Macca

Hard to fault anything you've said there 'P-man'. Although soccer (football) can often throw up some 'odd' results, it's hard to see how we're gonna get much of the ball against Spain and against the Dutch. The Kiwis held the Italians to a draw in the last World cup so stranger things have happened! But imagine if we managed to score a late winner against Chile to win the game 1-0? It could happen if Chile throw everyone forward in search of a win and we score on the rebound. Chile will need to beat us to have any chance of advancing, you'd think. Anyway, it's just a thought! If the games go according to the seedings in groups A and B, either Brazil, Spain or the Netherlands will be out of the tournament in the round of 16 knockout games (based on Brazil winning group A and Spain and the Netherlands occupying the top 2 spots in group B) Wasn't sure on the TV coverage but in this article, it seems SBS are covering all the games "live" ... SBS set to gain $25m from World Cup coverage

Unchanged line-up, dl. Sounds a little boring but it's not just because of the "Don't change a winning side" default mode. Team harmony and that 'all conquering' attitude that a team can suddenly have are also very important. We're playing well as a team and even one change could disrupt things a little. I also share the thoughts of a few other posters that Lyon could well be suited to the Perth track because of the bounce that he achieves. "Roo" Yardley is a half decent comparison although Bruce spun his off spinners with his middle finger. As you no doubt remember, Yardley got good bounce and had a stellar year in the mid 80's where he took 35 odd wickets in 6 Tests. Nathan also possibly needs to know that his position is a bit more secure. On top of all that, he leads the team song! The up and comers might have to bide their time for now. We play Pakistan in Abu Dhabi/Dubai (?) for 3 Tests in October and then India are here in the summer of 2014/15 for four Tests. Ideal opportunity to blood a new player or 2 in those series. I reckon the guts of this team will tour South Africa now that we've turned things around. If we win in Perth, the selectors might decide to experiment but that might involve giving the quicks a game off (each) None of them would be putting up their hand though. Sore spots and aches and pains can be put aside when you're winning. Winners are grinners

Once again, the TV games ... Monday 5.00am Kansas City at Washington (OneHD) 5.00am Indianapolis at Cincinnati (Fox2) 8.05am Tennessee at Denver (Fox2) 8.25am Seattle at San Francisco (OneHD) 12.30pm Carolina at New Orleans (OneHD & ESPN) Tuesday 12.30pm Dallas at Chicago (ESPN) ... all the other week 14 games and ... The ESPN 2013 NFL Power Rankings: Week 14

Happy to go with the old adage "Never change a winning side" dl. It's been so long since we've had some real stability in the make-up of the side. Winning does change the thinking. If England can keep us out in the field well into tomorrow, one of the quicks might become doubtful for Perth. Clarke would be aware of that however, and will no doubt use the fast bowlers with that in mind. We get another one soon and the rest might fall sooner rather than later.

Fair enough. If Lehmann lifts the team out of the doldrums and takes the team to the top like Bobby Simpson did, he'll have done a great job. Not sure we reached no.1** status in the World under Simmo but we went damn close. Regardless, Bobby certainly took the team to the top (as a manner of phrase) It's going to take some doing to catch South Africa or even come close to their status. For starters, we'd have to win the series over there next Feb/March ... and that's just to start making some inroads with regards to the rankings*. They'll be well ready for us! That upcoming series should be a terrific one, all the same. ... but first of all, we need to clinch this Test and this series (and not lose any of the remaining Tests in the process) * The ICC Rankings 'Predictor' **Edit: Bobby Simpson did, in fact, take us to the no.1 status in the World ... Bobby Simpson's Coaching Career

The Demons getting to 9 or 10 wins next year might be seen as a monumental improvement. That's where I could see the similarities. I definitely wasn't thinking in terms of finals (yet!) It's the proportional level of improvement where comparisons could be made.

I've heard that the times and dates of the group games may be altered but going on what we've seen published, it's going to be quite a challenge to watch the majority of the games "live". Apart from one later starting match, all the group games will start at 2.00am, 5.00am and 8.00am (our time) with the knockout phase matches on at 2.00am and 6.00am. The final will be on at 5.00am on Monday, July 14. My view on Australia's participation is that it's just great to be a part of it! Even if we somehow managed to get out of our group (2nd place?), we'd almost certainly be up against the winner of group A (most likely, Brazil!) Looking forward to all the games but group D (England, Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica) and group G (Germany, Portugal, the United States and Ghana) hold a lot of interest.

Good summary, TD. Still early doors but this feels a lot like the '89 series. Of course, we won that series 4-0 and had the better of the 2 other drawn Tests. I believe that '89 team was initially dubbed "The worst ever" to tour England as well! Whether we can dominate the rest of this series remains to be seen but the signs are good. To be honest, I'm still coming to terms with the turnaround. Let's hope that Roosey can have the same sort of impact at the Demons hey! (as well as seeing a number of our players starting to realise their potential) We've already snagged one of their best bats in the 2nd innings (Cook) I'd like to see Lyon pick up 3 or 4 wickets in this innings. Smith might get a few overs.

Michael Vaughan forecasts a 5-0 annihilation Geoffrey Boycott and other English greats blast tourists Test Match Special Podcast ... England fall again to Johnson (Geoffrey says the Ashes are gone)

With the Perth Test beginning next Friday, the more prudent move might be to bat again and set them about 550-600 to get in around about 2 days. Clarke will almost certainly bat again you'd reckon (that also gives us another chance to knock their bowlers around) A quick-fire Warner century? And I agree, Bell has to move up to no.3 if they're any chance of getting back into this series.

He had a chance to knuckle down and get his Country out of the mire. For someone with his experience and talent, he had to make a better fist of it. As soon as he was dismissed, their chance of saving the Test was all but gone. Now they've got the issues. Looks like they've been feeding Johnno raw meat - unbelievable turnaround. Good on him. He may have to keep the 'Mo' too. Cricketers are a superstitious lot.

Pietersen gave his wicket up - can't believe he fell for it. Clarke placed a couple of blokes in the spot where he likes to hit it - he duly obliged. Root's shot to get out was equally as poor. Bell looks the goods but it's just a matter of eking out a wicket here and there at the other end. We're playing well.

Here are all the groups and the associated matches (from wiki) ... Group stage Tough, tough group for the Socceroos but we may surprise in one of the games. Tall order though! All the games in our group ... times and dates are AEST ... Saturday June 14 ... 5.00am Spain / Netherlands Saturday June 14 ... 8.00am Chile / Australia Thursday June 19 ... 2.00am Australia / Netherlands Thursday June 19 ... 8.00am Spain / Chile Tuesday June 24 ... 2.00am Australia / Spain Tuesday June 24 ... 2.00am Netherlands / Chile

The draw happens in a few hours ... here's the World Cup 2014 Draw Simulator

It's just nice to be right back in the contest, 'dl.' Our rediscovered aggressiveness could be on show again tomorrow. Looking forward to watching it - the couch awaits! If we can turn the big advantage we have in this Test, into a victory, we would go to Perth with a 2-0 lead. As it stands now, it will be at least a 1-0 lead (barring a miracle England win)

Well said, 'TD' So many runs to play with and Lyon could be a bit of a handful tomorrow (hope so anyway) KP could be the key dismissal but Bell's wicket is also very important. England would have to bat well into the 4th day to save the game you'd think. If the Aussies can pick up 2 or maybe even 3 wickets per session, we would be at their tail in the last session. 2 more centuries is very pleasing and is Haddin the 'other' renaissance man? (he kept very well in England but his batting right now, is superlative) Brad seems to be getting better with age. Another great knock to Clarke ... doing it at the no.4 spot as well (which is another positive result) It would be great if he could come to the crease more often when we're well placed (2 for plenty) Test Match Special with Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott (includes an interview with Brad Haddin)

Ha! As we all know, Strafford, a lot of things can change in the NFL in just one week ... and this week is no different. Some great match-ups and it's a tipsters nightmare (and that's just trying to find some straight winners - home or away!) I could only come up with 2 (Denver and the Pats) Every other game could go either way (IMO)

TV games ... Friday 12.30pm Houston at Jacksonville (ESPN only) Monday 5.00am Kansas City at Washington (OneHD) 5.00am Indianapolis at Cincinnati (Fox2) 8.05am Tennessee at Denver (Fox2) 8.25am Seattle at San Francisco (OneHD) 12.30pm Carolina at New Orleans (OneHD & ESPN) Tuesday 12.30pm Dallas at Chicago (ESPN) ... all the other week 14 games Tips ... KC Oakland Giants

The Bengals are 2 games clear in your division, you're leading the comp and Roosey has come to save us! What more could you possibly want?

Yep, they're a top notch team with a huge home field advantage, Strafford. Another big win yesterday. 2 home wins and they're in the Super Bowl. It's not done yet of course, but they're going to be hard to toss. You've hit the front in the comp! Just 4 weeks left but don't forget, 3 points are on offer in week 17. The road team wins are there but it's a matter of deciphering which ones! The points tally ... 6 - Strafford 5 - cowboy from hell 4 - pantaloons 3 - Macca 1 - DemonDave, Gorgoroth 0 - 45HG, Norm Smith's Curse, Arrow, bananas ... week 14 games ... The BS Report

My conflict was not picking Jacksonville instead of Arizona - I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I'll never learn Chicago go for the field goal to win the game on 2nd down? You could understand 3rd down but that decision could come back to haunt them. They are now effectively 2 games behind Detroit - although the Lions can't be trusted - can they? AP had a big game for your blokes. Big win for the Bengals and you've kept that 2 game buffer. That match up with KC in the playoffs looks like it might happen after today. If you get to 10 wins I reckon you win the division. That week 17 game against the Ravens may or may not mean anything in terms of winning the Division. But I'm just speculating!

Like the regular season comp, if there's enough interest, we could go ahead with it. I'll wait until we're done with the current one before "launching" the play-off one. Anyone with any ideas though, put 'em forward. Anyway, you've led from the front all season, 'cfh', but it's not all over just yet! (now I've done it, you're now odds on to pick up 2 points tomorrow!) It's been a strange year in terms of injuries and teams under performing. Against all that, we've seen a few teams come right into contention from seemingly nowhere - if Arizona get up tomorrow, they'll be right in the thick of things. The month of December is nearly always a great one though - in terms of key match-ups. ... here are the TV games again, along with Bill Simmons' column ... All the Fixins Monday 5.00am Miami at NY Jets (OneHD) 5.00am Tennessee at Indianapolis (Fox2) 8.25am Denver at Kansas City (OneHD) 8.25am Cincinnati at San Diego (Fox2) 12.30pm NY Giants at Washington (OneHD & ESPN) Tuesday 12.30pm New Orleans at Seattle (ESPN) ... all the week 13 games

Just a lucky guess, 'cfh' ... I figure if you make a hundred predictions, you're gonna get a few right! Not sure I predicted Houston or Atlanta's demise ... anyway, if you think back to last year, both our teams were right in the running after Chicago came back to the field (Cutler broke his thumb IIRC) How things can change hey and barring a miracle, we'll both be onlookers during the play-offs. Agree with you re the Saints. They've got a chance on Tuesday (our time) but if Seattle win, they'll get the 1 seed you'd reckon. It would then come down to the Panthers or the Saints for the NFC South (they've still got to play each other twice) Do the Saints need the dome? There's some ripper games on the box tomorrow and Tuesday with the Den/KC and Saints/Seahawks games being the big ones. Oh, and by the way, after our current comp is done, we could do something similar during the play-offs. Just straight winners for all the games with the Super Bowl being worth 3 points ... just a thought

Jeff was in the job for far too long, 'dc'. 14 years? Maybe 2 or 3 years would have been sufficient, all things considered. There are 2 distinctly different arguments that can happen here. The competency of the umpires and the fact that umpires are instructed to umpire the sport in a certain way. My focus is on the latter argument. The 'former' argument is definitely a matter of opinion. You only have to put yourself into the shoes of an umpire - they may not enjoy 'not' blowing the whistle all the time. In many ways, those who oversee the umpires have stifled them. That stifling effect might appeal to a number of footy fans but it's not big picture stuff in all reality. More free kicks and "early" ball ups leads to more open and positional play (IMO) A ball up doesn't have to necessarily take a lot of time either. It can be done reasonably quickly with a bit of forethought.

It's not a hard fix 'rjay'. I reckon they overthink it. What's wrong with having more free kicks or ball ups? With the quick ball up situation, often teams would just belt the ball forward to open up play and get the ball moving their way. We watch these rolling mauls and packs for endless amounts of time and they often end up balling it up anyway - just ball it up straight away. Or pay the correct free kick early.