45HG

I know how you feel. The Vics and Aussies aside (funnily enough, even though I follow the cricket and get excited by the wins, for some reason cricket trophies etc. just don't really sit well/properly with me - goes against the grain of why I watch the game IMO). Having said that, I am a White Sox fan. I met my, now fiance(e?), in early September of '05 to see them win the Series in the end of October. But, having never been to a game and only following them for a month and a half, doesn't really cut it. In terms of the NHL, I follow the Flyers. A magical run in 2010 just fell short, bit of a disappointing end to last season. Seem to be going well this year again. Silly story about why I follow them - in about '98-'99 my brother and I bought NHL '99 (think that was it) with a Flyers player (Lindros?) on the front and they were the default team you played with - it was love from then on.

That's their first loss since Perth 2010 in the ASHES, a very strange series to record the loss!

Not even close? I'd put it very, very close.

The following players from the starting 11 in the third test have captained India in some format and some stage are: G Gambhir: 6 ODIs V Sehwag: 3 tests, 11 ODIs and 1 T20 R Dravid: 25 tests, 79 ODIs S Tendulkar: 25 tests, 73 ODIs MS Dhoni: 37 tests, 112 ODIs and 27 T20s Total: 90 tests, 281 ODIs and 28 T20s Since August 28 1996, the first time any of this team has been captain, India have played 163 tests, 505 ODIs and 31 T20s. Current players have skippered the side 57% during this time. So in the past 15 years; 73 tests, 224 ODIs and 3 T20s have been led by other players (by my reckoning). Of those matches, S Ganguly captained 49 tests and 147 ODIs. A Kumble captained 14 tests and 1 ODI. Take them from the mix and only 10 tests and 76 ODIs have been captained by players outside this current Indian 11 (12%). This, of course, removes the fact that many of the current team have been around during much of this period - surely adding to the "leadership" credentials.

Why did we bowl?

Sure was WJ. Saw it the other day and it made be go searching. I found what I was looking for.

Knowing the A-League, could well have been sky-writer.

Sri Lanka's win, or South Africa's loss, in the second test has just gotten even crazier. After being destroyed in the first test, Sri Lanka came back and one the second. In the third, S.A. have blasted 580/4d, S.L. in reply limped to 239 and are now batting again. At 1-12, still 329 behind, their second test victory seems even more remarkable.

I've had enough of Haddin.

It's ridiculous. He's been bowled 4* times in two tests now. In 278 innings he's only been bowled 49 times. That's 3 times in 4 innings. * Though one was given out from that ridiculous rule. Edit: Those stats actually aren't nearly as impressive as I was expecting. Interesting.

Another thing I like about Clarke is his positive attitude. It was only a little thing, but when Hussey made his 150 I'm pretty sure I saw Clarke punch his fists as he ran through for the first. Great to see.

According to someone on cricinfo, it's the first time in test history there have been two 250+ run partnerships in the same innings.

When we bowl them out in under 90 overs, I'll get back to you. There's a bit of irony bemoaning a personal milestone for Sachin, considering Clarke was well on his way to the highest score ever. In the scheme of things, obviously you'd go the win. But in 20 years time I won't remember who won the test, we won in Melbourne and I left early, but I'd certainly remember seeing Clarke create history. Oh well, can't change it now.

I don't like the declaration. Obviously it's best for the team, but just so much could've happened!

We're 4 minutes shy of halfway in the test. The statistician in me just wants them to bat. And bat. And bat.

Much like Gilly's when Hayden scored 380

Maybe - but they're still less combined than the highest ever partnership on its own! Ridiculous. He's certainly going for it now, at about a run a minute. If he lasts til tea he'll pass 400.

Whoops. Australia 3-37 - would you call that a hole? 1-565 runs later and Clarke on 304*. Would love to see a first rate player from NSW!

Can't for the life of me figure out why Sehwag was bowling straight after lunch. Absolutely brilliant innings from the skipper. Incredible innings. Well done!

I thought that they were playing Ashwin ahead of Singh?

Statsguru. *Would also like to add that, obviously, he's a long way from those records. Starting fresh today, to talk about him scoring 130 today is a massive ask.

That's a strange comment. If he passes Hayden (scoring 130 more today) how would he have to bat better than yesterday to make 20 extra runs? The highest score for a number 5 is 304 by the Don. Clarke is currently 4th on the list. Ironically, Foster's SCG runs record was scored when he came in at number 5. Lara came in at 4 when he scored the second highest score on the ground.

Just of note, Clarke is the first Australian since Ponting to score a double century. And the second since Gillespie! (Maybe Pup is playing his last test...) In the other game, Kallis made a suberb double century in his 150th in front of his home crowd. De Villiers made 100 off 176 balls and ended up 160 off 205. Brutal. The declaration came 5 overs too early for him!

Hats off to Clarke. An absolutely fabulous innings to date, which should rightfully put a few people back in their place (for a while at least). A matured batsman and, from what it seems, person. Highest score by an Australian at the SCG.

I think 5 suits him for now because he is fast becoming, if he isn't already, Australia's best batsman. He could probably bat anywhere, I'd rather see him in earlier.