Official New Years Test - SCG

[Zorro]

You would think another big innings will cement Roy spot at #6 for the next test series, but given the Aussies do not play another test for 11 months, there is plenty of time for the selectors to review the sides needs

personally I hope he makes a big score tomorrow and goes on with it from here, he is a huge talent and a match winner

.......not to mention very entertaining to watch. I hope he makes another score and assuming his ODI form doesn't dip significantly and he remains injury free he should get a start in November.

[mal]

AH/SD/MAL we all believed in Roy the chosen one.

Lets hope he will destROY them tomorrow.

Just watching him in the last over reminded me of KP [AH take note]

[sydney-dog]

Mal

I did not see any play today

but I am aware that Roy hit a four and was lucky not to be caught in the last over

the coach did advise him to go out and play his natural game

[rod_rooster]

The shot after he hit the 4 in the last over was on. No risk. He knew that. If he got hold of it it was 6 over extra cover. If he mis hit it, it would slice away out of danger (as it did). Give the guy some credit. What a super talent he is and for cricket's sake i hope he goes on and realises the talent he has in the true form of the game.

[Aerie]

The shot after he hit the 4 in the last over was on. No risk. He knew that. If he got hold of it it was 6 over extra cover. If he mis hit it, it would slice away out of danger (as it did). Give the guy some credit. What a super talent he is and for cricket's sake i hope he goes on and realises the talent he has in the true form of the game.

That ball was beautifully bowled by Panesar and beat Symonds all ends up. Symonds had no control over it. Symonds is an exciting player, but there are still plenty of boxes to be ticked before he can safely claim a spot in the Test side. You get the feeling though that he is heading in the right direction and will feature in the baggy green for years to come.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Why is it when Pietersen gets out playing ridiculous shots (and he usually does), he's considered a superstar, or an "excitement machine", but the moment Symonds plays a less than perfect stroke, his status as a Test cricketer is questioned? I'd really love to know.

[Max]

Aerie - I agree, and disagree. We need to give Panesar some credit for that last over - it was great. But, while Roy is only a few tests into his career, he will be remembered as a fantastic batting all-rounder and has cemented his spot for a couple of seasons in my books.

Watching Panesar though, makes me think that we don't wan't to be chasing too many in the fourth innigs on this pitch. I even think that the great KP will become a handfull to face with his off-spin. 200-tops as the target for the Aussies and a 5-nil sweep...

[Aerie]

Why is it when Pietersen gets out playing ridiculous shots (and he usually does), he's considered a superstar, or an "excitement machine", but the moment Symonds plays a less than perfect stroke, his status as a Test cricketer is questioned? I'd really love to know.

Maybe because one is averaging over 50 and has scored several centuries including one that made sure the Ashes was won by England, while the other is averaging 25 and has only scored one Test century in a dead rubber. Also, one is the best batsman in his side while the other is the 7th best batsman in his side.

[rod_rooster]

The shot after he hit the 4 in the last over was on. No risk. He knew that. If he got hold of it it was 6 over extra cover. If he mis hit it, it would slice away out of danger (as it did). Give the guy some credit. What a super talent he is and for cricket's sake i hope he goes on and realises the talent he has in the true form of the game.

That ball was beautifully bowled by Panesar and beat Symonds all ends up. Symonds had no control over it. Symonds is an exciting player, but there are still plenty of boxes to be ticked before he can safely claim a spot in the Test side. You get the feeling though that he is heading in the right direction and will feature in the baggy green for years to come.

I agree that it was beautifully bowled and he completely beat Symonds but Roy knew that even if he didn't fully get onto it it would fall safe. That's my point. He has batted extremelly well this morning to. Hope he goes on with it. Gilly looking the goods as well.

[mal]

Why is it when Pietersen gets out playing ridiculous shots (and he usually does), he's considered a superstar, or an "excitement machine", but the moment Symonds plays a less than perfect stroke, his status as a Test cricketer is questioned? I'd really love to know.

Maybe because one is averaging over 50 and has scored several centuries including one that made sure the Ashes was won by England, while the other is averaging 25 and has only scored one Test century in a dead rubber. Also, one is the best batsman in his side while the other is the 7th best batsman in his side.

SYMONDS B PANESAR 48
Symonds plays a massive hoik at Panesar misses and is bowled.
When PIETERSON gets out like that it makes the back page ....

Moral of the story AH is exactly 1,oooooo% what AERIE says one averages 50 in a average team
the other averages 25 in one of the greatest performing sides in history.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I love you guys who just hide behind averages and statistics when trying to evaluate cricketers. Pietersen bats like a goose, throws his bat around and makes some runs because of natural ability, not application. Symonds saves 30-40 runs in the field because of outstanding fielding whereas Pietersen is one of the worst fieldsman in Test cricket, and probably costs his side 30-40. Open your eyes people and work it out for yourselves.

BTW Mal .... Mahmood is NOT a Test cricketer.

[scoob]

I love how everyone, (except MAL) was against picking an all rounder earlier in the series now its a great move and wish them all the best???

[mal]

I love you guys who just hide behind averages and statistics when trying to evaluate cricketers. Pietersen bats like a goose, throws his bat around and makes some runs because of natural ability, not application. Symonds saves 30-40 runs in the field because of outstanding fielding whereas Pietersen is one of the worst fieldsman in Test cricket, and probably costs his side 30-40. Open your eyes people and work it out for yourselves.

BTW Mal .... Mahmood is NOT a Test cricketer.

The only sense this post made is that Symonds is a better fieldsman.

PS AERIE + MAL are debating batting not fielding.

MAHMOOD is a test cricketer, he is in the test team

Panesar to Warrrrrrrrrney plays forward hits the glove Read takes the catch and Australia
is now 7/275, Panesar is ecstatic, England are back in the test .....

NOT OUT another home town decision. 6/275

[mal]

GILCHRIST drives at a wide ball from Anderson, misses and prepares
for the next ball, the compulsive walker contemplates how he played
a poor shot....He is out Billy DICKHEAD Bowden raises his bent finger.

MORAL OF THE STORY FOR GILchrist IS NEVER WALK AGAIN IN YOUR TEST CAREER.

Evens up for the WARNE decsion.

PS if PIETERSON played a wild shot like that it would be in the back page tomorrow.

[Max]

Got to back you up against the Hawk here Mal...

Hawk - even if we accept that Peiterson only gets runs because of his ability - it doesn't make him any less of a batsman. Perhaps people could be justified in feeling frustrated that he doesn't make more runs, but it doesn't detract from his record and performances thus far...

And, I don't think Symonds has been that harshly dealt with by the critics so far. He has the ability to play at any level he wants. But, he needs to keep performing like he has in the last two tests to cement his spot. I hope he does, and would be supporting him for the long run in the test side...

[Aerie]

I love you guys who just hide behind averages and statistics when trying to evaluate cricketers. Pietersen bats like a goose, throws his bat around and makes some runs because of natural ability, not application. Symonds saves 30-40 runs in the field because of outstanding fielding whereas Pietersen is one of the worst fieldsman in Test cricket, and probably costs his side 30-40. Open your eyes people and work it out for yourselves.

BTW Mal .... Mahmood is NOT a Test cricketer.

I disagree. I think Pietersen uses his feet very well. I'm not against him walking at the bowler. Not many can or are willing to do it, but I haven't seen Pietersen get out to it too often and it has scored him many runs. His application is at the level required to be a successful Test batsman. Twice now I've seen Pietersen in a series against Australia and both times I've been impressed. He has a unique and unorthodox technique but it works.

I don't think Symonds is anywhere near in the same class. IMO the tier of batsman in this tour, taking in to account current form and their Test records:

Ponting >
Hussey, Pietersen, Hayden >
Gilchrist >
Langer, Strauss, Bell, Clarke >
Collingwood, Symonds, Flintoff, Cook

[Thiele]

Warne has made his highest score at the SCG we are 8/349

[Thiele]

Warne has made 50

[heater31]

Warnie's going for the ton me thinks.

currently listening to Skull O'Keefe on the radio Warne is having a go at Collingwood

something like this

Warne to Collingwood: "Hows it Feel to get an MBE for only scoring 7?"
Collingwood to Warne: No response
Warne to Collingwood: "You are an embarrasment to your Country"

GOLD


up to Pidge now to get Warnie across the line Clark caught at cover for 30 odd

[Thiele]

Warne out for 71. The last time we see the greatest spinner bat. All out for 393 a lead of 102