Rhino Richards

The MFC Board Election is being characterised by some as an opportunity to merely endorse the current Board because our teams have been performing well on the field over the last two years. It seems to me that the area where we chronically underperform off the field is in relation to securing a home base for our players and members. The current Board clearly don't have the skills to resolve this issue so maybe it is time for a new face on the Board. A close look at Phil Reed's business webpage would suggest that he might be able to deliver something our club has lacked since we left the MCG nearly 40 years ago - a home for us all.

Stop the adulation of him. Clarke is the soft wimpish type. Seriously, his backs stuffed, copped one in the head and kept going and it's now revealed that he played with a fractured shoulder. Lead the side to an heroic Test series win. I can't believe how many have so misjudged him. As for Trott I am glad he has not disappeared from the Test scene but he is going to cop it when Australia goes to England.

They were neither funny nor are they like someone throwing rocks at cars. While it didn't look good it's a storm in a teacup.

Just saw the highlights of the 4th day. Wonderful sporting send off for Graeme Smith by both the South African and Australian teams. The equal of the send off the South Africans provided Ponting at the end of his career when last in Australia It's great to recognise the contributions of two outstanding players

This is now getting creepy.

This Australian XI finshes off another proven performer and captain at the top level. Graeme Smith retires. Been a giant in the game for a long time. Tough and admirable leader. He has been picked apart by the Australians. Made the right decision. He would have been pushed at the end of the series. He has symbolised South Africas frailties in this series. Now lets close out the Test and the series.

Weather permitting I think 430- 450 to get with 40 overs on day 4 and a full day on day 5 to bowl them out. This target will depend upon how long Warner is at the crease (and if Morkel continues to bowl rubbish). Warner could make the target higher with more overs to bowl if he sticks around. He is looking at back to back centuries in the one test.

Now 6/146 with Duminy out. Ball moving and Steyn to bat with a hamstring injury.

If there was 5 minutes of rain on the pitch and the rain was heavy, I hope the pitch sweats overnight under the covers. I expect the Australians to bowl from the start of the day. It's big effort to get 20 wickets in three days on a good batting strip.

Your ridiculous arguments on Clarke have all the intellectual rigour and honesty of person who argues "I'm not a racist but...". It's ironic that you claim embarrassment of others when it appears a fundamental characteristic amongst others that you seem to lack in spades. If had even a modicum of facts and some basic research you would have seen the countless times that Clarke has come to the crease after an early collapse and saved the day under pressure. And no wonder you have a focus on Hird...delusional, dishonest and totally bereft of the facts.

:wacko: .

Well said.

Absolutely. Very stupid. Great gutsy knock last night. not sure what he has to do to get the respect he has earned over a long period and richly deserved. And Warner's majestic innings should snuff out the doubters but it won't. Arguably the best opening batsman in the world. Was there a bigger test for Australia than against the No 1 test side, away and after a big loss. And the class of Clarke and Warner shone through.....again. 3/331 and no Steyn for SA, Australia should be primed for the kill. The biggest risk is that the wicket becomes so benign that bowlers are blunted.

Come off it Macca. He's a pretty boy and he dated Laura Bingle! Seriously, it's good post you have made. It's amazing how some have jumped off the side after one Test. It's been a tough summer for some and I don't mean the English. Newlands will be a fascinating battle. A good Test of both teams and a chance for players on both sides to make a name for themselves.

And the first test in Joh'berg....... Agree on the bowling plan, Watson can certainly dry up on one end for the other bowlers. His bowling was underestimated during the Ashes. Looking forward to the third Test.

This tour the problems have been 3, 4 and Clarke have been out of sorts. He needs to make runs Its amasing that we got to 0/120 on a dead track against 3 quality bowlers and no spinner and we collapsed like a house of cards. If Siddle has something to worry about....its Pattinson not Bird. Bird may well have his opportunity in the future but it wont be in South Africa. But the real question is how fit is Harris? Its interesting that after Johnson the stars of the Ashes whitewash (Clarke, Rogers, Harris and Haddin) have not been as prolific.Thats qualified by Rogers 2nd dig 100.

If Watson is fit then he should play at the expense of Doolan. Gives us bowling breadth. How anyone would have Lyon's position in doubt is beyond me? Siddle is well in front of Bird for the third Test.

It all depends on the first session tomorrow. If the Australians can bowl them out pre lunch then they will have a chase of 400 to 420 or alternatively 5 sessions barring rain to bat out. And if I am not mistaken Parnell cant bowl in the 2nd innings due to an injury. That means they will have three front line bowlers and Duminy on a flat dead track. Ouch. Its a big ask to take 10 wickets. The bowlers will have to perform And the longer Australia bats the more tired the bowlers get....... Its a long shot but its not out of the question at all.... And of course there is the weather!

Whatever advantage S Africa have had with a tamed wicket they have blown the chance to have really had their foot on our throat. Cavalier batting and dropped catches have a given Australia a window of opportunity. Based on recent history I would not count Australia out at all. South Africa may rue the let offs to the Aussie and they could have easily squandered the hard work of the De Villiers genius and Duminy performance. Well bowled Nathan Lyon.

India have no bowlers and once again are deplorable away from home. Its amazing in a country so cricket mad with so much money that they cannot develop bowlers nor a half decent all rounder to allow them to take more than 4 specialist bowlers into the game. Poor captaincy, bowling and fielding punished them. You just simply cant lose games of cricket from that position. Absolutely agree. All accolades to the Kiwis. Hell at 5-94 and trailing by over 200 runs, its an outstanding performance. McCullum was superb and well backed up at the other end.

Marsh has definitely had plenty of chances and should count himself fortunate to get the tour. He is there for the No 3 spot. Faulkner is definitely an ODI star but I don't think his bowling is strong enough for a Test level to be a genuine Test all rounder. And Faulkner is not necessarily competing with Marsh for No3 spot I am not sure why you are so dismissive of Chris Rogers. All batsman regardless of age survive by making runs. There is no reason why if he continues to do so that he defends the Ashes in England in 2015. His gritty experience will be invaluable. And I don't think there is any surprise that Wade has missed out. After a poor India tour, his domestic season was lacklustre with some controversy. I don't think he is the heir apparent to outstanding wicketkeeper in the country Brad Haddin.

LOL. Your post is a better reflection of your own disposition. I note you're unable to contribute to the discussion on the thread. Well done.

Yep. Did you?

I am not sure how many pre game addresses you witnessed of Neelds but his Rd2 effort last year was not a good example of your argument. The transcript of the speech given the context of the situation would have highlight a number of serious concerns so early in the season. Given Neeld stood up in front of the faithful at Crown less than a month earlier and lauded how prepared the side was after an intense and focused pre season. He also advised that the things could turn around and improve quickly. Really! The club made a terrible error allowing the camera into the rooms pre game for the Essendon match. Neelds performance there as you pointed out was excruciating. I thought Neelds goose was cooked after the insipid game the previous week against Port. The visual of his pre match, the atmosphere and the players faces and their later actions required Neeld to be exited urgently. He certainly did not have the players with him.

Why the issue now?? Things can change quickly over a period of time in the pecking order for No2. Haddin is the premier keeper in the country for the foreseeable future. "Brad Haddin has emphatically denied he will retire after the SCG Test, saying he has no plans yet to hang up the gloves. The Test vice-captain, one of the players of the series, said he had not placed a time frame on his future and has designs to make it to next year's World Cup, to be hosted in Australia and New Zealand. Haddin described talk of an impending retirement as ''all rumours''. ''My thoughts haven't changed since I've come back,'' he told ABC Grandstand on Saturday. ''As long as I keep challenging myself to be the best cricketer I can be I see no reason to give the game away. I'm enjoying being part of this group and moving forward we've got a lot of big series coming up which I would like to be a part of and contribute to this group. And we've got a World Cup not too far around the corner. They're all very attractive offers.'' Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/brad-haddin-heads-off-retirement-rumour-20140104-30atu.html#ixzz2pVhMa3QQ