MadAsHell

If you want a good beer head to the Mountain Goat Brewery in Richmond on a Friday evening. Otherwise my beer of choice is Stone & Wood Pacific Ale from Byron Bay. Great to see Cascade honour a Melbourne legend. Having said that Boags do produce much better beer, but the Moo Brew Brewery just outside Hobart is fantastic. $30 will buy you 8 stubbies from their collection of 6 (the hef was my favourite), an hour long tour and shoot some hoops at the end!

In that match McCullum made 195 off only 134 balls and NZ made over 400 on day 1. Since giving up the keeping he's turned himself into a world class batsman and is really leading NZ well. They're certainly a smoky for the World Cup and after the 2015 Ashes series they'll probably prove to be our most interesting opponents over the 14 Tests that follow, given apart from the 6 (return series) against them, we have 3 at home to the Windies, 3 away to Sri Lanka & 2 away to Bangladesh.

Good day of cricket. India bowled well, Smith continued his amazing form, Haddin fought hard, Rogers made three 50's on the trot, Watson found some needed form, Burns looked alright for his brief stay and Shaun Marsh continued to do what Shaun Marsh does........

So India suffering from some injury issues themselves: http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-india-2014-15/content/current/story/812717.html And Jadeja was one of the players I thought they make look to bring into their XI. Will be interesting to see what changes they may make now. Wonder if they'd be gutsy enough to move Ashwin up to 7 and pick both Dhawal Kulkarni & Akshar Patel. Would give them three seam bowlers & two spinners with numbers 7-9 in the batting line up all averaging 29+ in first class cricket. They're inability to take 20 wickets away from India is a problem for them.

Travis Head?

Agree. Long term I see one of Handscomb or Maddinson being in that spot, but it's a big if. It could well be Burns. Every now and then I try and pick an under 30's Australian XI to get an idea of how the team could look going forward, and Maddinson's the one I see there at the moment. It's just such a hard role to fill. Lets not forget even Justin Langer was dropped from the team because he couldn't nail that role. He was just fortunate to get a reprive when Slater was dropped at the top of the order. Autsralian Under 30's XI J. Burns http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/326632.html D. Warner http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/219889.html N. Maddinson http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/333780.html S. Smith* http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/267192.html P. Handscomb http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/334337.html M. Marsh http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272450.html +M. Wade http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/230193.html J. Pattinson http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272465.html P. Cummins http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/489889.html N. Lyon http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/272279.html J. Hazlewood http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/288284.html

Pretty much agree with all the above comments re: Burns. Pretty happy with his selection for a few reasons even though I think Voges is stiff. Burns can bat anywhere from 1-6 and is probably the leading contender (for players under 30) for the eventual replacement for Rogers after the 15' Ashes so it'll be a good taste of things for him. Also his form has been pretty good so you can't say he hasn't earnt selection, one of the few batsmen we have in first class cricket averaging over 40. This selection will be interesting if he makes runs as it will put the blow torch onto all of Watson, S. Marsh & Rogers. For example if Burns makes a century and Watson fails again and Mitch Marsh is then fit for Sydney, does Watson get dropped for Mitch and Burns stay in. And same question for S. Marsh & even Rogers as Watson or Burns could be tried at the top of the order if Rogers fails in Melbourne. Some big questions and answers coming up in this next test. The generational change is on!

Yes, thankyou Grapeviney, don't know where I plucked 9 from. Still 7 wickets on a very impressive debut. As long as his body holds up he's a shoe in for the rest of the series you'd think. As for the Nick Riewoldt comparison, you're onto something Grapeviney. My wife's a St Kilda supporter, and ever since she first saw Smith a few years back she's nicknamed him mini roo. Yep, was a good contest, as both tests have been so far. It was funny how the game unfolded looking at it from stumps each night. DAY1: India on top. DAY2: India slightly ahead DAY3: Australia slightly ahead DAY4: Australia win comfortably. India will make some changes for Boxing Day you'd think. I'd expect one of Ravindra Jadeja or Suresh Raina to come in for Rohit Sharma to give them an extra bowling option and Mohammed Shami may come back in for Aaron, who although quick, hasn't exactly set the world on fire. As for Australia, Mitch Marsh won't play you wouldn't think, which means do they bring an all rounder in like Henriques, Faulkner or Christian or do they get a specialist batsman like Voges, Ferguson, Cowan or Burns. Hopefully Warner will be fine to play and you'd expect Harris to come in for Starc.

Don't think that anyone has written him off, including myself. Just stating that he had a shocking first two days of this test and that at this stage of his career he hasn't shown as much as Pattinson, Cummins & Hazlewood, which means that he may not get as many opportunities as the three previously mentioned. But absolutely brilliant morning for the Aussies. Now only chasing 128 for a 2-0 series lead. Special mention to Josh Hazlewood for 9 wickets on debut and Nathan Lyon who now equals Ashley Mallett on 132 wickets to be our equal 2nd greatest wicket taker for off spinners. Also Micth Johnson who's openning spell this morning rivaled any of the ones he bowled last summer in which he grabbed 3/10 in 4 overs I think it was.

I do like Faulkner. He's an automatic selection for mine in the ODI & T20 teams. Would have to be in consideration as a replacement for Mitch Marsh for the remaining tests. His batting seems to be going ok so far this first class season which seems to be the thing that's held him back from the test team. He's scored 166 runs @ 41.50 with one 50 and three other stars with only one failure with the bat so far for Tassie. Love his aggresion and competative streak. As for Hazlewood, he looks very impressive. Think we've found the new ball partner for James Pattinson for the next generation with Pat Cummins coming on first change. Love his bounce and swing with that late movement he seems to get.

Avoided the follow on, so that's something. Along with a much needed 50 to Rogers & Smith continuing his good form. If we can add at least another 100 odd runs then we're right in the contest. Mitch Starc will be bowling for his short term career in the 2nd Innings. He was very ordinary again this morning.

Poor day for the Aussies. Shaun (selectors new pet) Marsh dropping not just one but two catches, Mitch Marsh does his hamstring, Hazlewood limps off the field towards the end of play and both Stac and Johnson looking stiff also. I'm already thinking we may need to hope for as much rain as possible over these next 4 days. So Harris & possibly even Siddle could be finding themselves back in the XI by boxing day depending on how Hazlewood & Starc are given the quick turn around. Also the question will be asked of who comes in for Mitch Marsh. Personally I'd go with Voges. Bat him at 5, move Shaun Marsh to 3 and move Watson down to 6 as he'll need to do more bowling now with Mitch Marsh likely gone for the remaining tests.

Very true. Wouldn't be suprised also if they include Jadeja at the expense of Rohit Sharma to help them take some more wickets, seeing as they only took 12 for the whole first test. Jadeja has a first class batting average of about 46 and he's shown he's a very good left arm orthodox spinner, so the 5th bowling option may help them. He could bat at 7 and Dhoni at 6.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/ireland-would-boost-test-cricket-jason-gillespie-20141215-1281o1.html#comments This! In the 2007 World Cup they had wins over Pakistan, Bangladesh and drew with Zimbabwe. 2011 they beat England & Netherlands and really pushed India, West Indies & Bangladesh. (Chocked in the Bangladesh game in fact.) They've done far more then either Zimbabwe or Bangladesh did when they achieved Test status. Could be the shot in the arm test cricekt needs. I know I'm looking forward to attending their ODI during the World Cup against Zimbabwe down at Bellrieve Oval in March next year.

Well it'll certainly be a different looking team for the GABBA test! http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/josh-hazlewood-mitchell-starc-replace-ryan-harris-peter-siddle-for-second-test-20141216-128677.html Hopefully the bouncy GABBA wicket should suit both Hazlewood & Starc and hopefully we'll see Rhino back for Boxing Day with any luck. Smith to number 4 no great suprise I don't think. The question will be which Shaun Marsh will turn up this time at number 5? Golden Duck, or one of the best 150's we'll ever see?

Yes Bedi is another very good sub-continent finger spinner who often had batsmen in all sorts especially on the turning tracks of India. Big call, can see the arguments for and against. He's clearly the leader for the future, however given he's batting so well I'm almost concerned we may be asking to much of him to soon. I would have though Haddin being named captain with Smith as Vice Captain and moving up to number 4 may have been enough of a step up to begin with. Having said that if (worst case scenario) Clarke is forced into retirement, then it makes sense to give the gig to Smith now. Another slight concern I have is the potential awkwardness it creates as far as leadership amongst the Test & ODI it could cause. For example if Clarke misses the World Cup, is George Bailey to get the ODI captains gig for the tournament like he had in the series against South Africa, even though Smith was and will be in the team, or do we give Smith both gigs? It's an interesting scenario that will or could arise. Best of luck for him for the rest of the series, so far 214 runs without being dismissed, so lets hope he can do more of the same in Brisbane with the extra responsability.

Yeah I can't believe that I overlooked Lance Gibbs, pretty big oversight there. I lost him in the sea of awesome West Indian fast bowlers. Deadly Underwood's left arm orthodox I think is a field all on it's own which includes the likes of Vettori. Yes they're bowling off spin, but it's spinning the other way, so personally I class it in it's own category.

I see what you mean Nasher. Outside of the sub-continent I'd have to agree with you, off spin bowlers just don't seem o have the same success that the pace or leg spinners have been able to get. Only one off spin bolwer outside the sub-continent has taken more then 200 wickets and that's Graeme Swan with 255, the next closest is another Englishman in Jim Laker who according to Richie Beneaud is the best off spin bowler he ever saw play. Laker took 193 wickets with a bowling average around 21. The other non sub-continent nations best performers have been Hugh Tayfield from South Africe who took 170 but stopped playing in 1960, Sonny Ramadhin for the Windies with 158 who finished in 1961 and Hugh Trumble for Australia with 141 who stopped in 1904. Worth noting New Zealand haven't produced one off spin bowler to get to 100 wickets. Once you look at Sri Lanka, India & Pakistan all of the sudden we see names like Muralithern, Harbijan Singh, Saqlain Mushtag & Saeed Ajmal who get to play on dust bowls on a regula basis. Nathan Lyon has been able to play a role in this Australian team and shown steady improvement while doing so. Something Hauritz was unable to do and none of the many spinenrs tried looked like being capable of doing. If he's able to become our first ever off spin bowler to 150 wickets and the second ever outside the sub-continent then it's a credit to him and to the coaches who have been able to turn him into a valuable player. I stiil don't think he's effective playing in the sub-continent though given his style of bowling.

Agree with what you say Macca. Up until yesterday I was hoping the World Cup would be his ODI swan song and he'd keep going with Tests for a few more years yet. But given these injuries just keep surfacing, I no longer reckon the World Cup is worth the risk. As if he picks up a major injury, it could force him out of the Ashes, which for me has to be the main objective. I hope he can bounce back and remain injury free. But his fitness is becoming a major concern, and in my opinion ODI cricket just may have to make way now in order to make sure we can get him through tests.

But back onto the test just completed. Well done once more to Nathan Lyon. To put it all into perspective as far as what he's achieved so far in his career, he is now 3rd on the list of all time Australian wicket takers as far as finger spinners are concerned as his 12 wicket hall moved him past Monty Noble and into 25th overal for Australian wicket takers with 127. He's now only 5 wickets behind Ashley Mallett and 14 behind Hugh Trumble to become our greatest ever off spin wicket taker which is an amazing achievement. And in other wicket taking news, Peter Siddle is only 8 wickets shy of becoming the 15th Australian to the 200 wicket mark, but sadly I don't think he'll ever get the opportunity to add to his 192.

Agree Macca, there certainly are players coming through and options available for the Aussies, even though at times there mightn't seem like much. Our fast bowling especially are looking good. Outside Johnson, Harris & Siddle, there's obviously Starc & Hazlewood. We're seeing Cummins making steps back into international cricket with his recent ODI & T20 appearances, and lets not forget about one James Pattinson who's currently on the injury come back trail. As far as the keeper spots go Matthew Wade looked much improved in the ODI series, Chris Hartley's batting is improving at state level and then there's the young Sam Whiteman coming through the ranks and the ever reliable Victorian born NSW keeper Peter Nevill also on the scene. James Muirhead & Adam Zampa are two young spinners who should be watched with interest over the coming years. Who knows, maybe even Ashton Agar isn't done with yet. And as far as the batsmen go, as you've mentioned, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddison, Joe Burns & Jordan Silk, all still very young and all with a lot of talent who hopefully have long careers ahead. As far as the rest of this series and Clarke's absence are concerned. I'd be giving Haddin the captaincy for the rest of this series and look to retire Clarke from ODI cricket immediatly and hope to get him right for the Windies tour. His loss in the ODI team isn't as great as it is in the test team as we have enough good ODI players at international level to come in for him. Cameron White, Adam Voges & Shaun Marsh have all shown in white ball cricket that they're more then capable of competing with the best. It appears Shaun Marsh will come in and bat at 5 much to my objection as I just don't think he 's up to international standard in test cricket. If they wanted an older experienced player in I'd of rathered Adam Voges who can also bowl handy left arm orthodox, has leadership experience and has a superior first class average and is coming off 2 100's against Victoria, or giving Callum Ferguson a go. He top scored for SA on Thursday with 11 of their 45! Anyway it will be interesting to see how things play out of the coming days, weeks and even months for that matter. Well done again to the Aussies for a simply brilliant performance and Nathan Lyon, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke & Virat Kohli all who displayed some of the best individual performances I've ever seen. That innings of Kohli's was the best 5th day innings I've seen since Ponting in the 3rd Ashes Test of 2005 at Trent Bridge. They both edge ahead of Faf Du Plessis Adelaide innings against us as both Ponting & Kohli were also going for a win at the same time. Faf never had that intention but was still a brilliant innings.

Slightly off topic now, but a great win last evening by the Vics in the Shield against WA over at the WACA, and it's fantastic to see them on top of the table a the half way point of the season after their disaster of a season last year. Their batting performances have been particularly impressive given the majority of the runs have come from some younger and lesser known players in Peter Handscomb & Marcus Stoinis along with Dan Christian who's showing the form of why he was named 12th Man for Australia on a couple of occasions at Test level a few years back. Scott Boland & NSW import Chris Tremain have led the fast bowlers well and Fawad Ahmed's back bowling his leg spinners nicely again after an ordinary past season. Only disapointing thing so far would be poor Peter Handscomb has probably missed out on a rough chance of getting a call up as cover for Clarke. After the first three rounds of the Shield he was the comps leading run scorer after having only had 4 innings, but made two centuries & a 50. However he didn't get a bat in the round 4 match due to the match being called off after day 1 and he then injured his finger before the last round and missed due to injury, meaning he hasn't had a bat for some time and now the season is entering big bash mode. Fingers crossed for him that when the Shield resumes his form hasn't gone and he can keep pushing his claims as one of the countries best young batsmen. As fot now it appears Shaun Marsh has been named as cover (something I still don't understand) especially given the form Adam Voges has been showing and given his superior first class average. Still I digress.

Yeah he needs grip and bounce which he gets plenty of in Australia, South Africa and to a degree, New Zealand & England. But in the sub-continent & Windies on slower & lower wickets doesn't get as much of either. I can't see it happening, but I really think the selectors should take a horses for courses approach with our spin bowler until we find an out and out great again. When playing at home and the other countries that offer some bounce and grip then Lyon is an automatic. When touring the sub-continent & Windies however I think they should pick Fawad Ahmed who grew up on those wickets and is likely to get more out of them.

Another wicketless day with ball in hand for Siddle. It really is sad at how quickly he's fallen away. Less then 18 months ago he was streets ahead of the rest of our bowlers.

I know we made a profit in 2014, but I've said it before in other threads about the possibility of Melbourne playing their VFL team out at Punt Rd, I don't know where we're going to find the money to pay Richmond to let us use their ground let alone take over Punt Rd! WJ's suggestion about Prahran would be a little more realistic, or Victoria Park, seeing as it's not owned by Collingwood anymore. But personally I'm now living in one of the houses right next to Casey Fields, a 5 min walk from the ground. So I hope the Dees stay here for the next 20 years plus!