1st Test V India starting Boxing Day

[Jim05]

Well -we've gone from losing to New Zealand to beating India

Bookies had it right.
India are shit away from home.

[Jim05]

Siddle man of the match for me.
Very hard one to pick though

Ponting or Pattinson for me.

Hilfenhaus?

He was good but Pattinson contributed a little more with the bat and i think he just bowled better.

Ponting was the only one who got to 50 twice.

Siddle dragged us out of poo in our first dig with 41. Took 6 wickets including Tendulkar twice, that gets him over the line for me

[mal]

Good timing
We can all have a few hours off and refresh ourselves for the Perth Scorchers V Brisbane Heat game

MOTM
I cant split the 3 quicks
So I then narrowed it down to Ricky Ponting and the Curator
I pick Ricky Ponting by a whisker

[wycbloods]

Ponting or Pattinson for me.

Hilfenhaus?

He was good but Pattinson contributed a little more with the bat and i think he just bowled better.

Ponting was the only one who got to 50 twice.

Siddle dragged us out of poo in our first dig with 41. Took 6 wickets including Tendulkar twice, that gets him over the line for me

That's a fair case as well. I think a case could be made for the 3 quicks and Punter.

[Jim05]

Patto MOTM

[mal]

Ricky Ponting is my man of the match

THE FASTIES

KHAN 4/77 +3/53
SHARMAN 0/48 + 2/43
YADAV 3/106 + 4/70

PATTINSON 2/55 + 4/53
HILENHAUS 5/75 + 2/39
SIDDLE 3/63 + 3/42

It was a good fast bowlers deck
For someone like Ponting to score
62 [score was 2/46]
60 [score was 2/16]
This was a great effort

Sachin Tendulkar 73 + 32 was great as well
He was the only batsman in this game who never looked like getting out until he did
If he had the luck Shewag had in this game he prob would have won the game for India

[rod_rooster]

Ricky Ponting is my man of the match

We agree on this mal.

[Jim05]

Ricky Ponting is my man of the match

THE FASTIES

KHAN 4/77 +3/53
SHARMAN 0/48 + 2/43
YADAV 3/106 + 4/70

PATTINSON 2/55 + 4/53
HILENHAUS 5/75 + 2/39
SIDDLE 3/63 + 3/42

It was a good fast bowlers deck
For someone like Ponting to score
62 [score was 2/46]
60 [score was 2/16]
This was a great effort

Sachin Tendulkar 73 + 32 was great as well
He was the only batsman in this game who never looked like getting out until he did
If he had the luck Shewag had in this game he prob would have won the game for India

But the bowlers batted well also
Siddle made 41 in 1st dig
Patto was the only person not dismissed on this bowler friendly pitch with 18* and 37*

[locky801]

Games like this is why I love test cricket, this game had everything and was great to watch.

some great batting against some great bowling, some half decent catches taken and a tad of controversy

There were more twist and turns than on the old mad mouse at the showgrounds.

And how much has Peter Siddle improved. Remember quite openly slamming him last season for his short uninspiring bowling, this season leading from the front.

Cant remember who posted it that said this series would be boring because neither side could get 20 wickets, well series has started well.

Bring on the SCG

[rod_rooster]

Games like this is why I love test cricket, this game had everything and was great to watch.

some great batting against some great bowling, some half decent catches taken and a tad of controversy

There were more twist and turns than on the old mad mouse at the showgrounds.

And how much has Peter Siddle improved. Remember quite openly slamming him last season for his short uninspiring bowling, this season leading from the front.

Cant remember who posted it that said this series would be boring because neither side could get 20 wickets, well series has started well.

Bring on the SCG

Great post. Test cricket is alive and well and some champions have proved why you should never write them off. What a great four days.

[whufc]

Yep great win, great test and a great pitch which had a bit in it for everyone! Thats how test cricket should be not these 500 run batters paradises you see all througout the sub continent. Test cricket imho is on the verge of something even more special 4-5 teams that are pretty evenly matched with only ENG being a standout but not unbeatable like the Aussies of old and pitches in Aus, Eng, SA, NZ that are starting to produce decent results

As MAL has been saying India are the definition of FLAT TRACK BULLIES! They will LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the SCG, without Warne a draw will be a great result for the Aussies.

Nathon Lyon
-very good bowler of the future, potential Aus off spinning great imho
-best spin bowler in the country at present
-quality spin bowler against every test playing nation except 1
-not good at this point of time against the Indians

Shoot me down for crazy thinking but personally i would put Lyon on ice for this series, he would come straight back in the next test series we play.

I would be happy to see a bloke like Christian or even Andrew McDonald come into the side as the fourth bowler. Before you all have a heart attack or full of you chair laughing.

The fourth bowler is only going to bowl around 10 overs an innings. I would be happy for one of these two who could tie the runs down from one end while getting some assistance from the pitch if the ball starts to stay low in a 3rd/4th innings. Also their value at batting at number 8 would be invaluable especially considering our collopases of late.

My Sydney side would be

1. Dave Warner
2. Ed Cowan
3. Shaun Marsh
4. Ricky Ponting
5. Michael Clarke (would be happy if he was to bowl a few overs of spin if needed)
6. Michael Hussey
7. Matthew Wade
8. Dan Christian/Andrew McDonald type player
9. Peter Siddle
10. James Pattinson
11. Ben Hilfenhaus (not a huge fan but his 1st test form definatly warrants selection)

Sorry for the Novel!

[rod_rooster]

Why would Marsh be in the side?

[whufc]

Why would Marsh be in the side?

Agree, i dont think he should have came back into the side BUT

who is performing well enough to take his spot?

imho he will be better for the run.

[Rik E Boy]

A fantastic effort from the Aussie boys. At 4/27 nearly lights out but the 'old boys' Hussey and Ponting got us out of the 5hit. Hmm, maybe the selectors are onto something after all. Ponting's second dig was like the Punter of old, much improved footwork being the key to not just his game but also the blokes that failed. While Ponting was the positive the negative for me is how often Micheal Clarke is getting his stumps knocked over. A batsman as good as Pup shouldn't be getting bowled as often as he does.

What a Cricketer we have found in Pattison and another big tick for the selectors for Hilfy who had a great test match looking twice the bowler he was last year when he was getting bitch slapped around by the Poms. Siddle's huge heart helped us at key moments during this test and his first innings knock and the pivotal dismissal of Tendulkar (twice) were keys to this test win.

Can we dare to believe that our side might be settling down a bit? Wade or Paine for Haddin who looks done and Watto back in for Marsh. I'd have Watto at three as I've been saying for some time. For those of us wishing that Ponting and Hussey were gone perhaps it's a case of being careful for what we wish for as we might just get it. We need consistent contributions from the newer players before we can tap Huss or Punter on the shoulder but perhaps they would be doing this by now if Punter in particular did get the DCM after the England tour of 2009.

Our boys need to be a bit more consistent with the bat but it looks like the start of the road back at the very least. Game on.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Yep great win, great test and a great pitch which had a bit in it for everyone! Thats how test cricket should be not these 500 run batters paradises you see all througout the sub continent. Test cricket imho is on the verge of something even more special 4-5 teams that are pretty evenly matched with only ENG being a standout but not unbeatable like the Aussies of old and pitches in Aus, Eng, SA, NZ that are starting to produce decent results

As MAL has been saying India are the definition of FLAT TRACK BULLIES! They will LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE the SCG, without Warne a draw will be a great result for the Aussies.

Nathon Lyon
-very good bowler of the future, potential Aus off spinning great imho
-best spin bowler in the country at present
-quality spin bowler against every test playing nation except 1
-not good at this point of time against the Indians

Shoot me down for crazy thinking but personally i would put Lyon on ice for this series, he would come straight back in the next test series we play.

I would be happy to see a bloke like Christian or even Andrew McDonald come into the side as the fourth bowler. Before you all have a heart attack or full of you chair laughing.

The fourth bowler is only going to bowl around 10 overs an innings. I would be happy for one of these two who could tie the runs down from one end while getting some assistance from the pitch if the ball starts to stay low in a 3rd/4th innings. Also their value at batting at number 8 would be invaluable especially considering our collopases of late.

My Sydney side would be

1. Dave Warner
2. Ed Cowan
3. Shaun Marsh
4. Ricky Ponting
5. Michael Clarke (would be happy if he was to bowl a few overs of spin if needed)
6. Michael Hussey
7. Matthew Wade
8. Dan Christian/Andrew McDonald type player
9. Peter Siddle
10. James Pattinson
11. Ben Hilfenhaus (not a huge fan but his 1st test form definatly warrants selection)

Sorry for the Novel!

Lyon won't get warm if we put him on ice. If you don't play him in Sydney you don't play him at all.

regards,

REB

[Phantom Gossiper]

Nathon Lyon
-not good at this point of time against the Indians

Shoot me down for crazy thinking but personally i would put Lyon on ice for this series, he would come straight back in the next test series we play.

I dont think Lyon did much wrong this test. Didn't look a great deal in the deck for him, definately suited the quicks more, the pitch didn't even look like it was beginning to break up! Also India have always been good players of spin, so it's a good test for him. At the end of the day, we can't hide him or any other spinner every time we come up against the Indians, have to throw him in the deep end eventually.
I'm sure we will see better results from him on the SCG and Adel Oval.

[Rik E Boy]

to all those cricket experts calling for Ponting & Hussey's heads ........................ hello ??????

Hello. Always glad to be proven wrong by anyone wearing the Baggy Green. The new boys aren't up to it just yet but if you aren't getting the opportunities then it is difficult to get up to speed.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

MT79
What about these frauds bowling Doosras+ Sidoukas
I bowled them 30 years ago
You should know, my Malsra had you in 2 minds in the nets a couple of years ago

Do I hit it for four or six?

regards,

REB

[whufc]

Nathon Lyon
-not good at this point of time against the Indians

Shoot me down for crazy thinking but personally i would put Lyon on ice for this series, he would come straight back in the next test series we play.

I dont think Lyon did much wrong this test. Didn't look a great deal in the deck for him, definately suited the quicks more, the pitch didn't even look like it was beginning to break up! Also India have always been good players of spin, so it's a good test for him. At the end of the day, we can't hide him or any other spinner every time we come up against the Indians, have to throw him in the deep end eventually.
I'm sure we will see better results from him on the SCG and Adel Oval.

Agree he didnt do anything wrong but lets be honest not one of the Indian top 9 batsmen looked like getting out to him at any stage. They are the best players of spin in the world and tbh at this stage in Lyons career he is going to get belted around by the Indians especially in Sydney and Adelaide which are small ovals and as close to playing in India as the Indians will get over here. If Warne couldnt succeed against the Indians on these ovals what chance will Lyon at this stage.

My main point is we dont have a spinner in Aus who could trouble the Indians right now. Biggest problem is not only do the Aussie spinners not take wickets against the Indians they also dont bowl economically as the Indians punish them and take it as their relief from the quicks.

Dont play a spinner just for the sake of having a spinner, Clarke is capable of chipping in the 5 or so overs required. Playing a bloke when his not ready will do more harm than good imho.

[redandblack]

I doubt there would be much change.

I'm not a Haddin fan, but I think the selectors have Paine marked as a long-term prospect and that might save Haddin to survive until then.

Lyon has to be in the 12. Melbourne was a pace bowlers' pitch.