H_T

For those who are having withdrawal symptoms re: Next year's Draft, I have dug up from page 31 of the thread the official countdown clock. Time is ticking....be sure to check it each day to get a quick fix....

I'm sorry for missing the shenanigans on the weekend and re-hashing posts from the weekend and yesterday, but I must address this... A quick comparison of scores would put them ahead in anyone's book. So, had we managed 350 + or even 200 in return on the first dig, would 150 have still been a good score on day 1 ?

Prove it ! Taylor would have done the same as Clarke had he won the toss. That wicket would have had Bob Brown salivating more than the thought of a Carbon Tax.

Man U out of champions league. Focus will be on the title now.

Don't know the answer to that as yet but I do know the last time the kiwis won a Test Match on Australian soil was 1985.

It didn't until a wicket fell, and ninja took over before any additions

Maiden Test century for Warner 100 from 147 balls. Well done to him. Match winning innings.....maybe...

Warner looks pretty solid defensively and has shown a great deal of patience at the crease, which is an essential attribute to have as an opening Test batsman. Hughes looked to have taken onboard some much needed advice on patience, particularly not having to play every ball outside off stump as I posted earlier. He was fortunate to still be there at stumps Yesterday despite looking more watchful. However they're opening stand did put the Aussies in a decent position for the match and series. Unfortunately for Hughes it came undone this morning and he didn't trouble the scorers.

Correction. I was incorrect according to Mark Nicholas on Nine. It's 21 from 30. Stupid Herald-Sun !

As Mark Waugh said....

Result wise Hughes has fallen victim 19 times out of 30 innings between keeper and gully. Ricky Ponting doesn't think the issue is a confidence thing as he highlighted Hughes "has come off a few good knocks in South Africa." Mark Waugh has urged him to play the percentages: - - Article: Peter Badel H-Sun I agree with this. The dismissals will happen with the angles Martin creates. However my belief is a good top-order Test batsman should be just as strong on the onside as he is playing the off side. Being able to work through the on side for runs has it's advantages. Many think that Hughes is strong outside that off-stump and they're right to a degree because that's where he cuts and scores most of his runs. But, it is also his weakness. I agree with Waugh's assessment in being strong outside off-stump, strong and mindful enough to let the ball go. Strong enough to have patience too. Much like Justin Langer did.

Sehwag out for 219 off 149 balls in 47th over.

Virender Sehwag scores a double ton in one day international v West Indies, breaking the all time highest score in a ODI. He is the second player to surpass 200 - the other being Sachin Tendulkar in Feb 2010. Currently 210* not out off 144 - still 5 overs remaining ! *Fox Sports

Typing it almost did the trick as well ! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

Realistic = Too much warm cocoa makes you pee at night.

Actually he blocked a couple of Nathan Lyon's overs with a somewhat technically sound yet fragile technique; with soft hands and very dead bat, before proceeding to unleash with a technically correct attempt to hit over mid-off. Unfortuantely for Martin he seems to lack the strength and nous to pull it off (as expected with most no.11's), as it appeared the ball was hit with as much power as 'some' of the kids in the dinner-break Milo hit & giggle cricket during the One-Day Internationals. (I highlight 'some', because many kids display a much stronger handling of the bat than Martin and can hit it further). Ouch.

Unfortunately for Martin, there's no Steve Waugh mentor equivalent in NZ it seems, as was the case with Glenn McGrath. They put up a graph of his career batting innings yesterday. And despite Michael Slater's constant giggling and snorting, it did make interesting viewing. His top 3 highest scores were 12 (2010), 7* (2004) and 7 (2008) IIRC. Much talked about Courtney Walsh and Glenn McGrath would look upon those stats with a reflection of self-pride regarding their own swinging of the willow.

I would assume that also. Perhaps an unchanged line-up for Hobart... Are you going Nasher ? Hopefully the weather is good for the Test. I'm intrigued by watching newcomers into the side. Breath of fresh air. John Buchanan has his work cut out for him. Martin's batting average of ~2.3 or so after 92 innings. Wow. 30 ducks.

NSW have a very good record of promoting youth and stars of the future. Just look at Cummins, Khawaja and Maddison, they're the future. When the Aussies return to a strong side, you can bet NSW representatives will make up the majority of that team. Anyone who watched a fair bit of domestic cricket last season would recognise what NSW cricket is all about.

Thanks for the surname history. Interesting. Agree on jcb too.

Interesting perspective from a former coach: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/former-coach-john-buchanan-fears-captain-michael-clarke-has-too-much-power-as-a-selector/story-e6frfg8o-1226207035644

Redleg brought it up, old dee.

Demetriou thanks the system that is in place and highlights GWS' genius work he exposes with getting Phil Scully. Yet Ken Wood declared it illegal. FMD. Wonder what Ken Wood may think of these comments.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-boss-andrew-demertriou-salutes-tom-scullys-deal/story-e6frf9jf-1226204215124

I did hear some of his comment in a small news grab yesterday Redleg, but I had not heard all of it. Makes my blood boil reading your post.