P-man

On reflection that's a fair call on AB. But that's no disrespect to Hads, and I really don't think he's a long way behind at the moment. What he's shown in this series, and through his career, is that he can be relied upon in pressure situations. With his position in the lineup he is often called upon to drag the team out of the muck, and he very often succeeds. Stats alone don't tell you that side of the story.

I'd love to say the turn around is complete but I can't just yet. I still think there are question marks over the batting lineup which could be exposed, partly due to the high number of short form style batsmen we have. But more importantly, England have been that abysmal that we can't say with certainty that this Australian team is the genuine article. At times in this series they've barely been tested at all. How they fare in South Africa will answer some questions about the maturity of a lot of these players. There isn't too much I'd change about the bowling attack, it's just a shame about the age bracket. Fortunately we have some quality coming through, but none of them are at Rhino or Mitch's level yet. In saying all that, there is no doubt a corner has been turned and nothing should be taken away from the performance. With a rampant Mitch leading the attack and Pup in the form he's in, we have two players who are as damaging as any in world cricket, being ably supported with a stack of raw talent. We have every reason to be going to South Africa with confidence.

Very true, simplicity is often a best friend. The second, perhaps more genuine test for this lot comes in South Africa. Even with Kallis retiring, it will be the real mice and men exercise. If they find success there, I think we can call the turn around complete. Happy 2014 fellas.

Deeluded - I think you may well be right re Boof's influence over Pup and the team dynamic. Many fans celebrated his appointment for that very reason. Look at Watson and Clarke. Suddenly they seem to be getting along like a house on fire. Winning will only help strengthen those ties.

So to answer your question as to who has talked him down, the answer would be you. A "backstop"? What a completely daft insult. As Nash says, I can't think of another keeper I'd be swapping him with. He is a "backstop" in career best form, and he has saved our backside more than once to win back the urn. Your lack of respect for his performance is remarkable, but I'll grant you that opinions are like [censored]. Your last sentence makes no sense.

jazza, your lack of comprehension seems to extend to your own posts, which needless to say is concerning. Go back and read what you've said about Haddin in this thread. Hell, on this page alone. Your appraisal of Haddin is just flat out wrong, so clearly you're doing so to stick by your guns. Blind Freddy can see he's been one of the best performers, arguably only behind Johnson. I haven't asked for an apology, so again you're off the mark. There is a difference between apologising and merely acknowledging that perhaps you've been too harsh on someone. Failure to do so doesn't bother me one bit, because it doesn't surprise me. I'm merely stating something which is fact with regard to Haddin's performance.

Silence? I am referring to the series of posts between jazza and others discussing Haddin and Lyon. How does that constitute silence? Haddin has been excellent, he hasn't merely "broken even". He's let very little outside of the unreachable get past him, and he's supported Lyon and the rest of the bowling attack by holding onto the ones he should. Can not say the same of Prior or Bairstow, or indeed Wade. The difference with Hads behind the stumps is marked. Haddin has had his fair share of knockers on the journey, with many cryinh foul when he was recalled. Pup also has his fair share of detractors who seem more focused on his appearance than his ability. Both players have made those knockers look foolish. The bigger person would admit they were wrong about them. I won't hold my breath waiting for that to happen,

I can honestly only laugh at the talking down of Haddin and Gaz. You have to wonder what they would need to do in order to earn praise. Both have had an excellent series. Haddin in particular has been immense with bat and gloves. His role in the resurgence of the team can't be overstated. It is also very apparent that Clarke will NEVER win over some people who seem determined to forever park him in the "ordinary captain and he's a metrosexual nancy boy" pile. He has outdone Cook in every facet in this series and has led the team brilliantly. His being relieved of selection duties appears to have done the trick in removing any divide and he is now not only their captain but their equal. He deserves all the plaudits for what has been achieved here.

As strange as it may sound, I hold more hope for Agar as a batting all rounder. He certainly has age on his side to develop his batting. His poise and downright elegance at he crease was a joy to watch, and he would be a handy option with the ball. Titan is right though, he is no frontline spinner.

How's that egg tasting WYL?

The English team is like a trainwreck at the moment. It's one thing after another. Christmas really did come early this year.

I'm amazed that Crown denied them entry. They had just won the Ashes ffs, what's the world coming to? If I was running the door I wouldn't care if they were rolling in. Perhaps there's more to the story.

Never in doubt, titan Sweet, sweet victory. Now for that rubbish footy team of ours to turn thIngs around in similar fashion.

I would be a lot more nervous if they were only 3 down heading into today. Given Bell and KP pretty much threw their wickets away after getting themselves settled, that could've been a real possibility. We absolutely should get the job done now, especially with Broad on one foot, but you never know in this game. Prior is horribly out of form but is capable of making a big score. Good to see the poms finally showing a bit of fight, but it's come far too late me thinks.

What a morning. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. 134 runs at 8 an over. The Watson dismissal is one of the most comical things I've seen on a cricket field. Junior cricket stuff. Very Watson-esque. 28 run over from Bailey. Equalling the record set by Lara. And then, after all that, Cook goes for a golden duck off a Rhino jaffa. Hard to top.

I agree it is being used better, particularly by Clarke. It was also noteworthy that it was Watson on the right side of the Root dismissal. He typically hasn't had the best relationship with DRS. Perhaps they have kissed and made up. I'm still open to a restriction on the number of times it can be used in an innings in order to meet the original intent, and please get rid of these stupid no ball reviews for every wicket. One of the great things about cricket, indeed sport in general, is its imperfections.

Regarding the Root decision, I can only assume that the noise registered on snicko created enough doubt that Root may have hit it, therefore the on-field umpire's decision is upheld. The fact that the ball appeared to have passed the bat seemingly wasn't enough. There obviously needed to be NOTHING on snicko and NOTHING on hot spot to be deemed conclusive. I also heard that supposedly hot spot isn't reliable in extreme heat? Which would make the whole thing even more farcical. I agree that there should always be a place for the fundamental of cricket that is benefit of the doubt going to the batsman. Perhaps they are also accounting for respecting the on-field umpire's decision, and only overturning when it is beyond doubt that a mistake has been made. I'm beginning to think DRS is more trouble than it's worth and maybe the Indians are onto something. It was there to overturn the howlers, but instead has become a mechanism of review for any decision where there MIGHT be a chance of a wrong decision, no matter how slight. Basically it is being misused, which was perhaps inevitable. I think the number of times it can be used should be restricted further, but that's another story.

Just watched the highlights of the Windies. Holy hell, they are in some strife. Houses being knocked over left right and centre. Just not acceptable at test level. On the flipside, Boult looks an absolute beauty for the kiwis. Added to his performance with the ball by taking one of the best plucks at point that I've ever seen.

In general or in the context of how the poms have been batting?

Full credit to Haddin. Stood up when needed throughout this series.

Pup gone. Hm, we may have a match on our hands.

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.

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."

Does the crowd outnumber those in the field, TD?

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.