5th Test: Austalia vs England at SCG Jan 3-7 2011

[Danish]

I'll concede the Prior one, that did show up as a half volley.

Most guys are pretty honest, its a hollow win if you have to cheat imo.

Generally if my team go up, I tell them if it didn't carry (if they thought it was a catch) I've even called players back after the umpire has put his finger up.

Doesn't happen too often but it does happen.

The problem as I see it is that playing competitive sport at a high level attracts 2 kinds of people:

1) Those that love to test themselves
2) Those that love to win


Members of group 1 will above all else want the game to be fair, even if it means losing, as winning a game in which you know you got the rub of the green feels hollow.

Members of group 2 will above all else do what it takes to win, and even if that means claiming grassed catches, standing your ground on nicks etc they won't care as long as they get the victory.

Most are in group 1, but there are still a sizeable chunk in any competitive sport in group 2

 

[madunit]

great call on cricinfo

"'Michael Clarke is making more changes than a new parent.' Except a new parent knows why they are making those changes."
If one was unkind, one could say it's for the same reason...

 

[Panther_Daz]

Cook's average before the Ashes: 42.78
Cook's current average: 47.44

Minnow basher!

 

[madunit]

if cook can score another 250 runs in this test he'll break the don's record for most runs in a series.

 

[yappy]

if cook can score another 250 runs in this test he'll break the don's record for most runs in a series.

Lara's starting to worry.

 

[madunit]

haha, well if we continue throwing pies at him, he shouldn't need too long to get the job done

 

[HevyDevy]

if cook can score another 250 runs in this test he'll break the don's record for most runs in a series.

Well if he is ever going to score 400 in an innings it's going to be against this bowling attack.

 

[HevyDevy]

By the way, Hauritz :arrow: Beer.

 

[El Diablo]

Why can't Mitch start an over with a ball that's doesn't pitch on Square leg?

Why can't mitch bowl at least 2 deliveries the same in ever over?

ask the short order cook who thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced bread

 

[Panther_Daz]

So judging by the fact we are nearing 100 overs bowled, we can now assume Steve Smith is being picked as purely a number 7 batsman...

 

[El Diablo]

maybe they don't want Beer to embarrass the selectors by having Smith take 4 or 5 wickets

 

[yappy]

Can't really believe anyone bagged this pitch. Had a bit in it on Day 1 which was amplified by the overcast weather. The rain kept it interesting for most of day 2, now the sun is out it is a beautiful strip, but not a total road. Hopefully it will take spin late but it's not showing any signs of breaking up. Good test strip.

 

[madunit]

Gets to 220 by the end of play today

score 60 runs a session tomorrow, declare at the end of the day and bowl Aussies out on Day 5.

hahaha

thats a more realistic scenario than Australia winning or drawing this test

 

[madunit]

15 more runs for cook to jump into second place for must runs in a series by a pommie bastard

 

[HevyDevy]

Can't really believe anyone bagged this pitch. Had a bit in it on Day 1 which was amplified by the overcast weather. The rain kept it interesting for most of day 2, now the sun is out it is a beautiful strip, but not a total road. Hopefully it will take spin late but it's not showing any signs of breaking up. Good test strip.

Mate I reckon it's a great wicket. I'm sick of seeing roads. You can still bat on this one as long as you work hard or are facing this Australian attack.

 

[chefman21]

ask the short order cook who thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced bread

I said that when he was in form he was our best bowler. Not that he was a great bowler. Far too inconsistent.

 

[snoozer]

SOK is better

i watched him play the 20/20 last night and he looked good.took 3 wickets bowling with purpose.

apparently he can bat a bit too.

no doubt someone will set me straight but why hasn't he been mentioned for selection?

 

[HevyDevy]

The funny thing is that we desperately need to lose this Test.

Something has to happen to stop fooling these selectors into thinking they are on the right track.

My greatest fear is that Hilfy will grab some tailend wickets that make him look half decent or that for whatever reason they decide to stick with Beer against a side like India.

Siddle already picked up one tailender this morning and will remain a selectors darling.

 

[HevyDevy]

i watched him play the 20/20 last night and he looked good.took 3 wickets bowling with purpose.

apparently he can bat a bit too.

no doubt someone will set me straight but why hasn't he been mentioned for selection?

With Smith and Hauritz playing for NSW he doesn't often get a run.

That's why there are two pluses to having Hauritz in the Test side - he is far better than Beer and it allows O'Keefe to spend a bit more time playing first class cricket as well.

 

[Red Bear]

Siddle in this series has at least shown that when he pitches it up, he bowls pretty well. Dont mind him as much as i did.