Whispering_Jack

I assume that getting a wildcard effectively means you have to go through the playoffs away from home every week until the Superbowl if you're good enough to get there. Tough ask for the 49ers.

That building you're inhabiting for the moment seems to be a magnet for former Melbourne people. Didn't it once host another ex-Demon who excelled in three games under RDB during the halcyon days of 1981?

One area where we improved immensely is in the immeasurables - the little 5%ers in the field, bowling changes and field placements working, a lot of little factors that worked for us and failed for them which saw us building in confidence as the series went on while their morale dropped. This was much the opposite in the northern summer when everything seemed to go right for them - winning some close ones and the draw when it rained and we were on course for a win. South Africa will be a new ball game. We need to work on our poor starts to our first innings and that might involve some changes in our batting order. What to do with Bailey? What happens with Watto and his place on the batting order?

The 49ers take down the Packers 23-20 on a last-second field goal in the NFC wild card. Who's next?

Now that the series is over we can return to the all important decision as to who will be our next keeper. Despite some concerns about his keeping I think Wade is still # 2 for the time being. What's the prognosis on Paine?

I think it would be fair to say that the English tail "wagged" for once (comparatively) and that made it easy for Clarke although I don't think there was ever a chance of enforcing the follow on at Sydney even with the current pitch which looks different to the Sydney tracks of the past. There's a one day series to follow. I would imagine though that the majority of the English team will be eager to catch the first plane home as soon as this match finishes.

Hey guys, get your heads out of the record books and have a look at what's going on at the SCG. England 5/23 - reminiscent of 186. Anderson, the night watchman is equal top score ATM with 7.

Mitchell Johnson does it again!

How's his work with the gloves?After all, the position is "wicket keeper".

It was fresh the last time you were in Hobart.

Whatever the result this is riveting stuff and a reminder as to why test cricket is far superior to anything the white ball game can throw up.

A good rearguard action from Haddin & Lyon to get the score over 200 but now is the true test of our mettle. We have to bowl on a pitch that's getting easier to bat on, in the heat and with Watto a bit dodgy. Win this and we really do deserve to go up in the test rankings.

Snicko gets Bailey and we're in a real pickle for the first time in the series. Who would have thought it on what seemed such a good track?

Unbelievable news from the world of 20Twenty is that the Perth Scorchers have signed on Yasir Arafat. And I thought they carried out an autopsy a few months ago.

Permit me to gloat a little about the 49ers. I taped their game v Atlanta but, I prefer the beach at Frankston at this time of year so I won't get to see them win the game that got them into the playoffs for a fortnight. Here's a piece I got off the web:- This Colin Kaepernick looks like an absolute revelation since coming into the team a little over 12 months ago. Here's hoping for more in 2003/4 and that Jesse Hogan has the same effect on the Dees next year!

The Poms are coached by a "Flower" but the way things are going for them, it could well be a "Bailey" or a "Neeld". I saw the ICC official rankings on Foxtel last night and was bemused at the fact that they're ranked 3rd and we're 5th. I presume they change the rankings at the end of a series? Ryan Harris is our best ranked bowler followed by Peter Siddle with MJ nowhere in sight and --- no surprise, Clarke's our best batter but NZ's Ross Taylor is ahead of him by one spot. I know Taylor has had a good run this year but I'm still a bit surprised.

How are the mighty fallen? Graham Swann has retired from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. Kevin Pietersen may follow. West Indies bundled out for 103 against New Zealand. Wow.

Talking only in general terms and don't know the circumstances of your case but what was done is permitted under the rules in many sports. If the selectors used the rule to do something dodgy, that's another matter altogether.

Nothing wrong with that - it's a legitimate way in which relay teams in many sports (including athletics) are managed.

Watching the first session of play in the First Test, SA v India, at Jo'berg. Incredibly, not much of a crowd bothered to turn up despite the high standing of both countries. We'll have more in the toilets at the G at any given time on Boxing Day. What is it with South African cricket crowds?

Pity about young Stuart Broad. Back in England, he wouldn't walk. Now, he can't.

Ding!

Agree on Pietersen. I had the pleasure of dining with some friends last night at the Railway Hotel in Port Melbourne where the proprietors have installed strategically placed television sets for sports viewing. I had just finished saying how well Pietersen was batting and keeping his head down when he came up with that cross bat shot that was so embarrassing, not just in the context of this game and the series but at any time outside of 20-20. Whilst at the pub, I noticed Tuddy patronised the place (reckon he must have spent a fair bit of time at the bar but definitely looked fit and enjoying himself) and also saw one of our trainers (Spike?) there as well. Recommend the place, especially during a Perth Test Match.

FWIW I actually thought he overdid the short balls late in the day.

After day two the balance of the game is slightly in our favour but, as has often happened in the past, it's very much in Bell's hands.