3rd Ashes Test - WACA

[NFC]

Australia have made a concerted effort to turn up the volume on England and the extra sledging is increasing the tension between the sides. Mitchell Johnson called Kevin Pietersen a "smart arse" for asking for his phone number on the field and was also involved in arguments with James Anderson.

Matt Prior exchanged words with Peter Siddle after being bounced out and appeared to invite the bowler out the back for another confrontation. "Siddle was going pretty hard, coming around the wicket and bowling short balls into his ribs," Johnson said. "I don't think [Prior] liked it too much."

This is great! About time! Make them feel the heat.

[smithy]

Only way of describing Michael Clarkes australian cricket career.

Gifted a cap despite averaging less than 40 for NSW.

Made a brilliant debut 100 in India.

Over rated golden child for too long.

Many team mates do NOT like him, tactically poor and shouldn't be selected on any shorter form of the game less thana test match.

[NFC]

Only way of describing Michael Clarkes australian cricket career.

Gifted a cap despite averaging less than 40 for NSW.

Made a brilliant debut 100 in India.

Over rated golden child for too long.

Many team mates do NOT like him, tactically poor and shouldn't be selected on any shorter form of the game less thana test match.

IMO Clarke is a good player, but does seem to be a downhill skier.

Reasonable test player, but needs to make more runs when the pressure is applied.

Excellent ODI player, record speaks for itself.

Rubbish T20 player, shouldn't play this form.

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Cant believe people are asking for Punters head, esp ahead of Clarke.

How true.
Clarke can't be dropped, every ad on the telly would have to be reshot. If it wasn't for Bobby Simpsons hand puppet he would have been given the Richard after leaving the ashes celebration in 07 early to attend a fashion show.
At least Punter would be fretting over his form.

[whufc]

Only way of describing Michael Clarkes australian cricket career.

Gifted a cap despite averaging less than 40 for NSW.

Made a brilliant debut 100 in India.

Over rated golden child for too long.

Many team mates do NOT like him, tactically poor and shouldn't be selected on any shorter form of the game less thana test match.

IMO Clarke is a good player, but does seem to be a downhill skier.

Reasonable test player, but needs to make more runs when the pressure is applied.

Excellent ODI player, record speaks for itself.

Rubbish T20 player, shouldn't play this form.

agree with both.

i would be happy to see Ponting go to number 4 in the batting line up and a ferguson or Khawaja type go into the number 3 position.

[brod]

Only way of describing Michael Clarkes australian cricket career.

Gifted a cap despite averaging less than 40 for NSW.

Made a brilliant debut 100 in India.

Over rated golden child for too long.

Many team mates do NOT like him, tactically poor and shouldn't be selected on any shorter form of the game less thana test match.

IMO Clarke is a good player, but does seem to be a downhill skier.

Reasonable test player, but needs to make more runs when the pressure is applied.

Excellent ODI player, record speaks for itself.

Rubbish T20 player, shouldn't play this form.

agree with both.

i would be happy to see Ponting go to number 4 in the batting line up and a ferguson or Khawaja type go into the number 3 position.

Is not playing anywhere near well enough to bat three in test cricket

[Rik E Boy]

So you would get rid of him? Who would be your captain? You would keep Clarke in in front of him?

Anyone knows those leg glances can easily be knicked or go for 4, very small difference between pleasure and pain, the reason he danced across was becuase there was no fine leg, as Watson showed a couple of time when he got 4 the same way.

Pontings last 11 hits he has 5 50's, best bat since Bradman and you want him gone,....seriously....guess he aint a blue bagger

As for Clarke, no I wouldn't and you're probably right we can't get rid of him. But therein lies my point. Ricky has gone from being the best bat in the world to a guy who only makes the team because no one else can skipper the side. His technique is shot regardless of what state he comes from. Leg glances played of middle stump can easily be nicked.....he's not seeing the ball mate. If Katich had a run without tons like this there would be a parade of signatures from you. When was the last time punter got one?

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Wanted: 1 player to bat No.3 for for Australia. Needed urgently, current player has had it.

No no he must stay because he was a top batsman two years ago and who are you going to replace him with?

regards,

REB

[mal]

I wonder how Andy Strauss feels now, after winning the toss and inserting Australia ?

[mighty_tiger_79]

id say Andy made the correct decision especially at 0-78, no-one wouldve seen it coming england all out for 100 more

[mal]

Agreed..and I also think our biggest concern is who will be Wattos partner.. WHO DO YOU PICK????

NSW
Hughes - simply out of form..he is averaging under 20 this summer (10/11 FC AVE 19.54)
Jaques - injued..batting version of Shaun Tait (10/11 FC AVE 21.3)
TAS
Cowan - Not convinced he is up to Test level (a 28yo who is averaging 36 in FC cricket) (10/11 FC AVE 21.0)
Cosgrove - Sure hes only 26 and averages over 40 in FC cricket, but only just started opening in Shield cricket and he is not fit enough to play test cricket (10/11 FC AVE 51.75)
WA
Robinson - 30yo who is only just finding his feet in FC cricket (10/11 FC AVE 44.80)
Davis - Im a bit of a fan (but not a real chance in 2011) (10/11 FC AVE 25.12)
SA
Cooper/Moffat - Do I need to put a comment (Cooper 10/11 FC AVE 43.2 - Moffatt 10/11 FC AVE 7.67)
Klinger - His form just could not warrant serious consideration (10/11 FC AVE 22.58)
VIC
Quiney - Sorry but dont much rate him as a FC player, let alone a test player (10/11 FC AVE 42.0)
Hill - See Davis (10/11 FC AVE 35.09)
Rogers - see Jaques (10/11 FC AVE 22.0)
QLD
Broad - Struggles for Qld (10/11 FC AVE 20.4)
Townsend - NO (10/11FC AVE 28.1)

Excellent post
Time to invent an opener
Try Khawaja ?
Langer, Watto, Kat were not openers, but made the transition
Diff is the Khawaj has not played a Test as yet, but fortune favours the brave, should we try him as an opener ?

[The Cadet]

You left out S.Marsh, currently batting 3 for WA but has made all his runs this year opening. If Paine was fit I would consider him as opener. His 200 for Tassie was as an opener few years ago. Blood him as a batsman for a year or two before he takes the gloves.

[spell_check]

Australia have made a concerted effort to turn up the volume on England and the extra sledging is increasing the tension between the sides. Mitchell Johnson called Kevin Pietersen a "smart arse" for asking for his phone number on the field and was also involved in arguments with James Anderson.

Matt Prior exchanged words with Peter Siddle after being bounced out and appeared to invite the bowler out the back for another confrontation. "Siddle was going pretty hard, coming around the wicket and bowling short balls into his ribs," Johnson said. "I don't think [Prior] liked it too much."

I saw a comment on here somewhere about when it all started to go wrong for Australia. The Sydney Test three years ago when Symonds was left out in the cold by CA. I'd hazard a guess that series is where we stopped supplying curry to opposition teams for fear of BCCI retribution at that time. And it made us go into our shell since then.

[mal]

You left out S.Marsh, currently batting 3 for WA but has made all his runs this year opening. If Paine was fit I would consider him as opener. His 200 for Tassie was as an opener few years ago. Blood him as a batsman for a year or two before he takes the gloves.

I had thought Paine would be a chance as a batsman non keeper
That double ton was always the reason
But LOOK at these stats
First Class career
44 matches
81 innings
5 not outs
2359 runs
215 highest score
31.03 average

And the damining stat the 215 is his only first class ton

[Jim05]

Totally agree with REB we cant keep picking ponting because we havnt got anyone to skipper the side. What a load of crap. Just give him the flick and appoint hussey or haddin in the meantime. Pick someone to do the job for a year or so and then re-evaluate later. Norths figures nearly look good compared to pontings in last 12 months.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Congrat's to Johnson. Must admit I was leading the armchair critic's band to have him dropped after Brisbane but it appears to have not got him down and his technique at the point of delivery looks much better now.

Cowan should not be considered for test cricket and what's more CA shouldn't have given him a game in the A side a few weeks back just to save the price of an airfare. Robinson amongst others would be on the short list for an opening spot.

What to do with Ponting? If he doesn't perform in the next test there may be a 'Steve Waugh' proposition put to him whereby they won't drop him for the fifth test as long as he agrees to retire after it.

Hussey is a credit to himself after pressure that a lot of people would have folded under and Watson continues to be a revelation as an opener.
If Callum Ferguson could bowl decent spin would Smith be in the side?

Agree with commentators that Hughes looks far too loose to stand up to Test Cricket.

[stampy]

Only way of describing Michael Clarkes australian cricket career.

Gifted a cap despite averaging less than 40 for NSW.

Made a brilliant debut 100 in India.

Over rated golden child for too long.

Many team mates do NOT like him, tactically poor and shouldn't be selected on any shorter form of the game less thana test match.

IMO Clarke is a good player, but does seem to be a downhill skier.

Reasonable test player, but needs to make more runs when the pressure is applied.

Excellent ODI player, record speaks for itself.

Rubbish T20 player, shouldn't play this form.

why is he such an excellent odi player? all he does is knock it around for singles when the opposition are trying to contain the scoring. back to the blues i reckon

[Jimmy]

You left out S.Marsh, currently batting 3 for WA but has made all his runs this year opening. If Paine was fit I would consider him as opener. His 200 for Tassie was as an opener few years ago. Blood him as a batsman for a year or two before he takes the gloves.

That is a good idea.

[dedja]

Entralling stuff, 20 mins of ... is the sweat band part of the glove.

[stampy]

Entralling stuff, 20 mins of ... is the sweat band part of the glove.

yeah wtf is that about? stfu warney!!