2nd Test: Sri Lanka v Australia at Pallekele Sep 8-12 2011

[BunniesMan]

Clarke has an intelligent and well developed cricket brain. When it comes to tactics and plans he's so much better than Ponting.

Let's not forget with Ponting that while he's one of the all time greats with a bat in his hands, he only became captain because Warne got himself into all those scandals.

No Warne scandals = Warne captaining to this day, and Ponting probably scoring even more runs than he has because he wouldn't have had the extra burden.

 

[Timbo]

If Katich hadn't missed two seasons from chronic fatigue and injury he'd have succeeded Tuggah, no doubt at all in my mind.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

If Katich hadn't missed two seasons from chronic fatigue and injury he'd have succeeded Tuggah, no doubt at all in my mind.

It was always going to be Ponting imo but it should have been Warne but I digress, I'm really enjoying Clarke's captaincy. I agree with the claim he is a bowlers captain, something we've lacked since Tubby really.

 

[saint_marto88]

Clarke has an intelligent and well developed cricket brain. When it comes to tactics and plans he's so much better than Ponting.

Let's not forget with Ponting that while he's one of the all time greats with a bat in his hands, he only became captain because Warne got himself into all those scandals.

No Warne scandals = Warne captaining to this day, and Ponting probably scoring even more runs than he has because he wouldn't have had the extra burden.

Wrong. He was always touted as a future captain

 

[Gidley Up]

No, Tony Greig was blowing smoke up his arse by calling it an off-cutter. It was a dead-straight scrambled seam Johnson special which Mathews butchered.

Australia are appealing for caught behind, Angelo went after a very wide offcutter from Mitch...

:-k

 

[Twizzle]

While Notch was again our most expensive bowler yesterday, he seems to have tightened up a bit compared to the last few years. He still likes the wide half volley but if the batsmen stop playing at it he'll hopefully stop bowling it.

All in all I think he bowled alot straighter and tighter than he normally does, still cant get the seam up though which would be a huge worry for the bowling coach. He seems to be our 4th bowler atm and may get some competition for his spot in the next few series.

I think this pitch is going to be a good batting today and we need to set up a big lead.

 

[yappy]

:-k

It was a lot more wide than it was off-cutter.

Par was 350+ on this deck, so the Lankans are in huge trouble. If we don't lead by 200+ on the 1st innings we'll have failed badly. Hopefully more. You wouldn't want to be chasing 200 on the last day because this pitch looks like it will spin later in the game.

 

[meatloaf]

Loved seeing hussey have a spell. I bet he practices his bowling in the net every day haha waiting for that opportunity. Hopefully Watson and Hughes both get 60+ and we can declare on about 400+.

 

[BunniesMan]

Wrong. He was always touted as a future captain

Yes he was 'always' touted as a future captain because Warne was 'always' getting himself in trouble. If he never got involved in that bookies controversy and all those sex scandals Ponting never would have been in the conversation. Warne would have always been Waugh's heir...he may have even been Taylor's (he was 28 when Taylor retired).

Ponting became captain by default, and then he was made to look good by Warne and Mcgrath. When they left it went to pieces. That's what happens when you let the media choose the captain...

 

[Timbo]

:-k

Watch the replay. If it's an off-cutter, I'm not here.

 

[Gas Panic!]

No, Tony Greig was blowing smoke up his arse by calling it an off-cutter. It was a dead-straight scrambled seam Johnson special which Mathews butchered.

We all know Tony Greig wouldn't know his head from his arse!

 

[Twizzle]

it was supposed to be an off cutter if you look at his grip and seam rotation.

Problem is it didn't hit the seam and it was a wide straight break imo.

 

[TheParraboy]

We all know Tony Greig wouldn't know his head from his arse!

tbh...I dont know his head from his ass either

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

I bet his head has less hair.

Great chance for Hughes to get a score and nail down a spot in the team for a while. If it doesn't spin consistently we should be aiming to be 200 in front tonight.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

lol typical Duddles, absolute nfi where his off stump his :lol:

 

[Timbo]

Terrrrrible leave by Watson.

There cannot possibly be another opener in history who gets bowled or LB'd as much as he does.

 

[El Diablo]

out off a no ball :lol:

 

[Twizzle]

lolwut ?

that ball did nothing

 

[Timbo]

Hughes gone for 36, pretty good bowling on a good batting deck.

 

[Horrie Is God]

Hughes went into his shell for some reason..

Good bowling though..

Now Clarke plays at something he should've left..

The bats have got to start backing up the good work the bowlers have been doing this series..