Macca

Good on ya JJ . Thanks for that but you were the originator of the idea mate . I'll kick my contribution off with a nice little number from a superb jazz guitarist - Chuck Loeb . This song is called "Carbo Fuel" Macca 1.0 Chuck Loeb - Carbo Fuel

Hodgey and Ronnie put on a show . Some big 6's in that innings . Always nice to see Melbourne beat Sydney !!

Funny you should mention jazz because I like a fair bit of it as well . And I'm sure there are others here that do as well . Tell you what , if you start a jazz thread I will contribute whenever I can . Most of it would be on youtube or the like . Maybe the songs will just have still shots - but that's quite ok . Some of my favourite artists include George Duke , Nils , Jeff Golub , Acoustic Alchemy , Ronny Jordan , Chuck Loeb , David Benoit and various saxophonists . Most of the jazz I like is a bit uptempo but it's somehow described as downtempo - I don't get that , but let's face it , how do you describe jazz? Cheers and btw Korn are good .

A bit of holiday reading for you blokes and ladies The late great Keith "Nugget" Miller http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/482217.html

Yes wisedog, you make a good point re the "State competition" though I can understand why CA made the move . Most big sporting comps around the world are City based so they've just re-jigged it . It will take a bit of time before the public warm to the Stars , Renegades , Sydney Thunder and Sixers but in the other Capital cities the new "franchises" have been accepted ( if you go on crowds ) . The "Thunder" having Chris Gayle and the "Stars" having Warnie will help those teams pull a crowd you'd reckon . Possibly by the end of January people will start to accept the new teams and certainly by the end of next summer . I still find it a bit strange switching from "Test" mode to "t20" mode but I reckon most feel this way . Cheers

Yep , we're on the same wavelength Nasher . I think in time the purists will buckle . There's just too much to like about t20 . As ya said , that Gayle knock was exciting . Just wonderful artistry . Effortless in a lot of ways , pure timing . He's done it twice now in the comp and what a crowd puller he is . The sport is part exhibition as well which can't be denied but so what . People love it . I worry about the future of Test cricket sometimes but 189,000 at the MCG eases my mind somewhat . They should come in their droves to the Sydney Test as well especially it being the 100th test at the ground .

Test cricket is a Test and a better game to watch ( for me ) . T20 for me is a much better shorter version of the game . It might surprise some that I don't like 50 over cricket at all . ( except for world cups where I take a bit of an interest ) . To me the 50 over game goes far too long . We already have a long version of the game in Test cricket . I reckon it will be the 50 over game that will fade away to be perfectly honest . Btw t20 pays its way and probably subsidises Shield cricket ( which must cost a small fortune to run ) So , in fact , cricket needs t20 and the money it brings to the game . Big picture stuff in a lot of ways .

If t20 is aimed at kids then why do so many adults like the sport as well ? Check out the faces in the crowd . T20 is here to stay and will only get bigger . As an aside , the Test crowd at the MCG was over 189,000 so what are people worried about ? The crowd at the Sydney Test will be big as well btw It seems there is a percentage of people who don't like t20 and that is their right . But do they need to tell everybody about it ? There are loads of things in life that I don't like but I don't feel compelled to tell the whole world about it . I'll give you one though - I don't like brussels sprouts ! You do however make a good point about Test players playing t20 and that does need to be addressed . You are also correct in saying that it's a completely different game . If you treat it as such , you may not dislike it as much . I compare Test cricket to t20 like I do the Marathon to the 100 metre sprint . It's ok to like both . Overall t20 is family friendly , fun , exciting , entertaining . There's music and dancing etc etc . I go to the games and everybody is smiling and happy . What's wrong with that ? Btw , I'm waiting for the cavalry to arrive . I seem to be the only one on this thread who likes the sport . ( And I didn't kick it off ) Cheers

Came across a good new comedy called "Episodes" about a British couple who have a successful comedy in the UK . The plot revolves around the "American" version of the show with the lead played by Matt LeBlanc ( who is somewhat miscast as a Headmaster of an elite boys academy ) . It has been nominated for a Grammy award for best comedy series . Worth a look .

Renegades are on the board at last ! Scores are lower this year . It seems the bowlers are fighting back in this form of the game .

Macca 4.4 All the best for the New Year all you rock fans !

Here are the 2 scorecards from those 2 tests vs Pakistan in 1972/73 . 5 changes from a winning test ! ( For various reasons ) . The great DK Lillee bowled 23 overs straight in the 2nd innings in Sydney ( albeit with a break overnight ) . He of course broke down with stress fractures in his back soon after . Pakistan made 574 in their 1st innings in Melbourne yet somehow lost . They were chasing 159 for victory in Sydney and at one stage were 3/83 and lost again . Eerily similar to events in Sydney 2 years ago . http://www.espncrici...atch/63095.html http://www.espncrici...atch/63096.html Well done to the Aussies today . For a while there yesterday I thought we'd be 1 nil down but we got there in the end . Great team effort .

Too good WJ ! Yeah , John Benaud . After he failed in the 1st innings of the Melbourne Test vs Pakistan in 1972/73 he was dropped for the Sydney Test . He then went out and made 142 in the 2nd innings . I was at the game . He then went to the West Indies in 1973 and played one more Test ( his last ) Well played sir !

Quiz time Who was the Australian top order batsman who scored 142 in the 2nd innings of a Test match but was dropped for the next test match ? Clue - they were consecutive Test matches .

Whilst I like and prefer the DRS , I don't reckon we will see too many "sus" LBW decisions given . Batsmen on the front foot will probably get the benefit of the doubt . I can live with that . What we might see is a 1 or 2 LBW decisions where the batsman gets a thin inside edge . These ones are the toughest to adjudicate on . So far , India haven't been on the wrong end of a clanger . But it will happen . And can you imagine if it's Sachin ? ( in the 90's )

Well done Hilfo and the other bowlers . It's a pity that a lot of the cricket writers often don't seem to know much about Shield cricket . I'm wondering if any of them trot along to the games at all . They don't quote stats or have much to say at all . The general public seem to know very little about all these new players coming through . I go to cricket.com a lot these days to read match reports etc because you won't find much in the online daily's ( re Shield cricket ) . Hilfo has apparently been bowling well in Shield ranks but most folk wouldn't be getting this information . Therefore some opinions on Hilfo can only be based on last years Ashes series . Just on those Shield stats - if you asked the average punter about Jayde Herrick , Michael Hogan or Peter Forrest you'd get blank looks . Herrick and Hogan lead the aggregates in wickets taken ( 32 each ) and Forrest leads the batting aggregate ( 500 plus ) I had to look up these figures btw .

We might have a chance if we can take a catch !

Not so sure about that Indian big first innings score WJ . They're not the batting team they used to be . The extra bounce will sort a few of them out . Some good short stuff ( wisely used ) wouldn't hurt either . And there's a bit of sideways movement in the deck as well . We'll win this Test though they might get 300 in their 1st innings . Edit - I am , however , unusually optomistic when it comes to the Test side ! Ditto for the Demons !

The "Ab Fab" girls are back ( Absolutely Fabulous ) . A few specials only . The 1st of which was shown in the UK on Xmas day . Good for a laugh .

Yep I agree , but the question is the "Fully fit" bit . Do the selectors wait until he's fit enough to bowl (as well) before they select him ? I'm not sure they even know what to do with him at the moment . We're a team in transition right now and I can't see that changing for quite a while .

It's funny . I had a mate ring me with the info on Martin and Hussey today . And I dIdn't believe him ! I think he heard it on the ABC . Damien Martyn was a player who started having bad luck when he lost form ( Ashes 2005 ? ) . It's a weird phenomenom . I think the look on Hussey's face today said it all "Why me ? Why now ? " He missed that by a good margin today . Let's hope he makes some in the 2nd dig . Watson might be fit for Sydney and I can't see them dropping Marsh after just recalling him . Siddle has done well again with the bat . His cricket has improved in a short space of time . Good on him .

I heard that they both might have made 12 but not sure of the time frame WJ Btw just on Hussey - "Bad luck" seems to target out of form players . No idea why .

Thanks J J . Your music and all the music from others has been most enlightening . Look forward to a few more poster's putting their favourite bands up . Cheers and a safe Xmas and New Year to all ! ps - I must have watched and listened to STP's "Take a load off" at least 20 times by now !

If Hilfo plays I hope he does extra well . Many never get that 2nd chance . Let's hope he grasps it . He's reported to have got back a yard of pace . India are an ageing Team with a suspect bowling line up and this can often put pressure on batsmen . My gut feeling is they will struggle to get 20 wickets so we should win the series . Starc will get more chances hopefully . Left arm over at good pace is invaluable .

One of the really good new bands to hit the airwaves . "Young the Giant" have a great new sound . This is their latest hit "Cough Syrup" Macca 4.3