P-man

Rob, I'll admit I thought of you when I heard about this - http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/chairman-jim-spigelman-defends-abc-against-attacks-announces-bias-audit-20131211-2z5gr.html I understand you'll give it absolutely no weight unless the audit reveals 100% of programs and interviews are leftist hippy garbage, but at least they are making an effort in response to your criticisms.

True, although I never said I admired him OD. In truth there's only one of our players I would say I wholly admire and that is Jones. Clark and Frawley are close. Almost the entire list have everything still to prove. I have a soft spot for Blease because he does do the odd freakish thing that not many are capable of doing. When your team is in such a deep trough, you'll take what you can get. That's not to understate the shortfalls in his game.

Sammy is a decent contruibutor in the shorter form of the game (as are alot of them tbh), but I agree he's not good enough at either discipline to be a test player.

Whatever the justified criticisms of Blease, he remains one of my favourites. He along with Howe gave something to cheer about, when there was very little else.

There will never be another Chris Martin. "You still watching that black caps game?" 'Yeah, it's nearly over. Chris Martin's about to bat. Aaaaaand it's over."

Loving all the reports on JKH.

Go you good thing! Keep climbing!

Does the crowd outnumber those in the field, TD?

Damn left wing greenies corrupting the neighbourhood. The cops need to do something about them and clean up our streets.

I agree that the team looks focused and up for the contest from the first ball, but it's also worth noting that England's catching has been abysmal. If they had held onto some at the GABBA, it could be a different story. Right now their confidence is shot. Beefy thinks a draw is still possible. He should probably just keep his mouth shut after predicting a 5-0 whitewash. He may end up being right, just picked the wrong team on the end of it.

Ah, right you are.

Thanks for that report, although admittedly my heart sank a little reading on Trengove.

Absolute buckley's of making it out of the group. Getting any points at all will be a minor miracle, so I'll be wrapped if we get a point. South American teams perform very well at home, and Chile are in fine form. Still puzzled as to how Switzerland were seeded. Performed well in qualifying but against average opposition. Makes no sense whatsoever. The balance of these groups is all over the place, but a lot of match predictions have a Brazil v Argentina final, so Blatter will be happy.

I'd say Watson is in perfect form. Makes 50 and then gets out. Sounds like the Watson I know.

Other than the fact Hogan's face has been plastered on membership campaign material. He is on the cover of the 2014 calendar. There is plenty of Hogan hype to go round, especially with an extra year's worth of anticipation, and it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise. It really doesn't matter anyway, does it? Would you be happier if everyone named Hogan number 1? Who cares? Everyone's excited, end of story.

I'd be going safety first for Perth. Unchanged lineup. As for England, I'd be giving serious consideration to Anderson's spot. When the conditions don't suit swing bowling he is rendered almost totally useless. I read somewhere that they can recall Onions if need be. Not sure if that's true, but his Durham side won the County Championship where he was the leading wicket taker. Pretty unlucky not to get called up when they are picking the likes of Tremlett and Finn.

It's not out "nervousness", it's about not expecting a superstar from day dot. Perhaps some are intrigued by the unknown quantities in our list, of which there are many. Not to mention that the midfield is the area of the ground that was in intensive care and thus will be of chief interest next season to see how much we have improved. It will largely be what determines improvement as a whole. It naturally follows that for some, midfielders are of more interest.

Interesting points Bob. So you would select 4 quicks for Perth if in England's shoes?

I had him in but took him out. Of course I'm keen to watch him but I'm wary of heaping too much expectation on an 18 year old in his first year. I'm sensing some expectation that he will dominate from the get go, which I don't think is wise or fair. But yeah, like everyone, excited at the prospect of seeing him play.

Got no issue with Brayshaw. It's Slater that gives me the ultimate shits.

I agree Rhino, swapping Panesar for Swann would be an overreaction. The old "class is permanent" applies. Swann is potentially as damaging a player as they have. I wasn't all that impressed by Stokes, but Prior at 6 doesn't look great. It's fortunate for them that he has found a bit of confidence with the bat, finally. Maybe Bresnan and Bairstow for Stokes and Panesar. Admittedly pretty rough on Monty.

I'm optimistic that you will be right.

The Late Show and Frontline, the shows mentioned, were on the ABC. The D Generation also started on the ABC in 86/87. It then moved to Seven in 88/89. I can tell you get [censored] off. That is abundantly clear. Nice work on the bike. You've reminded me that the missus wants an actual bike for Christmas. Flowery basket on the front is optional.

I think you need to ease up. Gotta watch that ticker. Not everything is an insult mate. Some of it is just banter. Emphasis on "some".

Call it Watts fatigue, Paul. Not disputing what you say but it seems like he's been in the team for a decade.