Macca
Life Member
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Joined
Everything posted by Macca
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Ha! Perhaps the wording should have been ex stars. I know as soon as I declare Froome over the line something will happen to prove otherwise. There are still the 3 mountain stages to go and I can't help but think that the tour could be ultimately decided in the climb to the top of 'Annecy-Semnoz' (stage 20) That stage is preceded by 2 other tortuous stages of course. Froome will need to be at his best in all those 3 stages ... here's the stage 20 profile ... -
It was certainly an emphatic performance by Froome. It's a shame that thoughts other than 'awesome' or 'what a champ' can jump into your way of thinking. It's only natural that we've become a fair bit cynical and suspicious. He probably would have won the tour last year if the team weren't riding for Wiggins so it's not as if he's come from nowhere. The spectre from the Armstrong era will hang over the sport for a number of years unfortunately. Interesting stance from Chris just a few weeks ago ... Froome’s fury at cheat Lance Anyway, here's a 12 minute audio podcast from last night's stage ... Chris Froome produces a blistering ride For a comprehensive summary of the stage ... Froome: victory in the Sky
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I think Haddin was probably out. Game effort by the Aussies but our top 6 need to churn out a lot more runs. Only 3 half centuries out of 12 at bats from the top 6 (and no centuries) That's not going to win you many Test matches. Hughes, Haddin and Agar made valuable contributions with the bat but we needed a lot more from the others. The bowlers all did reasonably well. We didn't play that well but we nearly pinched the match. We'll need to play a lot better at Lords if we're going to win. Cowan out for Khawaja is a possibility but I think it might be an unchanged side (unless one of the quicks doesn't come up)
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Stage 15 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... Mont Ventoux: another legend is about to unfold Map of the course, video and preview
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'The Newsroom' is back (season 2) Screens on 'Showcase' on Monday at 5.30pm and repeated at 8.30pm.
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Stage 14 analysis (10 minute audio podcast) Comprehensive summary ... Trentin: the premier Italian stage winner in the 100th Tour Bastille day in France today and what a stage we have in store ... will post the preview's later but here's a look at the profile ... the climb to 'Mont Ventoux' will begin at around about 12.15am.
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Did I mention that I occasionally have bouts of supremely optimistic thoughts there, TD? We are fighting really hard, but England bowled very well to us yesterday and if they keep that up, it's going to be tough. The wicket is occasionally keeping low and Swann is a real handful (the ball that dismissed Hughes was a case in point) It's really hard to counter attack as well. There just hasn't been the deliveries to hit. Cook's field placements have been spot on and he has used his bowlers intelligently. We need to get through the 1st hour unscathed. The new ball is due in 9 overs and it will be interesting to see if England take it straight away. If they do, that's when we might be able to get a few boundaries. Still holding out hope but losing those 3 wickets at 160 odd was telling. All our tailenders can bat a bit and they're all going to have to contribute in some way.
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If hot spot is unreliable, it should be ditched. You can't have a system that 'might' work. Blokes careers are on the line here and it's the pinnacle of Test cricket - Ashes cricket. Cowan gone - right on the tea break. Ball was right up there. Could have been a bit more circumspect I suppose but that's the pressure of a 4th innings chase. Agree with you TD. Evenly poised. It's about partnerships now. Batting in 5 over blocks. We need each new batsman to contribute in some way - even if it's only 15-25 runs.
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To be fair, it did look very close 'live'. It's just the inconsistency of the decision that's annoying. If the umpire had given it not out then that's how the decision would have stayed (if it was reviewed) It doesn't seem right to me. Rogers not out! If we had run out of reviews he would have had to go. Flawed system. And very confusing to those who don't follow the sport closely.
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DRS needs to be looked at. Think it was Ian Chappell who said that all referrals should be up to the 3rd umpire only. Take it away from the Captains/Teams. I tend to agree with him. All it would take is for the 3rd umpire to step in when appropriate. In those circumstances, it would be difficult for the 'howler' to not be noticed. Fair for both sides. I could live without DRS as well. We didn't have it in India and to be honest, I didn't miss it. In this match, Rogers and Bell (it might have been Trott) were both hit on the pads in identical circumstances (ball was just clipping leg stump) Because Rogers was initially given out he had to go but because Bell was initially given not out - he stayed. That part of DRS is flawed. Either do it properly and thoroughly or don't do it. Or maybe just keep it for no balls, run-outs and stumpings.
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For some reason I've been thinking that we'll win this Test by 2 wickets. No idea why, just a thought that I've had for a few days that won't go away. Now wouldn't that be a grandstand finish TD? England would have to be favourites though and I expect Swann to get amongst them. Our batsmen might try and hit him around a bit. Sitting on him could play into his hands. He's the danger man. Go Aussies!
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From Wikipedia ... Australia vs India 2nd Test at Sydney 2007/08 From Cricinfo ... Australia vs India 2nd Test at Sydney 2007/08
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Just on the Broad 'non dismissal', one thing that can be almost guaranteed, it could easily happen again. Maybe not in this Test match, but almost certainly at some stage during the series. Unless both teams get together and decide on an agreed way of accepting similar decisions, we could end up in bit of a payback type situation. It would be better for all concerned if the series isn't marred with similar incidents. We don't want to see batsmen standing their ground when they're obviously out (during the whole series) Maybe the stumping decision (when Agar was given not out) has triggered this latest unsavoury moment. I thought that Agar should have been given the benefit of the doubt and would have felt the same way if it was an England batsman. For those who haven't seen the incident, here it is in this story
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Stage 14 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... The lesson from stage 13? Expect anything! Map of the course, video and preview Posted earlier but here is the profile again ...
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Agreed. Sunday night will tell a tale but so could tonight's. The Sky team aren't the team from last year ... and that's a bit of a surprise because pre race, they were being talked up quite a bit.
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Froome loses over 1 minute to his rivals in the GC! (12 minute audio podcast) Comprehensive summary ... Cavendish's 25th win after epic GC bout Sunday should be a cracking stage but tonight could spring a few surprises as well. It's another one of those up and down routes and we could expect a few attacks. It's rare to see the yellow jersey lose over a minute on a flat route at this stage of the tour. Froome is definitely vulnerable and it's far from over just yet. I'll post the previews, course map and preview video later on, but here is tonight's profile ...
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Stage 13 ... live coverage from the official site Jean Francois Pescheux's view ... After Kittel's triple: will the shock of the new continue? Map of the course, video and preview
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Heard Geoff Boycott talking about Richie Benaud this morning and he remarked that Richie was originally picked as a late middle order batsman (no.7) but he also remarked that he didn't bowl a lot in his first lot of Tests. Checked his first 10 or so tests here ... Test matches played by Richie Benaud and indeed Geoffrey is correct. Richie often batted at no.6 and sometimes no.5 and didn't bowl a lot of overs initially. Suppose having the great Keith Miller batting in the top order was a luxury but it does look like Richie started off as the 5th bowler. We've got so much time to develop this young bloke Agar. He could be a real prospect for the future. Couple of BBC podcasts with a heavy emphasis on Ashton's debut. The first podcast features Jonathan Agnew and Geoff Boycott whilst the 2nd has Gerard Whateley as host. Quite a few interviews with prominent past cricketers - all with their views on Ashley Agar ... Test Match Special ... Ashes Down Under
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Good work on those summary's TD. For those who haven't come across this article by Ashley Mallett, it's quite a good read ... ... Agar a natural born predator Starc is bowling nicely. Could be set for a good haul.
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We're right back in it. Amazing transformation. To lose 5 for 9 and then put on an unbeaten 112 run last wicket partnership is astonishing. Just imagine how England would be feeling? Agar has set the series alive! Inspirational stuff!
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What a fine effort. Well played Ashton Agar!
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I guess I'm holding out hope that there's a few twists in the tail. Can't remember the last time the tour had 3 finishing days that are as tough as this year's. (before the final stage) It's almost like the first 17 stages are like the 'home and away' season then there's 3 tough finals awaiting! The other factor is that if the tour is really clean, the ability of the riders to back up is that much harder (in theory) Last Sunday's stage was a fair bit different to what we've seen in the past (in terms of Sky protecting Froome and the yellow jersey) Of course, Froome could just waltz away with the whole thing without much threat
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So you're there for the 3rd Test yeah? Technically, the Ashes won't be decided before then I agree with you re the 1st hour (the whole 1st session really) It's hard not to peer into the future a bit. We don't want to be chasing 350 plus in the 4th innings. I can see them making at least 250-300 in their 2nd innings so ideally, we can grab a lead of 60-80 plus in the 1st innings to get ourselves right in the match. Can't find anything on Broad's injury. They might have to use Trott or Pietersen a bit if he doesn't come up. Apparently Watson has a niggle in his lower leg as well.
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Strange sort of day. 14 wickets fell but a number of batsmen contributed to their own downfall. Agar looks ok and has a nice action. He has a good high release and looks to put a decent amount of body into his bowling. It was certainly a bold move and I wish him well. Early doors but he's got a stack of time to develop. Only saw the dismissal's of our batsmen so it's hard to judge their bowlers. Our bowlers looked good when they got it in the right areas. Not sure what the go is with Broad - saw the delivery that struck him and it looked like it hit him right on the AC joint of his bowling arm (only guessing though) Because he didn't bowl, that might give our team an advantage (if he is hindered for the remaining of the match) England probably have the advantage and if they get an early wicket, we'll need our tail to get amongst it. As noted by a few earlier posts, they can all bat a bit. Agar is capable of batting as high as no.8 if all the reports on his batting prowess are true. However, he's probably marked down to come in at no.11! We'll need to bat for 2 sessions (at least) All the batsmen score at a good clip so if we do bat that long, we may well have a bit of a lead. Hope so anyway.
