Sir Why You Little

Thanks TU and i agree, Cricket from the top down needs a complete clean out and careful planning-I mean part time coaches, and selectors. Enough please. there is talk of having less shield games and more 20/20's...Do we want to be the best cricket nation again or do we just want quick dollars?? I said it a long time ago, Cricket Australia need a complete restructure on & off field something like our beloved MFC.

Yes let's find the openers i agree, Should have started ages ago, and in saying that i am not having a go at Watson. Watson is an excellent Band Aid, Ponting Argueing with umpires for over 8 minutes is far more than Fineable in my eyes-He got off very lightly, disappointed you do not agree on that one. His Captaincy is over, what's the big deal? If he wishes to bat at 5-6 from now on for 1-2 years he is most welcome.

Hussey out for a Quack...C'mon England, just bowl us all out tonight-I can't watch this baggy green at the MCG anymore. This Australian Side needs the Complete Melbourne Football club Rebuild....starting Tonight/Tomorrow please. See you later Ashes..enjoy the view at lords from that little Box..You will be home again soon i hope....

Really...wow i didn't know it was that many. Just makes me feel stronger that Shane is better served down the order. We need to find 2 Openers in the next 1-2 years. I hope Hughes gets his act together, but he is just in the Pot. See ya Ponting.....That's it for you sunshine...

Well he has just $%&ucked that up hasn't he...not offering a shot. Cripes NONE of these guys understand digging in, Test Cricket style. He had done good work, but sadly he really stuffed that one. This is why Watson should bat down the order. He has done a really good job, but he doesn't convert enough solid starts. A few here will disagree, but i stand by my word. Shane Watson has been a Good Opening Batsmen- He got the selectors out of a jam. But we need better if we are to Win Test Matches regularly. Ponting & Clarke together....should i go & make a cuppa???

Watson really needs a big score now-That run out was his call.....Hughes was doing a good job up until then.

Out of all that reply, i will say one thing. Ponting is finished as a captain, maybe i did not word that quite correctly-Even with a double ton in this innings i think he is gone. He should have been suspended for at least one game after yesterdays meltdown. Losing 40% of a match payment is small change to these guys, and sets a very poor example to junior cricket around the globe. Punter is in now, so let's see if he still has a final punch. Clarke has been the anointed captain for close on 5 years-a decision i have never quite understood, he as been a solid batsman at times, but i don't put him in the "class" category.

One of the reasons i am disagreeing withe selectors. For mine Smith is more a bowler-but its early days. I just hope they don't kill his spirit too early. He has taken a couple of catches, so that would help the confidence.

Is Smith in the side now for his batting or his bowling?? I am not sure the selectors are quite sure. Me i would say his bowling, that's why he comes in after Haddin IMO. There are loads of better number 6 batsmen than Smith is at present. If Clarke was in form then i would agree with you concerning the Captaincy but he isn't, and with a bunch of first gamers and Newbies i wouldn't have him there, But like Punter he has one innings to prove his worth as a captain, i will give him that until the curtain is drawn. Who would you want in the Trenches White or Clarke?? I have admired Clarkes Batting at times, and he was once a bowler but his back injury has finished that one i would say. He has never come across as a leader to me. Cameron White was an inspired project thanks to Hooksey. He deserves a shot. But of course Clarke is NSW and White is a victorian, so your scenario is what i suspect the selectors to do, it's not what i would do.

I put Smith at 8 because he should follow Haddin. You can feel his nerves through the TV. I want him to make it, because i think his bowling will make it-slowly, i don't want him frightened off like they already may have done with Doherty (i hope Doherty gets another chance-because he was thrown to the wolves, and did take at least a couple of wickets) But that's why i would have Smith at 8. The rest i agree with what you say, apart from Clarke-He is SO FAR off being captain right now IMO. He is a shot duck, and needs time to recharge in the Domestic Comps. Bugger playing him in the world cup squad either, he is too slow as a number 4 in the 50 over game, as he is the 20/20 Khawaja i do not know enough about yet as i have only read and heard talk on the radio. I am yet to see him play, but many an ex Test player have commented he has the technique to make it. Big Call i know but i would give Cameron White the Top Job right now. He has captained Victoria long enough-He deserves a shot at it for at least 2 years. What will happen in reality is about 20% of what you and i have both put forward. But christ if Siddle hadn't played today we would have gone wicketless!!! & he was the big talk during last week as the one to miss out for a spinner....Test Cricket is such a great game even when you get thumped, but not by the Poms. It was a bit sad seeing Ricky explode today-I think he now knows that its just about over, if it was me selecting this could be his last game. He has one more innings left to keep his spot. I would be talking to White now, getting him ready. White for the Sydney Test

Smith will make it, although he is batting at 6, i would have him at 8. Marsh should be opening Watson down to 3, Ponting to 6. Clarke out D. hussey should have played this ashes campiagn. There's a few changes to start with. Glad you have undying faith in Cricket Australia RR, cause right now i don't. Like i said next week will be interesting. I wonder if Hilditch will emerge from his cave????

Listen to the podcast then make up your mind RR, plenty of shield players have been making scores over the last 12-18 months, but never get a look in, for whatever reason. I think it's time the selection process was totally revamped, because i don't think there is a lot of communication getting back to players. Next week will be interesting after the Ashes are gone & the side is picked for the final Dead Rubber.

Unforetunately a lot of those actually in the Australian side have also failed to put their hand up either-so i suppose it depends which way you look at it. I recommend you find the Podcast on SEN and have a listen to Chris Rodgers. He speaks well and frankly.

I find this test match just so depressing. i can handle losing, but this is beyond that. At least siddle is playing-without him the Poms would still be wicketless!!! It's a bit like watching Melbourne play fitzroy in 1979 (round 17) Those who were there that day at Waverley will remember and understand what i mean. England could end up 500 in front, and that is taking into account that the australian bowling has been ok. It just shows how bad yesterday was, at least now i hope Cricket Australia reassess how they operate. We need more coaches and more opportunities for players to have a solid chance to make the australian sides. (an interview with Chris Rodgers i heard last week on radio kinda summed up a lot of what is going on (or not going on).

Australian Cricket hit Rock bottom today. 85,000 witnessed such a poor display. Hussey copped a cracker, but to all the other batsmen it was just poor-All wickets were caught. The bowlers were left with nothing to defend. Tomorrow could be very ugly.

Considering i heard this morning that Ponting's finger is at this point Twice its normal size, i don't see how Ponting can play at 3. The Poms are just going to aim every ball straight at that finger. If Ponting made 20 runs in each innings it would be a major achievement. Can D Hussey make over 20 runs in each innings. Ponting i would consider playing at 5th drop in this game, just to get some shine off the ball at least. Clarke is such a huge worry, moreso because he directly follows Ponting. Right now if the Poms take an opening wicket, they re looking at a potential Hat trick in each innings. To be honest i am still considering who replaces Clarke, can they play any worse??? Maybe Michael Klinger who has been quietly making scores?? i am not sure....

Kevin may well be despised more than Tony Grieg after this series, let's hope so. At least Tony had a legitimate reason at the time to find better places to play cricket. Kevin only has the ego. He must be loathed in South Africa...

Your probably right. but it is a huge risk that i wouldn't take. I would risk putting Ponting down the order and bringing in D Hussey. Clarke needs time out, and the same talk that was given to Johnson. He needs to re focus, IMO Let's see what happens....

According to the SEN scribes, i have just heard that the Australian 12 will be unchanged for next week....

Re ball tampering, i heard it was the umpires assessment of the ball after day 2 when they made the report. Not at all good to have on the CV,lets hope this gets worked out. If Ponting plays next week he must go down the order. An out of form Batsman with a broken finger is not right for no 3. Clarke has got to prove his fitness, and i mean this time really prove it, he should never have played in that first test, he couldn't even walk properly. If he fails on Day 1 at the MCG the crowd will crucify him. 7 days of hard work & long nights.....

as i said he would be stiff, it will depend so much on the pitch and weather i am guessing.

siddle would be stiff, but we got to win this test. is he going to take wickets & or hold up an end??

he would have to be under extremely serious contention, Ponting is also such a worry right now-But he is the captain, but he has made about 30 runs in this series...Big decisions and late nights this week. My God that was a belter of a pitch at the WACA, more of those please. Batting and bowling both achievable with application.

can the team carry Clarke again?? Not only is he out of form, the Back injury is still there. Backs do not heal in weeks. we need a number 4 for the next 2 games. Who is the right person?

England 9 down within the hour..classic, who would have guessed this after day 1!!! Harris 5 for.. EDIT: England All Out within the hour..classic, who would have guessed this after day 1!! Harris 6 for 47 B)