H_T

Jelena Dokic and Peter Lucak are both out. No surprises there. Dokic's lead up to the Aussie Open hasn't been the best preparation.

Younis Khan is to return to the pakistan team to play in the 50 over format game. Apparently he will be the skipper for the series. I suppose that will inject some interest for the series.

The 3 wins still covers up cracks in the team that will be exploited by the Sth Africa's, India's and England sides of this world. Winning against lowly ranked teams in WI and Paki's should have been like "shelling pea's". If these two teams (WI & Pak) were 10% more professional and took catches when required, the results and the flak by the Australian media on the Australian team would have been far different. I don't expect we'll see much different in the 50 overs format at the end of the day. However, it wouldn't surprise me to see some magnificent innings by the likes of Gayle & Umar to put their sides in good positions at some stages of the games before the finals. As for the Twenty/20's...that is just hit & giggle, anything can happen.

Siddle has taken a couple of wickets in Farhat and Malik has 2/20 off 11.

Food for thought. Instead of a World Cup we could have the leading two nations in Australia v USA, we could call it the battle for the Goggles or something. (corny I know). Actually, I think they've already done something along this concept in Melbourne a year or two back.

nO ReaSoN.

Batting well the skipper and 007. I'd really like to see them bat on and make "BIG" (sorry 45h16) scores. It's about time Punter got a double century. edit: - 8 runs from the 200 partnership.

No problem. What are your thoughts ? I've heard player feedback both positive and negative. Positive in the concept. Negative that there is already too much tennis. If it is a 10 day event I'm sure they could accomodate it and choose their own tournaments throughout the year.

Ah yes. Indeed. Leaving the keys in the car. I suppose we could forgive her, being blonde and all..

What is there to protect ? His back ? His Aston Martin ?

2/52 with both Aussie openers out after winning the toss and batting. Why is Clarke coming in after M. Hussey ? Strange.

Apologies...I thought I saw on table on fox cricket after the match, both warriors & bulls on 6 points, so I gather they've both had 2 wins - as the Vics have. We have to win then. edit: Saw the table again since. They are both on 4 points with Vics on 4 points, confirming that the Vics are a better chance than I first thought. Must have been hallucinating.

Put it this way, a win over tassie like SA had over the Vics will give us a chance for the Prelim.

We need a BIG win over Tassie. We have a very poor Net Run rate thanks to the big loss at the hands of SA. That's why I stated "more than likely". It's possible, but we need a massive win on Friday. edit: also the Warriors and Bulls play each other so who ever losses and Vics win it will come down to run rate. Vics are well into the negative though.

NSW - Homebush interrupted by rain again *sigh* - typical Sydney weather. Reduced overs, looks as though the Bulls have done it easy. The Redbacks are already in the final, and it will more than likely the Bulls or Warriors for the Prelim.

This LINK will work. If it's around October, I think it could work. After the US Open in early September; before the ATP Master Series in November/December.

I think Federer and Henin.

Makes you wonder if they would have stuck fat with him at 1-1 ? I reckon they would of kept him in for this third test regardless. After this test, there is a break from Test cricket for a while.

Katich is making trip to Hobart.

I can only see one possible change to the line up for Hobart at this stage. North out, Katich in. The Aussies have won the series and based on the fact, there will not be too many changes. The win I think does cover up some of the cracks. despite a couple of chances gone begging, Mike Hussey has made the most of his innings and return to form and together with Siddle handed Australia a series win to Ponting. For the moment, the only thing that doesn't stack up is Marcus North in a winning side. Very poor form and consistent poor form should see him out of the line up. No runs, dropped catches, arrghh ! Fitness permitting, Katich should return. The way I see it, whilst I am still unconvinced on Hughes. I think he could keep his spot for Hobart to open with Watson. Katich and Hussey could sort themselves out at No.5 & 6 respectively. Hussey plays well with the tail and can rotate the strike to suit when required. As he did with Siddle. Katich is familiar with batting down the order; even though he might prefer to open. But if the selectors replace Hughes with Katich, it would be a clear indication by the selectors that Hughes is not yet ready and Katich is still preferable as opener at this stage. It might well also open the door for two changes. ie. North for C.White...at No.6.

Sheer lunacy. $26K on them ! That was Centrebet. All punters should have followed McGrath's tip before the commencement of the Test. He tipped a winning margin of 37 runs for the Aussies. They won by 36 runs.

TAB Sportsbet had the Paki's at $1.09 before play and at one stage at 0/30 they were down to $1.08, although those that were keen on the Paki's to win could have got $1.14 elsewhere if they shopped at Luxbet or Betfair. Aussies were $10 to win on Betfair; $7.50 TAB Sportsbet. If betting was wild here in Australia, one can only imagine what it was like on the sub-continent...? <_<

8/133. Umar out.

6/105. What a Test match. The pressure is immense. Johnson the pick of the bowlers with 3; bowling very well. Hauritz has 2 - the major wicket being the skipper Yousuf, caught & bowled. The 176 target would feel like 400 to the Paki's.

I was probably a little unfair on tennis. I usually get into the groove after seeing a couple of matches at the Aussie Open. Right now cricket takes precedence. I only like the quality matches of tennis. A couple of good aussies making the finals would make a difference in terms of my interest. Although, I do enjoy the Djockovic v Federer; Federer v Nadal; Nadal v Djockovic matches. Back to cricket. The Paki's are currently in "Licorice All Sorts."