H_T

I caught some of it last night on FS. Their spin bowler (forget his name, sorry), took 10 wickets for the match (7 & 3 respectively) and he has something like 93 test Wickets @ avg. of 27. He's got a good variety and he was extracting good turn on that pitch which was considered a very good pitch for batting. The top order for England were considered woefully out of touch (as Botham put it) and there is two tests to go. And whilst they are to partly to blame it could be that Tremlett gets dropped for Panesar.

Thanks for that. - from that espn link.Wade has 4 x 100's at First Class level. So far he's backed up what Shipperd said back then. Certainly is a "pocket rocket".

Yeah, I heard Wade came from Tassie. Maybe it was Paine that was in his way ? Tassie is doing a stirling job, Nasher. On Wade, he's definitely no slouch with the gloves and his movement. Regarding his batting, the last couple of seasons, if you go through a lot of the results you will notice great contribution from Wade for the Vics. Countless times he has actually been the backbone of an innings whether it be first class or the one-dayer's and either saved the Vic's bacon or put them in a very good spot. IIRC he did it numerous times last season. To be able to nut out innings' like these is a pre-requisite for the top job IMO. He puts value on his wicket. * Agree with the first class record over Paine's too.

Stats were from Cricket Info (ESPN), btw.

Agree DL7. I'm on the Wade bandwagon and considering this is an interesting scenario, including the story of Paine's injured finger, I thought I'd compare the two statistically at First Class level: - Tim Paine Age: 27 Matches: 46 Inns: 84 Runs: 2467 HS: 215 Average: 31.62 100's: 1 50's: 18 Catches: 130 Stumpings: 6 * Paine has also played 4 Test Matches, 8 innings, 287 runs in total @ avg. of 35.87 with 2 x 50's, 16 Catches and 1 stumping. High Score: 92. Matthew Wade Age: 24 Matches: 50 Inns: 74 Runs: 2490 HS: 113* Average: 40.16 100's: 4 50's: 17 Catches: 183 Stumpings: 5 It's hard to argue that Paine is better than Wade. Whichever way the selectors go, you can bet the Australian keeping job will be in good hands. No pun intended.

It does make some sense. Siddle has been up for a while, and the Border-Gavaskar is ours. What do you think of the article re: Haddin and Wade maybe leap-frogging the injured Paine ? Must admit, I like Wade (as a cricketer). I think I've said that before ... edit: clarification

http://www.heraldsun...a-1226245807831 - Malcolm Conn. Hmmm. Squad named and possibly Siddle rotated for Starc tweets Malcolm Conn. ie. Lyon in.

Dead rubber or not, I'd play Hilfy, Harris, Siddle & Lyon. Of course *niggles permitting*, but I reckon they're hungry for Test cricket and the short time nature of the results (ie. Perth done in 2.5 days), wouldn't be overly taxing. And the two days extra rest wouldn't hurt either. *If one fast bowler had niggles to get over, sure play Starc.

Take away Warner's swash-buckling innings of 180 in the first dig and the total is around 189 (Total 369). Take away Cowan's important and watchful 70-odd and the rest of the team contributes a paltry and disturbing 119 runs. Much of the time India bowled too short and wide (rubbish) to Warner - but it's a credit to Warner for unsettling some of the bowling. However, India did bowl reasonably well at times for the remainder to get Australia out for 369, considering it looked as though the Aussies were looking at 450+ easily. Aided by the pitch and a better line and length they made inroads. I thought Siddle's cameo of 30 was pretty handy too. The Aussie bowlers to date, bar probably Lyon have had a golden Summer so far. It will be interesting regarding selection for Adelaide. Lyon may have to come in; perhaps for Starc.

Why did we bowl first ? Saying it didn't matter either way is ridiculous and more confirms your method of avoiding your wrongful opinions on matters - particularly batting first every time. You would make a brilliant captain taking everything into account and all.

My thoughts precisely. I'm more concerned of the colour of Dravid's grandmothers pet gerbil's turd. And if Dravid's 38yo, his grandmother is playing a mighty innings.

Hilfy breaks through 'the wall !' He is a revelation this Summer to date. Enter SRT.

Isn't Cameron White struggling with the bat ? And to think a year or two ago I was suggesting possible captaincy material for Australia.... Wade tried valiantly to get the Stars over the line. Faulkner did impress me too. Brad Hogg still very handy with the ball. Wright took up too many balls with singles or dot balls towards the end which proved as costly as the top order collapse.

Happy for the Huss, and just maybe happy to declare whilst on 329* (unbeaten).

For the record, Clarke & Hussey's 5th wicket partnership of 334* finished the 4th highest of all time. See you later Sehwag....

I like 45HG's post, I want them to bat too. I sort of covered it earlier today in another post. But I think around 550. Maybe declare either at tea or half an hour into the last session. I think you would have to be liasing with the weather bureau regularly. And as I've just heard, Clarke has declared leaving a 468 run lead. I think they must be eliminating the risk of any stoppages due to rain that maybe forecast. Clarke's a team player.

Yeah, brillinat innings Nasher. He's highest Test score of 195 is definitely looking like it will be surpassed. Just for comparison Clarke's strike rate is around 70 runs per 100 balls, Hussey's is 57 runs per 100 balls. How and the hell did Sth Africa let Sangakarra and Jayawardene get ~624 odd. That is ridiculous ! * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Test_cricket_records

Best 5th wicket partnership of all time against India. Now 302* (now ranked 8th) Remarkable that two partnerships of 288 and 302* have been made in the same innings. I wonder if that is a record in itself....

^This ! Up there with the best of all time.

I'm in the midst of excitement going through stats.... the 5th wicket partnership of Clarke/Hussey is closing quickly on the all-time highest 5th wicket partnership against India - Chanderpaul & Hooper's 293 in Georgetown 2002. Currently ranks as the 10th highest all-time 5th wicket partnership @ 287*

Maybe it's me that thinks India misses him...

Just out of interest Clarke and Hussey have put on 203 for their 5th wicket partnership. Doesn't that seem awfully quick ! edit: Partnership now 235* Here's the link for record 5th wicket partnerships, Hussey & Clarke are making their way up rapidly. They have a fair way to go to get to 405 by Bradman and Barnes who hold the all time record. As it turns out they made it on the SCG too. http://stats.espncri...rds/283583.html

Last I looked Ishant Sharma's bowling average is something like 36.44. That's far too high for a "strike bowler". Zaheer Khan is their main weapon and of course they miss Harbahjan Singh.

That is interesting. Kallis is a remarkable player and he certainly is recognised and given credit here on this thread I feel. Several of us have highlighted his performances. I often mention all three in the same breath and Kallis wicket haul is of significance. Very durable player for his size. Whilst we speak of the positives of Australia to date, what do we make of India at present ? Correct me if I'm wrong but to my recollection, they have not won a Test series here in Australia. They're preparation prior to the series could have been much better IMO. But I'm not sure their schedule prior would have allowed for it. Last summer England came well prepared and had very good lead up games and took the honours relatively comfortably. A touring team IMO must have a few good 3 or 4 day matches with our states to get a good feel for the conditions. I know many of their players are experienced but it's different to playing on dust bowls.

Thanks. Saved me time. Where did you find that 45HG ?