H_T

Agree and it's been a while between drinks for the two of them. Whilst I have been critical of Haddin's apparent lack of concern for digging in - see top of this page - (ie. doesn't put a big price on his wicket - and the point still stands), he did exactly what was required for the team last night. His previous outings this series were..... . Punter is a required player in terms of experience and even though he has been out of sorts with the bat (which is what I also stated above; not overly critical) his career is in his twilight. Whether or not he continues this summer in Australia will be ultimately up to the selectors. I think he'll play on this summer. Regarding Hussey, as previously posted it was to his credit and great work ethic that he virtually led the side last summer during the Ashes with the bat. Prior to that it was one hell of a slump. Where many were critical, others were silent expecting him to turn it around. He also played an important role last night with his partnership with Haddin. Agree with RR that Sth Africa v Australia should play more tests. I think Border was right that it should at very least deserve a best of 3 series, if not, best of 5 test series.

I was posting along the same lines. This is why Test cricket is so good. Love it. Pat Cummins .. what a debut !

Price update: $4.49/kg banana's No show: $1.04 - knee $1.25 - flu $1.40 - general soreness $1.75 - hip $2.20 - bone fragmentation $3.00 - just looking around

Keep up the banter gentlemen. Scoop Snr working a treat. Agree regarding last year's coverage. It was more a re-union of sorts for Dunstall, Pickering and Lynch referring to their drafts of the past and Liam Pickering highlighting certain draftees (probably his clients). Kevin Sheehan was the nuffy that tried to keep the draft order updates coming and giving at least some insight to the draftees background. With IQ you can rewind to go back and see the names on the bottom of the screen along the ticker tape, which makes it handy.

Absolutely. You may have missed my last question a week or so ago. What do you think of Matthew Wade's Test prospects ? I see he has been selected for the Australian A team. He has played some pivotal roles in the Victorian team with the bat for sometime now. Pretty good gloveman to boot. I understand Paine isn't back and fit yet.

Looks like Kreuzer from Carlton.

That's about it in a nutshell regarding the televised draft. Pretty accurate on the 7:43 tune-in too I reckon. And Adrian Anderson will have the task of announcing the format with particular reference to GWS' picks what compo picks are activated. We can skip this bit too. 6 days to go !

Thanks for that. That is an awesome read of stats 45. Bradman obviously stands out in much of that. Hayden & Martyn also stood out for me for Australia is some of the stats.

Dreamy Scenario Imagine you were the a senior official at Melbourne back in February and learnt that HWSNBN and GWS were a "done deal". Apart from all the hysteria and media storm, what would you strategically contemplate doing as a club in the period of Feb-April ?- knowing that we'll most likely receive compensation at the end of the year. What input plan might you consider hatching as a way of striking back ? Personally, I'd try and target and coerce a player of interest, a star from another club, youngish. Perhaps, a star player who will be out of contract having recently signed on for just 1 year, from the same team whose President announced the "Tom Tom's are beating". One who also recently announced, "this is not Melbourne where you can just walk in and steal the players.." I can only dream.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-ruckman-mark-jamar-up-for-challenge-from-coach-mark-neeld/story-e6frf9jf-1226197164153

Countdown Mk III: Nine more sleeps (10 days) to go.... hardtack, you are a late starter - better late than never they say. I was 28 when my first was born. When she is 21, I'll be approaching 50.

Well written Franky. I've re-read this thread a few times since two sheds' opening post and reading two sheds' subsequent posts where things were feeling good and up for him. Likewise I didn't know him either, but I know he had great courage in sharing his personal battle with us here at Demonland. I enjoyed reading his contributions here. Every year for the last several I have registered for Relay for Life for the Cancer Council with a group of friends where we walk/run for 24 hours. It's amazing just how many people support, join in, register and help raise funds for friends and family who are fighting cancer. I hope one day they find a solution to fight it and beat it. So young. Condolences to Two Sheds' family and friends. Gone too soon two sheds jackson. RIP.

Certainly would be one of the favourites, surely along with Ward.

I've heard this quite a bit lately as Nine have used it in their marketing of David Attenbrough's Frozen Planet. Which is a good doco for the kids and family.

Any chance for Matthew Wade ? He remains in good knick with the bat. Shocking news.

The pitch may appear fine, but it has a bit in it for the bowlers (a bit of movement). If you listen to the commentators the conditions (overcast conditions earlier in the day when the cloud is burning off), the batsmen must be cautious. Bowlers were getting some movement. Both on Day 1 and Day 2 in the first two sessions, both countries struggled with the bat somewhat. Granted some of the Aussie batsmen are being outsmarted by the SA bowlers and in some cases outsmarting themselves at the crease. Hughes fishes outside off stump to a good line and the slip corden are just waiting every time. Ponting is out of sorts and has been for a while and Haddin doesn't seem to put a price on his wicket. There was some exceptional bowling from certain individuals who were prepared to bowl a good line stump to stump and a bit fuller in length (most notably Watson), so too Philander, Morkel and Steyn in patches. The likes of Clarke's innings really stands out. It's no coincidence that late on both days, there has been more runs and less wickets

I like Watson more and more each outing. Reminds me much of Kallis.

Unbelievable. 47.

Yep. Test cricket is back. It's a Test alright. Ebs and flows.

This would be a handy time for Phil Hughes to dig in at the crease today. edit: As I hit the post button, they dropped him in slips. I think I'll stop mozzing him now !

^This. As for naming names. I like it. The senior guys should be mature enough to take it on the chin. It's about being accountable and putting players on notice. Especially the ones who get paid good coin and have had better seasons than 2011.

96 and out. Sth Africa's second lowest score since re-admission. Aussies lead on first innings by 188 . Inside an hour Sth Africa lost 9 wickets !

Watson bowling stump to stump and consistently, has paid dividends. MJ could do well to take a leaf out of Watson's book.

6/77 ! Watson on fire and now Harris joins in for an important lbw on De Villiers out for just 8 runs. What looked worrying at lunch with the wicket, good bowling is just what the doctor ordered for Australia !