dee-luded

sorry t_u, its not.

theres no negativity about Clark as a batsmen, Macca.. but thats got nothing to do with being a captain... you really don't get it, what effect a great captain can have on players outputs, & team outputs, the same as coaches... leadership is Every thing. I'm realising most people just cannot understand 'the world' that is different than their own 'personal lives' world... the same people, I imagine, could also lack empathy & sympathetic traits as well... maybe thats why great leadership is a rarity... & to be valued when found.

I just hit the wrong keyboard key, & lost my reply... damn

its a reflection of both... its a refection of bad recent past leadership both on & off field, that has caused a breakdown in team harmony & comradeship,,, which is now under repair. but the result was a total loss of self belief in individuals & the loss of any remaining momentum handed down from the 'Tugga' era, leading into the last 8 or so years. All this was compounded buy the retirements of greats who papered over any cracks of weak leadership since Tugga.

Yeah hes finally stood up after being pushed up to 4th... after all the grewats knocked his lack of leadership in hiding away @ 5... but you keep on with your fantasies. everyone else is wrong again, even chappell & lillee.

We're batting first!

Australia: Shane Watson Chris Rogers Usman Khawaja Michael Clarke © Steven Smith David Warner Brad Haddin (W) Peter Siddle Mitchell Starc Ryan Harris Nathan Lyon England: Alastair Cook © Joe Root Jonathan Trott Kevin Pietersen Ian Bell Jonathan Bairstow Matt Prior (W) Tim Bresnan Stuart Broad Graeme Swann James Anderson

'Burnt' offering: Cook puts his spin on spin-friendly pitch England captain Alastair Cook has defended the production of what Australia believes are ''burnt'' patches on the pitch for the third Test, saying it is the host country's right to drum home its territorial advantage. Australia arrived at Old Trafford in little doubt England was again looking to exploit its weakness against spin bowling, finding a dry, cracking pitch with a scattering of mysterious marks on it. ''It's got a handful of bare patches, which I'm unsure how they get there,'' Australian captain Michael Clarke said. Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was equally bemused, saying: ''It looks like it's been burnt, little bits of it. They weren't footmarks, but we know what the wickets they're going to produce are, it's not a secret.'' But Cook strongly defended the Manchester wicket, which has been re-aligned 90 degrees as part of the redevelopment of the ground that has transformed the venue from the ugly duckling of the English circuit to an appealing mix of polish and character. ''Old Trafford is notorious for having a wicket that is not aesthetically pleasing, if I could put it that way,'' Cook said. ''But I don't think it's going to make any difference at all. I think it's actually a better looking Old Trafford wicket than normally.'' Cook said England, which has included additional spinner Monty Panesar in its 14-man squad was, as the host country, well within its rights to have a wicket prepared that suited it. ''I think that's what home advantage is,'' he said. ''It's very hard to actually just order a wicket. You can ask for a wicket … to try and suit your style of play, but it's very difficult to get it absolutely right with the weather. ''We had a month's worth of rain in three hours the other day, so that obviously changes it a lot. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/burnt-offering-cook-puts-his-spin-on-spinfriendly-pitch-20130731-2qzma.html#ixzz2agxsDcXv

Chappell wants Clarke to bat at one-drop Ian Chappell with legendary paceman Dennis Lillee at the official launch of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 in Melbourne on Tuesday. Photo: Getty Images Former Test skipper Ian Chappell says Michael Clarke's refusal to promote himself to No.3 for the third Ashes Test is crazy. The bold move won't happen because captain Clarke is happier at No.5, despite the inexperience of his top six. Chappell also wants the Aussies, who trail two-nil in the five-match series, to at least go down fighting if they are going to cop another defeat in Manchester in the match starting on Thursday. "They need (David) Warner in the side but they don't need him batting at six. He should be opening but I fear he won't be," Chappell said on Tuesday. "His talents won't be entirely wasted but they'll be diluted if he bats down the order, especially at number six. "I'd be opening with Shane Watson and Warner." Chappell says a major problem is the key No.3 slot which is currently filled by Usman Khawaja (averaging 30.09 in seven Tests). "Long term you've got to have a decent number three and Australia hasn't got one," Chappell said. "I'm biased because I batted a lot of my career there but I think it's the best place in the order to bat. "I don't understand why Michael Clarke doesn't go there." Chappell says Clarke is not a typical No.3. "But when you haven't got one who's a prototype then your best player's got to play there," Chappell added. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/chappell-wants-clarke-to-bat-at-onedrop-20130730-2qx6t.html#ixzz2aX1KblV3

yeah, he seems to have that fire in the belly of "attitude" & take it on.... sort of reminds me a little of Ian Chappell in his rebel stature. rough, but, lets see where he can take his game if he learns some lessons.

that is the feeling i get,,, but I had no idea that punter was so deep in this Poo as well. I'm not an avid cricket reader these days, & I barely watch it, as interestingly in the Punter as Captain Era, I've started losing some (a lot) of interest in the game, & tune out. so this is where the tail has begun to wag the Australian test cricket dog... IMO, players who come into (born into) a powerful Team, somehow develop a born to rule, (get out its mine) attitude to the team & the game... this is a devastating attitude which can grow into a culture... (see mcc - MFC) Checker smashed this & Smith carried the strong culture...

Macca I can remember plenty of times when players in shield were scoring heavily & topping the sheets, but were not given a cap, even when other test players were struggling..... word was that some of the good shield players weren't wanted in the test team dressing room,, my take, they weren't liked & not wanted. there are reasons these things happen, & also why the wrong people at the top of the board, can destroy good things which they don't understand. I think this has happened to us recently.

I keep talking about culture & team environment that helps players output... You keep talking about players & individuals... ... at the moment its not individuals that are the problem,,, its the team environment & the lost winning ways/culture. fix the culture first, or all the kids we bring in will all continue to struggle in a festering team environment. I think the removal of the coach was the first shot at starting this procedure, & I reckon Boof is the one who seems to me to understand it. I think a few ex players are pushing for this change like Dizzy & Warne etc. & maybe quietly AB... who was over there at that time watching things. ... the first thing is to get a harmonious climate for the players to operate in together as a Unit. then we will start to see players at their best, & work out who stays,,, & which players need to make way for young talent. # Buchanan didn't make players more skilled, but IMO helped to create & maintain a winning environment.. even if warnie didn't like him. he may have helped with a more Pro attitude & disciplines? Hughes did have a great Eye, but that didn't translate into the test arena, & IMO that flamboyant attitude that may have grown from having that great eye in juniors, has I think caused him to grow into a risky player... thats why I do Not want him in the top order... but his rapid scoring ability I think could be handy in the middle.

I think most of our players have shown those qualities at 1st class level, in shields & what not, but thus far have failed to progress look at Hughes 4 years ago.. his numbers in the shield were fantastic, but couldn't translate into tests. I think the culture has gradually gone to the pits since we lost the likes of Tugga, Warne, Mcgrath, Gilly, Hussey, Langer, Martyn,,,, & then we remove one of the bearers of that team culture, for a playboy... Katich was in that team as well, and did his apprenticeship in that team learning the winning ways... http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/64062.html ..... how did the powers of Australian cricket get it all so wrong since?

I remember well, when we were going so poorly, we had to bring back Bobby Simpson, & he turned out a harder working side, with excellent fielding, & we built from there. we are in a similar position, but not quite as weak in talent now, but we have lost our invincable beliefs. & the poor leadership & arrogance has contributed to a loss of confidence in one another, & a fragmenting of team spirit.. for mine this is the fault of the board & team leadership. Boof is the type I feel who can rebuild this,,,, but the board, & selectors need to step back, & any who contributed to the breaking of the team spirit, should remove themselves.

I'm not against the idea of bringing in a (Kid), if he's that talented & ready... but only one at a time, whilst getting the experienced old heads back inplace to maintain the composure, & hard edged competitiveness & smarts. as far as the others they have to earn it, if their not proven performers. IMO Katich has with his stats in county. this team has lost its self belief, like the MFC... & trying to change the culture when all those greats had retired was Foolish.. a great way to setup the future, NOT.

your post about the availability of Katich was where I got the thought from, I'm just following on from your theme. But I have felt that Clark is a bit of a Punce for years, since he was just a batsmen, & even Punter, I wasn't fully convinced about as aleadder but we had success... but looking back in hindsight it was probably all the talent in that team, that papered the cracks... # In a strange sense, I almost hope Clark has a back issue & misses a test or even 2... they will almost have to reinstate Katich... ..... the direction they have been trying to take the Aussie team in, & change the culture IMO... has a feel about it like the demise of the acid tongued Norm Smith, removed by those who wanted a smoother appealing Coach. & both Teams had 'Change' forced on them after the Team Enjoyed a prolonged period of domination. they thought it was a good idea at the time. IMO the Cricket Board, the past Coach, & Clark, have a lot of questions to answer.

... to me we need to get this side steadied, after some awful games in the last couple of years. So I think we first have to go outside the normal rebuild framework, & plan a short-term campaign to right the ship first, by selecting those with the required toughness, who can do this job, then gradually do the transition to the most skilled. If we merged the top 6 off each list to find our most hard headed top 5 batsmen, who play well in all circumstances, we may be somewhere near what it takes. # so obviously clarkes our best bat in the team. clark/clark hussey/warner katich/watson smith/katich haddin/hughes voges/rogers Watson -shown he can, + bowl Rogers - tough Katich - proven performer at the top, fierce competitor, + part time spin + can open Warner - has the desire to be in the contest, can score quickly & dominate - part time spin + can open Clark - natural class + can bowl Smith/agar Haddin/Wade ------------------------ Siddle Harris Bird/Faulkner/Starc ?????? switch warner & clark if you want? we need a spinner who can remove their top batsmen # I reckon the ACB & the selectors have to suck it up, & bring back Katich for the good of our countries cricket. Lets hope Boof can get them all past the past...

Hi all. ... can I ask the more experienced cricket playing posters, to write down their top 12 Australian batsmen, including the likes of Katich who are currently out of the touring list, into 2 lists... List 1 rated against swing/seam bowling,,,, & list 2 rated against spin bowling.

I can't help but think Cowans loss of sturdiness has coincided with the passed Coach & the internal politics over the last couple of years... I always thought he was a very handy 'Rock' holding one end up as opener, whilst the other end could 'attack'... that I thought was our strength.

dit dit de dit it.... news just in....... Katich is alive after all, & someone said he was shipwrecked on a lost island somewhere in the maldives??? """ Katich offers selectors a reminder """ Simon Katich has turned out for an Australian team at Lord's – but it was a week too late to help Michael Clarke's side out of the mire they found themselves in the second Ashes Test. The former Test batsman is enjoying a prolific English summer with Lancashire, in contrast to the fortunes of Australia against England, sitting third of all scorers in county cricket with 874 runs at an average of 72.13. He chalked up another 85 in a guest appearance for the touring Sydney Cricket Ground XI in their match against a Marylebone Cricket Club selection at the Nursery Ground, next to the main arena at Lord's. The short boundaries and the standard of competition were a fair stretch from his 56 Tests – the last of which he played in 2010 – but his rich form for Lancashire continues to make a statement while Australian selectors do their best to look the other way. Katich made it clear in commenting to Fairfax Media last week that he would be available in these Ashes should he be called upon, dismissing national selector John Inverarity's statement last month that he thought the gritty left-hander had retired and would therefore not be considered again for Australia. "I never retired from international cricket," Katich said. "I was told by [former chief selector, Andrew] Hilditch I was never going to be picked again for Australia in 2010 – although he did say the same thing to me in April 2007." Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/cricket/katich-offers-selectors-a-reminder-20130727-2qqpb.html#ixzz2aFdrotrp

play Clark @ 4 !!! force him to be a leader & step up. then we could play hughes & others after him. Warner at 3, as I suggested last year. turn him into a 'david boon' type,,, as he has the gravelly take all challenges on 'attitude'. he needs to be sculpted into that type we need. @ 1 watson @ 2 rogers @ 3 warner @ 4 clark @ 5 khawaja @ 6 hughes/wade @ 7 smith/agar @ 8 haddin @ 9 siddle @ 10 Harris @ 11 Bird/faulkner 12th man......

.... makes me think of the Cats at present & how they've transitioned so far from their aging stars, & managing to bring on their kids whilst maintaining the elite level of play.

more recent times the age appears to be going up is this a reflection of the distractions of 50/50,,,, 20/20,,,,, & other forms of cricket played lately?

Does Watson play any shots behind the wicket? or is he all drives?