India v Australia 1st Test

[Drop Bear]

Fixed.

[Rik E Boy]

It's more than just confidence with North. He doesn't present the full face of the bat, even in defence. Have a look at his latest dismissal. Last ball before tea and he is playing around his front pad as he does so often in defensive mode he pops up the catch. Better players such as Matthew Elliot were dropped for this.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Yep he would be a great a captain. There was talk of him last year doing it for a year or two when punter steps down. Latest whispers are that he is thinking about retiring after this years ashes. I hope this aint true because he would make a fine captain. I dont think the dickbrains that run cricket would allow a short term captain thats why they are pushing for clarkey

The more I watch Clarke, the more I'm convinced he is all style and no substance. He looked like he didn't want to be out there in his latest innings. He has talent but no heart IMO.

regards,

REB

[Dogmatic]

Billy Bowden has been applying guess work for a long time.
About time they got rid of him and started using television replays.
Too many matches are being decided by incompetent umpiring.
BTW I think it a difficult job being an umpire.

[Rik E Boy]

Not wanting to cause a certain poster to sprout a raging semi, but I believe a certain Mr Katich led the Blues to a Sheffield Shield title a couple of years back...

Not too sure how much longer The Kat has at the top level. He is the same age as Punter but he is not as good and is not the skipper. How long will the Aussies persist with both of these players? I'd suggest that with Hughes in the wings that The Kat doesn't have too many tests left in him. Our current side is old in terms of years but young in terms of experience.

If Generation A is McGrath, The Waughs, Martyn, Hayden, Gilchrist, Langer, Ponting and Warne then their brilliance naturally leads to extended careers (i.e. 100 plus tests not sure about Martyn). This means Generation B players such as Katich, Clarke, North, Hauritz, Hussey, Haddin should have shorter careers. If this group plays 80 tests then Generation C could well have abbrievated careers also. Generation C is Hughes, Kawaja, Ferguson, George, Paine, Smith and many others.

If we continue down this path of 'sticking with experience' we are following the unsuccessful English model of the 1980's. The only reason they had any success was because of Ian Botham and they only came out of the slump of the 1990's because they pick a virtual World XI. Australia does not follow this model so I reckon it's bye bye Generation B and Generation C should be ushered in as our next 100 test generation. Every second 'generation' is stiff but I believe that is the best model. Keep doing what we are doing now and Number four will be our permanant spot in the rankings.

regards,

REB

[wristwatcher]

Before everyone gets stuck into me for bagging north, i believe he is a genuine talent but he is clearly struggling and the pressure seems to have got to him. I remember reading about him when he was an 18 yo and he was touted as a future aussie captain and our great saviour. I think dropping him for a while might get him back on track. You only have to look at S. Waugh, haydo and langer to find similarities, all good youths who struggled in their first stint but came back far stronger and the rest is history. I put north in that category, i have no doubt he will be great but this is killing him at the moment and confidence is such a big part of batting. Give him a spell and see what happens. Ditto phil hughes

I think you will be waiting a while b4 anyone gets stuck into you for bagging North Callum Ferguson is the site moderator

[Media Park]

Not wanting to cause a certain poster to sprout a raging semi, but I believe a certain Mr Katich led the Blues to a Sheffield Shield title a couple of years back...

Not too sure how much longer The Kat has at the top level. He is the same age as Punter but he is not as good and is not the skipper. How long will the Aussies persist with both of these players? I'd suggest that with Hughes in the wings that The Kat doesn't have too many tests left in him. Our current side is old in terms of years but young in terms of experience.

If Generation A is McGrath, The Waughs, Martyn, Hayden, Gilchrist, Langer, Ponting and Warne then their brilliance naturally leads to extended careers (i.e. 100 plus tests not sure about Martyn). This means Generation B players such as Katich, Clarke, North, Hauritz, Hussey, Haddin should have shorter careers. If this group plays 80 tests then Generation C could well have abbrievated careers also. Generation C is Hughes, Kawaja, Ferguson, George, Paine, Smith and many others.

If we continue down this path of 'sticking with experience' we are following the unsuccessful English model of the 1980's. The only reason they had any success was because of Ian Botham and they only came out of the slump of the 1990's because they pick a virtual World XI. Australia does not follow this model so I reckon it's bye bye Generation B and Generation C should be ushered in as our next 100 test generation. Every second 'generation' is stiff but I believe that is the best model. Keep doing what we are doing now and Number four will be our permanant spot in the rankings.

regards,

REB

Marto about 70 tests IIRC, one of my faves... Debuted around the same time as Langer, same series in fact, so similar length careers.

[whufc]

Is it just me or is Michael Clarke a tad over-rated

Seems to throw his wicket away more often than not, yet is regarded as a future captain of the side.

Im a bit unsure about him at the moment, seems to be a bit of a flat track bully.

Am i wrong in saying this.

[The Cadet]

It's more than just confidence with North. He doesn't present the full face of the bat, even in defence. Have a look at his latest dismissal. Last ball before tea and he is playing around his front pad as he does so often in defensive mode he pops up the catch. Better players such as Matthew Elliot were dropped for this.

regards,

REB

True but Elliott wasn't the most liked player in the Australian dressing room.

[Rik E Boy]

It's more than just confidence with North. He doesn't present the full face of the bat, even in defence. Have a look at his latest dismissal. Last ball before tea and he is playing around his front pad as he does so often in defensive mode he pops up the catch. Better players such as Matthew Elliot were dropped for this.

regards,

REB

True but Elliott wasn't the most liked player in the Australian dressing room.

At least he could bat. Wouldn't mind him in the side now.

regards,

REB

[Rik E Boy]

Is it just me or is Michael Clarke a tad over-rated

Seems to throw his wicket away more often than not, yet is regarded as a future captain of the side.

Im a bit unsure about him at the moment, seems to be a bit of a flat track bully.

Am i wrong in saying this.

Dunno if you're right or wrong but I agree with you on this occasion hammers.

regards,

REB

[Media Park]

He's not the most overrated player in the Aussie side though.

Gotta get rid of North first, then Hussey- just because he had a good start to his career, doesn't make him great.

Ponting is playing on past performances.

The Kat will retire soon, so if you want to get rid of Clarke, you've just upheaved all the worse players to get rid of him...

That means you've got Watto, and no-one else!

[NFC]

He's not the most overrated player in the Aussie side though.

Gotta get rid of North first, then Hussey- just because he had a good start to his career, doesn't make him great.

Ponting is playing on past performances.

The Kat will retire soon, so if you want to get rid of Clarke, you've just upheaved all the worse players to get rid of him...

That means you've got Watto, and no-one else!

Would still be competitive.

[sherminator]

It will be interesting to see what will happen there in the coming months. I doubt the selectors will make any wholesale changes before the Ashes, but once the 5th test is over win, lose or draw, the knives will come out. Ponting is still good enough to carry on but he does not seem as mentally tough as he used to be. Whilst it won't happen, I reckon he should be dropped to 4 or 5 to prolong things a little bit. His recent dismissals have been pretty soft resulting from concentration slips rather than opposition brilliance.

The only good thing about this loss (being a 2 test series) Australia may make a few changes. Bolly injured so maybe a cap for George. Hauritz bowled rubbish yesterday. Late in the match Ponting turned to North instead of bringing him back so it will be interesting to see whether they play Smith instead.

[Dogmatic]

Is it just me or is Michael Clarke a tad over-rated

Seems to throw his wicket away more often than not, yet is regarded as a future captain of the side.

Im a bit unsure about him at the moment, seems to be a bit of a flat track bully.

Am i wrong in saying this.

Agree with you there Hammer.
He is like a rabbit in a spotlight with the short ball too.
He is almost 30, bring on the next generation for future captains ala Fergie!

[OnSong]

Is it just me or is Michael Clarke a tad over-rated

Seems to throw his wicket away more often than not, yet is regarded as a future captain of the side.

Im a bit unsure about him at the moment, seems to be a bit of a flat track bully.

Am i wrong in saying this.

Agree with you there Hammer.
He is like a rabbit in a spotlight with the short ball too.
He is almost 30, bring on the next generation for future captains ala Fergie!

[The Cadet]

I rather this Fergie.

[THE BARKING SPIDERS]

im with cadet on this one

[Media Park]

im with cadet on this one

definitely x2 mate.

[The Dark Knight]

Is it just me or is Michael Clarke a tad over-rated

Seems to throw his wicket away more often than not, yet is regarded as a future captain of the side.

Im a bit unsure about him at the moment, seems to be a bit of a flat track bully.

Am i wrong in saying this.

Yes, agreed mate. IMO he never seems to deliver when we need him too and throws his wicket away a little too much. I always want to see him dominant the opposition bowlers and make a stack of runs, but I unfortunately don't see enough of it from him.