Rhino Richards

IMO, he has no blame whatsoever for the failings of others that followed him in senior roles at the Club. Like it. LOL. I dont think anyone has made that argument on this site before.

I wouldnt be so quick to right off Prior, Panesar and Pietersen given the lack of suitable replacements. I keep thinking about Malcolm Knoxs comment during the Adelaide Test. England came to this country as arguably one of the best sides to tour (given they had recently been No1 in the world in recent times) but they leave these shores probably the worst side ever to do so. In 2006-2007 they were expected to be pounded by an Australian side bristling with greats. But here in 2013/14? Simply remarkable.

Agree but Johnson's 37 wickets and efforts just shade Haddin who was equally deserving.

From the depths of Lord six months ago to a 5-0 whitewash, the selectors, coaches, captain and players deserve all accolades for their extraordinary efforts performance and achievement.

Gilchrist, Sangakkara and De Villiers would be the only candidates i have seen that would justify their positions as batsman only. However Haddin this series would have justified his position Batting keepers are all rounders in my opinion. And good all rounders are extremely hard to find. They have played since Perth like they took a direct LDN flight after losing the Ashes. Some of the senior players are finished at the top level. I feel for players like Stokes who with Broad have fought a lone fight.

There are only about 8 Test playing nations Of the Test playing nations only the Windies, Pakistan and B'desh are excluded from having a Keeper who can bat..it's more common than you think. Of recent times I think we have been blessed with keeper all rounders who can keep and bat well. I know Prior has had a bad 2013 but he and Healy were better batsman than modest. Wade, I would agree

AD DeVilliers Sangakkara (Spelling) MS Dhoni Brendan McCullum have all done higher batting duties while keeping. DeVilliers and Sangakkara are world class batsman in their own right.

It's quite clear that I measure keepers on the contribution they make to the team with the gloves, what they do when they bat and how they contribute on the field....in Haddin's case it's LEADERSHIP. Of course it's fair to compare Haddins performance to other keepers. It's been a crucial difference in the winning of the Ashes. In Test matches runs are there to be made, wickets to be taken and catches held. And Haddin has done that. And whether you thin they are not spectacular or not, he takes them. Now compare that to the rubbish that Prior and Bairstow have shown. And even when you compare him to Wade his performance is outstanding. This Ashes Series has been more difficult for you than the Poms given your pet hates of Clarke, Haddin and Watson have come through in some cases with oustanding results. A half smart person would be able to realis and acknowledge that. Your pain will be over after Sydney when you can convince yourself that the whitewash never happened. You have done well so far.

In his last Test before the Ashes, Lyon took 7/94 in the first innings and nine wickets for the match. It does not get much more simpler than that. Your break even backstop is arguably in the running for the Allan Border Medal this year and rightly so. I reckon he is a top 3 finisher with Clarke and Johnson. His efforts in every facet of his game have been outstanding. And if you can't grasp the massive contribution that Haddin has made to this side in the past six months, compare it to the deadweight performances of Prior and Bairstow. I can't think of a greater example of chalk and cheese.

Notwithstanding his unique performance with the bat on debut, the selection of Agar ahead of Lyon smacked of desperation at the time by Australia after the awful tour of India and disruptive sacking of Arthur as Coach. In a way Lyon was lucky to have missed the Lotds test given Australia only made 128 in the first dig. Too often, selectors get a bum rap but aside from Agar they have undertaken some inspired decisions: 1. The resurrection of Johnson initially through the ODIs and then the Tests was a master stroke of the highest order. 2. The return of Haddin has been brilliant. Great keeping ( Ashes record set in England), stoic and tremendous batting (Ashes record set in Australia for most runs by a keeper) and leadership and competitiveness. 3. Perseverance and patience with Warner, Lyon and Smith....they're the future. Also Cricket Australia for putting the right competent people in the right roles with proper support structures in place. I hoping for MFCs sake that the Aust cricket team evidences that you can turn things around pretty quickly if you have the right key people in place to support the talent that is there.

While I am enjoying the 2-0 score, I am getting sick of pointless Mitch bumper barrage hype that is coming forth. The articles are so frothy and light I wonder why they bother. Aside from Malcolm Knox and Gideon Haigh, the rest of the reporting is over the top and forgettable. And Cricinfo has gone off in my estimation. They don't like doing the Huddle segment when they are losing. It's too England centric.

Hard questions for England. But surely given their batting weakness they will not jettison Stokes to bring in another bowler. They would have to bat Prior at 6 and the brittle tail will already be loooong enough in Perth. If they want to try something different depending where there armageddon meter is (crisis vs panic) they will drop Panesar and bring in Rankin ahead of Bresnan. Maybe spark a bit of difference and use someone who will be difficult at such a tall height on the extra bounce in Perth.

I think your ex wife Nancy had an easy decision to make.

Weather permitting we should go 2-0. Hope the bowlers are fresh for Perth...

Both Prior and Swann are burning up credits at the moment but Swann is possibly there best spinner since Underwood. I don't think they will throw the baby out with bath water. And is splitting hairs with Panesar over Swann ATM. Bresnan will come in for Stokes but that means batting Prior at 6. Ouch....not good. Will they play 4 quicks in Perth and no spinner? Hmmmm.

It's a pity you are a poor return of serve.He had his back injury throughout England last winter when making runs. BTW, I getcha, when the teams not doing well it's the captains fault. When the team is doing well its ummmm...... So how did you fill in your time when Clarke and Haddin were taking England apart withe bat. Captain and VC to steady the ship...that's LEADERSHIP. Keep going jazza....I like a person who when he puts his foot in a fox trap works hard to get the other one in there as well.

Beautiful. I cant find the article pre Series but it was a Michael Vaughan gloat. Ahhh hubris is a wonderful thing!!

If the English wheel nuts were loosened in Brisbane, then at least two wheels are off and Australia has their foot tightly on their throats. Johnson was stunning. Savage really. Well supported in the field as well. Special mention to Ian Bell playing a rear guard action. Should be at 3. The big issue is do we force the follow on. It's up to Clarke to speak with the bowlers but given Perth is so close I would prefer we bat for four hours and give the bowlers a break.

Selfish shot from Pietersen. Has he lost the mojo for Test cricket?

Thanks for biting. I'll just throw the Ashes record your way. BTW sterling LEADERSHIP from Clarke and Haddin. You must be hating this.

Fantastic outcome for Australia. Grind them...grind them. Great mature work from Clarke and Haddin ( Ashes Keeping record holder and average nearly 90 in this series). Why do they select a very competent keeper and batsman. hmmmm And a special mention to the Rhino for his unbeaten 50.

Poor work after most batsman got a start and did not go with it on a good batting strip. It's very true and players like Haddin and Johnson who play through the arc should be able to take advantage of it. Let's finish at 5 for .... Australia!

The first sentence is heartly supported. The second sentence is not necessary. I hope Trott gets all the assistance he needs back home.

Agree, Both attacks on the Australian players were unreasonable and should have been dealt. In particular the exoneration of India's Singh for the monkey jibe was another case of Indian cricket holding the world to ransom with its petulance and double standards. The McGrath comment was appalling. However while I am not aware of specific episodes involving McGrath or Symonds, the successful Australian teams of the past decade had both a record and reputation for sledging that by the standards recently dealt with in the AFL were far worse. Indeed I am aware of episodes involving the Australian team targetting a player on oppositions in such a disgusting and disgraceful manner that it should have been nipped in the bud particularly during Waughs reign as Captain. While i dont suggest that sledging be banned there are topics that are definitely no go such racism, sexism, religion and targetting family members of a player. I dont expect the ICC to have the balls to enforce this and its a hard one to enforce in various countries where sledging may not be done in English or a language known by the neutral umpires. Given the technology and intrusion of the media in Australian sport, its going to be a tougher test than in some countries. But for the good of the game, competitive banter is fine. But when it crosses into the no go topics its forbidden and should be punished.. What happened on the pitch in the last Test was neither here nor there in the scheme of things,

The angst against Stuart Broad is a media beat up. He nicked a ball and didn't walk. So what? It was very Australian thing to do. Broad bowled a perfect length yesterday and was justly rewarded. His deliveries to get Rogers and Clarke were first class. I hope the Australian bowlers do likewise. Neither do shufflers and pokers with exposed flawed techniques. I would prefer players like Doolan and others to Hughes for some time yet.However with Rogers 36, Watson 32 and Bailey 31 in the batting line up, there positions will be in jeopardy quickly if they don't make runs and we are trailing in the Ashes campaign.