H_T

Agree. He was plum on that lbw. Pitched in line, hitting off stump (high). To begin walking, then think, "hang on a second" was silly. True. Although the West Indies were better back then in 2000/01 (with Lara in the side), than they are now. Albeit, not by much.

Agree. W.I. dominance in cricket really is a far distant memory. If you had introduced someone new to the game and later told them that the West Indies were a dominant force for over a decade and a half in the 80's and early 90's......they would retort "What the hell happened to them ..?"

Bored. Katich Hughes Jaques Rogers Watson

oh oh...me...me. Yes. Although, we shouldn't hold our breath. He is representing Victoria. The wrong shade of blue. Who are the other contenders....: Shaun Marsh ? Phil Hughes ? Phil Jaques ?

After being 1/0 (Watson out LBW), Australia has recovered well to be 1/114 after 24 overs at lunch. Slow over rate ? Run rate: 4.75 Katich 56 not out Ponting 51 not out Game over

Did I hear right. Wigan are going to pay back money to the supporters who went along ?

Ah yes. Well done 45h. Great stuff, great stats. Your last line is interesting (2000's); as it may be more relevant to the modern game and modern day pitches. 68% is a fair %. But then again we have been a dominant force in cricket. Even more amazing is bowling first with a win% of 91% ! Wow. Therefore my theory, being that the pitch & weather conditions (in relation to the the toss) do play a part I believe in the result. Rather than going by the theory along the lines of "if you bat first you're almost guaranteed to win every time"...

10 wickets in hand. The Vics for me JJC.

Amazing resemblance.... Alistair McDermott

Now that Richie has signed on for another 3 years, that will give Billy Birmingham another idea for another CD. Probably be entitled, "I'm back!"

I was pleasantly surprised on hearing the news on Benaud. Good on him. Good to see most of the West Indies players have made the tour. I was thinking they would arrive with a second string half-baked side. Ponting is glad to see the better players have all made the trip. Pakistan have dealt with NZ in fine fashion of late. Could be interesting. Fwiw, I think the aussies do have them covered this summer.

Ponting is always trying to win. Your disrespect for Ricky Ponting is bordering on ridiculous. Come on WYL, the side has gone through many changes. Plenty of players have had their chance. ie. Spinners, bowlers,... . If anything I'd say the selectors have been pro active not lazy.

No, Dhoni won the toss. However, Ponting was well aware of the the early swing on offer given the conditions and they thought it might seam early on. Ponting said as much post match. Yes, contgratulations should alos go to the bowlers, including Douggie Bollinger. The bowlers made full use. The manner in which Ponting has conducted himself through the ring of changes his side has endured through injury or rest, yet been able to maintain an excellent team performance in India as well as bat to his own well renowned level is most admirable I believe. It's bloody hard to win on Indian soil, let alone against an Indian team in good form, and he has captained one of the most young -ever changing teams - to victory in a most impressive display of excellent cricket. Especially over the last couple of games.

You cannot help but be impressed by the Australian side winning the one day series against India in India, with a game still to play having been down 1-2 in the series. Didn't bat first either today! Well captained Ricky Ponting.

Agreed.

Aussies now lead series 3-2 after a 3 run win cliffhanger....: Links:- http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/11/...7247732375.html http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/aussies-...f-1225794880183 The little master was in full flight amassing an epic innings of 175 off 141 balls ! 19 fours; 4 sixes.

Just on Hodge, look, I really have the same opinion they should be looking to the future now and I think his international career now is finished. I probably thought the same for Katich too, before his pile of runs - but that coincided with Hayden finishing and Jacques being injured. Based on some of the selection changes of recent times and the experimentation of Watson opening, as well as injuries, I guess some such things maybe possible with the selectors.

Fair call. Got anyone who you would personally consider for this summer, whom we have not seen in the green & gold ?

Well, without being too sarcastic, Hodge is in form. So far the only recent form Clarke has shown is on the arm of Lara Bingle at Derby Day whilst his teammates have been sweating it out in India. Apologies. He is injured and resting his back under doctors orders.

You could well be right. However, Katich did get a recall through sheer weight of runs at domestic level.

Last night I witnessed another century by Brad Hodge in the Ford Ranger One Day series against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval. He scored 114 off 113 balls. And was the architect along with McDonald's 58 in the win. On the back of a 190-odd in the Sheffield Shield, he is keeping the selectors on notice. "I think" Whilst the South Australia's bowling attack isn't the best it does have Shaun Tait who bowled with much vigour and surely is in line for one-dayers selection for Australia at some stage this summer.

Looking back at the make up of that team back then: - It just goes to show how blessed we were as cricket followers. What a side ! In hindsight, sometimes it's wonderful to reminisce the Australian side and how dominant Australia was for so long. Not just from that 2000/01 side, but right through from basically '89 onwards, our battle with the West Indies in the early 90's to becoming the No.1 nation in cricket. Makes you appreciate how wonderful it was to see the likes of Border and his men on the rise, with the likes of Warne. Then Tubby who was in his own right a great skipper and help establish a dominant side. S.Waugh continued on in this vein with his teams. To be able to see the ever consistent McGrath and Warne weave his magic during Boxing day Tests whilst at the G or on holidays will stick with me forever.

I'm quite sure he bowled occassionally after winning a toss.

You'll grant me that one?! The Gabba was just off the top of my head, I could think of many other venues to test your theory out - on "always batting first" in Tests.

Yeah, trouble is he didn't have my variety of spin at his disposal.