H_T

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.

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 ? ...