STUART CLARK just what the 'doctor' ordered.
Promised my kid Id take her the circus today, she was not that enthusiastic.
We got to Bonython Park and as we got into the car park she smiled
and thanked me.
I asked her why the change in attitude.
She replied
" Daddy when you said the circus I thought we were going to see SA batting
at Adelaide Oval"
Arrived at lunch time with the score at 2/217 after a stirling 165 odd partnership
between COSI + BORGY
Both were dismissed in the most bizarre freakish manner ever seen at Adelaide Oval.
BORGY smashed MACGILL to the fence but in doing so slipped on to his wicket.
And if you think that was bad COSI was caught at slip by MAiL[how unlucky is that]
FERGUSON made a gutsy 39 but the tail succombed meekly AGAIN.
CLARK was outstanding.
As I told DUTCHY there is no 4th day if Stewie bowls to form, his 6/39 outstanding.
He must play for Australia 1st test at the Gabba he took 8/62 in this game.
MANOU stumped for 6 after being dropped at 5 much to MT79's disgust.
SA out for 267 with a lead of 134
As I have stated a lead of 200 would have been ample, 134 against the worst
batting line up in Australia was competetive.
I was there with me mate Donny and said if we get New South JAQUES out early
we will win this.
At 4/1 and 5/12 this game was all over in an astonishing spell from TAIT/ GILLESPIE
who at last crashed through a top order.
Two magnificent full length diving leg side saves by MANOU of TAIT were inspirational.
In over 12 with the score about 5/30 odd came the most insane bowling change I
have ever witnessed in 40 years of watching cricket.
The match was dominated by the fast bowlers even the 2nd best leggie in the world
MACGILL could only manage 2/92 and that was FERGY stepping on his stumps + the
tailender MANOU.
ROFE with his metronomic miserly line and length was the man to finish them off.
Instead LEHMANN brought on BAILEY in over 12 with a bright shiny hard red cricket ball.
If ROFE bowls the game is won.
With BAILEY we are still long odds on favourites to win, but still a poor decision.
The field LEHMANN set for BAILEY was suicidal NO MID WICKET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hardly a man to stop the single, all on the fence or in close, very very dumb in this
situation you bowl the meduim pacer in ROFE with a ring field and pressure the batsmen.
Despite the bad decision to bowl a leggie on a seamers pitch we fluffed 2 golden
opportunities to put away NSREBW when MANOU missed a stumping chance off BAILEY
to stump THORNLEY which would have made it 7/52.
MT79 thank goodness you were not there, you would have jumped the fence and .......
And TAIT dropped CLARK at deep square leg of the unlucky BAILEY again to make it 7/65 odd.
There was still no need to panic BUT Stewie CLARK played the innings of his lifetime.
43 minutes 37 balls 62 runs with 3 fours + 4 massive sixes with a strike rate of 163.56.
His 2 zacs off consequtive balls of GILLESPIE were amazing, the 2nd six went that far that
the ball was lost somewhere between the Victor Richardson gates and the Old Lion Hotel !
CLARK man of the match no doubt.
With 19 to get surely it was ROFE, but no it was still BAILEY bowling, but still no Mid Wicket from
memory, I was stunned.
CLARK another 6 over mid wicket [then a mid wicket?], and then a four and then out for 62 on the long on fence.
7/124
THORNLEY a 4 and a single 7/129
NICHOLSON Caught + Bowled by BAILEY for 0
8/129
BAILEY WAS 0/47 but ends up with 2/52 off 6 overs, but the damage too great.
TAIT back on a logical move bowls 4 balls, some field changes, a couple of fielders brought
in to save the single, yeah good tactics.
I told Donny in these exact words
" TAITY will bowl a bouncer and THORNLEY will top edge him for a boundary."
Thats all folks the bouncer the top edge hook for 6 and NSW win in a thriller.
I stormed off in disgust, how could we lose this game?
Ryan HARRIS is fit he took 14/150 this game in district cricket[ and a ton this tear]
Mark CLEARY 5 wickets yesterday
CULLEN back fron India
BLEWETT is making runs in district cricket.
MALS BEST TEAM in about 2 games time
---------------------------------------------
BLEWETT
BORGAS
COSGROVE
LEHMANN
ELLIOTT.........................or BAILEY at number 8
FERGUSON
DIETZ
CLEARY
GILLESPIE
CULLEN
TAIT
ROFE unfortunately for balance
BAILEY might be outed for a batsmen[but he is star of the future] for balance
CLEARY in for batting depth
R.HARRIS must be considerded as an allrounder
ELLIOTT down the list then out if fails
BLEWETT/BORGAS/COSGROVE have to be the top 3
LEHMANN must bat higher at 4
DIETZ is a proven failure opening, but ideal at 7 + as keeper
Please no critiscm for having ROFE/BAILEY out of side, strictly for balance only.
They are both good enough to be included.
How did we lose today????