Sir Why You Little

Prior just got another one!!! Fine keeper, glad i drafted him!!! B)

Watson to the HALL OF MIRRORS.... For a good hard look at yourself......BAH!!! B)

How nice to have you back RR. Happy 2011 to you to. Let us continue to always disagree shall we.

I heard Jonty Rhodes interviewed on the wireless the other night, Excellent Bloke and what an all round Champion. I had no idea he was also a top line Hockey player aswell, no wonder his reflexes were always Cat like.

I can see where you are coming from AoB and i do not altogether disagree, Yes Smith, Hughes & Beer should be persevered with, if they show the right mental application going forward. Hughes needs work on his technique, but you can see him becoming Mentally Tougher, still mad he got run out in Melb. What i do not like is seeing players getting a game when they are horribly out of form like Clarke and Hilfenhaus both are. It sends the wrong message out in so many ways. We also must reward some shield players with opportunities at the moment as the side is not settled. Clarke needs a rest, the last thing he needs right now is the added Burden of captaincy IMO. What transpires in this last game against the Poms means very little-The Crunch game was melbourne and we got completely Pantsed in all areas of the game. On Day 1 when England batted that final session where was second slip?? At least 2 balls dissected 1st and 3rd slip. What was going on there?? I can handle losing in a hard fought game(s) but to be out played, out captained & out coached i draw a line at that. There is no way the Poms will be 100% switched on for this last game-I am sure they want to win 3-1, but the main job has been won. Under Mark Taylor we often lost a dead rubber-it's human nature to just drop off that little bit. That said the Poms are still favourites to win I have said it before, Punter was a magnificent Batsman at 3, but i have never been a fan of his captaincy as a tactician, and i don't have a good feeling about Clarke either. Who should be captain next, i am not sure TBH, i think it is a very similiar situation to the MFC, the captain shall emerge in the coming months. But the reality is that Clarke has got the job, but he better perform-and soon Can someone tell me how Ben Hilfenhaus earnt his place in this Sydney Test?? I can't work out any logic for that one.

The Poms sent there 4 Pace Bowlers to the Institute of Excellence in Brisbane before the first test. After already spending time in Germany to train. It is much more than just a spin bowler. Kudos to Andy Flower i say. He is a tough nut who stood up to Robert Magabe, so i have immense respect. Cricket Australia has too many board members for a start, time to lean it down and get Communications sorted between between players coaches & the board. At present it's not happening enough (Communication was the first problem Jimmy addressed at Melbourne-its paramount to a good business) I am trying to be positive here, changes need to happen-They may already have started, but so far it is not enough. I saw the game at the 'G last night, many people there were saying they care far more for the Bushrangers than the Aussie X1 My opinion is the "Golden Contracts" are not the most healthy idea, i wouldn't have them. Open up opportunities to all who play State Cricket.

Khawaja's effort has nothing to do with Clarkes form. Yes i did enjoy his effort. Did well for a dead rubber. (How hard are the poms Really playing?? The last 7 days would have been a large distraction) I have already said Cricket Australia needs a MFC style clean out- Sooner it happens the better, i know many on here disagree, but it must happen. The Poms out planned Cricket Australia from October-They arrived here before we did!!!

Clarke out for 4 on his Home Deck, Stormy day sure, but still not good enough for me. Pity the team is not picked on form rather than promises. Too many of those handshakes were made IMO. Clarke is not the leader the Australian X1 need. Who our leader is right now, like the MFC is up for grabs in my view....

Those changes are so predictable and nothing has changed in the selecting philosophy. NSW is still the state to be. I will just watch all this with great interest, the change to that squad is basically to cover an injury. Did we just get beaten by an innings plus and lose the ashes??? Clarke as Captain? i am not in agreement but it was inevetable. He is averaging 21 this summer and has never looked comfortable. Will he fire up as captain or burst into tears at some stage?? B)

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....