Avoided the follow on, so that's something. Along with a much needed 50 to Rogers & Smith continuing his good form.

If we can add at least another 100 odd runs then we're right in the contest. Mitch Starc will be bowling for his short term career in the 2nd Innings. He was very ordinary again this morning.

Avoided the follow on, so that's something. Along with a much needed 50 to Rogers & Smith continuing his good form.

If we can add at least another 100 odd runs then we're right in the contest. Mitch Starc will be bowling for his short term career in the 2nd Innings. He was very ordinary again this morning.

I don't think he's mature enough yet.

Faulkner deserves a go. I think he's matured. looked good before the test series.

hasn't hazelwood excelled so far this summer.

I don't think he's mature enough yet.

Faulkner deserves a go. I think he's matured. looked good before the test series.

hasn't hazelwood excelled so far this summer.

I do like Faulkner. He's an automatic selection for mine in the ODI & T20 teams. Would have to be in consideration as a replacement for Mitch Marsh for the remaining tests.

His batting seems to be going ok so far this first class season which seems to be the thing that's held him back from the test team. He's scored 166 runs @ 41.50 with one 50 and three other stars with only one failure with the bat so far for Tassie. Love his aggresion and competative streak.

As for Hazlewood, he looks very impressive. Think we've found the new ball partner for James Pattinson for the next generation with Pat Cummins coming on first change. Love his bounce and swing with that late movement he seems to get.

I do like Faulkner. He's an automatic selection for mine in the ODI & T20 teams. Would have to be in consideration as a replacement for Mitch Marsh for the remaining tests.

His batting seems to be going ok so far this first class season which seems to be the thing that's held him back from the test team. He's scored 166 runs @ 41.50 with one 50 and three other stars with only one failure with the bat so far for Tassie. Love his aggresion and competative streak.

As for Hazlewood, he looks very impressive. Think we've found the new ball partner for James Pattinson for the next generation with Pat Cummins coming on first change. Love his bounce and swing with that late movement he seems to get.

I don't follow the stats, but I liked seeing Faulkner bowling a slower ball pre Test series. thought it was very skillful & dangerous. one sign of maturing imo.

with MJohnson as a genuine strike bowler who happens to bat a bit plus Hazlewood, & Patto when he's ready, we have the future with us. add Harris for Melbourne & were looking strong with the ball, getting exciting once again,,, like the melbourne future.

Rogers

Warner

Watson

Smith

sMarsh

Haddin

Johnson

Faulkner

Hazlewood

Harris

Lyon

drinks...mMarsh (inj)

...edit: Hazlewood's bowling inline with movement was great to see, with some almost unplayables. like pigeon

edit: I like the game date running into Christmas

Edited December 19, 201410 yr by dee-luded

Gee,there is a lot of people wanting to judge Starc a bit early.

Can see him playing over 60 tests in his career.

Gee,there is a lot of people wanting to judge Starc a bit early.

Can see him playing over 60 tests in his career.

yes, but he looks too green, compared to the others atmo. I think thats why Warnie had a red hot crack at him.

edit: well done Captain Smith, 133

Edited December 19, 201410 yr by dee-luded

Thanks to Rohit Sharma for gobbing off at Mitch Johnson before he had faced a ball, thanks heaps.

Goose.

Gee,there is a lot of people wanting to judge Starc a bit early.

Can see him playing over 60 tests in his career.

Totally agree.

Its the same premature condemnation that was levelled at Johnson.

Thanks to Rohit Sharma for gobbing off at Mitch Johnson before he had faced a ball, thanks heaps.

Goose.

Sharma is looking a right goose now.

Points to Mitch with bat and ball.

Don't think that anyone has written him off, including myself.

Just stating that he had a shocking first two days of this test and that at this stage of his career he hasn't shown as much as Pattinson, Cummins & Hazlewood, which means that he may not get as many opportunities as the three previously mentioned.

But absolutely brilliant morning for the Aussies. Now only chasing 128 for a 2-0 series lead. Special mention to Josh Hazlewood for 9 wickets on debut and Nathan Lyon who now equals Ashley Mallett on 132 wickets to be our equal 2nd greatest wicket taker for off spinners. Also Micth Johnson who's openning spell this morning rivaled any of the ones he bowled last summer in which he grabbed 3/10 in 4 overs I think it was.

Totally agree.

Its the same premature condemnation that was levelled at Johnson.

Sharma is looking a right goose now.

Points to Mitch with bat and ball.

I never wrote off Mitch Johnson, to the contrary I was always a supporter of Mitch thru his years,,, as I was also with Warner in his early rambunctious years, & also patient with Lyon. & of Watson

sadly, not so of Hughes rip, & of others in their particular roles.

... and I certainly am not writing off starc, but he has to continue to get harder in his mind. he's improved since day one this test. IMO he needs to have to be forced to fight for his spot.

Harris should be back for Melbourne IMO.

Special mention to Josh Hazlewood for 9 wickets on debut

7 actually TD, which is a pretty good haul regardless.

Does anyone else think Steve Smith looks a lot like Nick Riewoldt?

Good win in the end although the Indians were in the game right until the death, credit to them.

Kohli and the two Sharmas' badly need to rethink their attitude.

Take a leaf out of the MS Dhoni book boys.

7 actually TD, which is a pretty good haul regardless.

Does anyone else think Steve Smith looks a lot like Nick Riewoldt?

Yes, thankyou Grapeviney, don't know where I plucked 9 from. Still 7 wickets on a very impressive debut. As long as his body holds up he's a shoe in for the rest of the series you'd think.

As for the Nick Riewoldt comparison, you're onto something Grapeviney. My wife's a St Kilda supporter, and ever since she first saw Smith a few years back she's nicknamed him mini roo.

Good win in the end although the Indians were in the game right until the death, credit to them.

Kohli and the two Sharmas' badly need to rethink their attitude.

Take a leaf out of the MS Dhoni book boys.

Yep, was a good contest, as both tests have been so far. It was funny how the game unfolded looking at it from stumps each night.

DAY1: India on top.

DAY2: India slightly ahead

DAY3: Australia slightly ahead

DAY4: Australia win comfortably.

India will make some changes for Boxing Day you'd think. I'd expect one of Ravindra Jadeja or Suresh Raina to come in for Rohit Sharma to give them an extra bowling option and Mohammed Shami may come back in for Aaron, who although quick, hasn't exactly set the world on fire.

As for Australia, Mitch Marsh won't play you wouldn't think, which means do they bring an all rounder in like Henriques, Faulkner or Christian or do they get a specialist batsman like Voges, Ferguson, Cowan or Burns. Hopefully Warner will be fine to play and you'd expect Harris to come in for Starc.

Yes, thankyou Grapeviney, don't know where I plucked 9 from. Still 7 wickets on a very impressive debut. As long as his body holds up he's a shoe in for the rest of the series you'd think.

As for the Nick Riewoldt comparison, you're onto something Grapeviney. My wife's a St Kilda supporter, and ever since she first saw Smith a few years back she's nicknamed him mini roo.

Yep, was a good contest, as both tests have been so far. It was funny how the game unfolded looking at it from stumps each night.

DAY1: India on top.

DAY2: India slightly ahead

DAY3: Australia slightly ahead

DAY4: Australia win comfortably.

India will make some changes for Boxing Day you'd think. I'd expect one of Ravindra Jadeja or Suresh Raina to come in for Rohit Sharma to give them an extra bowling option and Mohammed Shami may come back in for Aaron, who although quick, hasn't exactly set the world on fire.

As for Australia, Mitch Marsh won't play you wouldn't think, which means do they bring an all rounder in like Henriques, Faulkner or Christian or do they get a specialist batsman like Voges, Ferguson, Cowan or Burns. Hopefully Warner will be fine to play and you'd expect Harris to come in for Starc.

Good summation TD, I would like to see Voges given a chance if Marsh is unfit as he is in good form and bowls handy left arm orthodox.

Watson bowled very well in this test and will handle the medium pace roll at the G.

Boxing Day Test squad: Smith, Haddin, Rogers, Warner, Watson, Marsh.S, Burns, Johnson, Starc, Siddle, Harris, Hazlewood, Lyon.

Burns gets the nod.

Not unhappy with that selection, reward for very good form.

Feel sorry for Cowan who has stacked on the runs and probably is good enough to bat at 3, but I guess the selectors are swayed by youth a bit and Burns can bat anywhere from 1-6.

I'd put him at 3, Watson down at 6. Also Harris replaces Starc.

Feel sorry for Cowan who has stacked on the runs and probably is good enough to bat at 3, but I guess the selectors are swayed by youth a bit and Burns can bat anywhere from 1-6.

I'd put him at 3, Watson down at 6. Also Harris replaces Starc.

Agree with Watto at no.6 but I'd give Burns an easier introduction to test cricket. Shaun Marsh at no.3 (where he's traditionally batted) and Burns to start off his career at no.5.

Wouldn't have been unhappy if Cowan or Voges got the nod but I do like the selectors thinking ... we know that Clarke will almost certainly slot back in when fit so it's good to give a young bloke a taste of it now.

It must be such a thrill to get the call up - good luck to "Joey" Burns.

Here's a short video ... Burns features in the last minute of the clip.

Pretty much agree with all the above comments re: Burns. Pretty happy with his selection for a few reasons even though I think Voges is stiff.

Burns can bat anywhere from 1-6 and is probably the leading contender (for players under 30) for the eventual replacement for Rogers after the 15' Ashes so it'll be a good taste of things for him. Also his form has been pretty good so you can't say he hasn't earnt selection, one of the few batsmen we have in first class cricket averaging over 40.

This selection will be interesting if he makes runs as it will put the blow torch onto all of Watson, S. Marsh & Rogers. For example if Burns makes a century and Watson fails again and Mitch Marsh is then fit for Sydney, does Watson get dropped for Mitch and Burns stay in. And same question for S. Marsh & even Rogers as Watson or Burns could be tried at the top of the order if Rogers fails in Melbourne.

Some big questions and answers coming up in this next test. The generational change is on!

Someone really needs to step up and take that no 3 spot badly.

Someone really needs to step up and take that no 3 spot badly.

Agree. Long term I see one of Handscomb or Maddinson being in that spot, but it's a big if. It could well be Burns. Every now and then I try and pick an under 30's Australian XI to get an idea of how the team could look going forward, and Maddinson's the one I see there at the moment. It's just such a hard role to fill. Lets not forget even Justin Langer was dropped from the team because he couldn't nail that role. He was just fortunate to get a reprive when Slater was dropped at the top of the order.

Autsralian Under 30's XI

J. Burns http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/326632.html

D. Warner http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/219889.html

N. Maddinson http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/333780.html

S. Smith* http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/267192.html

P. Handscomb http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/334337.html

M. Marsh http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272450.html

+M. Wade http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/230193.html

J. Pattinson http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272465.html

P. Cummins http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/489889.html

N. Lyon http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272279.html

J. Hazlewood http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/288284.html

Edited December 21, 201410 yr by Tall Defence

Someone really needs to step up and take that no 3 spot badly.

Young fella from SA will in 2 years time.

Young fella from SA will in 2 years time.

Travis Head?

The form of Usman Khawaja at the beginning of this summer, prior to his injury, was as good as anyone in the competition, he can handle the number 3 and I feel he should still be under consideration.

So India suffering from some injury issues themselves: http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2014-15/content/current/story/812717.html

And Jadeja was one of the players I thought they make look to bring into their XI.

Will be interesting to see what changes they may make now. Wonder if they'd be gutsy enough to move Ashwin up to 7 and pick both Dhawal Kulkarni & Akshar Patel. Would give them three seam bowlers & two spinners with numbers 7-9 in the batting line up all averaging 29+ in first class cricket. They're inability to take 20 wickets away from India is a problem for them.

Probable lineup - 1 Chris Rogers, 2 David Warner, 3 Shane Watson, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Shaun Marsh, 6 Joe Burns, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Nathan Lyon

Nothing like the Boxing Day Test at the mecca of cricket.