H_T

All the best for the wedding 45 ! Deep breaths...

So do I. The countdown clock to the draft that I created for WJ/Redleg is somewhere on this thread that is 43 pages long...

Truly was awesome, wasn't it ? Privileged to see such a racehorse just so dominant against very good horses. Looks as though Moody will enter her in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) this weekend, before the Futurity the week after (back to 1400m). She'll have 20 wins on end before she leaves the country for her stint overseas. Brained them over 1400m on Saturday. Makes you wonder if she can go 2040m around MV.

Davis was considered not long after news of going to GWS/leaving Adelaide as captain material.

And I thought Shaun Marsh has had a horrid Summer. Cam takes the cake as far as horrid Summer's go. He's going to have to work very hard to get back. I even wonder if he's got full support at the Vics ??

Matthew Wade. Two debuts in as many nights and two Man of the Matches to boot ! Thoroughly well deserved, and although David Hussey would not have looked out of place with M.o.M tonight, I thought Wade's innings was just as important. The catches behind the stumps were the icing. Wade also contributed well in the second T20 loss to India with the bat down the order.

Brett Lee made life difficult for Wade with his first delivery. It was Harmison like. Actually Lee was wayward a fair bit - maybe due to the moisture in the run up and longer spikes for the players in general. But Wade did ok from what I *witnessed. He's no slouch with the gloves. * Didn't see the complete India innings.

Granted, it will be scorching if Wade replicates that a few times over the next few weeks. One thing I have noticed with Wade and I have mentioned it before is his tenacity in the middle and his disappointment on getting out. He knew he shouldn't have gone out to that ball (and he said so this morning in a radio interview; expressing disappointment). He values his wicket. Which I like. 72 off 43 with a considerable amount from hitting along the ground and penetrating the field (a wet outfield).

Very good innings from one Matthew Wade. That's the sort of innings he's been producing for the Vic's over the last couple of years. Nice for him to be able to do it under the National spotlight.

H_T 2.2 Sent to me by email this morning. I thought this package with images was well done. Billy Joel - We didn't start the fire. http://yeli.us/Flash/Fire.html

Whilst on horse racing. Redleg, do you give any hope for any runner against Black Caviar as she steps up to the 1400m in the Futurity Stakes and Orr Stakes and perhaps end Black Caviar's run of 18 wins ? Pinker Pinker, I think is in the Futurity Stakes ...

Hard to police no doubt. Monica Seles has a lot to answer for.

I've never taken the time to see them hit balls in the warm up or on the practice court. Do they screech then ? Personally I think it's embarrassing for them that they screech (aar-haaaarrrr !!) when it's the first point of a match. Regarding the men's grunt, do they really grunt ? I didn't really notice it until the 5th when both players were out on their feet from exhaustion. Federer is stealth like, cool as a cucumber. I can't imagine him ever grunting with the exception of in the cubicle once in a blue moon.

Agree on McEnroe. How is the head-to-head battles. Federer has won 16 slams, Rafa 10, Djokovic 5. Yet Rafa has the wood on Federer in Grand Slams and Djokovic has the wood over Nadal in finals (something like the last 7 on end). Amazing. Poor Murray ... for now. Djokovic over Nadal the last three grand slam finals... .

I was wrong. What a game. Thought he had it in the 5th. Goes to show what a competitor Djokovic really is.

Absolutely. Uncle Tony. Still a little blurry eyed today, but I'm pleased to have witnessed it on the box. I think many perceive Novak as arrogant. He's different but I don't think arrogant is accurate. Certainly in all his interviews he comes accross as gracious, humbling and polite. I think it's his battle persona on the court that gets misconstrued. Rafa has a similar persona after winning the big points as Djokovic does. They both have gone to ground, fists pumped and all look to their respective boxes for support. Bit harsh on the stupid little girl, maurie, annoying as she was. She's young and excited and probably a family member.

The English top order really struggled. Series win to Pakistan. It will be interesting to see what England produce in the Third Test.

Nadal for me DA. All the way on Sunday. He is on fire and the knee doesn't seem to trouble him. An extra day helps.

Ponting chalks up a half century in the second innings. Can we re-visit those Best XI sides from last year ?

Stating the obvious: I reckon we've got enough runs. Declare now. Haddin should shout Clarke a beer tonight. edit; Quickfire Haddin cameo chalks up 600 and we declare - 7/604. Now let 'em rip boys.

I think I read somewhere this morning Kallis has ~12,260 runs. Superb record nevertheless. I think Ricky has re-joined him on Test centuries. Good to see Ricky boost his average back up (~53) and Clarke is now over ~48, last I checked.

Not a snowflakes chance... .. However, it could be anytime soon. The fantastic run rate in the first session was remarkable. Clarke will be thinking of declaring. He may let Punter get his highest test score (current highest for Punter is 257), then bowl. The faster than expected clip in the first session has increased my initial target of 450-475 to 550-560 now.

Nadal stepped it up a gear last night. Looking forward to see Nadal, Federer and Djokovic make the pointy end of the tournament and see who conquers who.

3/469 - 134 runs for the morning session. Nearly 4.5 runs per over. Too slow ...

Lunch: Brilliant innings Clarke. 210* Brilliant innings Ponting. 198* Partnership - 385*