45HG

Aside from Kumar and Mahela, the Lankans seem to completely lack mental composure. Very disappointed with most of the dismissals. The pitch looks a good one and, after a day or so of sunshine, could be a batters dream IMO.

Jackson Bird has made a very impressive start to his career.

Another very good piece of captaincy from Clarke.

I'll run in to bowl again.

I'm maintaining the rage - Michael Clarke should bat 3 from here on, starting against the Lankans. Starc has just hit the equal 13th-fastest half century in test cricket! If only we lost our 9th wicket at 550ish!

You cannot blame the batsmen for the bowlers bowling poorly.

That makes sense.... The batsmen play poorly so the bowlers decide to bowl rubbish.

This is woeful bowling.

Johnson...

What I saw of Lyon today wasn't great.

Not sure what happened here, Channel 9 cut away from the super over. Amazing innings from FAF - deserves all the praise that should, and will, come his away. Also credit to AB for a very, very uncharacteristic inning.

Rubbish, rubbish batting from Rudolph.

This year, Clarke has 1271 runs at an average of 127.1 and 7 wickets at 27.57

Pattinson bowls like he bats.

The way he's going, that's only two innings away!

He's also scored at a faster rate this year than any other (though that's not surprising). As a ludicrous stat, his 4 double tons this year have come at an average of 1022!

Versus SL 23 (In at 2-36 off 9.4 overs) 60 (2-5, 3.2) 13 (2-95, 36.5) 6 (3-101, 35.5) 112 (3-188, 55.5) Versus SA 151 (3-40,16.2) 2 (2-11, 5.3) 11 (3-193, 46.3) 2 (3-141, 36.5) Versus NZ 139 (3-91, 27.1) 22 (3-31, 15.2) 0 (3-159, 45.4) Versus India 31 (3-159, 48.3) 1 (3-24, 11.3) 329* (3-37, 8.5) 18 (3-242, 44.5) 210 (3-84, 25.5) 37 (3-40, 11.4) Versus West Indies 73 (3-84, 23.6) 6 (3-126, 33.6) 45 (3-83,32.3) 15 (3-57, 24.5) 24 (3-105, 45.3) 25 (3-112, 55.2) Versus South Africa 259* (3-40, 9.3) 224* (3-55, 12.6) When he's come in after the team has posted 100, he has scores of 6, 112, 11, 2, 0, 31, 18, 6, 24 and 25 - 235 runs at 23.5 (10 innings) When he's come in before the team has posted 100 he has scores of 23, 60, 13, 151, 2, 139, 22, 1, 329*, 210, 37, 73, 45, 15, 259* and 224* - 1603 runs at 123.31 (16 innings) This year he's now scored 1265 runs from 8 matches at 141.

Where's Old Dee when you need him?

Given his career, I'd rather Watson in than Quiney, Warner, Khwaja or Cowan. Not that I mind seeing the last 3 get a go.

If it was stumps on Day 4 and S.A. were essentially 6-51, on a deteriorating pitch, it'd be an entirely different conversation. Losing a day of play with two good sides playing is always going to put a result in doubt. Especially on a decent batting wicket. Quoting crowds for a Monday and Tuesday is bizarre, let alone factoring in the crowd for a washed-out day. As you say, the crowd for Sunday was poor - but a day missing and the away side batting at 2-255 isn't going to drag too many away, especially at the snail's pace S.A. approached the game. If they'd had batted with more intent, a result probably would still have been on the cards.

Since Clarke has become captain: Versus SL 23 (In at 2-36 off 9.4 overs) 60 (2-5, 3.2) 13 (2-95, 36.5) 6 (3-101, 35.5) 112 (3-188, 55.5) Versus SA 151 (3-40,16.2) 2 (2-11, 5.3) 11 (3-193, 46.3) 2 (3-141, 36.5) Versus NZ 139 (3-91, 27.1) 22 (3-31, 15.2) 0 (3-159, 45.4) Versus India 31 (3-159, 48.3) 1 (3-24, 11.3) 329* (3-37, 8.5) 18 (3-242, 44.5) 210 (3-84, 25.5) 37 (3-40, 11.4) Versus West Indies 73 (3-84, 23.6) 6 (3-126, 33.6) 45 (3-83,32.3) 15 (3-57, 24.5) 24 (3-105, 45.3) 25 (3-112, 55.2) Versus South Africa 218* (3-40, 9.3) When he's come in after the team has posted 100, he has scores of 6, 112, 11, 2, 0, 31, 18, 6, 24 and 25 - 235 runs at 23.5 (10 innings) When he's come in before the team has posted 100 he has scores of 23, 60, 13, 151, 2, 139, 22, 1, 329*, 210, 37, 73, 45, 15 and 218* - 1338 runs at 102.92 (15 innings) I suppose the balance is there, but I'd rather see Clarke stride out at 1-30 than 3-50 odd. 3/5 times he's coming in with the score at less than 100. For the record, Clarke averages 68.38 since being made captain and has now pushed his career average over 50. He's made 1000 runs this year at over 110. Today's score is his 3rd double century of the year, making him only third player to achieve this. He has been very well managed throughout his career.

The ball has been moving around enough and the bowling has been tidy but, for the most, impatient and unthreatening. 3 wickets off of no balls doesn't help, either. If this was nearing stumps day 3, it'd be massively game on. The rain would also have slowed up the development of the pitch. Test matches that favour the bowlers are fun, but 2 day tests aren't great all of the time. It's good to have a mixture.

I assume you forgot that a day was lost for rain?

Just a ripping, ripping post. In fact, if you look up anti-mozz in the dictionary, this post will appear, Before your post, Clarke had played 77 matches at an average of 45,81. Since then, he has scored 927 runs at 103!

Wow