very ordinary, but I am just not sold as yet.

Wade doesn't instill confidence in me. And Paine, for mine, is a better keeper. He is sharper and cleaner behind the stumps (when he has all his fingers)

Other stuff I can't put my finger on, outside of trusting our captain, but hey, that is all just my opinion!!!

Edited April 27, 201213 yr by QueenC

outside of trusting our captain

Who took five in the final innings and claimed another series win........

Edited April 27, 201213 yr by QueenC

His One Day scores were staggeringly slow, good scores maybe but wretchedly slow

I think that's a bit inaccurate; Michael Clarke's ODI strike rate is 79, while Wade's strike rate is currently 74.

Anyhow, I imagine Wade's strike rate will increase, given his domestic strike rate is above 80, as Wade gets used to international cricket and is able to settle in a particular batting position.

and the average for this series has been low, although he isn't alone here.

An average of 40 is pretty respectable, and the fact he attained it on pitches difficult for batting makes it even better.

Brad Haddin's career test average is 36.

Fwiw, Paine averaged 36 in his four Tests and averages 32 at first-class level; Wade averages 40 at domestic level.

Other stuff I can't put my finger on, outside of trusting our captain

What do you mean by that?

Clarke's hardly going to sack his mate via the press, while he's the incumbent MIA because his daughter has cancer.

I wouldn't read too much into Clarke giving his good mate and NSW teammate Brad Haddin some encouragement in the press.

My opinon Rogue......

And I'm sorry but nothing he has done (or you've said) changes it.......

Edited April 29, 201213 yr by QueenC

Clarke's hardly going to sack his mate via the press, while he's the incumbent MIA because his daughter has cancer.

I wouldn't read too much into Clarke giving his good mate and NSW teammate Brad Haddin some encouragement in the press.

And I'll read anything I want to into what Clarke says......

Clarke didn't actually have to say anything at all other than pull a PC comment out of his arse. Haddin didn't need to be brought up by anyone other than the press.

And I honestly don't think Wade has set the world on fire, but he has become such a hero. I guess being a Victorian helps him here.

But I disagree with that assessment to this point, so still Paine for me (if that's allowed)

Edited April 29, 201213 yr by QueenC

Clarke didn't actually have to say anything at all other than pull a PC comment out of his arse. Haddin didn't need to be brought up by anyone other than the press.

That's exactly how I read Clarke's comments; backing the incumbent teammate, like Aus captains always do. They even back the guys that have been dropped!

Just google comments about Mitch Johnson being a matchwinner who is important, will no doubt be back to his best soon as he has a role to play, blah blah

And I honestly don't think Wade has set the world on fire, but he has become such a hero. I guess being a Victorian helps him here.

I don't think Wade has 'set the world on fire', but his batting average - which you suggested was low - is higher than the batting average of Haddin and Paine...

still Paine for me (if that's allowed)

'If it's allowed'?

My opinon Rogue......

And I'm sorry but nothing he has done (or you've said) changes it.......

"staggeringly slow", "wretchedly slow" ...wow, sorry I don't agree either with that description, Queen C.

I've been of great interest on Wade's career and his introduction to International level of One Day and Test Cricket, and I don't see him being as you describe at all.