Rhino Richards

The other posters were responding to Bobby's self serving assessment of CC to create an illusion that there is an issue with CC's alleged "very abrasive". They were not using their discussions with CC as a proxy for discussions with Bruce.

You missed the point. The convo is not the issue. The judgement on Connolly's manner or personality is. Bobby claimed from that conversation that Connolly was "very abrasive" and thus imply that Connolly's alleged trait impacted the Cameron Bruce situation. As you can well see, there are a plethora of posters who have had more than a "convo" with Connolly and have found the complete opposite to Bobby's claim.

Then you dont know him. Indeed.

Ponting will bat at 3. Clarke will bat at 4. They need to get some form. Given we have the same squad there positions clearly aren't in doubt. They wont move Smith up the order now upset Hussey's rich vein of form.

Greg Chappell reinterated that Clarke as VC is the next scheduled person to be captain Australia if and when Ponting retires. Cant see him being dropped at this stage. He does need to score runs in Melbourne though. If Australia was to lose Melb and Clarke had double failures again then his spot gets interesting. Barring a change for Ponting (unlikely) they will go in with the same squad. Ball tampering article on the bible cricinfo.... http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/current/story/493336.html Nasty offence that. While White is not necessarily the person responsible, it a bad accusation to have under your captaincy.

I dont. He is 1cm shorter than Rivers and 4kgs lighter but can play tall and small. He is a better kick, quicker and has better balance than Rivers hence he can play a number of defensive positions. Wing is not one of them.

I recall Border played for Australia with broken bones in his fingers so I dont think it excludes Ponting at this point. I would doubt Australia will go into the Melb test 1-1 without their Captain. I dont see as has having a reliable replacement either if by chance it were decided to rest Ponting. Neither Khawaja or Ferguson are playing long innings at the moment. I doubt they will change the squad/side for Melb. While we might need a spinner. We dont have one. Michael Beer played the Shield game vs Tasmania and hardly starred.

The Don and Jeff Thomson

Cook lbw Harris 13 England now 1/23. One down. Nine to go

His opening the batting has had nothing to do with restricting his bowling. And batting him lower would not mean he could or would bowl more. Any deserving a cap that Watson is holding back? Given we have few reliable Test level openers he is not holding anyone back. He is still averaging over 60 in the series. Its unfortunate he missed that century but its a small criticism of top innings in the context of those who collapsed around him.

Out for 16 today against Qld. Khawaja made 23.

No its actually facts. You could use a few of them. Onto to more interesting things..... Watson 61 No (and batted well in difficult circumstances). I hope he goes on with it. He has been a masterstroke opening. Ashes sprung to life yesterday. Australia needs at least a 400 run lead. England likely to bat on the 3rd and 4th day (and not the 5th day). It should be a great 3rd day. Regardless of the outcome of the Series, I reckon Ponting will retire (or be retired). Clarke has possibly another Test left to hold his spot and claim captaincy.

And whats your solution? Steve Smith??? Hardly a faliing of the selectors there trying to replace the 2nd best cricketer Australia has produced. They replaced Langer and Hayden with Katich and have remodelled Watson as an opener with success after Phil Hughes proved to be a flash in the pan. No sign of neglect there. And we had the greatest No 3 batsman since Bradman there and Clarke was lifted from 4 to 5. When should Clarke have been dropped. He was the premier Australian batsman during Ashes 09 and has lost form recently. Given Ponting would have been retired as Captain at the end of this series, Clarke was legitimate Captain in waiting. Rash call WYL even for you. Ferguson could not have been given an extended go because he had a knee reconstruction last year. White's claims look better from pyjama cricket when things have not being going so well. White has been given Test exposure and did little at seven (and dont raise the bowling.) Watson has been a successc (vs Hughes) and had he converted 2 more 90s to tons then we would have been lauding him. He was Australian cricketer of the Year last year. It tells a tale. He could indeed bat down the order but he gives us a consistent 50 to 60 at the top. Who can do better than that? With Katich finished we need two capable experienced openers and he is one of them. And if his partner would do likewise then that a 100 partnership. That's a win in my book. Wrong. Hughes has been given a tremendous number of opportuinities over the past 2 years to refind his mojo but has failed each time. Only Hughes has ruined Hughes chances. Rubbish. They should play Hughes in the next Test. Otherwise you are guilty of the very things you complain about. Its crap WYL and its more of the same. Apologies for the facts but it does highlight some gaping holes in your logic. B)

So should the selectors be kept for their selection of the lower order? So who should the selectors have dropped and selected for the top order bearing in mind you have Captain and VC at number 3 and 4? Very Sage. Missed where its needed most.

Bet he will be lucky. He shouldnt be in the team. Its the selectors fault. Especially Greg Chappell. Seriously all power to him. When Australia needed fortitude in this series he has delivered in spades. Its a pity others bar Haddin have not backed him up. And is Michael Clarke our next Test Captain? I dont this so. And given his bad back, I cant see Clarke even bending down to pick up the bowling run up marker let alone bowl a ball.

Is there an India/ South Africa score? Doesnt matter whether Beer is 12th or 13th man!!!

I thought he addressed it clearly with the repeated quote. And for someone who hides in the shadows when asked a direct (and simple) question you are a curious one to expect it from others. And FWIW, I am sure Hazy must be shaking in his boots awaiting one of your tepid grillings. And I'm sure your big enough to bury yourself once more in another factless performance.

It wasnt the answer that was given. Any reason why Hazy may have re quoted his section at the bottom of the post? Take your time. Hmmmmm....

Petterd has great ability to get his hands on the ball. However, I understand he still has some maturing to do as a footballer. Not in the leader stakes in my opinion.

Ironic allegation of the week. Re read it and think about it. Your original post was rightly pointed out as being factual incorrect. You should have followed rpfc's sound advice. Hazy clearly pointed out the situation. You just dig a bigger hole and continued derailing a topic. I am sure Leoncelli understands the situation and would not welcome any grandstanding upon his departure. Leoncelli and any other MFC director that gives their time for the Club deserves better.

Anderson made Hilfenhaus look impotent and 2nd rate.

Good simple assessment Maurie. I also like rpfc's assessment because I am keen to see the development and progression of a number of players. I dont think a B'low count is a proper metric to assess if Sylvia has taken the next step.

Imagine that a cricket pitch that gives something early for the bowlers and has some character about it. The ICC should snuff that out immediately.

Ugh! Warne no way. And bringing him back as a skipper and not as a bowler is just daft. The big problem with the Australian team is not the leadership. Lets focus on where the issues actually are and address them rather than being sucked in to mindless media hoopla generated about a person who's botox TV talk show is a flop. I am surprised they didnt line Warnie up with Oprah rather Liz Hurley. Any chance we could also get Neil Harvey to bat at 3! Australia needs to look forward and not backwards. Warne was a monkey on England's back during his playing days. I cant see why he should become one in retirement for Australia.

It hadn't so far until you posted.