1st test Aust vs England @ the gabba

[aussies1st]

KP top edges but we just couldn't get there in time.

 

[Sanchez]

with the result 99% a foregone conclusion, what changes should be made to either side

 

[aussies1st]

Lee will be under pressure to keep his spot as Clark has bowled so well. You will most likely see Watson come in. English Monty will come in.

 

[Sanchez]

read for jones?

 

[aussies1st]

It won't happen as hes done nothing wrong this match.

 

[willvillain]

Jones hasn't done much wrong. His keeping has been sound, and he's scored a couple of runs.

How impressive is KP? He's fantastic to watch. Much respect to Collingwood as well. He deserved a ton for that knock. Good to finally see England stand up and compete for the first time in this Test as well.

 

[aussies1st]

Both are going to be hard to get out in Adelaide.

 

[El Diablo]

pfffft

 

[Tony Greig's Car Keys]

KP is the new lara in regards to batting entertainment

 

[Twizzle]

Punter and McGrath both carrying injuries into the 5th day

its getting cloudy very early up here this morning, the storm could be on its way early

 

[JJ]

:lol: there are plenty of entertaining batsmen around...


What are Aussie fans thoughts on the lack of enforcing the follow-on, and the continual high premium put on personal achievements by Ponting... We saw it with Hodge's 200, and now Langer's 100 - I'm sure there are a few others too.

No doubt you'll win this easily - but if it did rain... what would people say now? Is this all a product of Laxman and Dravid, or is there a sound rationale for batting again? Please don't say to demoralise the Poms, because they were already demoralised, and all it did was give them time to develop a greater resolve to save the test...

 

[El Diablo]

shell be right

 

[JJ]

shell be right

yup, almost certainly. But the decision to let Hodge bat on cost Aust a test win, and the Aust 2nd innings in this test seemed thoroughly pointless. Is it still a hangover from one freakish performance, is it due to the age of the attack, or some other reason?

BTW - Lee is still an ordinary test bowler IMO... But Stuart Clark looks more and more the goods... If Aust lack anything it's a pace bowler that can soak up a lot of overs...

 

[aussies1st]

Nothing wrong with letting Langer get his 100 as we were always going to bat a bit of yesterday morning.

 

[JJ]

Nothing wrong with letting Langer get his 100 as we were always going to bat a bit of yesterday morning.

I guess what I'd like to hear is a rationale for batting at all... yes, enforcing a follow on backfired once for Aust... but how many times in the history of cricket has it backfired like that?

Personal goals have also cost Aust before, although some refuse to admit it (i.e., Hodge's 200)

 

[waltzing Meninga]

I guess what I'd like to hear is a rationale for batting at all... yes, enforcing a follow on backfired once for Aust... but how many times in the history of cricket has it backfired like that?

Personal goals have also cost Aust before, although some refuse to admit it (i.e., Hodge's 200)

There is no rationale. It was a pathetic decision by a pathetic captain.

What if today was washed out or half the day was washed out???

 

[The Colonel]

I think it comes back to the fact that there is another Test starting on Friday - Flintoff looks exhausted and Harmison is looking more and more clueless. Anderson probably won't play. Australia haven't had the bowling workload and should be a bit fresher.

There are arguments for both enforcing the follow on and batting again. If it rains and the weather saves them then they go in with a bit of confidence. I'm not convinced yet the rain will save them though - particularly how Harmison and Giles batted in the first innings.

 

[aussies1st]

I guess what I'd like to hear is a rationale for batting at all... yes, enforcing a follow on backfired once for Aust... but how many times in the history of cricket has it backfired like that?

Personal goals have also cost Aust before, although some refuse to admit it (i.e., Hodge's 200)

Personal goals this time wasn't a problem but I agree we should have been batting again and I'll be calling for Ponting's head if we get anything other than a win.

 

[spider]

What are Aussie fans thoughts on the lack of enforcing the follow-on, No doubt you'll win this easily - but if it did rain... what would people say now? Is this all a product of Laxman and Dravid, or is there a sound rationale for batting again?

He gave it almost 2 full days to bowl them out.

Pitch entering 4th/5th day - the way they bowled them out in the first innings - was McGrath carrying the niggle - not sure???

Hindsight is a wonderful thing - but we do not deserve to lose this first one after their efforts.

I seriously hope that weather holds off.

At the time i thought we should have sent them in too keep the control firmly in our grasp - rather than the elements possibly come into play.

 

[Dr Crane]

Again, shut the f**k up Bill Lawry.