On 27/04/2012 at 10:53, QueenC said:

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.

Thanks. Terrible news for Brad Haddin. He should be given all the support he deserves. Its no wonder Australia are speaking of 2 keepers. He must be kept in contention.

If you want pain then just follow MFC. Wade has had a terrific series in tough conditions. He cant be overlooked. And Queen C in this situation I think you are underplaying Wades contribution. HIs batting on ant bed tracks in the WI against pace and spin was first class. Roach and Shillingford look class bowlers for mine.

  On 30/04/2012 at 05:28, Rhino Richards said:

If you want pain then just follow MFC. Wade has had a terrific series in tough conditions. He cant be overlooked. And Queen C in this situation I think you are underplaying Wades contribution. HIs batting on ant bed tracks in the WI against pace and spin was first class. Roach and Shillingford look class bowlers for mine.

I know and understand what all you fine gentlemen are saying......

I'm just not personally sold, yet. That's not to say I won't be in time, but right now for me (just me) there just seems to be something missing.

And I also agree with you Rhino when you say Roach and particularly Shillingford are class. In fact the Windies look to be a team on the rise.

Sadly for Haddin ,his days are numbered .Never disliked him at all as he is a class batsman but not a keepers ring .Wade can keep from what I have seen so far .So he keeps his job.

  On 30/04/2012 at 05:28, Rhino Richards said:

Thanks. Terrible news for Brad Haddin. He should be given all the support he deserves. Its no wonder Australia are speaking of 2 keepers

Indeed. The next Test isn't for yonks, so - particularly given the circumstances, but even under under normal cases - there's no need to say he's done, even if you'd made that decision.

I feel terrible for him personally and as a human being.

I reckon he is on the way to the IPL professionally .

Whether he keeps again for Australia is not really important to him currently I would guess .

  On 30/04/2012 at 13:06, Biffen said:

I feel terrible for him personally and as a human being.

Hadds support rolls in

WE'VE had plenty of feedback with people wanting to pass on their good wishes to Brad Haddin and his family after we told you about his daughter Mia's battle with cancer. Haddin is grateful to all the well-wishers and even thanked this column for its support, which of course he didn't have to do but it shows what a quality bloke he is. Haddin can't thank all of those who have offered their support in person, but he sent me the following text. "At the moment things are very raw and we have a long way to go. We would like to keep things as private as we can. But we are very grateful and appreciate everyone's well wishes from the bottom of our heart. Brad and Karina".

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/anastaroosters-split-far-from-amicable-20120407-1whzf.html#ixzz1tbnIc0FV

  On 29/04/2012 at 13:15, QueenC said:

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

I'd like to see Paine play a game of cricket some time in the future before backing him in. I do think he's still in the frame for life after Haddin and frankly I think this is a good problem to have, but his recovery from this injury has not been encouraging so far.

  On 01/05/2012 at 11:14, Nasher said:

I'd like to see Paine play a game of cricket some time in the future before backing him in. I do think he's still in the frame for life after Haddin and frankly I think this is a good problem to have, but his recovery from this injury has not been encouraging so far.

Just to respond to myself: apparently Paine is playing in the NT league this season in order to gain match fitness. I've never heard of anyone playing in that league during the "off" season before, but I suppose chasing an English county contract would've been difficult given how long he's been out for now.

Good to hear he's playing some cricket.

Love Gilly's rating.

I think the OP is about right. Warne second after Bradman. Both were once in a lifetime cricketers. Can't comment on Benaud and Chappel though.

Weird. A good top ten.

  On 29/04/2012 at 13:15, QueenC said:

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.

Not that I'm using an appeal to authority, but Richard Hinds' article in The Age today mirrors my feelings on Clarke's comments:

  Richard Hinds said:

Naturally, after Wade's valuable century in the final Test, the captain was asked if the replacement had usurped the incumbent.

Clarke's response was staunch support for his Australian and NSW teammate, with a generous concession to Wade. ''How lucky are we in an Australian cricket team to have either Brad Haddin or Matthew Wade available for selection in the Test team?'' he said, before suggesting both wicketkeepers could play against South Africa next summer.

The statement was ridiculed by some. Haddin's form last summer has been such that many - myself included - had questioned his selection for the West Indies tour. And the idea of Wade batting at six, thus forcing out a specialist batsman in order to retain a 34-year-old gloveman who had been struggling with the bat, seemed absurd. [...]

But with the details of Haddin's absence public knowledge, it is obvious Clarke was not advocating an impossible solution; he was merely providing support and consolation to a stricken teammate, just as any boss might tell an employee in a similar situation not to worry about his job. That is something Haddin has doubtless appreciated during his ordeal.

http://www.theage.co...l#ixzz1txyQEQSa

I also agree with Hinds' comments on Clarke as captain.

  On 05/05/2012 at 04:32, Rogue said:

Not that I'm using an appeal to authority, but Richard Hinds' article in The Age today mirrors my feelings on Clarke's comments:

http://www.theage.co...l#ixzz1txyQEQSa

I also agree with Hinds' comments on Clarke as captain.

Agree Rogue. Good support.

Meanwhile at Lords the first test of the English summer sees England dominating the Windies thanks to some superb swing bowling from Jimmy Anderson early and later Stuart Broad (7fer) and a ton from Andrew Strauss. The Poms swing it, others don't - a sign of things to come when we tour this time next year.

And of course, they couldn't get Chanderpaul out.

  On 18/05/2012 at 20:26, Whispering_Jack said:

Meanwhile at Lords the first test of the English summer sees England dominating the Windies thanks to some superb swing bowling from Jimmy Anderson early and later Stuart Broad (7fer) and a ton from Andrew Strauss. The Poms swing it, others don't - a sign of things to come when we tour this time next year.

And of course, they couldn't get Chanderpaul out.

Some of those inswingers from Ando bent a mile. Think Cummins, Pattinson will be pretty ineffective there unless we can get a coach who is knowledgeable about the conditions over there. Has McDermott been replaced yet?

Great to see Windies finally putting up a fight in world cricket. May be even stronger if Gayle returns to the squad now that his baseball tournament is over

As for australia, there should be no doubt over Pattinson, hes had the best coaching there is at the bushrangers, doesnt matter who australias coach is

  On 18/05/2012 at 20:26, Whispering_Jack said:

Meanwhile at Lords the first test of the English summer sees England dominating the Windies thanks to some superb swing bowling from Jimmy Anderson early and later Stuart Broad (7fer) and a ton from Andrew Strauss. The Poms swing it, others don't - a sign of things to come when we tour this time next year.

And of course, they couldn't get Chanderpaul out.

You know Chanderpaul was part of the first post on this thread, WJ.

Legend lives on...

Eddie Everywhere is trying to recruit Usain Bolt fora game for the Melb Stars in the Big Bash.

I hope it doesn't come off. It would ruin the already tenuous appeal of this comp as serious cricket.

Well I thought I had seen it all !! But alas Not really enough!!

Are you Demonlanders ready for this???

The man who I thought would never play another test, one dayer, or kay f ceerrrr!

has won himself another contract with the ACB??

The only inference I can make of this is, that his career might not yet be finished??

Surely.... not serious ??

The old boys club is alive and well!

Is this April 1 ??

Yours in progressional cricket "The Picket Fence"

Edited June 22, 201212 yr by picket fence

The world must seriously be in financial ruin if the ACB can't give Ed Cowan a contract.

  On 23/06/2012 at 20:38, Whispering_Jack said:

The world must seriously be in financial ruin if the ACB can't give Ed Cowan a contract.

Yeah but Mitchell Johnson still managed to squeeze one out......

mitchel johnon and brad haddin get contracts, hard to take anythinf seriously

btw masterdemon amazing FNL quote - one of the best series ever

  On 25/06/2012 at 05:57, QueenC said:

Yeah but Mitchell Johnson still managed to squeeze one out......

The only thing I can think of that won him a contract is the uncertainty of injuries to our key young bowlers.....depth. He's a lucky boy.

Phil Hughes retires from international cricket:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/570271.html

  On 28/06/2012 at 21:39, 45HG16 said:

Phil Hughes retires from international cricket:

http://www.espncrici...ory/570271.html

???????

Your article says he's moved to SA to boost his chances of playing more Test Cricket

Disappointing result overnight.

Clarke elected to bowl on a perfect pitch with a wet ball.

Our batsmen were under pressure from the first over.

D Hussey was bit stiff....bat to helmet to stumps!

I've always thought that cricketers that elect to move and play for Sth Aust have been told they have limited options. In other words, I reckon NSW have been honest with him and said, "Phil, we are looking at our openers for this season and we see you getting (very) limited opportunities given your form....there might be an opening spot for you in Sth Aust."

It's happened to a few VICS over the years.