H_T

Well considering he is playing on regardless (unless he gets a tap on the shoulder) it definitely will not be his last innings. Ponting has stated as such. And CA have backed him in the Bangladesh series following the World Cup. Masterful innings, supreme temperament at the crease in over 40 C. Best I've seen him move his feet for some time, from the outset today. Not many in the world can play an innings like that, under that amount of pressure in a quarter final of a World Cup for his country. I can think of three - Ponting, Tendulkar and maybe Kallis of the current crop. Steve Waugh of the recent past. Ponting may have just had a big say in the journey of winning the 2011 World Cup. That's how big the innings was. Stand up Australia.

Fair point titan. Point taken. My only concern here (Smith for D.Hussey) would be given the reports of the pitches to be played on - they could well be slow turning wickets. Could we do with slow bowling options ie. have Smith & D.Hussey ? Furthermore White doesn't seem to handle the spin when batting. From the vibe I get reading through reports, they might just stick fat and go in unchanged.

Is/was David Hussey out of form for a prolonged slump ? I think David Hussey is a better player of spin than that of White and the additional aspect is that D.Hussey offers another option of slow bowling (spin) - also helps out with the over rate in getting through his overs (not that that is a huge factor in proceedings !). David Hussey can turn it on with the bat. Because he has a reasonable record against spin, gives him the nod over White for me.

I thought that too. Ponting gave Tait I think three overs at the time when Pakistan required ~35-40 runs. After Tait's second over - which was unsuccessful and wayward a little - I thought at the time, right bring Binga on now with about another 20-25 runs required. Krejza and Tait bowled another 3 overs between them after that and by then they only needed 10 runs. Granted, Ponting probably could have opted for Lee instead of Tait, so in essence it probably was a bad call given the figures of the respective bowlers. But I thought he definitely should have mixed it up a bit and brought Lee on two overs earlier. A double whammy you could say. I wonder what Clarke would have done in Punter's absence ? Doesn't matter now, it's all been done. I think they just have to bite the bullet now and select D.Hussey for White. Hussey provides a bowling option and arguably Hussey is a better bat facing spin as opposed to White. No brainer for me. White has had all Summer to put forward his case - ample opportunities - and IMO probably a bit fortunate to have remained in the side with Mike's recall. Just on Krejza { I haven't really commented on him } - I query his field placings and also that of the captain for his bowling. Not so much against Pakistan, but the previous game his first two overs were horrible ( Canada I think ?), he repeatedly bowled down leg side and even bowled around the wicket ! Which left me bewildered (being a spinner myself). He had a deep fine leg and was milked for around 6-7runs (all singles* !) down to fine leg, before (highlighted to emphasize) one of Ponting, White or Clarke suggested either Krejza either bowl to his field ! or bring fine leg up !? * = After the third single I screamed at the TV for Punter to bring fine leg up (Tait) or get Krezja to go over the wicket - or get him off ! After each subsequent single after that - well, you don't want to know what i said ! [i'll leave it to the imagination] I would have said - being Captain and all -, "Jason, either you bowl over the wicket and get it on or just outside off stump or you're on the first flight out of here, I'll bring Hussey in."

Brett Lee bowled very well. Unfortunately we couldn't get anywhere near 220 + which is what would have been required to defend successfully. Ponting is out of sorts, White's run out didn't help but certainly the good Pakistan turned up to play. If they play like that in the remaining games they will be a chance. If Haddin and Watson click and make a big innings we'll still be there. Would be great to see one or both of them score centuries.

Did I hear it right ? They dropped *Chanderpaul for the England match ? * Of particular significance is the initial post of this great thread from WJ asking "How do we get that Chanderpaul out ?"

Unsure about "Unclear Power", but I know more about Nuclear Power and Japan. Time to stop Nuke hysteria The 50 brave workers are mostly at risk.

ICC will no doubt launch an inquiry. Can someone slap Mike Atherton around - I cannot stand some of his questionning comments. Questionning the Aussies because we aren't bludgeoning the Kenyan attack. Yet we're scoring over 5.5 an over and on target for 300+...Hello we are 4 wickets down Mikey.

That's unheard of really. Put this down in your list of best stats 45. It's got to be top 3 material. 2.4 overs.....I'm gob smacked at that stat.

I saw his innings up until he reached 50, didn't see any after that. Certainly turned it on. Magnificent. Cannot believe they scored over 100 in the last 6 overs. Amazing.

I think the Aussies would be quietly annoyed at their preparation leading into the finals. With Canada & Kenya to come as well as a half baked Pakistan who looked very shaky against Canada, the Aussies won't be getting a good hit out in preparation. They would be hoping that the Paki's provide just that. The Sri Lanka game that was washed out, was their best chance of a hit out. Whilst the other pool, England, Sth Africa & India have had reasonably better hit outs and have been tested. Particularly with Ireland performing beyond expectations with county experienced players.

3/104 needing 81 off about 104 balls remaining.

Pakistan 9/181. Wow. With 8 overs remaining. But can Canada bat ?!! Call in the ICC investigators.....nah this game seems kosher to me. edit: ALL OUT for 184. CANADA - can they get 185 and follow Ireland's success. Go the minnows.

Pakistan v Canada - Pakistan 4/104 after 27 overs. Canada have troubled their batsmen with swing and movement off the seam thanks to some cloud cover. Go Canada, hopefully the Ireland win rubs off on another minnow. Sth AFrica in control over the Netherlands. ICC may have to have another inquiry....

I watched England's innings and saw the start of Ireland's innings. They were I think 3 for 60 odd ?? when my head hit the pillow. Unbelievable. Would also love to see some of O'Brien's innings. Is that a case to include the "minnows" in the World Cup ? I think it is for the game's sake in lifting the games profile in minnow countries such as Ireland, Netherlands, Kenya, etc. Despite ordinary performances.

I don't see why they don't just send him now. Let him become accustomed to the conditions and amongst the team. That said, they're probably concerned if another bowler goes down now in the short term. So it's probably just a precaution. Malinga ripped through Kenya to achieve the second best figures for Sri Lanka bowling in World Cups. His yorkers were piping hot eventhough the Kenyan batsmen had NFI.

Not sure if the ICC would have thought of that. The bookies would be most upset.

Warnie tipped a 'tie' for England/India on his Twitter I heard.

VICS win the Ryobi One Day National Comp, defeating Tasmania at the MCG. Finally won the One day comp having been runner up for the past 4 seasons. Some record.

Yeah I do too. He looks very settled at state level and looks destined for bigger things (was one of the more experienced last night; led the way). Thinking man's cricketer. He tied things down for a couple of overs with the ball.

And my man Matthew Wade produces again...101 off 113.

Did you see Nannes' wides in the last over ? What on earth....! NSW good late fight back at the death. VICS v TAS final again Nasher. These two states should have more rep....{I won't go on..}

England 0/12 off the 1st over. Netherlands payed the price having fine leg up. Pressure off alitlle for the Poms. Dutch look nervous. Good batting pitch, absolute road. Strauss & Pieterson the openers. Won't be staying up to watch anymore...another four to the Poms. 0/16.

Graeme Swann drops an absolute sitter....bookies need to be investigated the way England are performing. Terrible. "Comic book stuff" says Botham. Netherlands innings comes to a close @ 6/292 at a run rate of 5.86. Have set England a target of 293 - James Anderson 0/72 off his 10 overs. Wow.