Grapeviney

I didn't see it but if the only difference is 4-game sets rather than 6 games, I can't see what the appeal will be, particularly if as TD says some matches still go for 2+ hours. T20 is successful not just because its shorter, but because it's a different product to 50over cricket - in tactics, execution, wow factor and all the gimmicks. Other than time, what distinguishes fast4tennis from normal tennis?

Me too TD. Thought Punter's questions were excellent, didn't dodge the hard ones and didn't let KP off the hook. Was far more enlightening than the usual banter between commentators. It's also been good to see some of the father-son players coming through, McDermott and Wessels, was a big fan of both back in the day.

Few raised eyebrows in England too over the omission of Stokes. Was in swashbuckling form in the BBL the other night, smashed 77 off 30-odd balls. One of the better innings of the whole series. Channel 10 put up numerous tweets from English cricket types saying he should have been selected.

You were there Macca? Or Mrs Macca? You must have better eyesight than me DC.. or at least a better telly

Yep that match was a cracker. The replay on the final ball was inconclusive from what I could see, so I think they made the right call giving the batsman the benefit of the doubt. Was also good to see a Melbourne jumper in the crowd at one point!

Brett Lee went one better the other day when he said that 63 was becoming the most important number in cricket. Emotional hyperbole.

It may not have hit it, but it certainly interfered; you can read Smith's lips as he looks skyward. Twitter's in a fizz over it, as are most of the media outlets covering the match, but Channel 9 seem to have moved on... Elephant. In. Room.

So did the ball hit the wire of Channel 9's spider-cam? It's an f-ing disgrace if it did, and the Aussies should formally complain. Smith must be spewing!

Was all just a little too easy for the Aussies, a combination of poor fielding, loose bowling and a pretty flat track. The missed chance off Watson in the last over pretty much summed up the day. Shame for Rogers, he's had a good series and deserved a ton.

There's already flashing stumps, loud music, fluorescent clothing and fireworks - how much more nuanced can you get!?!

Yep, went on to make the double, the 11th time he's done so. Second only to the Don on 12. Was having a look at some of the test batting stats and didn't realise how similar the numbers are for Ponting, Dravid and Kallis - they are separated by just 7 innings and fewer than 100 runs. Ponting: 287 innings for 13,378 runs Kallis: 280 innings for 13,289 runs Dravid: 286 innings for 13,288 runs

Agree that it's helped to grow the game, opening up new opportunities for players and crowds alike. As you say, it's not going to bring the downfall of test cricket, although it's interesting to think how this new form of the game can have unintended consequences, such as Smithy noted in the other thread re teaching his grandkids how to bat in the classical fashion in an era when no stroke is considered too outrageous. Also worth noting that tennis is about to launch its own short-form game, 4tennis or something.

I agree Macca. This is the first year I've watched the t20 and it's done its job in whiling away the summer nights. Occasionally, you are treated to some really great hitting, as when Hussey and Kallis batted together last week and scored 90+ apiece. And Kallis again tonight. The format's main flaw is that if the side chasing loses 4 or 5 early wickets, the contest can be over with 15 overs still to go. At least in 50over cricket you have the time to take stock for a while and shore up the innings. A few matches this year have been blowouts unfortunately. I couldn't bear the thought of actually going to a game - the music between balls is enough to keep me away - but the crowds in Perth and Adelaide particularly have been really good.

And there's no. 1 !! Go rhino ! edit: two down now, looks like the boys are following my strategy of taking wickets early

Yep, he'd be kicking himself. A couple of early wickets and this could be interesting.

Good to see Maxy Klinger getting among the runs in the BBL, just knocked 105 n.o off 60 balls against the Renegades. I used to play school cricket with Klinger. I was in year 12, and he in grade 6, but he had special permission to miss class and play with the senior team on a Wednesday afternoon in the inter-school competition. The rules stipulated that you had to retire at 50 - Klinger went through the entire comp without losing his wicket, even though he was barely taller than the stumps at that stage. It would take him about 20 minutes to reach his 50 and then he'd go back to class. No surprise that we were premiers that year!

7 actually TD, which is a pretty good haul regardless. Does anyone else think Steve Smith looks a lot like Nick Riewoldt?

As Titus O'Reilly tweeted: Clarke's century will go down as one of the most iconic since Warner's yesterday.

So young Devastated for his family, my heart goes out to them and all his loved ones.

Not looking good. Still find it hard to believe it's happening - who would have thought you could leave to play cricket one day and not come home ? His poor family and friends must be beside themselves.

Mate who was at Levi's earlier this year said it's all interactive and you can order your food, drinks and merchandise to be delivered to your seat. Typical lazy Americans can't be arsed getting off their bums. He said that with travel time to and from downtown SF and the game, it was basically a 7-hour round trip for what was a 'home' game. Not surprised 49-er fans are dirty on the location.

Sensational, and freaky! They're calling it the greatest catch of all time.

I'm going to poke my eyes out with a fork if I have to listen to Mark Taylor again this summer. Do channel 9 still delay their coverage by a second or two to scuttle those who watch with the sound down while listening to the radio broadcast?

Best mate was at the new Levi's stadium for the 49ers - Eagles game over the weekend. From the video he sent it looked like he had seats slap bang in the middle at ground level. He's a San Fran man too so he was a very happy chappy.

LOL - quite a few in the top 20 are training threads, says a lot about our recent history.