First Test vs New Zealand @ GABBA - commencing 1/12/11

[Jim05]

From Cricket Australia

Mitchell Johnson likely to need surgery to repair soft tissue around his left big toe. Could be out of cricket for four-to -five months. More details to follow.

Mummy will kiss it better Mitch

[wristwatcher]

Aussies shouldn't have dropped hauritz. The bloke perfermed pretty well for AUS and is by far our best spinner since warne. They chopped him as soon as he started making big improvements

Even when i was 3 sheets to the wind Hauritz couldnt get the ball off the straight, i did like his variation though..."The straighter one or as the milky bar kid called it, his arm ball"
Even Monty could see him off on a wearing day 5 pitch for an hour. If he had of actually turned one in that final hour of the first test the last 2 ashes series may have been completely different stories

[NFC]

Pumped for tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to see the new boys in action, the new breed! Change is brewing!

[NFC]

Should be an interesting tour match at the Gabba this week...oh shit! That's the Test side.

regards,

REB

What, because our quicks of the future are playing?

[Pup]

Pumped for tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can't wait to see the new boys in action, the new breed! Change is brewing!

Hopefully Cutting gets a gig ahead of Starc.

Only downside i can see about the new breed is that Siddle is leading the attack.

[Media Park]

Take Siddle out down the track and Cummo back in, leading Cutting and Pattinson, with Lyon in support.

[hearts on fire]

Should be an interesting tour match at the Gabba this week...oh shit! That's the Test side.

regards,

REB

What, because our quicks of the future are playing?

or because we are playing New Zealand?

[FlyingHigh]

Aussies shouldn't have dropped hauritz. The bloke perfermed pretty well for AUS and is by far our best spinner since warne. They chopped him as soon as he started making big improvements

Agree CK, thought he was just starting to find his feet at confidence at this level. I didn't think he should have been in the team when he first got in, and then didn't think he should have been dropped when we was.

[stampy]

From Cricket Australia

Mitchell Johnson likely to need surgery to repair soft tissue around his left big toe. Could be out of cricket for four-to -five months. More details to follow.

Mummy will kiss it better Mitch

i heard she was into toe sucking

[RustyCage]

Forecast for Thursday
A shower or two, increasing during the afternoon with a few thunderstorms, spreading to thundery rain during late afternoon and evening. Mostly light N to NE winds early, with a moderate to fresh S to SE wind change during the afternoon.

Precis: Showers, storm. City: Min 21Max 28

[Jimmy]

Doubt we get any play today but hope I am wrong. Anyone in brissy to give us a first hand account of the weather?

[locky801]

Doubt we get any play today but hope I am wrong. Anyone in brissy to give us a first hand account of the weather?

Been following Test Cricket for over 40 years, it still confuses me why we always have the 1st Test in Brisbane, although not as bad these days we always seem to lose a day or 2 due to bad weather up there

[mal]

THE PAST YEAR

898 HUSSEY [52.82]
564 CLARKE [33.18]
540 WATSON[31.76]
416 HUGHES [27.73]
390 HADDIN [24.38]
141 MARSH [56.80]
257 JOHNSON[19.77]
246 OFTEN MENTIONED AS THE 2ND BEST AUSTRALIAN BATSMAN SINCE BRADMAN [17.57]

Whats does this mean ?
The batting is a concern now that Ponting is too old, and Watto has slumped
Who will make the runs against NZ + IN ?
They all should, batting will improve against attacks that wont have scary fast bowlers



AUSTRALIAS MOST SUCCESSFUL OFF BREAK BOWLERS

141 TRUMBLE [21.97]
132 MALLETT[29.85]
126 YARDLEY [31.63]
109 I JOHNSON [29.19]
103 GIFFEN [27.10]

What does this mean ?
Australia has never produced a prolific off breaking wicket taker
That Australias leading off break wicket taker retired 107 years ago says something
It also means when Australia produces one that can average about 35, he should be considered a good off break bowler
The Nath was that bowler, The New Nath can be that bowler, and must be persevered with

Australian pitches have never been a great help to offies
Murali and Harby are 2 excellent offies, Im reckoning their records in Australia were ordinary

FIRST TEST AU V NZ
No Watson means Lyon might miss out, 4 fastys is tempting on a Gabba pitch
The first bowler I would pick would be Starc
The raw attack needs variety
Starc has the abilty to be as good as the great left hand quicks in Davidson, Reid, Adelaide Hawk, Lightning Mcqueen and Johnson

The worry with our attack is between overs 50-85
Its gunna lack some sting at that stage, and the proposed 4 man attack tiring is one of the reasons

[whufc]

Even the bookies expect there is very little chance of play today.

They have the draw at $2.70 is this still very good value.

My source who lives 20 minutes from Brisbane reckons it has been pissing down since late last night and wouldnt be surprised if they announce no chance of play today before lunch as it still hasnt stopped raining.

Not sure if he is taking the piss out of me though, he knows i take the first day of the summer of work every year.

[Footy Smart]

Even the bookies expect there is very little chance of play today.

They have the draw at $2.70 is this still very good value.

My source who lives 20 minutes from Brisbane reckons it has been pissing down since late last night and wouldnt be surprised if they announce no chance of play today before lunch as it still hasnt stopped raining.

Not sure if he is taking the piss out of me though, he knows i take the first day of the summer of work every year.

Was raining yesty when I left, plane ride was bumpy this is is the fiorst test match in a while i have been pumped for in ages, young blokes galore and not because of rash selections.

[Brodlach]

Ben Cutting 12th man for Australia.

Cricket Australia site thinks play will start on time.

[Johno6]

9:52 AM Conditions are overcast with showers predicted throughout the day. There hasn't been any rain around the ground for an hour or so, hopefully it stays that way. Toss and teams to be confirmed shortly.

[whufc]

NZ won the toss and will BAT!

[locky801]

NZ won the toss and will BAT!

Is probably a belter of a pitch

[DOC]

0/13 first over (Pattinson)