H_T

Yes ! Big wicket, Yousuf is out. 4/77. Make that 5/77 ! They're crumbling and the Aussies smell blood.

You should start up a thread on your reviewing of old games whilst rehabilitating, it may make the time pass quicker....it will help us focus on footy rather than the Australian tennis circuit that has commenced...boring ! (Just a suggestion, or perhaps start work on 2011 mfc clothing range.. ) Guess what comes after the tennis ? Footy! :D

Ouch. Tough break Jaded. How unfortunate. Fortunately there is some good cricket on. Great partnership by Hussey & Siddle enabled a handy lead of 176 (a further 96 runs added today) when all appeared lost at stumps on Day 3. Aussies have made inroads and have Paki's a shaky 3/59. Brilliant catch by Haddin keeping down leg side. Catches win matches....

It was a good call, but as 45HG alluded to he had 18 tests in the 2000-2009 period. That is not alot of cricket. But it is right up there with bowling average and strike rate. Another who has played 35 Tests from 2004-2009 with 174 wickets in this period and averaging ~23.5 is D.Steyn of Sth Africa.

D.Bollinger leaving a ball to a leg spinner pitching just outside his off-stump. Priceless.

Shane Watson has really impressed of late. He is Australian's best Test opener because he is more often technically correct than other candidates in Katich, Hughes. Whilst talk of dropping him down the order a few weeks ago was a consideration. His consistent form of late and a no-flaws technique provide the Australian team with an excellent opener who can occupy the crease. Fact of the matter is, the selectors can't possibly drop him down the order given his return of figures (albeit a few in the 90's). M.North should go. His figures that he has returned and the manner of his dismissals should be more than enough evidence. I haven't seen alot of S.Smith to be honest, but I have seen alot of C.White. I'm not really convinced on Hughes, he has a high risk game and as such I think the selectors should re-evaluate. S.Marsh is another option. They should IMO, either look to give Watson a new opening partner or more of the same with Katich. And replace North with a new No.6 or push Katich down the order.

Bingo, Johnson gets the wicket. Pakistan now 4/237 with the skipper out caught by Haddin. Good catch. It's a big wicket.

Of course I rate him, he is one of the best bowlers ever. Strange action, but effective. Is his action not legitimate ? Is it not legal ? He has met the requirements. It has been deemed legal. Personally, I find it hard to throw with tremendous off-spin. I always found it easier to turn the ball by bowling it. PS. I personally regard Shane Warne as the best spin bowler ever. Just not for this exercise of the "Naughties", that's all.

Forget Basil...try Manuel (Man-well).

Based on figures between 2000-2009, certainly. Although, I would have a different view if it was based on their careers as a whole. 2000-2009 period Test comparison: - M.Muralidaran - 84 Matches; 1161 Maidens; 11,849 runs; 565 wickets; 20.97 Average; 49x 5WI; 20x 10WI; Best 9-51; 2.47 RPO compared to S.Warne - 65 Matches; 604 Maidens; 8986 runs; 357 wickets; 25.17 Average; 21x 5WI; 6x 10WI; Best 7-94; 2.97 RPO I couldn't ignore Murali's figures for my spinner selection. Are you talking crap again ? You need your memory checked. Fair enough, I went on volume of wickets and averages over the decade.

In other matters: - My World Test Team of the Decade - "Naughties 2000-2009" : - M.Hayden (AUS) Ave: 52.94 ; 8364 runs G.Smith (SthAfrica) Ave: 49.62 ; 6451 runs R.Ponting (AUS) Ave: 58.38 ; 9458 runs S.Tendulkar (Ind) Ave: 53.20 ; 7129 runs J.Kallis (Sth Africa) Ave: 58.71 ; 8630 runs M.Yousuf (Pak) Ave: 58.54 ; 6439 runs A.Gilchrist (AUS) 397 Dismissals / 362 catches B.Lee (AUS) 303 wickets Ave: 31.27 M.Ntini (Sth Africa) 380 wickets Ave: 28.64 M.Muralidaran (SL) 565 wickets Ave: 20.97 G.McGrath (AUS) 297 wickets Ave: 20.54 McGrath, Ntini, Lee & Kallis can provide my pace attack, Murali the spinner - statistically has a far superior record over Warne, (who was next in line as the spinner) throughout the "Naughties".

Your memory is definitely questionnable. I recall a few SCG and even Gabba pitches between '95-'2010 (15 years) being green on day 1. 45HG16's previous post also highlights and confirms your lack of memory. WYL, you may as well fess up and move on.

I can understand the odd no-ball for the fast / medium bowlers. Spin bowlers there should be no excuse.

Correct. WYL - no use back tracking, you will just dig yourself a bigger hole. Yes, move the slips forward. Punter has shown no confidence in his bowlers. How many runs have they scored between second slip and gully. FFS Punter give 'em a third slip at least ! The wicket still has gremlins. I must say his captaincy this morning has been conservative to say the least. The Paki openers are doing ok now. The wicket will play much better this afternoon for batting.

Happy New Year all. I would have thought "Basic cricket knowledge" would suggest when the pitch is as green as it is in Sydney after record falls of rain and moisture in NSW/Sydney over the past week and a half, plus very overcast conditions on Day 1; it's a no-brainer to bowl after winning the toss (especially after morning rain). As we look forward to the next two days of forecast in Sydney (today/tomorrow), Pakistan looks to have the best of the batting conditions with Fine weather forecast. Although I suspect there still be some gremlins in this morning's play (session 1 & 2 - Day 2) for the Aussies bowling. Let's hope they make the most of it. Just goes to show WYL, why when you win the TOSS, you shouldn't always bat first. This pitch will play better for batting as the Test goes on, before there is any - if any - deterioration (ie. It should hold together well). PS. The weather forecast for day 4/5 is said to deteriorate.

Buchanan's suggestion http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/team-u...91221-la71.html

Perhaps the Australian Cricket team could do much worse, than re-visit the "Spirit of Cricket" pledge that was taken place when Steve Waugh was at the helm in 2003.

If Hughes were to come in, I'd bite the bullet and let him open with Katich and put Watson down the order. But that's me, others will disagree with that. What I would like to see (not necessarily for Melbourne; but in the not too distant future): - Hughes Katich Ponting Clarke Bailey Watson Haddin Holland Johnson Hilfenhaus Bollinger

I agree in Bailey. You also have a case for Hilfy thanks to his swing. Not sure about Geeves though.

May I echo 45HG's feelings towards Watson's childish behavour. Ricky Ponting blasts bad behaviour - Robert Craddock & Ben Dorries (Herald-Sun) Little surprised The Age and The Australian haven't had any focus on the childish behaviour of Watson. Pleased the Australian commentators had no time for what Watson did. edit: Correction: - Ponting to call on team to behave - The Age

Can the Windies do it ? Will be interesting to see what happens to Australian selections for Boxing Day Test.

He certainly doesn't waste time at the crease. I know it's his natural game but I wonder how many runs he and his side would make, if he actually occupied the crease for a lot longer than a mere ~70 balls. edit: With respect to Gayle. It's either fortunate or unfortunate that he plays his normal game (ie Twenty20 style) in a Test. If you know what I mean. Good to be scoring high scores and magnificent innings for WI, but he could do more by spending more time out in the middle. Was listening to 774 when he was batting to Bollinger. He clipped him for 6 off his pads effortlessly, Jim Maxwell described it "like knocking the top off a hard boiled egg at the breakfast table"....good description.

Ponting ? Thanks for the stat input. McGain & Krejza look to be the next cabs in the rank for Test Spinner...although who does Simpson represent, I'm unfamiliar with him ? Clarke did concentrate for long periods in England. However, he still lost concentration on occassions in England. I was watching a replay the other night when he scored 136 (Ashes; England). He went out to Swann bowled, played all over it and missed it completely (fullish delivery), which was on the following morning. His concentration still waivers as it did then. Usually he is a good player of spin too. This series should be an absolute dream for Australian batsmen. Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth against the West Indies. How no one has a century to their name is unforgiveable. Australia's innings was the 2nd highest score posted without a member of the team recording three figures. (There's one for you 45HG16).

Yes, everyone does make mistakes. I wouldn't have thought Clarke's game is a high risk aerial game. Fwiw, I consider Clarke's game to be a careful, low risk along the ground game. Uses his feet well, rarely hits it over the top. Plays the ball well backward of square, off his pads. Has a good on/off-drive game, plays the cut well through backward of point. Splits the field well and milks the runs.

He may of well been thinking that, however with the way the field was set (and it was set for a one reason), Clarke should be good enough (with his calibre of batting) to hit over the top when he thinks "go over the top" - not straight down someone's throat in a set trap field.