Rogue

That's probably helpful to us, given we're 7/494 after two days on this pitch.

IMO Clarke should bat where he gets the most runs for us. If he gets more runs batting at #5 than #3 then that's fine with me.

The domestic 50/50 crowds were never anywhere near the BBL crowds.

The crowd and television ratings for domestic 50-over cricket versus Big Bash League cricket aren't just in a different league, they're in a different stratosphere.

Nothing to do with that, but moreso that TV and crowd numbers are going to be better over the current period, where you've got the Xmas/NY break, school holidays, better weather, etc.

His FC form hasn't been good.

Thanks. 56 needed off 13.5 overs with De Villiers just falling. Faf's on 123 and Duminy is striding to the crease.

Haha, love it.

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/bit-of-mongrel-and-we-have-a-new-captain-grumpy-20131125-2y67p.html Pretty interesting.

More relevant to compare recent form, really. Unfortunately no Cricinfo Statsguru for FC games!

Lyon's Test average, which is far more relevant, is 33 (as opposed to his F/C average of 38). Lyon's Test economy rate and strike-rate are also both better than his F/C figures.

I also think Lyon should play. I'd be interested to know who the next batting cab off the rank is; while they may not appear superstars, there are a few guys in good form right now. It's more than could be said previously, so it's something.

Hussey was 30 when he started, so debuting Doolan at 28 is not necessarily a short-term fix. Bailey has been an excellent ODI find for us but his first-class record is nowhere near as good. If he plays, I'll be interested to see how he performs in Tests. He might be one of thsoe guys who steps up when they play at a higher level.

Norm Smith's Curse: If you click the edit button (bottom right hand corner of your posts) you can edit them, fixing mistakes etc.

I'm so excited about Australia's ODI series win!!!

I respect you continuing to abstain from writing me off as a Test player. It may be a while before I get to six Tests though.

It's been said before, and even about Watson.

I largely agree with you on both counts.

Apparently Cowan struggled (his strike rate indicates that's right) before running Clarke and himself out, while Smith batted well. Pretty interesting to see who will play in the first Test.

Rogers and Watson have been confirmed as openers for the first Test. It's interesting that Khawaja isn't playing in the final tour match, yet Smith is.

Let me introduce you to the greatest cricket website of all, Cricinfo: http://www.espncricinfo.com/the-ashes-2013/engine/match/566928.html

It looks like a pretty sad batting lineup but here's the way I'd go: Rogers Cowan Watson *Hughes/Khawaja or Wade (at 6; pushing 5/6 up one) Clarke Warner Haddin Pattinson Lyon *Bird/Harris Siddle *Depending on tour form

I think Ponting is done and retiring is the right call. There's a vast gulf between domestic cricket and Tests. The batting line-up is going to be interesting, but so are the bowling selections - and not just the spinner's spot. If Harris is fit and bowling well then we suddenly have some interesting calls to make, especially since Bird has done so well and seems a likely sort in English conditions.

Warner seems like he's going off the rails a bit, and his performances recently have been pretty poor. How good do you think Ahmed is, H_T? His average with the Vics isn't stellar.

From the source: Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-2332348/Ricky-Ponting-Interview-Surreys-new-signing-England-Australia-The-Ashes.html#ixzz2Uhi3ycsG