MadAsHell

Or what was the superior IMO, McGrath, Fleming, Gillespie & Warne. But your right, I think the day of us playing 6 specialist batsmen & 4 bowlers is over unless we manage to land another McGrath/Warne type combo, which is once in a lifetime type stuff. A batman who can bowl at least 10-15 overs+ a day is now necessary, and I think is one of the things we've had over India in this current series.

Yeah Burns would be very hard done by to get dropped after 1 test. I'm thinking he's in purely as cover in case it's a turner. Then they may rest Harris with the Windies & Ashes tours in mind, or maybe even Johnson given there's still the tri series & World Cup ahead. Ease the work load on him maybe given the series is won.

Yeah I agree, I thought the reporting on the match was pretty negative. If Smith have of declared early and set India 340 off 80 odd overs and India chased them down he'd be howled down for an unnecessary declaration. I thought he should have declared maybe 6 overs earlier, but end of the day we don't owe India anything and we didn't need to win this test match in order to claim the series. India are the ones who needed to make the running and they opened the day with a defensive field.

Amazing on both fronts? Didn't see Agar's selection coming. Either they've lost patience with Watson and one of Marsh or Burns will bat at three with Haddin at 6 and Agar at 7 or maybe there's an injury to Lyon we don't know about and he's in as cover? Didn't see Dhoni's retirement coming, he's always only really cared about ODI & T20 cricket though, it hurts them for Sydney though as I don't rate Saha that much as his replacement. As for the result of the test I remember thinking at the end of the over where Australia were 7/301 that was when I though they should declare. Marsh was 85* & Harris on 21, would have given them 74 overs (with a few before lunch) compared to the 70 we ended with and would have set India 367 instead of 384. May not have made a difference at all, but a slightly less run rate with a few more overs may have been more of a carrot for India, but we'll never know. End of the day Smith didn't owe India anything and we've now won the series, so all is well.

To be fair Lyon's not the only one. Our fielding in this test has been below average. Rogers dropped Rahane not long before Tea which was poor, and let's not forget the three dropped catches in the 1st innings that cost us a total of 170 runs. As I type Kohli out 1st ball after Tea. Could be a result yet?

Early morning rain will mean the draw will be shortening in the betting no doubt. Will be interesting to see how Australia play it out from here depending on how long they're off the field.

Well done so far Shaun Marsh on a crucial innings, taking us some way to what is looking more likely then not a Test victory or draw. And I'll admit, I'm a Shaun Marsh knocker. Highest ever run chase at the G is 332, and we're now 326 ahead. I'm all for adding 20 odd runs in the morning in 5-6 overs and then declaring and setting India 350 in 90 overs, if they can manage that then well done to them. We've certainly left the door open with two bad dropped catches that cost us big (Rahane on 70 & Kohli on 88) and now this poor 2nd Innings batting display. We're just about enough ahead that I'm more confident then not. But the door is certainly wide open for India, that's for sure!

I don't mind if they loose a day's play. Suits us well actually.

Those dropped catches by Lyon & Watson really could come back to haunt us now. Even with a lead of 50 odd runs, if India knock us over for about 200 they are the ones then in total control, and after our batting in the 2nd dig at the GABBA I'm far from convinced we've got this. We're slightly ahead in the game, but it's still up for grabs. Well done to Haddin on his two great catches, Rhino for a great bowling performance and Nathan Lyon for moving into outright second for our all time leading off spin wicket taker, but I hope between Melbounre & Sydney a lot of work is done on our fielding.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8231.html Orig played for Victoria but had a falling out with Darren Berry is what I'm led to believe (stand to be corrected) and headed to WA. Had a decent season or two but was never good enough for test level and am amazed he ever got a game. Agree re: Bracken. One of the best ODI bowlers we've had in the last 25 years IMO. And deserved more of a go at Test level.

Haha, sorry Macca. To be fair that was an unusal series (which ended in a 1-1 result) Steve Waugh's final series and our bowling line up at the time (McGrath, Gillespie, Lee & Warne) was significantly effected. McGrath was injured, Warne suspended, Lee missed the first two tests of the series & Gillespie the 3rd. Add to that Bichel was out of favour for some reason (only playing 1 test) and not sure what was going on with Kasporwicz, so MacGill played the whole series & the likes of Bracken & Brad Williams played several Tests each that series. Still I'll be more comfortable once India's first innings is over and we have a lead of 100+.

Haha, 2nd Test Australia v India @ Adelaide Oval 2003 Macca, Test cricket can produce strange results from nowhere. http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64060.html Once we've either won or drawn this Test then I won't be concerned about what goes down in Sydney.

Lets hope Haddin putting down a regulation chance off Pujara won't come back to haunt us.

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.