Macca

Beer and Lyon went to South Africa ( see link below ) The tracks in the West Indies are often grassless and tend to keep low and often take spin . Ajmal took 17 wickets for Pakistan in 2 tests there last year whilst Harby took 11 wickets in 3 tests for India in 2011 as well . And the West Indies "Leggie" Devendro Bishoo took 21 wickets in 5 tests against India and Pakistan last year . And yes Rhino , there will be a "beer" of some description taken on the tour of the West Indies ! Speaking of which ....................... http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/cummins-caps-rapid-rise-with-test-call-up-20111017-1lsp5.html

Yep , but on the flip side he'll get to play a few Shield games before the selectors pick the Test squad for the West Indies . I must say it is a bit of speculation on my part because I haven't seen a lot of him . I have heard that he's got a fairly big turning leg break . I'm just a bit mindful that there is often a surprise selection in a touring squad . Btw cricket.com have some live streaming of shield games (periodically) so we might get to have a bit more of a look at him . And Rhino , you are correct about Cameron's last match figures but prior to that game he had match figures of 5/57 against NSW and 6/135 against Victoria . And we did take 2 spinners to Sri Lanka and South Africa ( Lyon and Beer ) In all honesty I don't think he will get in the squad but the selectors might choose to take him for the experience if they think Beer won't get a game anyway .

You make a good point Nasher but Cameron Boyce from Queensland is on the horizon . And a few Test nations don't play leg spin very well . England are susceptible at times . Boyce might be a dark horse for the West Indies if we pick 2 spinners in the squad . We were blessed with Warne and MacGill but I was thinking more along the lines of Hohns , Higgs and Holland . Handy and sometimes good but not great . Anyone above that level is an absolute bonus . Here's Cameron's profile on cricinfo . Not ground breaking stats to be fair but Ashley Mallett gave him a good rap a few years ago (story at the bottom of his profile) . http://www.espncrici...yer/326625.html And here's the Itinerary for the West Indies . http://www.espncrici...mplate=fixtures

Mick Clarke has had quite a handy start to his Captaincy career . 7 wins , 3 losses , 2 draws . ( That includes the loss in the 5th Test vs England ) . With 3 Tests to come in the West Indies , that record is set to improve you'd reckon . We've then got South Africa at home for 3 Tests ( Nov /Dec ) and Sri Lanka are here for 3 Tests next Xmas . Michael's captaincy has been excellent . Rotates his bowlers well . Uses Lyon at the right time and his field placings have been very good . And his own batting is top notch .Wonderful start by "Pup" . In the space of 12 months we've gone from having a struggling attack to an embarrassment of riches . I like Nathan Lyon but if we can unearth another good leggie to put some pressure on , it would be ideal . Our batting isn't quite settled yet . Ponting and to a lesser extent Hussey have turned the tables and well done to both of them . But they can't go on forever . England looms . Warner and Cowan have been terrific and are getting themselves established and of course Watto will come into the side eventually . Marsh and Khawaja both have work to do but they're both young enough to get better and Dan Christian is another option . Haddin will probably stay for the time being . Who the selectors pick in the touring party for the West Indies will be interesting . Which fast bowler or bowlers do they leave out ? And will there be a surprise selection in the batting ? . They'll possibly pick 15 players . Closer to the release date we could all have a go at picking the squad . Cheers

Yep , weird how sport works sometimes , esp in the NFL . The Giants are hot right now and I reckon they should be slight favourites . The Eagles were disappointing Dappa but in the end no worse than the Packers . I too wasn't too surprised that "our" Packers lost that 1st playoff game . As ya said , our defence wasn't good enough and you get exposed in the big games . James Starks missed too many games leading into the playoffs unlike last year when he got hot late . Next year !

Wow , that was a great match ! Should be a classic Final on Sunday night - Go Rafa ! Though I like Novak as well . Volume possibly on mute for tomorrow nights Ladies Final !

Here's David Benoit with "Will's Chill" . David has been around for yonks and is another supreme jazz keyboardist . Macca 1.5

Well we get the classic rematch . Giants and Patriots . Those 2 championship games were rippers . Both down to the wire with twists and turns everywhere . This sport can really hook you in especially when games come down to a fumble , a dropped catch , a missed field goal and the like . Both the Ravens and the 49ers were brave but in the end - no cigar . You can see this Superbowl being a thriller . New England are 3 pt favourites but I'm with 'DemonDave' and am picking the Giants (just) How would the Redskins be feeling right now - they beat the Giants twice this year ! Go figure .

This song reached no.1 this year on the US mainstream rock tracks . South African band . Seether . Macca 5.1

Well "grazman" , post a song or 2 and join the rest of the crew . Don't reckon we've seen a song from "The Boss" or Pearl Jam yet . And The Black Keys are great . Cheers , Macca ( otherwise known as Nuggets ! )

Just listened to both Franky . Excellent and smooth as . Knew that story about "Sunny" but had only heard the Buddy Hebb version and Boney M's until now . Good work .

Interesting article by Ashley Mallett (today's Age). Always enjoy reading "Rowdy" . Bradman vs Warne http://www.theage.co...0120-1qa4j.html

One of my favourite bands are "The Strokes" They have a bit of a retro sound and are from New York Macca 5.0

The latest installments of "Sherlock" are wonderful . They will need your full attention as usual so plan your evening ! 2.1 A Scandal in Belgravia , 2.2 The Hounds of Baskerville 2.3 , The Reichenbach Fall . Complex again and it's a "revelation" on how the writers have brought "Holmes" to the modern day . So clever . Don't miss 'em ! The game is afoot ! ( my dear Watson )

Like it ! Nice track .

Great stuff JJ with the one and only Louis ! How good was this man ! So much music to explore . I love a good jazz keyboardist . Here's Brian Simpson with "Juicy" Another toe-tapper ! Macca 1.4 Brian Simpson - Juicy

So are we all on the 49ers ? I haven't seen a Giants , Pats or Ravens fan on this thread but I stand corrected . I reckon if San Fran get past the Giants they'll win the Superbowl . The other game is hard to pick . Great offence vs Great defence . Ravens just .

Macca 4.9 This track has really grown on me after a number of listens . I think what I like most about this song is how this band have matured and perhaps brought out their best song ? I don't mean that in any disparaging way as they're pretty damn good ! .

Saeed Ajmal with his "Teesra's" did the damage . 7 for 55 ! 5 of them LBW .

And here's the live scorecard http://news.bbc.co.u...ard/default.stm

Not happy Demon ! The better team won in all honesty . I've heard that there's always at least 1 home team in week 2 of the playoffs that comes out a bit rusty . Green Bay just weren't on their game today . Not an excuse but their offensive coordinator Joe Philbin lost his 21yo son in a drowning accident a few days ago . That must have had some effect on the team . I really rate the Giants so was a fair bit concerned going into today . Rodgers throws were a bit off and we dropped at least 8 catchable catches . Turned the ball over as well too many times . A shocker in all reality . On the flip side Eli was very good again with a QB rating of 114.5 . Nicks and Bradshaw shone out for the Giants as well . But , congratulations to New York who are the real danger team in these playoffs . Houston were brave today I thought and just needed an ounce of luck to win it . As for next week , I need to recover first before I can give an honest appraisal !

Over rates do need to be looked at though . As a means to an end , a zero tolerance type of attitude may improve things . It's interesting that Shield teams are asked to bowl 100 overs in a day ( think that's still the rule , might be 96 overs ) I'm all for the ICC showing a bit of muscle at last . As long as it's shown in the best interests of the game . Here is another interesting little article involving the ICC and India . Surprised me . http://www.theage.co...0114-1q0qh.html

I may have inadvertently tipped this in post 3218 ! Dhoni out ! http://www.heraldsun...o-1226244905418

Hats off to Hilfo . 8 wickets for the match . Gee wizz , has this bloke turned things around . He's been quoted as saying that he's going back to bricklaying after cricket . What a top Aussie bloke . Whilst I didn't say anything on this thread I thought he was in a bit of trouble with regards to his career . Well done Ben ! Oh and Mitch Starc has a huge upside . How on earth are we going to fit all these quicks into the side ? Nice problem to have . India have been really poor . Good at home but atrocious away . Who could captain apart from Dhoni ?

Yep , a great win by your blokes . Smith was fantastic in the clutch moments . Well coached are the 49ers with the emphasis on "Team" . Very impressive . If my Packers can get over the line it sets up a top notch Championship game .