H_T

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.

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.