H_T

Remind me to post Happy Birthday to you this year when you're 122.

Clarke made over 200 runs in a day. That's some kind of innings. I hope they bat until just after tea, and if they do and Clarke is out there Hayden's 380 will be under threat - at Clarke's run rate it will be surpassed ! I hope Clarke declares and gets "red ink" (that's not another tattoo by the way for those unfamiliar). Great innings and full marks of respect. The SCG gave him a standing ovation and thoroughly deserved. The PR campaign is doing wonders for him too. Well done. Could Lara's all-time top score be under threat ? Yeah, nah... edit: Just for note, I thought his answers to Mark Nicholas' questions showed how well grounded Clarke is. He reinforced that he is a team player and what he does is for the team. He's there to win and any individual accolades he receives he'll acknowledge but the focus is still to do the team thing. I just thought it highlighted what Michael Clarke is about and all the carry on nonsense about cars, girlfriends, tattoo's and critics versions of "playing for himself" are off the mark, are irrelevant and somewhat unfair on him.

Michael Clarke now has his highest Test Score, surpassing his previous highest of 165. Clarke is currently 170*

Partnership closing in on 300 runs. Remarkable. Clarke just 14 runs from his highest Test score. I hope they bat out the day, I really do. If they do, records will tumble. Punter 88 runs from 13,000 Test Runs. And the Australian Test record for a 4th wicket partnership is inside 100 runs. edit: Crap ! Just as I hit post, Punter is out for 134 in the gully. Their partnership - 288 runs.

Time to open the record books. Firstly big congratulations to the incumbent and former skippers of Australia. Punter a little lucky on 99 and taking a run that wasn't quite there. A direct hit would have seen him more than a metre out and on the way back to the pavilion. Current partnership is a massive 267. *Record for Australian fourth wicket partnership is 388 between Bradman & Ponsford in 1934 against England at Headingley. The all-time record is 437 for Sril Lankan pair Samaweera and Jayawardene against Karachi against Pakistan in 2009. (Interestingly Sri lanka hold the records for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th all-time record partnerships all against worthy recognised opponents). Clarke just 25 runs from his highest Test score. Ponting needs 98 more runs to reach 13,000 Test Runs. * Source - wikipaedia updated until Nov 2010.

Kallis scored another century (150-odd) overnight against Sri Lanka in Sth Africa and has moved two centuries past Ponting. Punter making a good fist of it today so far with the skipper Clarke playing a good knock and forming a decisive partnership for this Test and really, significantly, for this Test series. edit: Partnership between Clarke and Ponting is 121 runs.

This is where I think McDermott (and with the encouragement and backing of Clarke) has had influence. All said and done t_u, for a nano second at the G on Day 3, the rubbish comment from you did cross my mind. Then that mid-strength went down a treat. I had one for you too.

I'm the same. I was a little sceptical at first but I think he'll make a very good captain. It was the right decision. He rings the changes well and his field placings are proactive and make sense. He plans well IMO for each batsman. I agree, good start. He provides an air of confidence for his team. When you have a confident captain, players will generally follow. Taylor and Waugh seemed to have that same sense of confidence on the field with plans and being attacking. Not sure on batting at 3. Five suits him for now. I think they have it right ATM.

The Starc reference was just higlighting my preference of Hilfenhaus for Melbourne. I certainly have no intention of talking down Hilfenhaus in anyway, if anything, it's up. If anything I think Hilfenhaus is more experienced and seems to currently work well in tandem with other fast bowlers. Unsure on the yard of pace but I haven't the figures to confirm that. But I sure see alot more 142-143km/h balls from him. So yeah, in that instance maybe he has gained (not confirmed though). Aggressiveness - you might have a point. His best bowling though is when he provides swing. Certainly on the figures I provided it doesn't highlight anything of significance of improvement for me based on previous first class form in the lead in. What he has done so far in 3 innings at Test level has been impressive I must say, so from that point of view alone, I'd agree somewhat. Going by Test statistics of the past - statistically speaking, yes there is better figures. However, I guess we could recognise the variances in opposition. That said, it's speculative to mention form I guess when comparing stats, or is it ? So in summary, yeah, overall he is not the same bowler having highlighted his experience. What I do think is some credit should maybe given to the Australian bowling coach in Craig McDermott. I think he's helping them work together well by working some batsmen over with a few short ones then setting them up for coming forward and playing at one's they don't necessarily need to play. I think collectively as a unit and team the Aussies have so far worked hard and worked well together. And if they're doing that, a few will have better stats as a result.

I think I said he looks the same bowler. I didn't suggest he hasn't worked a lot on his game in the last 12 months - I'm sure he has. Fwiw, I mooted and intimated he be selected ahead of Starc for Melbourne. Experience is everything and given the conditions and his experience it was a no brainer. Disingenuous ? None the sort. Just out of interest, here's Hilfy's first class bowling stats, leading into Melbourne: - 4 Nov TAS v VIC Hobart - 1/72, 5/44. 15 Nov TAS v Sth Aust Hobart - 4/60, 0/76. 24 Nov Aust A v NZ, Brisbane - 1/86, 1/22. 6 Dec NSW v Tas, Canberra - 2/74, 1/50. *ESPN CricketInfo. The following morning on Day 4 ? Yes. But I think you're better off highlighting that with someone else here. The only comment I have to make on tail enders is they're just as important as other members of the team, moreso with the ball in their hand. And it's great to see them cheered on when forming handy cameo partnerships and watch the opposition bowlers get frustrated.

Looks to me to be the same bowler. They always look improved when they have a good day.

Well, you did say he was rubbish.... I went on Day 3 and I must say I was one of 40,000 who were spoilt in seeing 15 wickets that day and an important partnership between Ponting and Hussey. Even managed to get acknowledged by Sachin himself on the boundary late in the day. I recall an inner D'land smirk when Hilfy was taking wicket after wicket. Glorius. Yeah, definitely a rubbish bowler.... Can't beat experience and a consistent line and length who can move it on a seaming deck.

Great days cricket indeed. I'm a wrap for Cowan's innings. Over 5 hours at the crease and showed a great deal of determination and concentration. Just what the doctor ordered for the Aussies at the top order. A bloke willing to occupy the crease and hold one end and create partnerships that enabled the Aussies to bat out the day. It may be Boycott or Atherton like but it was just the tonic for Australian team. Ponting looked good, Warner looked set to cream a fast century. Exciting to watch and today's play could enable 5 days of an enthralling Test Match. Looking forward to seeing Day 3 at the G.

Bit perplexed by the negativity surrounding Hilfenhaus. If the selectors see him as a better option, more durable and think that he can provide a bit of variety (ie swing), power to the selectors. To puff your chest out and call him complete "rubbish" is a disgrace. The bloke has represented Australia and occassionally performed admirably in taking bags of wickets for his country. If you have no idea what the selectors see in him, that says more about you, than the selectors titan. Nasher, the side you've listed I agree with, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Hilfenhaus in for Starc.

It would be front and centre after yesterday's century for the Chairman's XI as well as his recent form. Watched the Big Bash game last night between the Stars and Heat. Warne still has it. His descriptions prior to each delivery for the commentators and then delivery was remarkable. Great to watch. And even though Quiney, Hauritz and McCullum played well. Warne's presence and the ability to curb and influence by pressure with his deliveries as well as his insight to field placings helped turn the match for the Stars. 1/22 from his 4 overs. A record crowd at the Gabba watched on and were entertained. He can still provide a variety of delivery capable at the top level.

Harsh jako13. I thought the recent T20 games involving the states last year were pretty well attended myself. I'll get to a Big bash game or two in the new year and will probably enjoy it. I don't follow one of the two franchise's yet. I'll most likely watch both. Good to see the ratings are up anyway.

They got smashed literally. Both Melbourne sides off to a slow start. Looking forward to the Boxing Day Test tbh.

$1.98/kg last night at my local. Now, all I wish for is fuel to follow the trend of banana's over the last several months. Down, down...

"Michael, I'll return on one condition, you let me lead the rendition of "Under the Southern Cross" after a win, and you bloody well join in and don't pull up stumps until the last man leaves, after all, you are captain. Otherwise, I'll be asking "Where the bloody hell are ya!"

J.Viney may be the comparable one..unfortunately. Even though he isn't quite on the list, just in presence.

Can I use this as my sig ? Maybe the penny will drop one day. Just one day....<insert laughing emoticon rolling around>

Check mate. Biffen and The Don would be interested in this also. I find it interesting that the spruiking on the "great" first innings of 150 only happened at the conclusion of the Test match. 'twas all quiet on the Friday.

Yep. And why Clarke sent NZ in to bat at the toss.

I reckon the selectors may look at Ed Cowan for the. Boxing Day Test. Whether Watson is declared a starter there would be doubt on him bowling. I can't imagine them going in with a half baked Watson, I would be more inclined to give Dan Christian a go if Watson not 100%. Harris has declared himself fit. I would imagine Starc would make way. Pattinson, Siddle, Lyon the other bowlers. Cowan for Hughes. Punter, Haddin and Hussey to stay in for me, much to others apparent disgust.

Truth is you don't know that for sure. And the ball was moving around just as much on day one as it was day two. It wasn't just movement due to conditions that provided a low score. A closer look at those holding the willow may provide you with a greater insight.