Aust v NZ 4/2/2007

[MightyEagles]

The Aussies last match before the finals and the AB Medal tomorrow night.
Should be a good game.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Tait's warm up ball ... 153.8 kph on a dead track

[stampy]

shen was the last time we won a toss? FFS!!!!!!!

[Adelaide Hawk]

Fleming out 1/12. I hope the Aussies didn't celebrate the wicket too loudly, otherwise they might upset poor little Lou Vincent at the other end.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Tait's bowling inswinging yorkers at 160 clicks!!! Not much fun for the batsman.

[mal]

FLEMING out for 9
He needs runs soon.
Maybe his recovery from the cancer/tumour problems is affecting him.

TAIT 160.0 km thats scary

1/105[20.4]
St VINCENT another 50 [special thanks to ASTLE who made this possible]

[sydney-dog]

can someone please explain why with Ponting in the side Hodge is batting before Mr Cricket

Hussey is too good to bat at 6, he must come in earlier

[Thiele]

Australi needs 78 of 60 balls can they do it

[am Bays]

Well this is doing Hodge's confidence and self belief at this level the world of good....

Got to be said he is batting well

[am Bays]

can someone please explain why with Ponting in the side Hodge is batting before Mr Cricket

Hussey is too good to bat at 6, he must come in earlier

All about roles in the team, players preparing for teh world cup.....

They've got Hussey slated in to do the #6 role a la bevan, wickets fall can come in and nudge it around, accelerate if needs be when he comes in with wickets in hand and bat with teh tail if the need arises...

Don't want to upset the balance of the team and players roles with the games they have to play in march and April....

[am Bays]

Australi needs 78 of 60 balls can they do it

yep, if they lose it now with it down to virtually run a ball they need rooting.....

[Thiele]

Well done on an excellent Century 40 of 6 overs It will be done

[Thiele]

19 of 3 over six wickets in hand

[Adelaide Hawk]

Tait's figures ... outstanding.

[Thiele]

Australia wins by 5 witckets with 10 balls to spare
Hodge finshed 99 not out

[mal]

All the HODGE critics are silenced 99* of about 90 balls
He now averages 50 for the series.

We win again, but after conceding
335
293
290
the last 3 games
we need a genuine front line spinner on flat tracks
Bradley George Hogg is the man.
HOWEVER I WOULD NOT LIKE TO LEAVE OUT ONE OF THE QUICKS.

LEE/MCGRATH/BRACKEN are the 3 I would pick
CLARK/TAIT/JOHNSON/WATSON are the 4 leftovers.

HERE IS MY TEAM FOR THE FINALS
----------------------------------------

HAYDEN
GILCHRIST
PONTING
HODGE
CLARK
HUSSEY
WATSON
HOGG
LEE
BRACKEN
MCGRATH

IN WATSON/HOGG
OUT CLARK/WHITE

This is the best balanced side with WATSON/HOGG for more batting depth
and LEE batting at 9 makes it a long batting line up.

AH will be delighted with my next comment :
WHITE has had several games now.
His batting is ok coming in at 7
But his bowling is not up to it at this stage
HODGE/CLARK can do a similar job with the ball and both bat better.

[sydney-dog]

1980 Tassie Medalist

I take your point on board re Hussey at 6, but surely if he comes in at 5, given his form he is still odds on to be there in the final overs

great innings by Hodge after a very nervous start, his first 18 runs came off singles off about 38 balls but grew in confidence as the game went on, most importantly he may off played his way in to the final world cup squad

[mal]

SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST

HODGE is fitter than SYMONDS or WATSON

[SOTTERS]

Your'e right with White Mal. His bowling is way off the mark, I cant belive how backwards it has gone in the past 2 years, his action is shot and he dosn't know how to bowl a leggie anymore. Im a big fan of his, but it seems he has concentrated on his batting so much in the past couple of years that it is going to take some hard work to get his bowling back on track. Lets face it he is only a part timer for the Vics these days and hardly bowled for Somerset in the county season. With only 15 players picked for the World cup squad I think Hodge may of took his spot tonight, with Watson to be back and bat 7.

[sydney-dog]

not sure if this news has reached SA

But Jaques hit 321no off 281 balls in club cricket, something like 34 fours and 12 sixes, so the Sydney Media will start there campaign to get Jaques included in the squad