H_T

I think you've got the side for the first test there Titan..Agree with McGain.

Liverpool probably could of done with Keane.

I think Nadal has Federer covered - physchologically speaking...

The Semi Final was something else. How was that tie break won by Vadasco. That is the purest and most awesome tie break you will ever see. To do it against Nadal is just amazing. Then Nadal went onto win the final set! After the 4th set tie break by Vadasco, it was that imposing I thought Vadasco would have walked all over Nadal. Just goes to show how physical and more importantly - mentally - strong, Nadal is.

Anyhow, it would help Spurs try and avoid relegation.

And Liverpool got no-one in return, when they are just a game or so from top of the leaderboard after a 2-0 win over Chelsea...? Mind boggling in respect to their title chances...

Allan Border Medal results: - One Day Cricket winner: N.Bracken Test Cricketer: M.Clarke AB Medal: A tie, RickyPonting / Michael Clarke. Think I saw when the results went up: Ponting and Clarke on 41 votes , M.Hussey on 38. Hussey only racked up 3 votes in the Test category, whereas Ponting & Clarke racked up something like 19 and 20 respectively. Clearly Hussey let himself down with his poor form over Summer in the Test Series, as it cost him the AB Medal in my opinion.

Man U 5 West Brom 0 Ronaldo - 2 goals.

I think he already is a star. A freak in the field too. Commentators on 774, NINE spoke in just as much awe as when Lara and Tendulkar were first on these shores and were strutting their stuff in the middle. It's no secret that the test wins of Sth Africa were no thanks to Duminy's patience, skill and occupying the crease in the middle at critical stages of the test matches. In addition the 20/20 matches for some consolation - regardless of the outcome of those matches which could have resulted in absolute disasters for the Sth Africans and the fans who paid their hard earned money to see some entertainment. They were not disappointed. I said after the fishing episode that Symonds was on the brink and well and truly out of form. That he should not have been picked so early as murmurs came out of the Bulls camp with respect to his attitude and off-field shenanigans. I agree Titan. I think its time for CA to cut ties with Symonds, especially the Test team.

"Now the talk???" you say...as I 'said' before Xmas...here comes United. Talk started back then.

As they say in the classics, what a season 2008/09 is turning out to be. As I said before Christmas, here comes United.. Man U will take out the Premier League. They haven't yet hit their straps yet boys.

Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara? With regard to JP Duminy. An absolute cracker. Has star written all over him. This tour is definitely the coming of age for this bloke.

How good was that innings by David Warner at the "G" on Sunday night?? Awesome. What a debut 89 runs off 43 balls. Whilst its only a 20/20 international. It shows definite potential for a 50 over one day international debut.....soon.

Good win. 5 days of tough cricket. Good to see Smith come out in search of the draw. Ntini dug in which was good. A good Test. This is what Test cricket is all about....

Kerry O'Keefe said the same regarding McDonald yesterday for the 5th day. Should be interesting the 1st session.

Good declaration IMO by Punter. Much better than batting Sth Africa out of the game.

Why thanky-you Rogue. Bollinger in for Sydney Test. AS- 1/10 BH- 7/10 BL- 1/10 - I said after the india tour, before the Aussies played NZ that he wasn't right, he should have been rested against NZ. I agree with your assessment. MJ - 8/10 - Outstanding strike bowler for Punter and the team. Consistently performs at 140km/h +. And looks to have found a good bowling partner in Siddle. NH - 2/10 - A defensive minded spin bowler who should noty have been selected for SYdney. Krejza should have. Regardless of Melbourne. Krejza is an attacking spin bowler. I prefer to attack than contain. PS - 6/10 at present with a bullet, Match winning performance of 5/59 in Sydney Test. Coming of age for him. Agree. But if the Aussies win in Sydney he may see Sth Africa. Good call. So do I. Doesn't lose pace over 30 overs from him during a day's play. I agree. Either 6 Specialist Bats plus Haddin, and 4 specialist bowlers. Or 6 specialist Bats and a legit all-rounder plus Haddin and 3 specialist bowlers - which we don't seem to have a legit all-rounder with Symonds, Watson inj. or out of form and MacDonald our next best option (selectors view). Mitchell Johnson offers us something as an all rounder IMO. His batting is improving and he's average is on the up (23 -24 at present).

Happy New Year. Andrew MacDonald?

Dougy Bollinger could get a look in for Siddle.

Yes Yes Yes. And yet Ricky 'initially' put it down to failure of the top order in the presentation after the match... Totally agree with that RR. It also now represents a bit of a hunting ground for opposition international sides, or a bogey ground for the Aussies, which ever way you look at it of recent times. Cricket Aust. may have to play the minnows at Perth and the bigger fixtures to Adelaide. I think the likes of Siddle and Krezja need further experience, the easy option would be to drop them and use them as scapegoats. Whilst the likes of Hayden and Lee 'supposedly' still have credits and play for marketing reasons? Whilst the likes of Hayden & Lee are struggling and are not getting the runs & wickets they wish for, I think CA and the selectors will retain them for the Boxing Day test and put their paith in them to bounce back. Geez, they're lucky.

Hayden got 4 runs. Out, bat was no where near it.

I can't see them tweaking the side that much Monty, but your opinion is noted. I agree with the old Baggy Green with NSW cap theory. However Hughes is in sparkling form. In all this Brad Hodge must be very, very frustrated. Overlooked so much. Victoria's all time run machine now having passed Dean Jones of recent times.

"IF" Hayden is given his marching orders for the Boxing day Test in Melbourne, don't be surprised if Hughes for NSW gets a gig ahead of Rogers/Klinger/Jaques(inj).

Australia all out. 375. If Hayden fails 2nd innings, I'm not so sure he's an absolute shoo-in come Boxing Day, regardless if the Aussies win. A draw looks more likely by the way as the pitch is a road in Perth.

You might be right. I heard this morning (SEN) that it was 'known' said the host, can't remember his name - it may have been Jason Richardson - that this will be Haydo's last test series or test series in Australia, with an announcement expected sometime during the series. From what I gather this piece is "unconfirmed." So, just take it as gospel at this stage.