1st Test - West Indies V Australia

[Pottsy]

Don't worry locky, the mrs hardly ever slams me either...

Cowan did score too slowly, built unnecessary pressure at the other end. Luckily for him it worked out though. 8 off 56 could be said to be putting your own spot ahead of the teams needs. At least look to rotate the strike.

What a top match. How good is Test cricket!

[stampy]

well put

[Johno6]

Anyone know what the best odd for the Aussies were during the maych

[The Sleeping Giant]

You two are precious aren't you. Pottsy at least mentioned Cowan was taking the shine of, but it was also important not to throw wickets away.

[CoverKing]

Anyone know what the best odd for the Aussies were during the maych

I know we were $10 at the start of day 4

[Grahaml]

Don't worry locky, the mrs hardly ever slams me either...

Cowan did score too slowly, built unnecessary pressure at the other end. Luckily for him it worked out though. 8 off 56 could be said to be putting your own spot ahead of the teams needs. At least look to rotate the strike.

What a top match. How good is Test cricket!

I disagree. We needed someone to play the anchor role. The reason we left it late is we just kept losing regular wickets. Best way to approach a run chase like that is have runs coming from one end and someone to bat through. Once Warner fell Cowan backed himself to be the batting through guy. We did end up 7 down so we weren't too far from losing the game, if Cowan falls going for too much too early then we probably do end up losing the game.

But all in all, a sensational win. Not too many who didn't contribute something. The bowlers obviously get the most headlines but after conceding 450 in the first innings they probably felt like they needed to. Clarke a sensational declaration. Risked losing the game and won it. If he doesn't make that hugely brave call then we don't win. All the former captains get more aggressive once they step down and start commentating, I wonder whether Ponting might be providing a little aggressive intent of his own in the dressing room. Whatever the balance, there's no doubt this arrangement is working beautifully. Something India never managed when they had former captains playing.

Lyon's bowling is still something of a concern but luckily for him the replacement spinner isn't exactly making a huge case to come in. If he holds his own with the bat and in the field, chips in with the odd important wicket and on really good spinning decks puts pressure on I think that's all we can really hope for right now. Fingers crossed 12-18 months down the track he learns a little guile or someone else has come along.

[smac]

I agree with what you say Grahaml, except for the Ponting bit.

Clark will go down as one of our greatest skippers by the time he's done - he's got a "Warne like" knack for making a good call that some (few) players just have and Ponting wasn't one of them.

I'm not knocking Ponting, he did a great job. Clark is better, IMO.

[whufc]

I agree with what you say Grahaml, except for the Ponting bit.

Clark will go down as one of our greatest skippers by the time he's done - he's got a "Warne like" knack for making a good call that some (few) players just have and Ponting wasn't one of them.

I'm not knocking Ponting, he did a great job. Clark is better, IMO.

Agree so far Clarke's captaincy has been magnificent and you would think it will only improve. Just seems to captain like there is no pressure at all. He makes decisions based on his thoughts of the game and is concerned by the pressures of it failing. Looks like he is willing to live and die by the sword.

Its a great shame we never got to see Warney captain a test side but i think we may have found the next best thing

[Brodlach]

How many test wins in a row is that and how many wins since the South African Series?

[heater31]

How many test wins in a row is that and how many wins since the South African Series?

We lost to New Zealand in Hobart.....

So that makes 5 in a row?

[Brodlach]

How many test wins in a row is that and how many wins since the South African Series?

We lost to New Zealand in Hobart.....

Bugger, forgot about us playing NZ, was thinking just about India

[bd u15 09]

Had we beaten NZ it would have been out 8th win in a row.

[jackpot jim]

Indeed, Shiv is a gun, Sammy's late blast in the first dig nearly proved vital, Deonarine's second innings wickets, if he'd bowled a bit tighter it could have been a different story.
This is a side we are on par with, although Cummins and Pattinson still to come back in, only question is where?

On a par with ??

If the Windies had Gayle, Pollard and in particular Narine who baffled the Aussie batsmen in the 1 dayers, i would then think they were close to being on par.
Aussies to win the series comfortably from here 3 - 0.
Windies are certainly more competetive these days but just cant maintain the pressure for a full 5 days which is what is needed to beat a proven Test performer like Australia.
Also think a few of the Windies batsmen are very susceptible on anything but a road of a pitch which they had in the 1st innings.

[Rik E Boy]

Indeed, Shiv is a gun, Sammy's late blast in the first dig nearly proved vital, Deonarine's second innings wickets, if he'd bowled a bit tighter it could have been a different story.
This is a side we are on par with, although Cummins and Pattinson still to come back in, only question is where?

On a par with ??

If the Windies had Gayle, Pollard and in particular Narine who baffled the Aussie batsmen in the 1 dayers, i would then think they were close to being on par.
Aussies to win the series comfortably from here 3 - 0.
Windies are certainly more competetive these days but just cant maintain the pressure for a full 5 days which is what is needed to beat a proven Test performer like Australia.
Also think a few of the Windies batsmen are very susceptible on anything but a road of a pitch which they had in the 1st innings.

I agree Jim we are ahead of this mob. The Windies have improved but their defensive attitude over the last innings proved they haven't yet rediscovered a winning culture. Even though we are not what we once were, we still strive for victory and that puts you ahead nearly every time.

regards,

REB

[mal]

12/04/12
Michael Clarke
Ive been telling youse how good a skipper he was about 12 months ago, when he first started captaining
Heez such a good captain , I doubt if the Titanic would have sank if he was the skipper

[The Sleeping Giant]

You got one right mal. Doesn't make up for the ones you got wrong.

Hope Clarke doesn't do something foolish and lose the next test.

[mal]

You got one right mal. Doesn't make up for the ones you got wrong.

Hope Clarke doesn't do something foolish and lose the next test.

[am Bays]

You got one right mal. Doesn't make up for the ones you got wrong.

Hope Clarke doesn't do something foolish and lose the next test.

12/4/12 The Titanic Sunk
12/4/12 The Sleeping Giant agrees with me

May the Historians forever decree this date

Titanic sank on the 15th

[The Sleeping Giant]

You got one right mal. Doesn't make up for the ones you got wrong.

Hope Clarke doesn't do something foolish and lose the next test.

12/4/12 The Titanic Sunk
12/4/12 The Sleeping Giant agrees with me

May the Historians forever decree this date

Titanic sank on the 15th

LOL

[dedja]