I'd also like to see them return to eight ball overs. That would reduce time spent switching ends a bit.

I get your point about people thinking they're bulletproof, but the fact is the unvaccinated are far more likely to get hospitalized after catching Covid, so I don't think it's an unreasonable label.
Proof? Or just believe that?

Happy to put forward evidence.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20211108_01.aspx

"Fully vaccinated people have been significantly less likely to become seriously ill or die, and better protected from acquiring COVID-19, during the Delta outbreak in NSW."

https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/is-it-true/is-it-true-are-covid-19-vaccines-not-effective

"(Both) the Pfizer (Comirnaty) and AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria) vaccines are working and are highly effective in protecting people against severe illness, hospitalisation and death."

https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/unvaccinated-patients-dominate-covid-deaths-and-ic

"‘It’s really hard data. It can’t be interpreted in any way other than vaccination means that you’re less likely to die.’

‘The COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia are very effective with evidence showing that people who are fully vaccinated are 70–95% less likely to get sick with COVID-19 compared with those who are not vaccinated.’

Professor Pond says she has seen examples within her own practice where vaccination has shielded a vulnerable person with COVID-19 from dying.

‘Vaccination makes a huge difference,’ she said. ‘It might not stop you getting the virus. But it makes a difference to whether you die or not.’"

No idea re COVID situation but they've had shite crowds in South Africa at tests for a while now. IIRC ticket prices have been blamed in the past.

Remember with Smith that he turned 30 in England in 2019, and is now 32.

Not saying he's a has-been, but this is when you might expect his batting to start dropping off slightly, just due to the natural effects of age.

I don't expect a bloke with a technique like his to be at his peak too far into his 30s.

I certainly don't attribute his decline in form to Archer.

First five test batting innings, for comparison:

Carey - 12, 9, 51, 6, 19
Nevill - 45, 2, 59, 2, 17
Wade - 28, 18, 11, 31*, 106
Paine - 7, 47, 17, 33, 92
Haddin - 11, 23, 33, 7, 32
Gilchrist - 81, 6, 149*, 28, 0
Healy - 26, 21, 27, 0, 27
R. Marsh - 9, 14, 44, 8, 0

Obviously strength of opposition and conditions varied, but I think it's a bit too early to say that Carey's batting isn't up to it at test level.

Not sure what this says other than his had the worst start with the bat since Rod Marsh who arguably was never picked because of anything to do with batting.

First five game average don't tend to differ to much except for in the case of Brad Haddin. Based on those stats Carey will be doing very well to get to an average of 30 which for mine is the absolute bare minimum requirement from your keeper if we are to become the best in the world again.

Carey first five games 19ave...…..
Nevill- first five games...25ave-......….Career ave 22.00
Wade- first five games...48.5ave...….Career ave 29.87
Paine- first five games...39ave...…….Career ave 32.38
Hadddin first five games...21ave...….Career ave 32.99
Gilchrist first five games...66ave...…..Career ave 47.61
Healy first five games.....20.2ave...… Career ave 27.40
Marsh first five games... 15ave.....Career ave 26.50

FMD, you really have it in for Carey.

What the above 'says' is that Carey has had a similar start to other players that turned out to be top keeper-batsmen, like Healy, Marsh and Haddin, albeit not as good a start as some like Gilly obviously.

If the selectors were as harsh on Healy, Marsh or Haddin, for example, as you are on Carey, then we'd not have seen a number of important test centuries and or useful number sevens making consistent runs over the years.

Carey may or may not turn out to be an important player but the idea that we should rule a line through him is bizarre to me, particularly as no-one is knocking down the door.

Arguably, a score of 50 in your first five innings, without totally disgracing yourself in the other four, would be enough even for a specialist batsmen to make it at least into the 'jury's still out' box at this stage of their test career.

I suppose I just find your obsession with Carey peculiar, given Australia's blooded quite a number of (specialist) batsmen over the last decade or so who've not even done as well as Carey in their first few matches, and haven't read even 1% of the criticism from you that you've saved for Carey.

And Rod Marsh was certainly - and infamously - picked in the Australian team for his batting, although his keeping did improve.

daysofourlives wrote:Going into lockdown on Jan 10

While you're at it, when's your mate Trumpy going to be reinstated as president again?

Or just make a batsman - listed in the XI - do it.

I think I'd rather Uzzy than Head in the team at the minute.

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It has to be Harris, the selectors are just going to have to bite the bullet and concede, albeit it might upset some people Then Bailey and the other selectors jobs would be untenable and they need to resign on the spot

Yeah, if I’m a fringe player I lose all trust and respect for the selectors

I think this just goes to show how silly it was for Bailey to make that comment.

Dizzy and Bill Ponsford are the only Australians to score 200+ runs (aggregate) with the bat in their final test match.

Every chance Khawaja joins them.


I thought Brad Hodge did as well? Nup. Made 203* in the Perth test, then played in Melbourne and Sydney, making not much, and was dropped for the next series.

Then two seasons later he played one more test, making 67 and 27.

Nice selfless knock there from Carey. Doing the team thing and putting runs before his own wicket.

The Dark Knight wrote:Can't whinge about it if it's in the rules and if you're not sure of the rule maybe Google it and you'll find the answer.

Nah, I'd prefer just to whinge about it mate!!

Rik E Boy wrote:The declaration was fine. Our fielding wasn't and England fought very hard yesterday. There was plenty of time to bowl them out. It's extremely reactionary to point the finger in hindsight and slag off Langer or Cummins.

Agreed. We dropped several catches and had them at 9-fer. Not Pat's fault.

The fact that NZ are likely to win this test and level the series 1-1 underscores the bewildering stupidity of scheduling two test series (instead of three).

If I were a betting man I'd be interested in the odds on a hung parliament.

They have a concussion sun these days - is it time they explored a sub for seriously injured players?

If Robinson can’t bowl again, it just hurts the contest and spectacle.

It's a no from me.

The concussion sub rule was brought in for a specific purpose, given what we now know about head knocks.

If Robinson can't bowl again, arguably it enhances the spectacle - while a specialist batsman may have to do more bowling, that's just part of the challenge the captain has to juggle.

Part of cricket, indeed all sports, is the challenge of adjusting to unexpected circumstances such as players being injured mid-match.

Introducing a general substitute rule would be robbing Peter to pay Paul, IMO.

And obviously that's not taking into account the potential for a general substitute rule to be abused.

jackpot jim wrote:C Ya later Warner ya Flog !

Surely thats the end of him

Lol

No way in the world would I be playing another allrounder in addition to Green and Lab/Smith/Head who can all bowl.

And no way in the world would I be playing fewer than 5 specialist batsmen, let alone replacing one of our top five with M. Marsh or Henriques.

2. Current information shows that the risks outweigh the safety factor (ie) billions of doses have been administered now. I asked them what could the long term damage be to our immune system. All four said they dont know.

This seems contradictory to me. Current info apparently shows that risks outweigh side effects - and yet they can't tell you what those risks are?

Anyway, once again, I think it's on you to provide some evidence as to why your mates are correct, and the vast majority of virologists, doctors, public health authorities etc. throughout the free world (not to mention beyond) are wrong.

Why do Nicola, Marshall, Scomo, Biden, Bojo, heck even Trump, want to kill us all?

Meanwhile, the pile of bodies is now five and a half million high.

Not saying your mates are definitely wrong, but anyone looking at this objectively can see where the weight of evidence lies.

I continue to be amazed at folks who otherwise clearly know their cricket, having any issue whatsoever with mankadding, let alone thinking that it violates the spirit of cricket.

By definition, the incident last night and Punter throwing his pads away are way worse (and I'm not saying I necessarily have a problem with them).

Recovering from COVID. Had a few ordinary days, but in the end it went as quick as it came.

amber_fluid wrote:

Armchair expert wrote:

amber_fluid wrote:

Armchair expert wrote:Unpopular opinion

good decision

Surely Renshaw or Weatherald go before Wells?

Weatherald signed a 3 year deal before the start of this series

Great list management by the strikers heirachy

A very Redback-esque decision.

whufc wrote:Renshaw, Maddinson, Abbott, Steketee all in standby to be added to the Pakistan squad if Covid strikes.

Would've thought you'd need Pakistani citizenship to be eligible.

The first article you linked (MSM alert by the way) describes how 'catastrophic predictions' caused by 'scare-mongering' were wrong. Leaving aside the fact that many people expect governments to plan for the worst case scenario, there's an irony in the media - who were mainly responsible for any scare-mongering - claiming that the whole thing was overblown.

As for Daisy and Apache, given that they have been the chief scare-mongers on this forum, I would've thought that the egg would be plastered thickly over their faces by now - 5g chips and/or poison in vaccines, etc.

The second article points out that '(c)omorbidities, while they may raise the risk of severe disease, are not necessarily the cause of death. The virus itself can be the cause of otherwise preventable death among those who had manageable health conditions '. More or less contradicting the claim in the first article that most COVID-19 fatalities would have occurred anyway, which obviously comes as no great surprise to the vast majority of normal people who have not subscribed to wild conspiracy theories.

Big difference between invading Ukraine and invading a NATO country though.

It would be a very risky move indeed for Putin to decide to invade Lithuania.

You could put Jesus Himself in charge of the Spudbacks and still not improve on Dizzy's record. Can't do much if you don't have the cattle.

Meh, FIFA and the confederations have banned various teams over the years for all sorts of things. The Serbs being kicked out of the Euros for instance.

There was little controversy about South Africa being prevented from competing in many international sporting competitions.

I agree it's difficult to decide where to draw the line. But in reality politics has always been mixed up with sport.

What could betts say that would make it worse?
He'll say he was offended by the inappropriate use of the aboriginal artifact, and the questions around confidential personal information the organisers used on them.
If you think he's going to confirm all your wild fantasies about tied naked to trees etc then you'll be reading a book for no reason. Imagine that, reading a book for no reason!!

mal wrote:International Test series surely must be 3 test minimums ?

It's so obvious to everyone but the decision-makers, it would seem.

amber_fluid wrote:The Aussies are flat track bullies at home and struggle away.
Most countries do but our gap is by far the biggest I’d say

England say hi.

Would've been nice to have a couple of tour matches though.

DOC wrote:Epicentre at Mt Barker.

Ukraine, Eastern states floods now us. When will it end?

We will rebuild.

A rare non-big score for Warner against Pakistan.

Khawaja is making the selectors' erstwhile fascination with Harris seem sillier by the day.

Good knock from Gaz, but that was probably his best ever chance at a test fifty.

whufc wrote:I think we showed a little disrespect (maybe deservedly) that we felt we could ‘waste’ time in an away test match and still walk away with the win.

Jesus you dribble some shit on here.

I think we showed a little disrespect (maybe deservedly) that we felt we could ‘waste’ time in an away test match and still walk away with the win.

Jesus you dribble some shit on here.

We all do….it’s what a forum is for.

Can you answer though what you think the intent of the second innings was??

Others above have answered this. Give the bowlers a brief break, get Pakistan out in the field, get the roller on, all would've played a role. Whether this was the right call, as Jim said we easily had enough time to bowl them out but didn't, dropped catches costing us à la at the SCG v England.

The suggestion that we showed Pakistan disrespect is non-sensical, and borders on the obsessive.

The fact is, this series was always going to be a bat-athon. The last two Pakistan tours (yes I know they were in the UAE) were run-fests on roads, with results only possible because Australia's batting isn't as good as it is now. The PCB were always going to want five day matches in this series. Couple that with the concrete they served up in Rawalpindi, the second test had draw written all over it. The blokes in the ISS could've seen that this one was heading for a draw. The match figures were 11/653 and 17/591.

In the end, we had our chances to win, but it was simply about executing in the field. Other than that, it's difficult to fault our performance at all IMO.

Playing on roads where all 8 specialist bowlers found it hard to trouble batsmen, against a Pakistan side that is clearly superior to the one that toured Australia, in our first series in Pakistan in 22 years (most of our guys would never have previously set foot in the place), it is going to be very tough to win.

If I were a fool, I would suggest that your failure to give Pakistan credit for the class fourth innings batting performance amounted to disrespect.

Waited for 45 mins today. Biggest wait I can ever recall. Probably my fault for going at lunch time. Did manage to sneak in two democracy sausages while waiting in line though.

I've no interest in motor sport but I wouldn't have thought that up to four days of irritation every year was that much of a burden to bear? Particularly if the race generates crowds and money. At any rate, public roads are closed for all sorts of things these days.

Not sure Whuffer was backpedalling there. The Power not beating the top sides is business as usual as per the last couple of years. Until they start doing that (may well happen, although I suspect not under Kenny), they've clearly not improved.

whufc wrote:Happy to lose this test in the attempt to get the win.

Yes, you've mentioned this about 3456947868976958768 times this series.

Jim05 wrote:

mighty_tiger_79 wrote:Half the cabinet is women

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Why the hell would you put a Independent in though?

Smart move IMO.

It is possible to 'play to win' without setting a very gettable target. There is a middle ground. And 351 on these pitches is going to be hard to defend. You can play aggressive cricket without being silly.

Re soccer, they might 'play to draw' a particular match, but only as part of 'playing to win' a trophy.

We hold the trophy, and if Pakistan are happy to serve up roads and allow us to keep it, then we should oblige them.

That's a shame. I was hoping Burton would score their only goal.

Rayner, WTF was that? Surely that's his match fee.

Spargo wrote:

am Bays wrote:Don’t have to be dead to be stiff Matty Snook, 2nd best inside mid in the comp after Campbell Coombe. Should be in the final 22.

S-N-O-O-K, selectors that’s how you spell his name.
We’re not really being serious here, are we?

If Rowey's chairman of selectors, then probably not, no.

Leftists truly terrified that their safe space echo chamber is under threat. They'll be running home crying to their birthing persons right now.

Whose " right wing " voices are being silenced on twitter?

Trump

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It's important to note that Trump was banned from Twitter due to the risk of incitement of violence, rather than for his espousing right-wing views per se.

During his presidency alone, Trump tweeted about 25,000 times - many of these tweets obviously espoused right-wing views. It wasn't holding these views that got him banned.

Ben Stokes announced as English captain

Anyone else reckon that bloke is massively overrated? Yeah he has produced some special performances no doubt, but the majority of time he looks like a very frustrated cricketer who knows what he is capable of but can't get there often enough. People comparing him to Botham make me laugh.

regards,

REB

No comparison with Botham, I agree.

However, he stands up when it counts. Really he leaves the other England guys for dead when the going gets tough.

And agreed with LM that his batting average would be a bit better with stronger batsmen lower down, although I agree even at his best he'd probably never be anything better than a number 6 batsman in a good test side.

Giving him the captaincy seems like a no-brainer to me. I'm actually a little disappointed, might make it slightly harder for Australia to retain the Ashes!!

So United finished 4th, about 4 places higher than I had them at the start of the season. 12 wins, 7 draws, 7 losses.

Elimination final against the Mariners is at 3.35 p.m. on Sunday at Hindmarsh.

Melbourne City will be minor premiers (and qualify for next year's Asian Champions League) if they defeat Wellington tomorrow night. Otherwise, Victory will finish top.

whufc wrote:FFS they still cant give any indication as to why the old coach is no longer there

I don't think it's realistic to expect a club to do that. Do you?

**** these 2- or 4-test series...

Booney wrote:AFL GF stays at 2:30pm.

You can book your tickets now, Booney