Clarks efforts in the past 12 months have made him the leading batsman in the world. Stellar performances against ranking top sides. He is a star and his elite performances have come as a Captain.

Nothing should take away from the efforts of Clarke, Warner and once again Michael Hussey. Absolutely top shelf.

But the South Africans coming to Australia after demolishing England in England comprehensively and having the No 1 bowling attack have been woeful. Their coach Allan Donald described it as one of the best ever on arrival to Australia. Humpf

Well, on todays effort its bowling would ranked behind Kenya and B'desh. Undisciplined, unthinking and uncommitted. Aside from Kallis's brief spell and the stanza of stupidity by 3 Australian batsmen, they bowled pathetically. I dont accept the injury issue for SA as Australia is missing Watson and Cummins (both best 11 if fully fit).

Adelaide is a known batting pitch which demands good line and length bowling. In all cases, SA could not provide it. Given we were 3-55 after 13 overs, Australia hit 430 for 2 off the remaining 73 overs at nearly a run a ball.

The SAs were shameful today...really shameful. Some of their bowling was club level. They will have to bat well just to hold some respect and save the game. There is a weak streak that runs through SA cricket over the years....Cronje, S. Pollock, A Donald, H Gibbs now this lot. When the pressure is really on, the chink in their armour clicks and they melt.

Test cricket, Australian cricket and the Australian public deserves better competition than what was served up today. But it should not take away from the Michael Clarke leadership and batting performance..... Top of his class

I hope we set them 600+ and blow'em away.

  On 22/11/2012 at 09:23, titan_uranus said:

He's scored 1265 so far this year. I was wondering if he was a chance to take the record for most runs in a calendar year (since we have 3 more Tests after this one). The record is 1788 by Mohammad Yousuf in 2006. 3 Tests, potentially 7 more innings...it's not unfathomable, but still highly unlikely.

I'm going out on a limb here, and I'll say he will do it. I'm also tipping a 300 for him today.

I'm not sure which I love more, Michael Clarke at the crease or 45HG31's stats? Nice stats those.

  On 22/11/2012 at 10:59, Rhino Richards said:

Clarks ...............

Don't get me started RR. I know it's an honest mistake from you but.....

I've just spent a season correcting people on Mitch Clark(e), now you're starting on Michael Clark?

I think I should give up...

Agree on 600 +.

Lost 5/22 to slump to a situation where we aren't going to get to 550 now, I doubt. Pattinson and Lyon can both bat, and this is a good pitch, but I don't think we'll hold on. Disappointing, Hussey getting out late yesterday was important to them, as I think if he'd been back today, we might still be 4 down.

Wade was so disappointed to get out for 6, missed out on a big chance. Amazing that we've had the three centurions, but next best is Pattinson on 11.

Looking forward to seeing us bowl on this deck, and more importantly, seeing how Lyon goes.

Edit: Pattison is batting really nicely for a number 9. Just benefited from a drop (simple chance but du Plessis was looking into the sun). 539 now, which means 550 is now not impossible, which is nice.

Edit: Took 3 minutes, but there you go. 550. And as I write, it's over. So there you go.

Edited November 23, 201212 yr by titan_uranus

In future I'll refrain from making any predictions. Clearly I've put the mozz on the Aussies.

Pattinson bowls like he bats.

I only just noticed that they call Nathan Lyon "Garry" or "Gaz". hehe..good stuff.

  On 22/11/2012 at 06:08, Axis of Bob said:

I'm happy to pull up some old posts on Pup Clarke. Seeing the ball pretty well at the moment.

He'll never make it .

Meanwhile, elsewhere on this planet, Chanderpaul is still not out in the West Indies test against Bangladesh at Khulna.

He's on 109 and the Windies are 4/564 in reply to 387.

This year, Clarke has 1271 runs at an average of 127.1 and 7 wickets at 27.57

  On 24/11/2012 at 02:29, Whispering_Jack said:

Meanwhile, elsewhere on this planet, Chanderpaul is still not out in the West Indies test against Bangladesh at Khulna.

He's on 109 and the Windies are 4/564 in reply to 387.

Sounds like a gripping contest.

  On 24/11/2012 at 03:56, 45HG16 said:

This year, Clarke has 1271 runs at an average of 127.1 and 7 wickets at 27.57

His form is quite stunning . At the top of his game and his captaincy is imaginative and forthright . If ever there was an example of responsibility bringing out the best in a sportsperson it's 'Pup' . In terms of changing the fortunes of our Test side , he's been a revelation .

We should win this Test now and by doing so have a real chance of regaining the no.1 status . We've come a long way in just over 12 months .

Edit : Looks like Pattinson might have a side strain and may not be able to bowl again in this match . Would be highly unlikely for Perth if true . This story seems to confirm it .

Edited November 24, 201212 yr by Macca

Thats it for Quiney....doubt we will ever see him play test cricket again.

Lunch on day 4 and Chanderpaul still not out. He's on 143 of the Windies 8/639.

Soon after they resume from lunch Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh will be on a hat trick having taken wickets with his last two balls before the break.

  On 24/11/2012 at 06:18, DeeZee said:

Thats it for Quiney....doubt we will ever see him play test cricket again.

Not for a while.

Phil Hughes is closing in on another ton for South Australia against the Vic's and has his hand up high for a place if Watson FAs another fitness test.

Quiney and Ponting have to be close to gone.

We're now 5/103, in huge trouble. Need the Hussey-Clarke partnership to net us about 100 runs. Game is on right now.

  On 24/11/2012 at 06:21, Whispering_Jack said:

Not for a while.

Phil Hughes is closing in on another ton for South Australia against the Vic's and has his hand up high for a place if Watson FAs another fitness test.

I hate Hughes and don't want to see him back in the side, but there are two spots available I think: Quiney's and Ponting's. Ponting's not making runs, and his technique is completely shot.

It's rather ironic that the speed of us scoring our runs actually opened the door to a possible loss. Whatever target we set, there's going to be plenty of time for South Africa to chase it down.

  On 24/11/2012 at 07:16, titan_uranus said:

Quiney and Ponting have to be close to gone.

We're now 5/103, in huge trouble. Need the Hussey-Clarke partnership to net us about 100 runs. Game is on right now.

Yep, it's game on . We were 0/77 at one stage and seemingly cruising .

13 wickets have fallen today for 282 runs so if we can set them a target of 330+ it will hopefully be enough .

Clarke gone for 38, which hurts, but Hussey looks solid and our lead is already almost 350, which is good. With the time left in the game, though, we'd want at least 400, if not 450.

  On 25/11/2012 at 01:31, titan_uranus said:

Clarke gone for 38, which hurts, but Hussey looks solid and our lead is already almost 350, which is good. With the time left in the game, though, we'd want at least 400, if not 450.

With Patto not being able to bowl we do need an extra 80 on top of an 'out of reach' target . The track is wearing and if Siddle and Hilfo can maintain a good line and length, we should have enough right now .

Obviously Lyon is the one that people think holds the key but so often it's one of the quicks that gets a bag in the 4th innings .

4 or 5 reasonably priced wickets from Siddle or Hilfo and it's ????

  On 22/11/2012 at 03:19, Rhino Richards said:

Hopefully today knocks will address that bizarre flight of fancy.

Yes but can he bat at Test level?

A typical flat Adelaide batting paradise.

His time is coming near but he more than justified his selection last season with 544 runs at over 100 avg often coming into bat at 3 for not many. But I know you cant resist the pins in the effigy.

You must be pretty [censored] off Clarke is doing so well as you had call for his head often frequently a couple of years ago.

And BTW, Watson is not fit and his form with the bat does not demand selection if he cant bowl.

dee-luded, on 20 November 2012 - 11:03 PM, said:

I still don't like Warner as opener, but 1st drop OK. (3, 4 or 5)

Hopefully today knocks will address that bizarre flight of fancy.

----------------------------------------------------

dee-luded, on 20 November 2012 - 11:03 PM, said:

Now we have a player with hands, we must try to keep him, catches win matches. Go Quiney.

Yes but can he bat at Test level?

--------------------------------------------------------

# Warner as opener.

No, not changed my mind, but he batted beautifully. He to me has the right attitude - aggression to be a 3rd 4rth bat.

As does Watson, but I think Watson has more discipline to this point, with regard to playing in a measured way.

# Quiney, disappointing getting a pair. still nothing proven with him yet, but Watson will need to come in for someone, Quiney has time on his hands,,, so I would hold onto Ponting, just to see.

Oh & by the way I wanted Siddle in the side as the honest workhorse 3rd quick. He's a beaut.

And Clarke: i wanted him to not be captain a couple of seasons ago, & there was a big outcry from the public re his superficial ways.

He's changed, grown up a lot, & is meeting his responsibilities.

Clarke has improved from all the public criticism & doubt. So the criticism was warranted.

Without it Clarke may not have changed one iota.

Fantastic declaration from Clarke. 430 should be enough, and we gave ourselves an hour before tea, duly getting rid of Smith and Amla, their two best batsmen who aren't injured. Hugely important wickets, and Lyon was a millimetre from getting Rudolph for 2.

I'm such a big Lyon fan, so glad to see him get Amla. He can spin it and bounce it, whilst retaining control (unlike Tahir), and he works batsmen over. Should get a few more on this deck too.

Pattinson apparently is out for the summer, which is disastrous. Horrendously, Mitchell Johnson's name is being bandied around the traps for Perth, apparently because he's taken wickets there before. Surely we've moved on from Mitch. Give Starc or Bird or Hazlewood a go.

Rubbish, rubbish batting from Rudolph.

  On 25/11/2012 at 04:42, titan_uranus said:

Fantastic declaration from Clarke. 430 should be enough, and we gave ourselves an hour before tea, duly getting rid of Smith and Amla, their two best batsmen who aren't injured. Hugely important wickets, and Lyon was a millimetre from getting Rudolph for 2.

I'm such a big Lyon fan, so glad to see him get Amla. He can spin it and bounce it, whilst retaining control (unlike Tahir), and he works batsmen over. Should get a few more on this deck too.

Pattinson apparently is out for the summer, which is disastrous. Horrendously, Mitchell Johnson's name is being bandied around the traps for Perth, apparently because he's taken wickets there before. Surely we've moved on from Mitch. Give Starc or Bird or Hazlewood a go.

Yeah , Starc is next cab off the rank so you'd reckon he'll come in for Patto . Let's just hope Cummins and Pattinson are fit and ready to go when we go to England next year . We've got a tour to India to come as well (Feb/March, 4 Tests) . Some tricky selection issues to address - not the least being how we 'manage' our quicks .