Agree completely re: Mcdermott.

I'd also like to again highlight how impressed I, for one, have been with Clarke's captaincy.

When he took over, I was a little sceptical. However, when each batsman comes to the crease, Clarke seems to have a plan in mind from the get-go and isn't afraid to back himself.

His use of the 3 fast bowlers has also been impeccable IMO. I think this stems from his captaincy in the one day format where he's more inclined to rotate bowlers quickly. The Indian batsmen have never really seemed to be able to get used to a bowler before they are then faced with a refreshed bowler. Good start.

Clarke should also, IMO, be batting at 3.

Agree completely re: Mcdermott.

I'd also like to again highlight how impressed I, for one, have been with Clarke's captaincy.

When he took over, I was a little sceptical. However, when each batsman comes to the crease, Clarke seems to have a plan in mind from the get-go and isn't afraid to back himself.

His use of the 3 fast bowlers has also been impeccable IMO. I think this stems from his captaincy in the one day format where he's more inclined to rotate bowlers quickly. The Indian batsmen have never really seemed to be able to get used to a bowler before they are then faced with a refreshed bowler. Good start.

Clarke should also, IMO, be batting at 3.

I'm the same. I was a little sceptical at first but I think he'll make a very good captain. It was the right decision. He rings the changes well and his field placings are proactive and make sense. He plans well IMO for each batsman. I agree, good start. He provides an air of confidence for his team. When you have a confident captain, players will generally follow. Taylor and Waugh seemed to have that same sense of confidence on the field with plans and being attacking.

Not sure on batting at 3. Five suits him for now. I think they have it right ATM.

Looks to me to be the same bowler. They always look improved when they have a good day.

He's definitely different. For one he's faster than before, pushing regularly up to 145. Before, he was rarely above 140. That's one difference. It took him a while in Melbourne but he's also using the width of the crease more than he used to. He's also varying his length. Previously he was a stock, good length, stump to stump kind of bowler. Now he's working in fuller deliveries and bouncers too. He bounced out the Indian tail today. Not something he used to be good at.

Any inner D'land smirk when our tail piled on some runs in the morning?

Haha thanks Rogue.

He's definitely different. For one he's faster than before, pushing regularly up to 145. Before, he was rarely above 140. That's one difference. It took him a while in Melbourne but he's also using the width of the crease more than he used to. He's also varying his length. Previously he was a stock, good length, stump to stump kind of bowler. Now he's working in fuller deliveries and bouncers too. He bounced out the Indian tail today. Not something he used to be good at.

This is where I think McDermott (and with the encouragement and backing of Clarke) has had influence.

All said and done t_u, for a nano second at the G on Day 3, the rubbish comment from you did cross my mind. Then that mid-strength went down a treat.

I had one for you too.

I think 5 suits him for now because he is fast becoming, if he isn't already, Australia's best batsman. He could probably bat anywhere, I'd rather see him in earlier.

I think 5 suits him for now because he is fast becoming, if he isn't already, Australia's best batsman. He could probably bat anywhere, I'd rather see him in earlier.

I reckon he probably is our best batsman now. Ponting is also in some semblance of form, with 4 50s from his last 6 innings, and currently 37*. But Clarke's our best batsman, surely.

This Ponting-Clarke partnership has helped us immensely. Feels like the second innings of Melbourne, with Ponting and Hussey. Good recovery.

Agree completely re: Mcdermott.

I'd also like to again highlight how impressed I, for one, have been with Clarke's captaincy.

When he took over, I was a little sceptical. However, when each batsman comes to the crease, Clarke seems to have a plan in mind from the get-go and isn't afraid to back himself.

His use of the 3 fast bowlers has also been impeccable IMO. I think this stems from his captaincy in the one day format where he's more inclined to rotate bowlers quickly. The Indian batsmen have never really seemed to be able to get used to a bowler before they are then faced with a refreshed bowler. Good start.

Clarke should also, IMO, be batting at 3.

Is this Clarke's influence, Or, is it the Coaches?

However I agree with you that he seems to have matured since the public outcry, Not wanting him as Captain prion to his elevation.

He has Put to bed, that pretty boy,,,, bling image he had going.

The team is traveling well, fortunately not being tested by India's poor output.

But our young bowling stocks have invigorated more than the older bowlers and the public. IMO good brash fast bowling tyro's who don't take crap, make Everyone stand taller. Much like a footy team as well.

Our tail did well in Melbourne. It is still fairly weak if Siddle is batting at number 8 because he is just an honest batsman as a bowler. At least he puts a price on his wicket.

That Pattinson appears to be a better batsman than Siddle is great for the balance of the side. He should be someone who averages in the vicinity of 25 over his career, which isn't bad for number 8.

For balance you need a number 8 that is capable of making 100 if it all comes together. We had one and now we have one, but I'd be surprised if it was Sidds. I'm happy with that, but I'm also prepared to wait and see how much of an issue it is in the future.

I'm happy to make fun of your comments about Hilfenhaus because they were ridiculous. Whether he performed in the Test or not, they were still ridiculous.

The idea of saying that the selectors were stupid because of what you remember a year ago versus the selectors watching him play and speaking to batsmen who have faced him etc. etc. is ridiculous.

You could have said that you were surprised with his selection based on his previous form, but you had no idea what happened over the last 12 months, so you had no basis to be so vehemently against the selection.

If you waited to watch him bowl then you could have had an informed opinion. That was my point.

Edited January 3, 201213 yr by Axis of Bob

None of us are privy to what goes on in the minds of the selectors so we usually look at players from what we've observed about them in the past or on the basis of what we hear and read about them in the media or from their statistics. OK, so the selectors appear to have got it right about Hilfenhaus this time but they've also been wrong with other selections. Unless you're perfect yourself that's no reason to mock other posters.

None of us are privy to what goes on in the minds of the selectors so we usually look at players from what we've observed about them in the past or on the basis of what we hear and read about them in the media or from their statistics. OK, so the selectors appear to have got it right about Hilfenhaus this time but they've also been wrong with other selections. Unless you're perfect yourself that's no reason to mock other posters.

It's not about getting it wrong, it's how you go about communicating your opinion. When you slam a player (as distinct from respectfully disagreeing with his selection) when you haven't seen him play in ages, you're asking for a bollocking I reckon. FWIW I didn't agree with Hilfenhaus' selection either - and said as much - and clearly got that one wrong, but the reason nobody is throwing it in my face is because I wasn't nasty about it.

Actually, now that I think of it, I was in the "our tail sucks" camp, too. Backed both the wrong horses there!

Kallis scored another century (150-odd) overnight against Sri Lanka in Sth Africa and has moved two centuries past Ponting. Punter making a good fist of it today so far with the skipper Clarke playing a good knock and forming a decisive partnership for this Test and really, significantly, for this Test series.

edit: Partnership between Clarke and Ponting is 121 runs.

Edited January 4, 201213 yr by H_T

Time to open the record books. Firstly big congratulations to the incumbent and former skippers of Australia. Punter a little lucky on 99 and taking a run that wasn't quite there. A direct hit would have seen him more than a metre out and on the way back to the pavilion.

Current partnership is a massive 267.

*Record for Australian fourth wicket partnership is 388 between Bradman & Ponsford in 1934 against England at Headingley. The all-time record is 437 for Sril Lankan pair Samaweera and Jayawardene against Karachi against Pakistan in 2009. (Interestingly Sri lanka hold the records for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th all-time record partnerships all against worthy recognised opponents).

Clarke just 25 runs from his highest Test score.

Ponting needs 98 more runs to reach 13,000 Test Runs.

* Source - wikipaedia updated until Nov 2010.

Edited January 4, 201213 yr by H_T
4th wicket partnership alteration & additions of records

Partnership closing in on 300 runs. Remarkable. Clarke just 14 runs from his highest Test score. I hope they bat out the day, I really do. If they do, records will tumble.

Punter 88 runs from 13,000 Test Runs. And the Australian Test record for a 4th wicket partnership is inside 100 runs.

edit: Crap ! Just as I hit post, Punter is out for 134 in the gully. Their partnership - 288 runs.

Edited January 4, 201213 yr by H_T

Our tail did well in Melbourne. It is still fairly weak if Siddle is batting at number 8 because he is just an honest batsman as a bowler. At least he puts a price on his wicket.

That Pattinson appears to be a better batsman than Siddle is great for the balance of the side. He should be someone who averages in the vicinity of 25 over his career, which isn't bad for number 8.

For balance you need a number 8 that is capable of making 100 if it all comes together. We had one and now we have one, but I'd be surprised if it was Sidds. I'm happy with that, but I'm also prepared to wait and see how much of an issue it is in the future.

I'm happy to make fun of your comments about Hilfenhaus because they were ridiculous. Whether he performed in the Test or not, they were still ridiculous.

The idea of saying that the selectors were stupid because of what you remember a year ago versus the selectors watching him play and speaking to batsmen who have faced him etc. etc. is ridiculous.

You could have said that you were surprised with his selection based on his previous form, but you had no idea what happened over the last 12 months, so you had no basis to be so vehemently against the selection.

If you waited to watch him bowl then you could have had an informed opinion. That was my point.

I am aware I was hyperbolic, I think that's clear. But regardless of my OTT wording, my point was clear, in that I didn't think Hilfenhaus was a step forward and I didn't think he'd be any good. Doesn't matter now because I've been shown wrong. Essentially, you have had the same problem, minus the hyperbole.

Actually, now that I think of it, I was in the "our tail sucks" camp, too. Backed both the wrong horses there!

Not necessarily. You appear to be wrong at this early stage, but there is still a lot of time for you to be correct on both counts.

Michael Clarke now has his highest Test Score, surpassing his previous highest of 165. Clarke is currently 170*

I am aware I was hyperbolic, I think that's clear. But regardless of my OTT wording, my point was clear, in that I didn't think Hilfenhaus was a step forward and I didn't think he'd be any good. Doesn't matter now because I've been shown wrong. Essentially, you have had the same problem, minus the hyperbole.

Let me summarise:

You don't mind being a tool because Pattinson made a few runs in Melbourne.

Fair enough. Nasher said it nicely. Note that I didn't have a problem with any of the other posters who didn't want Hilfy because of how they expressed it .... as an opinion. They weren't arrogant enough to believe that they knew best.

Let me summarise:

You don't mind being a tool because Pattinson made a few runs in Melbourne.

Fair enough. Nasher said it nicely. Note that I didn't have a problem with any of the other posters who didn't want Hilfy because of how they expressed it .... as an opinion. They weren't arrogant enough to believe that they knew best.

I don't have any more desire to continue this back-and-forth crap. I've admitted I was OTT. I'll just say this: calling me arrogant for a poorly worded sentence or two is, I think, unfair. And if I were you, based on your comments, I wouldn't be calling anyone arrogant...

Hats off to Clarke.

An absolutely fabulous innings to date, which should rightfully put a few people back in their place (for a while at least). A matured batsman and, from what it seems, person.

Highest score by an Australian at the SCG.

Another brilliant performance from the Captain!

31 and 1

Glad we are not depending on him to get us out of a hole.

I doubt he will make it to the next ashes series

Second rate player from NSW

Happy New Year old dee.

He must have read your post.

Superb knock from Australia's leading batsman.

Accepted the 774 MacGilvray Award judged Australia's best cricketer over the past 12 months. Fair call.

Sometimes I get the impression some (older types) rag on Clarke just because they can't relate to his personality type, and as a result are blinded to his actual performance. The fact is that in recent months he's been excellent with the bat and exceptional as captain; today's effort is just the pinnacle. Well done.

Sometimes I get the impression some (older types) rag on Clarke just because they can't relate to his personality type, and as a result are blinded to his actual performance.

Gotta be the tatts and the choice of girlfriend.

Hats off to Clarke.

An absolutely fabulous innings to date, which should rightfully put a few people back in their place (for a while at least). A matured batsman and, from what it seems, person.

Highest score by an Australian at the SCG.

And let's hope that he goes on and beats the all comers record for tests at the SCG. I'm sick and tired of these touring cricketers having the gall to score test records on our grounds.

By the way, surely someone around here can remember Reginald Foster's record of 287 runs at the ground. Old Dee? Very Old Dee?

I'm just a youngster but I can remember Bobby Cowper's 307 at the MCG!

Just of note, Clarke is the first Australian since Ponting to score a double century.

And the second since Gillespie! (Maybe Pup is playing his last test...)

In the other game, Kallis made a suberb double century in his 150th in front of his home crowd. De Villiers made 100 off 176 balls and ended up 160 off 205. Brutal. The declaration came 5 overs too early for him!

Just of note, Clarke is the first Australian since Ponting to score a double century.

And the second since Gillespie! (Maybe Pup is playing his last test...)

In the other game, Kallis made a suberb double century in his 150th in front of his home crowd. De Villiers made 100 off 176 balls and ended up 160 off 205. Brutal. The declaration came 5 overs too early for him!

Gillespie came in as nightwatchman against B'desh and batted on.

Clarke detractors may argue similarly.

I know the media love Tendulkar (and with good reason) but I am stumped how jacques Kallis is not considered just short of Tendulkar in class. Over 12,000 runs at over 50 average and 270+ wickets at approx 32. What a absolute star! I cant work out when you have an allround diamond like that how South Africa have not had sustained success as the leading Test nation following Australia's demise. He is worth two good players in any side.

Seriously, I hope Clarke bats on for 300+ and grinds the Indian team in the dirt today for the following reasons:

1. To stretch and strain their tender 4 man attack.

2. To psychological blunt and batter the Indians for this Test and the rest of the Series.

3. To bowl a 2nd time when the bounce on the SYD pitch is more variable on the 4th and 5th day.

4. To repay them for hitting 700+ plus against us in 2004 at SYD.

5. For their appalling trucculent and spiteful display in SYD in 2008 over the Singh- Symonds affair. The involvement of Indian officials and senior players in knobbling of an ICC tribunal and umpire was appalling. Its ironic that they wont allow video replay on dismissals when they abused and kneecapped Steve Bucknor over his not out decision on Symonds.

6. For their perpetual whinging about issues from the top BCCI administrator down through to their cricketers. Kohli should be fined for his gesture to the crowd. Indian cricketers have continually shown cultural insensitivities towards other team supporters both here and overseas while demanding to be treated like royalty. Special thanks fo Julia GIllard for making them wait 15 mins outside Kirribilli.