dee-luded

I understand standing your ground was common in the past... but since we have this video ref & other moral changes around the world, it looked really blatant & he stood there after a solid nick & watched the keeper glove it cleanly... then just stood... bad for the game... the video ref IMO, should be keeping tabs on all umpiring decisions 'Live', & if there is one that looks 'OFF',,, the 3rd Ump should immediately put a red light on,,, up in the scoreboard, halting proceedings, whilst he checks it out, live on the scoreboard screen... not up to either team to challenge.

... what about Cowan for Smith (I'd love Punter back in)... James Faulkner/Bird? 4 pacemen, + alrounders? Warner back, into the middle order, after the 2nd test??? get a move on Hughes... Australia Shane Watson Chris Rogers Ed CowanSteven Smith??? Michael Clarke © Philip Hughes Steven Smith???Brad Haddin (W) Brad Haddin (W)Ashton Agar Peter Siddle James PattinsonJames Faulkner Mitchell StarcJames Pattinson Ashton AgarMitchell Starc ?????????????? this is not just about the 2nd test, or this series, but consolidating the team for the back to back Ashes series... we have to get the team settled. what do you think TD ?

thats exactly what I thought as well... & while the video ref was adjudicating, my video recorder switched channels on me... when I got back onto station, expecting a non decision, Haddin was given. I immediately switched off & went to sleep.

... they may have registered a win in the books, but they have given themselves & their countries image a major Black Eye. its a disgrace & totally spoilt a great contest, & we should have won it, with broads extra runs with the bat & the altering the flow of the game, via not walking & with the ball... ... we on the other hand, maybe should have pushed on a bit with the scoring, with agar & haddin at the wicket,,, putting more pressure on the poms. I feel disgusted, & disappointed at the proceedings & with that last video ref decision, as the ball already had the hotspot on it, prior to passing the Bat, & the hotspot on the bat was so insignificant, it was to me, too Inconclusive,,,, so I expected benefit of the doubt to the batsmen.. play on your honour.

Yesterday early, it seemed the ball was holding up, coming thru slowly? but I guess the wicket got better, as they scored more heavily as the day went on? lets hope we can remove them quickly, while the wicket may still be playing well.

I just saw it on replay, that miss should cost Aleem Dar his career. it brings the question of umpires into the spotlight, for all the wrong reasons.

... of course thats plainly obvious... his strokemaking is a pleasure to watch, the balance & rhythm. Thats why I wonder, if he could use the protection of wickets around him, allowing time to construct an innings. also I think he played better against their so called pace attack, rather than the spin. so going in earlier May help our run chase? It may actually take away some pressure to rush.

I think I heard on good authority, he's called 'Ed'..... especially after Pattinson makes him his bunny.

My dad, when we were up watching a young Pat Cash arriving on the international scene back in the days, he wanted off to bed in frustration with Cashy, thinking its all too hard. he went to bed & missed the rise & Win. needless to say where Cashy ended up. some can see it, others, my dad couldn't...

... could agar go up to partner smith & haddin in the 2nd innnings? or would you leave him where he is?

draft him?

Have you heard what they nicknamed root?

wait a minute!!! He's barely started bowling just Yet?

LoL, very nice of the Poms to leave the back door agar.... help ourselves....hey? a batting alrounder? now for the front door!

I think thats what they're doing, but I'd hoped before the test for the about face. With Watson + Cowan & Rogers at 3... but I think they want to get Rogers up 7 going in the No2 spot, with Cowan hanging on as backup opener @ 3 in case something goes astray. Khawaja hanging about, but I wouldn't make the change until watson & rogers look strong together. I'd like to see Khawaja in the middle atmo, to get a feel for it... prior to promotion.. he needs to get some test runs into his head first...

thats why imo he's at 3

he's the bowling cornerstone that we have... he has to play all tests. 1st picked.

captain coook, goorn !!!

I think at this stage, after the past 12 months, its all about our players getting to feel 'insync' with their games, & with their batting positions in the side... personal rhythm gathering, & the net gain in feeling good, & confidence. It looks good so far...

I feel the same, other than Siddle... although Clark is closest re batting, but is really vulnerable in his health.... so I wouldn't count on building the new team, around him. .... the new 'Vibe' with 'BOOF' at the helm may change things Up, & it will be interesting to see who responds.

corner stones... IMO you Have to have corner stones, siddle is the corner stone in our bowling, & we have to have a corner stone in our batting, & ideally one in our fielding as well. I think 'Punter' once held that mantle in batting & fielding. IMO the corner stones hold the team together, & make all walk straight & tall.

... the driver; maybe from somewhere near Castellammare di Stabia, wishing he was a Sea Captain of a Cruise Ship... most likely from europe, or a contiki driver our Contiki Bus back in the 90's, sideswiped another Bus on the hairpin turn of the Monaco Grand Prix track...

Its good to hear they got it out. let the front tyres down to lower pressure, to lower it, and gently reverse it back? pump the tyres back up, and away you go-go.

Reg... & 'not you butler' Blakey... ... check this out Macca .... It must ave been 'im, on 'Olidayz on the continent'... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcXiC0iUs_Y

I couldn't find the Full batting order anywhere, only the one you posted,,,,, so I wasn't totally convinced I was reading it correctly, or if Hughes was elevated in the 2nd. what is Faulkner like; do we have anyone alike an 'Alderman' (bowling) ?