H_T

Lee has been playing around with his run up, trying to regain his touch, which is not a good sign IMO. He was in the side to bowl flat out express, to intimidate batsman. He's far from that at present.

I'd certainly rather take Hauritz's current figures of 2/47 off 11 overs, than Brett Lee's return of 0/49 off 13 overs with 6 no balls, any day. Beginning to feel a little concerned for Brett Lee's future in the top flight. He can turn his form around, he just needs to do it and quickly. He usually has a day out against the Kiwi's. LIVE SCORE UPDATES

Has the Mfc had any association with an EPL side of recent times? Like a swapping of guernsey presentation or something between Presidents?

Very happy with the Vics form and progress in both the Sheffield Shield and One day Domestic format. On top of both tables now approaching the halfway mark of the '08/'09 Cricket Season. David Hookes certainly left a great workmanlike legacy behind. The Vics have the confidence to win from any position. One match that sticks out from a few seasons ago was when the Vics chased down 400+ runs on the final day of a Pura Cup game against NSW in Newcastle. David Hussey leading the charge with a mammoth innings. From that point on their confidence grew and the VICS have been more than competitive ever since. Greg Shipperd has continued Victoria's dominance in both forms of the game ever since, finishing in the one-two positions on most if not all occassions. May the VICS continue their attractive style by taking the game on and take out both forms of the game this season. How unfortunate it is to hear what has happened in Mumbai this morning. It has resulted in the cancellation or postponement of the 20/20 Championships in India. With the Victorian team set to embark on their tour of India of the Championships tomorrow night, it's disturbing news that bombings, shootings and grenade attacks on hotels, transport facilities, hospitals supposedly aimed at supposedly western society. It has also been reported that Shane Warne and Darren Berry were fortunate to hear of the news before boarding a plane in Singapore bound for Mumbai. They were allegedly planning to stay at one of the hotels where one of the bombs went off. Not only is it a shame for the Victorian team and cricket in general. But once again it is a shameful reminder to me of how society is in the world today. Situations like these just really infuriate me and is a timely reminder unfortunately of the world we now live in. As a parent, whilst it makes me angry, it just makes me all the more cautious and protective of my children, family and friends. May those who take these actions, and have said to have killed already over 90 people and seriously injured over 200 be brought to justice in more ways than one. HT.

Chris Rogers didn't harm his aspirations to return to the Aussie team. A timely reminder with back-to-back centuries against WA in Perth at the WACA for the mighty VICS! Just when M.Hayden is struggling for form... VICS STORM TO TOP OF SHEFFIELD SHIELD TABLE

I agree Titan. Katich's innings I thought was definitely a man-of-the-match innings, on a wicket that was difficult to bat on and did favour the quicks. However, Johnson not only bowled well, but hung around with the bat when batting with Katich. Either way they both played well. Had it been a regular Gabba pitch, Krejza would of played.

True. Unbelievable. Thought it was a boring game at times. Arsenal 0-3 down to City. That's a huge loss in the scheme of things for the championship.

In terms of captaincy, is that what you mean? As a cricketer, Ponting leaves him for dead IMO. Vettori is a consistent performer for the Kiwi's, a bowler you can rely on taking 2-4 wickets each innings in Tests. Doesn't take enough big bags of wickets IMO. Handy with the bat at best. Yes, he does have a great attitude towards the game, he seems to play fair. He needs to be more aggressive.

Thanks Rogue. Good pick up. Although there was an additional comment....

Lead of 131 runs to Aussies. Not enough. Score is 4/73 in the second innings. The way this game is going it will all be over before tea tomorrow!

Yes, I heard O'Keefe say that. From what I heard from the commentary, it was a pearler first up to the left hander. Haydos might be in the gun for you already RR - as you have stated, does this mean the gun is now cocked with the finger on the trigger as a result of a 'Golden Duck?' IMO if Jaques was fit, there would be alot more pressure on Hayden right now.

Wickets are tumbling now, Watson just struck. The pendulum is swinging back. All of the sudden the score of 214 looks like alot of runs for the Kiwi's. Score is 6/129. LIVE SCORES AT THE GABBA TEST

In a way, I'm sort of 'glad' NZ took honours on the first day. We have a contest on Australian soil. However, they would want to do well in the first session today, otherwise if the Aussies get 3 or 4 wickets - as you say Titan - in the first session, its goodbye NZ. The Aussies will take a strangle hold in their second dig.

I suppose there is no real need to bowl himself when the seamers/quicks are bowling the right line & length on the green deck in Brissy.

Sure. And his bowling. Yay!

Well well well. Gilchrist himself couldn't see how Symonds could get a start against the Kiwi's in the first test. Tbh neither could I based on his form which has been nothing short of poor. Will this decision put some noses out of joint? It remains to be seen. IMO Watson and Krezja both performed well, at the very least were the best of the bowlers last test in India. Its very unfortunate for one of them to miss. Regardless of the state of the wicket in Brisbane being reportedly greener than ever. IMO, I would consider Brett Lee to be very fortunate on being selected, for 2 good reasons: - 1/ His bowling form - out of sorts in India. 2/ Had virus, has lost several kilos - like M.Clarke - despite now improved health. Could do with a break before a long summer.

With a different target (lower target - of 420) for the South Africans and more overs & time up the sleeve, I fail to see how the same argument would apply. A different set of circumstances presents itself. I'm sure the 0/29 start off first 14 overs would not have been replicated. This is where the difference of opinion is. You say declaring earlier -- whether it be giving 4 and a half or 5 sessions - would not have made a difference at all to the tactics of Sth Africa in the final innings. I disagree with that, its that simple. If 10 wickets is the issue on that wicket that you say "completely" nullified the sting of the bowlers, wouldn't that be all the more reason to declare earlier and provide more time for your bowlers to strike?; and entice Sth Africa to chase?; hence more risks; hence more chances of wickets; hence a result (win). I believe so RR. I'm no Nathan Carroll RR. Take it Easy Dutchy...

At the end of the day, we might not see eye to eye in this case. Whilst I usually couldn't give a 'continental' about a match played 3 years ago, I will endeavour to paint a clearer picture - if that is possible. Ok. The Aussies set the Sth Africans 491 with 4 sessions remaining. With the likes of Warne , McGrath both world class bowlers - if not the best of their kind in their field of expertise throughout the history of cricket - bowling for the Aussies. Session 1 - Even if the Sth Africans had batted "really well" and managed 0/120 in the last session of Day 4. It still would have left a mammoth total run chase of approx. 371 runs to get on Day 5 with 10 wkts in hand. That is more than 4 runs an over in a TEST against the number 1 cricketing nation in the world. That is nigh impossible IMO - even against a West Indies outfit - if they were Sth Africa's opposition. It's no wonder they went defensive to achieve a draw. The declaration should have come sooner IMO. (HT downs the rest of his beer and says to RR "Its your shout") :D

I recall the declaration. The drinks break before tea was tipped in the commentary box first, then about 20min after drinks. As Hodge got closer to the double hundred it strung out. Ricky would or should of declared when Hodge was about 160. The more this debate has gone on, the more I recall. The lead was approx. 430 at the time. I also recall Mark Taylor and Heals holding back or at least getting their point across that the time was right for a declaration with a lifeless pitch and not much turn.

This is the type of conversation I usually like with a beer in my hand. I think Rogue best summed it up, that an earlier declaration would of given a lesser target with more overs to face, giving the aussies more of an opportunity to skittle the Sth Africans. An extra 40min to an hour can mean the difference between a draw and a win. About 15 overs or so more to get the remaining wickets. Importantly and not to be forgotten 15 more overs for them to chase down the 420-430. Which is alot easier than 491 with 15 extra overs with the likes of Warne in Perth.

The [censored] should be banned for life. The tool in the stand that is.

I agree, the declaration should have been called about 40minutes earlier. Even the commentators at the time were voicing their opinions that the Aussies were forcing Sth Africa to shut up shop once they took to the bat. A lead of 420-430 with 1 and 1/2 days play would have made them bat more aggressively on Day 4. Which is what I was alluding to regarding the history of Perth's pitch Rogue. Ie. Not conducive to spinners, not even Warnie.

It was reported yesterday, M.Clarke had lost something in the vicinity of 6-7 Kgs caused by the virus.

The selectors Andrew Hilditch) told Bryce McGain, age is no issue... Its a mystery. Do Cricket Australia have a say in proceedings? Do they say, "Righto Perth we want it full of pace and bounce and we don't want to see cracks until the 3rd day", or "Sydney, just keep doing what you are doing and prepare a spinners paradise with nothing in it for the pace men." Warney had a full day's bowling. However, it was Perth so you may have a point when looking at history on the final day in Perth. PS. Saw Hodge go out in between sessions today at the G. Poor bugger could only get 3 runs. Trapped LBW.

Certainly. He is very frustrated and understandably so. Last nights All Stars v Australia - he batted with alot more purpose than what you would expect from a hit and giggle game. Seeing Symonds get a Test Squad gig when completely in all sorts with his form would be tearing Hodge to shreds. I'd be interested to see how Michael Clarke goes in the NZ series. There could be an opening there for Hodge come Sth Africa, if he continues churning out the runs at domestic level. Didn't Hodge chalk up a double century v Sth Africa in Perth last time?