Anyone for cricket?

[Macca 16,922]

When 40yr olds are still start players of the game it's lost me.

Need this partnership to stick.

lol ... when did t20 ever "have" you? The sport has only been around 5 minutes.

Anyway, I reckon Smith will take the conservative route tomorrow if our batsmen can last that long ... we bat for an hour? Maybe longer if the target figure of 400 is on his mind.

He wouldn't want to lose his 2nd game as captain as besides all that, the 'Border-Gavaskar' trophy is on the line ... that trophy may not mean a lot to the general public but it will do to the players and CA.

[gsmith12 491]

lol ... when did t20 ever "have" you? The sport has only been around 5 minutes.

Anyway, I reckon Smith will take the conservative route tomorrow if our batsmen can last that long ... we bat for an hour? Maybe longer if the target figure of 400 is on his mind.

He wouldn't want to lose his 2nd game as captain as besides all that, the 'Border-Gavaskar' trophy is on the line ... that trophy may not mean a lot to the general public but it will do to the players and CA.

Means a great deal to me Macca particularly after the flogging they handed us on our last tour.

[Macca 16,922]

Means a great deal to me Macca particularly after the flogging they handed us on our last tour.

Me too ... I'm left wondering why we haven't got a trophy to play for when we play South Africa. It's one of the biggest rivalries in world cricket - we should play them more often too (4 tests minimum)

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Well done so far Shaun Marsh on a crucial innings, taking us some way to what is looking more likely then not a Test victory or draw. And I'll admit, I'm a Shaun Marsh knocker.

Highest ever run chase at the G is 332, and we're now 326 ahead.

I'm all for adding 20 odd runs in the morning in 5-6 overs and then declaring and setting India 350 in 90 overs, if they can manage that then well done to them.

We've certainly left the door open with two bad dropped catches that cost us big (Rahane on 70 & Kohli on 88) and now this poor 2nd Innings batting display.

We're just about enough ahead that I'm more confident then not. But the door is certainly wide open for India, that's for sure!

[gsmith12 491]

Well done so far Shaun Marsh on a crucial innings, taking us some way to what is looking more likely then not a Test victory or draw. And I'll admit, I'm a Shaun Marsh knocker.

Highest ever run chase at the G is 332, and we're now 326 ahead.

I'm all for adding 20 odd runs in the morning in 5-6 overs and then declaring and setting India 350 in 90 overs, if they can manage that then well done to them.

We've certainly left the door open with two bad dropped catches that cost us big (Rahane on 70 & Kohli on 88) and now this poor 2nd Innings batting display.

We're just about enough ahead that I'm more confident then not. But the door is certainly wide open for India, that's for sure!

350 the bare minimum the way this track has played and the talent in their top order plus Dhoni.

[Cards13 9,117]

350 the bare minimum the way this track has played and the talent in their top order plus Dhoni.

400 on this deck would be a reachable target for the Indian line up.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Early morning rain will mean the draw will be shortening in the betting no doubt.

Will be interesting to see how Australia play it out from here depending on how long they're off the field.

[Macca 16,922]

I doubt we'll declare anytime soon for a number of reasons ...

• The match is almost certainly destined to be a draw
• If so, we will have won back the Border-Gavaskar trophy
• Our bowlers get to rest up until Sydney (we've played 15 days out of 22 in this series so far)
• Their bowlers on the other hand won't get that same opportunity to rest up
• Shaun Marsh will get a chance to get himself a century
• You never give a sucker an even break

We may well declare but Smith will know that the game can be called off early if both captains agree to call the game off early. The next test doesn't start until next Tuesday but even so, why would we risk bowling Johnson & Harris if there's no real chance of a win?

If we're happy to take a 2 nil lead to Sydney then we'll probably bat on until they bowl us out. If the declaration comes it probably wouldn't come before Marsh (hopefully) achieves his century.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Me too ... I'm left wondering why we haven't got a trophy to play for when we play South Africa. It's one of the biggest rivalries in world cricket - we should play them more often too (4 tests minimum)

... the Mandela-Whitlam Trophy

[Macca 16,922]

... and for those wanting a "result" the best thing to happen would be for Australia to be bowled out.

Personally, I'd like to see Marsh get his century ... after that, I'm not fussed.

[Nasher 33,607]

Shaun Marsh! Noooooooooooo. Shattered.

[Macca 16,922]

Shaun Marsh! Noooooooooooo. Shattered.

You've got to feel for the bloke ... in the previous over it looked like he'd got the message that we were declaring shortly. Then Hazlewood comes out to bat?

Anyway, with the declaration we can probably set attacking fields for as long as we need to - India have to go for it but will they? They'd have to score 384 in 70 overs. Big ask.

Edit: 70 overs minimum

Edited December 30, 2014 by Macca

[gsmith12 491]

... the Mandela-Whitlam Trophy

Nice joke.

[Grapeviney 9,712]

Shaun Marsh! Noooooooooooo. Shattered.

Yep, he'd be kicking himself.

A couple of early wickets and this could be interesting.

[Grapeviney 9,712]

And there's no. 1 !!

Go rhino !

edit: two down now, looks like the boys are following my strategy of taking wickets early

[gsmith12 491]

Another school girl effort from Lyon in the field let's Kohli off the hook again and probably puts paid to an Aussie win.

After all the cricket Lyon has played you'd think he could keep his eye on the ball.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Another school girl effort from Lyon in the field let's Kohli off the hook again and probably puts paid to an Aussie win.

After all the cricket Lyon has played you'd think he could keep his eye on the ball.

To be fair Lyon's not the only one. Our fielding in this test has been below average.

Rogers dropped Rahane not long before Tea which was poor, and let's not forget the three dropped catches in the 1st innings that cost us a total of 170 runs.

As I type Kohli out 1st ball after Tea. Could be a result yet?

[gsmith12 491]

To be fair Lyon's not the only one. Our fielding in this test has been below average.

Rogers dropped Rahane not long before Tea which was poor, and let's not forget the three dropped catches in the 1st innings that cost us a total of 170 runs.

As I type Kohli out 1st ball after Tea. Could be a result yet?

Agree our fielding generally has been below standard however Lyon's two elementary misses were appalling and unacceptable for a professional.

Just how difficult is it to keep your eye on the ball Nathan ?

[Cards13 9,117]

Come in Aussies!!!! Hammer them!

[Cards13 9,117]

Smith not a fan on Lyon?

[Macca 16,922]

Ashton Agar has been added to the squad for the Sydney Test

If he was to come into the side where does he bat and who makes way? We've won the series so I hope Agar plays so we can have another look at him.

Apparently his selection rests with how the SCG might play ... Agar recalled to the Australian Test squad

Edit: Dhoni has retired from Test cricket - effective immediately ... Kohli to captain in Sydney?

Edited December 30, 2014 by Macca

[Nasher 33,607]

Assuming it's one of Watson or Burns to go, Agar slots in at 8 with Ryano at 9 (what a luxury), with everyone from Johnson up to shimmy up a spot for mine. Interesting choice - he hasn't stood out at Shield level, though I have trust in the group in charge of the team at present, so if they say so.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to declare my man-love for Ryan Harris. He's proven to be a truly dependable, tough, aggressive player. His journey has been amazing too - was a genuine B grader until his very late 20s - just goes to show that it's never too late to hit ones straps in this sport. Even with his wrecked body I reckon Ryano for 1/2-3/4 of a series is better than a whole series of the next best.

[Cards13 9,117]

Yea right, I thought Dhoni would at least see the series out, weak as pi ss. He did make $30m this year apparently.. F me I should have taken cricket seriously.

Another great test in the series. We win the trophy back!! Both teams have some way to go but like Nasher love Rhino and how good is Hazlewood going to be? The next McGrath or is he more of a pistol with his swing rather than movement off the seam.

Johnson over was just brilliant. Both teams batted well in parts in a belter of a deck, next year can we please have some turn though.

Bring on Sydney with the angry Sikh in charge.

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Amazing on both fronts?

Didn't see Agar's selection coming. Either they've lost patience with Watson and one of Marsh or Burns will bat at three with Haddin at 6 and Agar at 7 or maybe there's an injury to Lyon we don't know about and he's in as cover?

Didn't see Dhoni's retirement coming, he's always only really cared about ODI & T20 cricket though, it hurts them for Sydney though as I don't rate Saha that much as his replacement.

As for the result of the test I remember thinking at the end of the over where Australia were 7/301 that was when I though they should declare. Marsh was 85* & Harris on 21, would have given them 74 overs (with a few before lunch) compared to the 70 we ended with and would have set India 367 instead of 384. May not have made a difference at all, but a slightly less run rate with a few more overs may have been more of a carrot for India, but we'll never know. End of the day Smith didn't owe India anything and we've now won the series, so all is well.

[Cards13 9,117]

I mentioned earlier in the test Kholi was breathing down Dhoni neck and if you make as much as D does from cricket test matches might not be his cuppa. Really interested to see the new generation coming through Indian cricket. They have the flash with the tatts, manicured beards, bling and an aggressive nature. If they can put that together with some of the skill they have, look out SA, Eng and Aussie.

Watson if he plays should be a bowling all rounder batting 6 or lower not a no 3 but only if Smith moves to 3 at this point.

Lyon has had his best series ever I can't see him being dropped, well only for injury. Maybe a quick goes out and Agar in if it is a turner on the SCG deck? Otherwise no change.