Rogue

According to Cricinfo, Lee would have had him at the 15th if Kreza had fielded a little better. Anyway, as it happens your post is a nice segue into a comment I wanted to make re: Ponting's bowling changes. I was liking them until Tait was brought on. Watson and Lee had 5 overs left and Johnson 3, with ~13 overs to go. These bowlers were all going at less than 5 per over and the run rate was ~6. All the spinners had plenty of overs too (including D Hussey, who has gone for less than 4 per over). Tait was introduced into the attack and went for 19 off two overs. Not a choice I would have made, with Yuv and Raina at the crease. Anyhow, India's in the box seat from here - we need wickets quickly. - - - - - - - Ouch, Lee returned to the attack, was hit for six and the equation is now 16 off 29. I think it's curtains.

Argh.

I agree. I don't buy that we can't win the World Cup, or that our chances are near zero. We need to win three consecutive games and no teams - not even SA - are looking unbeatable. We're certainly not favourites, but it's a pretty open season. (I reckon most teams are lucky this World Cup isn't on a more seam-friendly continent, because SA would be super hard to beat then).

Good innings by D Hussey.

I disagree with the reasoning presented here. First, carrying someone who is out of form doesn't help you win, regardless of how good they could be - it hurts you unless they turn it around. Second, you don't need guys who are able to smash it out of the park on a consistent basis to win (a run a ball gets you 300, after all). Third, Ferguson has a better strike rate than White.

I like White, but he's been in a prolonged slump. He does have power hitting that we would very much like, but if he can't stay at the crease it doesn't matter how far he can hit the ball. I'd be interested to know whether he also seemed out of form in the nets. I think Ferguson was amongst the runs late last year, and IIRC he looked okay against England in his two games (including one run-a-ball 45-ish).

I think Ferguson should come in for White, and Hussey for Smith. Ferguson was batting very well for Aus before he got injured, and since Smith isn't getting much of a bowl he should be judged on how whether he's a better bat than a potential replacement. I'd take Hussey - he can roll the arm over if needed. I don't think we can do much in terms of bowling, given only Hastings is on the bench. Watson Haddin Ponting Hussey M Clarke Ferguson Hussey D Johnson Lee Kreza Tait

It was pretty clear that if the game went 50 overs we were going to lose. Thus, I can't understand why Ponting didn't bowl Lee out earlier. PS. White must be in trouble.

I read this on Cricinfo: http://blogs.espncricinfo.com/zaltzman/archives/2011/03/twenty_utterly_crazy_minutes.php I also liked this (although RR may not):

It's fair to say he's lucky, that's for sure. Great last 16 balls though. Pakistan are a worry. By the way, NZ batted first. PS. Let's not revive a tired old personal argument.

On the other hand, I think it means we should finish top of the table, which is helpful.

It was a shame the Aus v SL game was washed out, but perhaps fortunate for us. How about those South Africans, hey? EDIT: Ooh -

I agree with 45 and t_u on the division proposal. I'm not a fan, but I do think there needs to be an overhaul of the FTP. (The first thing off the table - 7-game ODI series').

Hahah, well done Ireland. Netherlands got close and now a minnow has knocked them over. What a great innings by O'Brien - wish I saw it.

Yep. What's the deal with sending players over to put out cones at training or whatever? Any rules against it? If not, you'd be silly not to have a wicketkeeper doing so, etc.

There's still hope for Hussey! http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc_cricket_worldcup2011/content/current/story/503569.html

Finch had a pretty decent innings too. I expect bigger things from him.

Wow!

I like KP opening the batting. It makes England a better side. Pretty ridiculous he's not in the subcontinent IMO. Fairly standard modus operandi from Chappell. I think there needs to be a change of the guard but, for now, while our few decent older players are in good form they should be retained.

Absolutely. I'm scared about our spin options - Kreza, Smith and Hussey. Given that our pace bowling options are mostly attacking, a Hauritz/Doherty type would have helped.

I agree. He should have been included not because of precedent, but because he would have given us a better chance of winning the World Cup. Hussey would be missing largely inconsequential matches, since round one of the tournament has been redesigned so that all main cricketing nations get through to round two. I think even the selectors agree that a fit Hussey in the later games would mean we had a better chance of winning the World Cup. What odd rules? My understanding is that the rules are pretty clear - if we took Hussey and it turned out he couldn't become fit we could replace him.

Will people who don't support Melbourne? How often would you choose to go to the Collingwood Football Social Club over some other venue nearby?

After the original squad was announced I said Ferguson was the unlucky bat to miss so I'm not unhappy he's going, but I think Hussey should have been in the 15 we took. From what I've read Marsh was ruled out. He's justifiably jilted IMO.

Voges into the squad - the forgotten man makes his return.

Absolutely. I was glad to see Clarke down the order a bit. Yeah. I wonder if he feels he needs to play the big shots all the time since he's one of the power hitters in our side. If he's out there a while his strike rate will look after itself, so he should focus on playing a longer innings. I understand there was some pressure to get going last night, but in general I feel like he tries to hit out a little too much.