4th Ashes Test, Boxing Day @ the MCG

[myanonymoususername]

I really do feel sorry for Ponting - yes he's struggling - BUT he has at times carried the batting lineup almost singlehandedly, he was without much doubt the batsmen of the decade, and you're all calling for him to be dumped... Yet Clarke, who's only 29 and should be in his prime is your choice (presumably) to be promoted to captain - but he's in worse form, seems a selfish little prick, doesn't seem to have the respect of the players, and probably doesn't have the respect of the cricketing public outside NSW

I respect what Ponting has done as a batsman - he's been fantastic for a number of years. However, he's averaging 16 this series and 37 over the last 2 years. When someone is 30% off their career average over several tests, I think its time if they don't personally see its time to go, that the selectors push him.

How long do you give an established player to regain form when they've lost it - I'd say 6-8 games. Clarke has averaged something like 19 over that time. Something's not right and he needs some Shield time to sort it out - he can work on his captaincy too at that level.

As a general rule, I don't think we should be picking 35 year old players. They've had their time and its time to rejuvenate. I'd rather see us fail with young blokes who might just grow to deliver future success than fail with old blokes hanging on for the $$$.

The only exception to the 35 + rule would be for out and out champions who are still at the top of their game. Ponting is not that.

 

[Fast Eddie]

I wanna know how Steve Smith has managed to get an average of 45 or whatever it is in FC, I can kinda see how Hughes has scored runs in FC cricket (kinda like how Peter Ingram scores runs here:lol but surely the only reason you'd pick Smith in the side would be if he was good enough to be a leading spinner and bat at 7 or 8.

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Usman for the Sydney test has to be a formality now.

While you Aussies are losing, just chalk up another victory for the Black Caps lastnight.. Merry Xmas

lol when was the last time the sheep f**kers won a test? Have they won any in 2010? How about 2009 lol?

 

[JJ]

I wanna know how Steve Smith has managed to get an average of 45 or whatever it is in FC, I can kinda see how Hughes has scored runs in FC cricket (kinda like how Peter Ingram scores runs here:lol but surely the only reason you'd pick Smith in the side would be if he was good enough to be a leading spinner and bat at 7 or 8.

tbh I actually laughed out loud when I saw Smith bat... and nothing's changed my mind

 

[Fast Eddie]

Should be able to win one against Pakistan coming up I reckon and probably the series as well...not just draw it;-)

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

We did beat Pakistan in a series. Clutching at straws kiwi.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Wasn't that recent series in England 1-1? Or was it 2-1? I can't really remember tbh just know Pakistan won the last Test.

 

[JJ]

We did beat Pakistan in a series. Clutching at straws kiwi.

indeed you did - a lot of people had money on that

 

[Twizzle]

I wanna know how Steve Smith has managed to get an average of 45 or whatever it is in FC, I can kinda see how Hughes has scored runs in FC cricket (kinda like how Peter Ingram scores runs here:lol but surely the only reason you'd pick Smith in the side would be if he was good enough to be a leading spinner and bat at 7 or 8.

he's a batting all rounder you only have to look at his FC record

he also looks to be a victim of way too much ODI and T/20 stuff, front leg is a problem and his game is based on attack, needs to work on his leave and defence

I dont think he is a good enough bowler to play at 7 as a specialist bowler who can bat a bit

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Wasn't that recent series in England 1-1? Or was it 2-1? I can't really remember tbh just know Pakistan won the last Test.

Yeah in England. We still beat them out here 6 months prior. We beat NZ about 3 months prior to the Paki series in England aswell.

indeed you did - a lot of people had money on that

Yet you kiwi folk are getting excited over a win against them.

 

[Fast Eddie]

indeed you did - a lot of people had money on that

Haha just looked it up and it was a drawn series on neutral ground. What's clutching at straws is going a further series back to claim victory!

 

[JJ]

he's a batting all rounder you only have to look at his FC record

he also looks to be a victim of way too much ODI and T/20 stuff, front leg is a problem and his game is based on attack, needs to work on his leave and defence

I dont think he is a good enough bowler to play at 7 as a specialist bowler who can bat a bit

Then he's not ready for test cricket yet - because it's painfully obvious he shouldn't be in the top 6 of a test lineup

 

[JJ]

Haha just looked it up and it was a drawn series on neutral ground. What's clutching at straws is going a further series back to claim victory!

TT has a long memory - will have to get longer the way the Aussies are playing... you know that Hughes and Johnson went well against South Africa?

 

[Twizzle]

Then he's not ready for test cricket yet - because it's painfully obvious he shouldn't be in the top 6 of a test lineup

he may not be, but he is there because we picked a 4 pronged pace attack and he's a better option than North

I'm not sure he'd be there if we had a decent spinner at 7

 

[JJ]

Yet you kiwi folk are getting excited over a win against them.

the 20:20s? No, the only person getting excited was this Bolt fellow looking to get a rise from you - which he duly did...

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Haha just looked it up and it was a drawn series on neutral ground. What's clutching at straws is going a further series back to claim victory!

6 months prior not 6 years.

 

[JJ]

he may not be, but he is there because we picked a 4 pronged pace attack and he's a better option than North

I'm not sure he'd be there if we had a decent spinner at 7

Yep, about team balance - but given Ponting and Clarke's troubles you can't have a gimme (North or Smith) at 6... surely there is someone good?

 

[JJ]

6 months prior not 6 years.

was it 6 catches that went down too?? or was that just Akmal?

 

[Johnny_L_O]

Johnson Gooorne... only a matter of time now

 

[madunit]

What chance there being allegations of Match Fixing going on for this series?

How can anyone explain that Perth test, given the English performances in every other test.