dee-luded

maybe the others could become jim cardwells or dicck seddons?

not so sure Lovett hast got some Tassie in him a swell.

but nine, & other commercial media aren't selling the game, they're selling their own brand, 'prestige', as it sells to like minded people, who buy status buy the shyte bucketfull. the people learn superficiality from such an early age these days, they don't know the difference from 'pre$tige/$tatu$' & basic Integrity.

we need Clark back as captain for now... Smith looks great but still lacks a little maturity, & more discretion, less negative body language. 12 - 18 months should do clark IMO.

he's not ready yet, imo, he's nervous & overtrying, not composed enough to do it. he could make a breakthrough, but we may also wreck him.... send him back to slowly ripen. time for a Faulkner to show something...

I don't think its the drop in idea thats wrong, IMO its more likely they haven't got the science & engineering right? the way the mioisture is supplied & the rate of loss, etc. surely to have such shallow boxes means they have to supply moisture & nutrients differently, than was the case Pre Drop-Ins. also our weather has changed down south in recent years, & we are getting a lot of tropical troughs delivering us warm nights & more rain??? I think they should reconsider the depth of the drop-in boxes make them deeper, even if heavier to transport, & try to make them more real life as it were. currently they would suit T-20

... drop in pitches, I suspect/wonder if they are too shallow; so the moisture must be ideal, but maybe not for traditional cricket??? maybe they need to be deeper, so the roots are longer, & the surface moisture loss is more noticeable, as the test match days pass by.

I wonder if Agar is in line for Burns spot,,, sorry for mitch Marsh's spot. Burns has had a taste & maybe needs to go back to work on his game. maybe Agar needs a hitout at Inter' level prior to the World Cup. & at the same time help to shape Lyon up a little?

... the Mandela-Whitlam Trophy

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.

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

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

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 think they planned the rotation since the Brisbane test was jammed into the slot between Adelaide & Melbourne tests. Harris most likely wouldn't get thru the 3 tests & still be OK. I think Siddle was dropped & stark was fillin for Harris. Would like to see Faulkner in for Melbourne.

maybe Siddle needs the Paleo diet. to get his old aggression back.

suited alright, well done Lyon well done Warner, & Smith

not reconsidering, but respecting a fine effort. and leadership from the front. he has to show this 'L' every test.

a courageous knock from him...

maybe this is why our koori's have image warnings for deceased brothers. hard to take

just heard on TV. shock. thought he would be OK. geez, R.I.P. Phil Hughes thoughts & empathy for family & all loved ones of PHughes.

he looks ready to come into an all-rounders spot

Watto/Rogers to open, Warner at first drop, Smith at 4,

.... wait for it Steve Smith: I was sledging not chatting to Pakistan batsmanhttp://www.watoday.com.au/sport/cricket/steve-smith-i-was-sledging-not-chatting-to-pakistan-batsman-20141110-11jy4s.html Australian batsman Steve Smith says his captain Michael Clarke may have misinterpreted his conversation with Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali during the second Test in Abu Dhabi as friendly chit chat. But in reality, he was having a good old fashioned Australian sledge. Early in Parkistan's first innings, Clarke was clearly unimpressed with Smith, who was fielding close to the pitch and Azhar, and engaging in discussions with the opposition's number 3 batsman. The Australian captain gave Smith a rocket and reportedly told him that Azhar's friends were upstairs in the Pakistan changerooms and not down on the field. Azhar was on 14 at the time and went on to score 109 (which he followed up with 100 in the second innings) in Pakistan's 356-run demolition of Australia. Pakistan had earlier won the First Test just as comfortably, by 221 runs. Arriving in Perth on Monday to prepare for Australia's two one-day internationals against South Africa at the WACA Ground starting on Friday, Smith appeared to be surprised to have caught the ire of his skipper. "Yeah I'm not sure what happened there. I was actually getting into him," Smith said. "So it wasn't what I expected, but that happens I guess." When asked if Clarke had misinterpreted the conversation that was taking place, Smith said: "I think that's how it was," and suggested that talking to opposition batsmen in a productive manner would continue. "We like to play good, hard, tough, aggressive cricket when we're out in the field," he said. "That's the way we like to play, so we'll continue to do that." Australia is currently ranked number three in the ODI arena on 114 points, behind South Africa (115) and India (116). As well as trying to recapture the top ranking, the Aussies are also looking for a positive start to its preparation for the World Cup, which it is hosting, starting February 14. They will play the Proteas at the WACA on Friday and again on Sunday before playing one game each in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The First Test against India then starts at the Gabba on December 4. Smith says time is running out for players to cement their spots for the World Cup. "I think it's (a) pretty important (series)," he said. "I think they are trying, obviously, to get the team that they will be playing in the World Cup and there's not too many games before then. "There's plenty of work to do and all of the boys are trying to get a spot in the team. "We're very excited to be back in Australia and I guess playing on wickets that we're accustomed to. It's going to be nice to get out there and bat on something with a bit of bounce and pace on it. "I was pretty happy with the way I batted in the one-dayers in the UAE. Hopefully I can carry on my form in this form of the game and keep trying to get as many runs as I can and putting my case forward as much as I can as well." While Australia looked every part a fish out of water in the two-Test series in the UAE, Smith doesn't think South Africa will have the same issues adjusting to conditions in their upcoming series. He says he's sure the visiting fast-bowling pair of Dale Steyn and Mornel Morkel will also enjoy the bounce of the Australian wickets. "They are a very good outfit and I think our conditions are very similar to theirs back home in South Africa as well," he said. "So look, it's going to be a tough challenge and the boys are looking forward to it. "I'm sure they're going to be coming out playing some extremely hard cricket. "We recently played the tri-series in Zimbabwe where they got the better of us. It's another chance for us to come out and try to improve and get one over the top of them." http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/cricket/steve-smith-i-was-sledging-not-chatting-to-pakistan-batsman-20141110-11jy4s.html

gee Boyce looked good last night. an exciting prospect. hope he can go on with it. Warnie came back in to the fold in good time.

I suspect this is the issue, that the players are trying to follow someone they're not really in full admiration of. Obviously they respect his skills batting against spin, but maybe it doesn't go far past this. I think we are spiritually rudderless, apart from the off field cricket dept'. because it appears we are playing that way. when we go well, its on the back of individuals performances which I put down to Boof's input. Lyons, MJohnston, SSmith, When we show real grit as a team, when our backs are up against it, then I'll know that things are well.