Nasher

I disagree with this - I hope he plays midfield too (and he will) but I think nailing those set shots is essential to taking the next step as a player for Howe. He's a midfielder who can go forward and be a marking threat, so he needs to be able to turn that in to damage on the scoreboard. Some of those misses last year were easy and were real momentum killers; it's definitely a part of his game that needs improving and when it does he'll be a real danger to opposition sides. Thanks (to you and others) for the great reports; they mean a lot to many of us.

Please let the record show that a> it was WYL that asked for Fan's opinion and b> it was WYL that brought up Gardner, not Fan. Who has an axe to grind again?

I highly doubt it.

Unless a miracle happens, Hastings will be a one test wonder. Props to his nuggety innings with the bat, but it's not what he's there for. All three of the specialist quicks have been bloody hopeless though. This test is all but lost, on day two. I'm feeling very blah now after what had been a great series so far. Couldn't even be farked watching the last hour.

Found it! http://demonland.com...-t-no-b-thread/

Bump.

I bet Nathan Lyon has never had a standing ovation like that before when coming out to bat.

Come on, he's saying he loves the way Kent is built from a football perspective. He said it in an obviously provocative way for a laugh, and probably to get a rise out of a few gullible geese like yourself. It amazes me that these things need explaining.

I completely agree with Tredrea, I think the fact that they took him is a paradoxical indication that they're not ready for him. I simply can't fathom why a professional football club would want to take him on at this point in his life. It's like they listened to all their forum footy experts who said he was worth a punt and took it from there. I think it's irresponsible recruiting myself, but whatever floats their boat.

Ponting to quit after Perth test: http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-south-africa-2012/content/current/story/594213.html Glad he's doing to before being given the flick. It's been a pretty sad end for a wonderful career.

Spencer isn't an athlete, he's the epitomy of the ten thumbed, lumbering, uncoordinated young tall footballer. That cliche (of Checker Hughes origin?) about giving talls 5 years to demonstrate they couldn't play was written for guys like Spencer. His biggest strength is that he's strong and aggressive; if he can round out the other elements of his game I think he'll be just fine as a first ruck. Being a poor kick won't hurt us greatly so long as he is able to impact the contest both in the air and on the ground, which I think he will be able to.

Jackson Bird's most recent figures outside of Bellerive in first class cricket: 4/73 against Victoria at MCG 0/51 and 3/53 against SA at Adelaide Oval 3/75 and 3/46 against NSW at SCG But you and Rhino must be right, he must just look good because he bowls at Bellerive a lot.

Funny that he's take a number of wickets at Bellerive when that's where he plays 50% of his cricket. Are you suggesting that the selectors should be biased against Tasmanian bowlers? Let's take a look at the most recent Shield match at Bellerive, shall we? http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-domestic-2012/engine/current/match/576097.html WA bowled out for 67, Jackson Bird takes 6/25. This may lend some credibility to the pitch being a batsman's graveyard, yet somehow by the end of the first day Tasmanian side was 2/201. Tasmania made a total of 448 which hardly points to outrageously tough batting conditions; the leading scorer was Ben Dunk who made 97. Dunk is a journeyman Queenslander who would've played fewer matches at Bellerive than the experienced WA batsman like Adam Voges, so you couldn't claim it's familiarity with the pitch that helped him. Mitch Johnson's performance on this bowler's paradise was 4/105, which has half the nation wiping dribble from their chin about his form, but Bird's 6/25 gets dismissed as "oh, it's just because of the pitch". It just seems ridiculous to me.

No it's just rpfc - he posts a lot.

Who does Jackson Bird have to screw in order to at least enter the minds of selectors?

I reckon Port are nuts for taking him on at the point he is at in his life, personally. Anyway, I'm not hurt, disappointed, it doesn't leave a bitter taste in my mouth and so forth. I said at the time that I was relieved that this had ceased being our problem and my view hasn't changed. With my human being hat on I feel sad about how this panned out and disappointed it wasn't the fairy tale we thought it might be. With my Melbourne Football Club supporter hat on I'm completely non-plussed.

rpfc always said "Batram". Baffled me as the guy can clearly spell, made me wonder if it was a joke I'd missed?

Because when he makes his one stuff-up, we've got one fewer players on the list than all the other clubs.

Jeez that was a tough bowling innings from Siddle. I can't remember in my life seeing a bowler as dead on his feet as he was and still tossing them down at 140kph like that (albeit with significantly less control for the last two overs). Du Plessis was brilliant as well, with ample support from de Villiers and Kallis on one leg. How important is Kallis to their side? Two absolutely crucial innings in this test as a cripple. Gripping draw.

That made me chuckle. I wonder at what point the penny will drop that it wasn't just mean old Neeld and Misson that expect him to work hard.

I reckon it'll be Viney or Toumpas. I know, really going out on a limb there.

... uh, I reckon the seasoned training watchers are probably switched on enough to recognise Fitzpatrick.

You'd think that no player who wanted to forge a career would shun constructive criticism, but it's amazing how often you hear this story. "No coach, I don't believe that part of my game needs considerable work. Yes coach, I know you've been involved in football for longer than I've been alive. No coach, I don't think you know what you're talking about. OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE BEEN TRADED FOR PICK 150! I DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

So what did all the romantics do before RDB made the 31 jumper legendary?

This all just boils down to whether you believe in the symbolism of a number or not. This is actually so close to an argument about religion that I can't believe I've been sucked in.