H_T

Certainly. What was he thinking ?! Gayle has set that field for him in the other tests. That was certainly reckless batting. I agree he desrves it. I saw a stat that it took 41 innings for S.Waugh to get his first ton. Agree. Traditionally, the Perth wicket has been a fast bowling strip. The media hang their hat on that. Like you, I don't think it is overly a quick wicket. I think it will hold together well. Gone are the massive cracks that the Perth wicket used to serve up on the 4th and 5th days play. I don't mind watching the likes of Sth Africa v Eng or NZ v Pak too. Tests bring out the best cricket IMO - others may argue that; hence "Test" - but that's me. Watching De Villiers take to Collingwood last night gave me goose bumps.

You said it yourself Rogue, "Selection is bordering on a farce", perhaps I'm trying too hard to predict what the selectors are thinking...? Here's the thing. Smith is "filling in" for Hauritz whilst he recovers, would that be a fair statement ? The selectors won't lose face once Hauritz is fit to return. They've given a young spinner (Smith) a taste of Test Match cricket. Everyone's happy; no pressure. But had they selected Krejza say for Perth, a bloke who has already played at Test level, it seemingly could put pressure on the selectors if he acquits himself well and hence Hauritz. Or perhaps I'm just summising that the selectors don't want any added pressure and are happy to stick with Hauritz... anyway... Sth Africa v England Test in SA... Sth Africa are 4/171 start of the 3rd session; Day 1 J Kallis 53 not out JP Duminy 9 not out

40-50 odd runs short. Massive ask chasing an all-time record chase (batting second) at the G (340), no matter how good the pitch. Top order wickets cost the Vics. The likes of Hodge, Hussey & White went cheaply and being 5 wickets down early on, they were never going to reach the target, despite a great knock from Rogers. The Vics will HAVE to win against NSW on the 23rd to have a chance of reaching the final in Feb. It doesn't look well being 3-3 in the Ford Ranger. If they don't win on the 23rd it is sayonara ! Then the Vics can concentrate on the Pura Cup/Sheffield Shield and the Twenty/20 which they have good records in.

Sangakarra is one of my favourites too. Massive chase. Well done Sri Lanka & India on their win. Dilshan just as impressive, great innings.

My thoughts precisely, Rogue. In all due respect to the selectors... Jason Krejza ? I agree we should decide on a certain number of prospects and stick with them. The search for a spinner might be hard, but there will never be another S.K.Warne if that is what they're searching for. Krejza at worst, deserves another go. However: - Unfortunate for Hauritz. Perhaps they are of the thinking that because it is in Perth, they may give Smith a debut, rather than a Krejza on a "traditionally non-conducive to spinners" wicket. Once Hauritz is over his troubled injury he may return ?

2009/10 Sheffield Shield ------------- Position Name Played Won Drawn Lost Points Net Run Rate 1 Victorian Bushrangers----------------------------------- 4 -------------------------- 20 2 Queensland Bulls -----------------------------------------5 ---------------------------14 3 South Australia -------------------------------------------5 ---------------------------10 4 Tasmanian Tigers ----------------------------------------5 ----------------------------10 5 New South Wales Blues ----------------------------------4 -------------------------- 6 6 Western Australia -----------------------------------------5 --------------------------- 6 2009/10 Ford Ranger Cup Position Name - Played - Won - Drawn - Lost - Points - Net Run Rate 1 Queensland Bulls -------------------------------7 ------ 5------ 0 -------2 ------21 ------0.3944 2 Tasmanian Tigers -------------------------------7 ------ 4 ------ 0 -------3 -----16 ------0.1913 3 Victorian Bushrangers ------------------------- 5 ------ 3 ------ 0 -------2 -----13 ------0.4549 4 Western Australia -------------------------------7 ------ 3 ------ 0 -------4 -----13 ------0.1101 5 New South Wales Blues ------------------------5 ------- 2 -------0 ------3 -----10 -------0.3955 6 South Australia ----------------------------------5 ------- 1 ------0 ------4 ------ 4 -------0.8586 * Ford Ranger, the Vics have 2 games before Christmas, one today v SA; one on 23rd against NSW away. Then there is a big break until Feb.

Vics are on 20 points after 4 games and well clear on the standings, 4 points more than same time last year. Go Vics.

I take it he must be injured or something ? If so, what type of injury.

Cryptic ? So his captaincy and fielding is both "great" and "ordinary". Is that sitting on the fence, or what ? Which is it ? I'm jealous.

Of course not. We should have won that series. You can't put that down to Ponting. Alot of the performances left alot to be desired. By the way, can you explain this sentence of yours ?

Ponting could well be Captain in 2013 for the Ashes.

My team: - Watson Hughes (Katich if fit) Ponting Hussey Clarke North Haddin McDonald Johnson Bollinger Mackay Tait shouldn't have retired.

I was going to put McGain straight after Krejza. Didn't McGain get dropped by the Vics recently ? I'll be happy if McGain does get a recall. Despite the facts being that Watson has scored some runs and it doesn't appear to be broken, it's hard to argue the facts for the moment. For the moment the selectors will feel justified. For someone who seemed so injury prone, he is playing a hell of a lot of demanding cricket, I hope his body holds up. He appears to have a weakness which bowlers are exploiting ie.lbw. I just can't help but think with better opposition such as a Sth Africa, England or India with better opening bowlers, would we be seeing the same thing in terms of runs in return from Watson as opener ? Like, I've said now, the facts (runs) are in his favour as opener, and that is all you can ask for the moment as an opener. So, I'll leave it alone. If Katich doesn't make Perth and Hughes is in, well things might occur naturally if Hughes has a good Test Match. I wouldn't play a spinner in Perth at this stage (conditions of pitch will dictate - usually 4 fast bowlers is the go), bowl North for a few overs if need be.

Agree with your candidates for man-of-the-match. The West Indies are close, the pressure is on. Another quick wicket would really put the squeeze on. They really need Clarke and Haddin out. Roach could be the man to do it. Like I said earlier RR, Hussey out, put Clarke up to No.4, Watson in at 5 (or maybe North at 5; Watson at 6), and Hughes to open with Katich. edit: with regard to Hauritz. 0/68 off 27 overs. tsk tsk. Who are the applicants...Krejza ? ...

Agree. Would love to be there today.

I share that sentiment. Better to do it now whilst we're arguably playing a "minnow" , must get the side right. Let's see a genuine opener open. A genuine opener wouldn't have gone the smash on 96 and bowled neck and crop middle stump. That's an all-rounders job. Watson can go down the order.

Gayle 102 not out. Nash 20 not out. Run rate 3.17 However the last 10 overs it has been ~4.10 WI 3/181, lead by 193 runs with 7 wickets in hand. 37 overs remaining for the day. The next ~7 overs remaining before tea will be important. It will be interesting to see what the West Indies do in the last session too and whether they declare, or bat out the day. It will undoubtedly depend upon Gayle's current knock and his partnership with Nash and Bravo still to come. Game is up for grabs, with the "draw" still very much a possibility. Whilst the West Indies still have 7 wickets, I'm guessing 350 + lead as long as they can bat another 30 + overs. Pressure will mount for Australia.

Siddle has a hammy worry too RR. Might not bowl. edit: - You already know that, I skimmed too quick initially.

I have been really impressed with the West Indian spinner in Benn and their quick Roach. Roach consistenly bowls up near 150km/h and has troubled the batsmen in Adelaide. Deserved more than 3 wickets I thought. The lead is minimal but they do have 10 wickets in hand. A full days play at anything near their first innings run rate of ~3.90 should ensure a 350 + total and a more than competitive target for Australia to obtain on a weary fifth day pitch. Some good bowling by the West Indies will have the Aussies under pressure. The odds of $13 to win for the West Indies before the test, looks an even bet at present. Good luck to anyone who got on at those odds, because you're in with a real chance.

Well well well, 9/416 after lunch the West Indies and the aussie bowlers looking a little expensive and have not bowled with purpose in the 1st session. Johnson didn't bend his back, Hauritz whilst bowling just ok is handy but expensive. Too inconsistent for my liking. too safe. I would like to see him change to over the wicket and toss it up a bit, give it a bit of air. Tail is wagging for the West Indies. Frustrating for the Aussies. Nash looking for his century, toughed it out well.

early wicket on day 2. Watson bowled well on day 1 with good swing created by bowling with a good seam. West Indies now have 350 up and have given the 2nd test an injection of good interest for the Test with some decent partnerships. Just what the cricket followers wanted.

Sure enough...wickets to Shane Watson. WI 5/261 with Bravo not out on 96... Nash is retired hurt. I hope the WI get 300+ and make a game of it.

Thankgod for Chanderpaul & Bravo. Ensuring at least by the look of things a target of over 300 at this stage. But things could just as easily change dramatically... Score: 3/186 - 49 overs. Chanderpaul 51 not out Bravo 41 not out

Wow. Thanks for the updates on this game. 39 balls....should do it in a canter..

Yes. Twenty20 and Ford Ranger Cup are what he is concentrating on. Excellent first class career. Good decision.