Location: Donald. Duck country.
Bat for another hour, with 11 hours to grind the Poms into the pitch. Give the bowlers a break. There is only a 3 day break until the Perth Test.
Summer of Cricket 2013/14
Donald
Chief Commissioner
Location: Donald. Duck country.
TheBlacksmith
Chief Commissioner
Location: Ankh Morpork
Best way to rest our bowlers is to end the match quickly.
djf01
Chief Commissioner
It's high time Australia learnt how to maximise their test match winning chances. ENFORCE THE DAMN FOLLOW ON! I hope it rains for the remaining days and brings about a draw.The follow on was England's best chance of making a comeback. On such a flat pitch *someone* in England will make runs in the second dig, and they might only need a small lead to cause serious problems for Australia chasing a small target on a 5th day pitch.
Valvegear
Oliver Bullied, CME
Location: Norda Fittazroy
The follow on should have been mandatory. England batsmen are demoralised - get them straight back in again facing a deficit of 450 on the first innings. Ian Chappell was about the one stand-out commentator who would have sent them straight back in and he talks more sense than any of the others (with the exception of Richie who's on sick leave.)
Aaron
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: University of Adelaide SA
The follow on was England's best chance of making a comeback. On such a flat pitch *someone* in England will make runs in the second dig, and they might only need a small lead to cause serious problems for Australia chasing a small target on a 5th day pitch.Rubbish, Australia wasting a bunch of time at the crease is the best way for the poms to play for a draw. You never give a sucker an even break.
Aaron
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: University of Adelaide SA
Rubbish, Australia wasting a bunch of time at the crease is the best way for the poms to play for a draw. You never give a sucker an even break.Sitting watching the game, Aussies declare on the threat of weather, poms, now 1/1 yup, could have been a third of the way through the order by now with the poms still chasing in excess of 350 for a win and 3 to 4 wickets closer to an Australian victory.
djf01
Chief Commissioner
Rubbish, Australia wasting a bunch of time at the crease is the best way for the poms to play for a draw. You never give a sucker an even break.Kolkata 2001. We *gave* the suckers a break by enforcing the follow on.
Aaron
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: University of Adelaide SA
Kolkata 2001. We *gave* the suckers a break by enforcing the follow on.That was away, the weather was never doubtful and 274 if I am not mistaken is a bit less than 400.
djf01
Chief Commissioner
Sitting watching the game, Aussies declare on the threat of weather, poms, now 1/1 yup, could have been a third of the way through the order by now with the poms still chasing in excess of 350 for a win and 3 to 4 wickets closer to an Australian victory.I think it was a great declaration. If England bat the 2 days, they'll score the 530 odd to win. So if they put on a decent partnership somewhere, there will still be score board pressure on the poms on day 5. If the Aussies batted hour and set them 600 in less than 2 days, England have no chance of winning.
I have to say that yesterday England were very disappointing. The soft dismissals of Root and Pieterson set them up for that collapse. But how unlucky in Carberry? Twice now this series he's been out hitting the ball in the middle of the bat.
Aaron, I don't think you should underestimate this England side. In the same way the scorelines flattered England in England earlier this year, I think the same is true of England in Australia this year so far. I think England have a better balanced side than Australia. But their limitation is the depth of their pace bowling. They have the weaponry to run through our slightly fragile batting line up, but Anderson & Broad tend to just roll their arms over once the batting side is on top. So we tend to get 250 or 550, but not always that much in between.
Valvegear
Oliver Bullied, CME
Location: Norda Fittazroy
I think it was a great declaration. If England bat the 2 days, they'll score the 530 odd to win. So if they put on a decent partnership somewhere, there will still be score board pressure on the poms on day 5. If the Aussies batted hour and set them 600 in less than 2 days, England have no chance of winning.I think it was an absurd declaration because Australia shouldn't have been batting at all. Batting again with a lead of 450 was a statement of weakness; enforcing the follow on is attack, attack, attack.
I have to say that yesterday England were very disappointing. The soft dismissals of Root and Pieterson set them up for that collapse. But how unlucky in Carberry? Twice now this series he's been out hitting the ball in the middle of the bat.
And, Carberry unlucky? Bradman was right, "If you don't hit the ball in the air, you can't get caught."
Valvegear
Oliver Bullied, CME
Location: Norda Fittazroy
Australia by 218 runs!
There's now a strong sense of deja vu for those of us old enough to remember the 1958/59 series here. England had cleaned us up at home in 1956, and headed for Australia amidst all sorts of UK media hype about May's side being, " the best in the world", and wondering "why are we bothering with Australia? we will thrash them - let's get a World XI together and have some real competiton."
It is a matter of history that Benaud's Australians hammered England 4-nil.
The hype wasn't as bad this time, but there was still general confidence that the Poms would win. Two-nil down with three to play is getting a little tricky!
There's now a strong sense of deja vu for those of us old enough to remember the 1958/59 series here. England had cleaned us up at home in 1956, and headed for Australia amidst all sorts of UK media hype about May's side being, " the best in the world", and wondering "why are we bothering with Australia? we will thrash them - let's get a World XI together and have some real competiton."
It is a matter of history that Benaud's Australians hammered England 4-nil.
The hype wasn't as bad this time, but there was still general confidence that the Poms would win. Two-nil down with three to play is getting a little tricky!
greasyrhys
Chief Commissioner
Location: MacDonald Park, SA
Great win, I attended the final day today, which made it better.
lsrailfan
Chief Commissioner
Location: Somewhere you're not
Declaration Justified, Aussies up by 218 runs, The reasons why they kept on batting, Because they didn't want to bring back the demons of South Africa in Perth, They chased down 400 or so and won, that is why they kept batting, to put it right out of England's reach!
Kind Regards
Kind Regards
Valvegear
Oliver Bullied, CME
Location: Norda Fittazroy
Declaration Justified, Aussies up by 218 runs, The reasons why they kept on batting, Because they didn't want to bring back the demons of South Africa in Perth, They chased down 400 or so and won, that is why they kept batting, to put it right out of England's reach!The result shows quite clearly that the original decision to bat again was not justified. Without a second innings, Australia would still have won by an innings and 66 runs. Batting again sent the message, "We're not sure whether we can get you out again, and we're too scared to try." Clarke should have backed his bowlers and sent England straight back in again.
lsrailfan
Chief Commissioner
Location: Somewhere you're not
Valvegear , I can sort of understand where you are coming from, But , If (I say this hypothetically) if KP, ROOT, Et al had an on day, I.E. They came out and blasted the ball to all parts, and Australia had somehow lost, They would have looked like right geese
Kind Regards
Kind Regards
justapassenger
Minister for Railways
I think Clarke got it right with both declarations (as much as it would have been fun to watch Harris carry on hitting Swann out of the series) and the decision to bat again.
Saturday was a quite hot and humid day here, and after such an intense effort in the field I agree that our bowlers deserved to have a break while the batsmen gave England the run around in the hottest part of the day.
Had the weather forecast been more predictable on Sunday morning, I also think that we would have batted on. 10 overs of pain from Warner followed by a 10 minute changeover would have given the mentally fragile visitors a chaotic setup for their innings to start.
Saturday was a quite hot and humid day here, and after such an intense effort in the field I agree that our bowlers deserved to have a break while the batsmen gave England the run around in the hottest part of the day.
Had the weather forecast been more predictable on Sunday morning, I also think that we would have batted on. 10 overs of pain from Warner followed by a 10 minute changeover would have given the mentally fragile visitors a chaotic setup for their innings to start.
DirtyBallast
Chief Commissioner
Location: I was here first. You're only visiting.
The declaration was fantastic, informing the Poms (am I over the top by giving them a capital P thereby showing too much respect?) just 15 minutes before the start of play. It sent the ultimate message about who was in control. Who cares that it took a day and an hour to win from there?
I dearly hope that someone in the Aussie side makes the statement after the Ashes are regained (assuming it actually happens) that the opponent "Is the weakest side to ever tour" or similar. It has been said by both sides many times over the years during lopsided campaigns, but it is oh so sweet when it falls our way!
I dearly hope that someone in the Aussie side makes the statement after the Ashes are regained (assuming it actually happens) that the opponent "Is the weakest side to ever tour" or similar. It has been said by both sides many times over the years during lopsided campaigns, but it is oh so sweet when it falls our way!
Donald
Chief Commissioner
Location: Donald. Duck country.
But as Clarke said, "This is only the second test we have won in 12 months."
I know the results are good at the moment, but Clarke really puts our world position in perspective. A 5-0 result might change a few things though!
I know the results are good at the moment, but Clarke really puts our world position in perspective. A 5-0 result might change a few things though!
Graham4405
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: Dalby Qld
Matt Hayden tipping a 5-0 whitewash on Sunrise this morning!
justapassenger
Minister for Railways
Matt Hayden tipping a 5-0 whitewash on Sunrise this morning!Even more notably, Ian Botham (serial predictor of England 5-0 wins, including the doomed 06-07 tour) is also saying that avoiding a 5-0 result would be the best achievement England could realistically hope for.
Fireman Dave
Chief Commissioner
Location: Shh, I'm hiding
Who would gave thought picking a good side and sticking with it would be a good plan. Now all we need is for batters to concentrate on their batting rather than trying to be all rounders.
simont141
Chief Commissioner
Location: Adelaide
Time to go around again already. Third test begins today.
Likely to be the same side picked after an 'injury scare' for Faulkner. But I find it very curious that the news is reporting that Bollinger and Coulter-Nile are there as backup? How on earth did they become the next choice bowlers?? They have both had average years. How about last season's leading wicket taker, who is also the leading pace bowler so far this season, being next in line?
Likely to be the same side picked after an 'injury scare' for Faulkner. But I find it very curious that the news is reporting that Bollinger and Coulter-Nile are there as backup? How on earth did they become the next choice bowlers?? They have both had average years. How about last season's leading wicket taker, who is also the leading pace bowler so far this season, being next in line?
Valvegear
Oliver Bullied, CME
Location: Norda Fittazroy
Likely to be the same side picked after an 'injury scare' for Faulkner. But I find it very curious that the news is reporting that Bollinger and Coulter-Nile are there as backup? How on earth did they become the next choice bowlers?? They have both had average years. How about last season's leading wicket taker, who is also the leading pace bowler so far this season, being next in line?You crazy or somethin'? What does "leading wicket taker" have to do with the price of fish? Selectors work on the phases of the moon, their mum's corns playing up, or the study of chicken entrails.
simont141
Chief Commissioner
Location: Adelaide
You crazy or somethin'? What does "leading wicket taker" have to do with the price of fish? Selectors work on the phases of the moon, their mum's corns playing up, or the study of chicken entrails.I concede!
No change to the Australian team; Monty gets dropped for Bresnan. Wonder when the last time Australia went with the same XI for three matches in a row? Wonder if they'll go for five in a row?
Australia will bat.
Donald
Chief Commissioner
Location: Donald. Duck country.
You crazy or somethin'? What does "leading wicket taker" have to do with the price of fish? Selectors work on the phases of the moon, their mum's corns playing up, or the study of chicken entrails.Better chance if you play for NSW too.