Second Test Jan 3rd-7th@SCG

[rod_rooster]

Can't believe all the anti Australia cr*p on here. Go Aussies.

Hear Hear, Fishy.

regards,

REB

Agreee REB and CF. I don't tire of watching the Aussies win Test matches. It wasn't all that long ago we were crap and couldn't win a thing. Too many people take Australia's recent success for granted rather than just enjoying it for what it's worth.

[dedja]

Just finished watching the highlights on Fox ... Jeez, couldn't believe the fields in the first hour and didn't the Pakis just lose their heads.

Well done to the Aussies for putting up a score to give them a chance and the rest was history.

[CoverKing]

Now this has nothing to do with the result of the game, but hearing Pontings reason as to why he won the toss and batted makes me believe it was the right decision.

He said that he backed his side to make more runs in the first innings of the game then the opposition in the last innings of the game. Did it happen? No but only by 10 runs or so.

This line of thinking tho, i completely agreed with and understand why he batted first in the end.

[Jimmy]

also another thing i reckon the abc 891 radio broadcast is way better than channel nine... especially when kerry O and glenn dawson are on they give some much more personalitiy to the game!!!

Now leats hope for a clean sweep go u aussies!!!!

we always turned down the tv and turned up the radio

[rod_rooster]

Now this has nothing to do with the result of the game, but hearing Pontings reason as to why he won the toss and batted makes me believe it was the right decision.

He said that he backed his side to make more runs in the first innings of the game then the opposition in the last innings of the game. Did it happen? No but only by 10 runs or so.

This line of thinking tho, i completely agreed with and understand why he batted first in the end.

As much as i don't think he's the best captain we've had there is a good reason why he is there making the decisions and we are just watching and passing judgement from behind a keyboard. Winners are grinners and the rest can pleae themselves. Well done Punter.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Now this has nothing to do with the result of the game, but hearing Pontings reason as to why he won the toss and batted makes me believe it was the right decision.

He said that he backed his side to make more runs in the first innings of the game then the opposition in the last innings of the game. Did it happen? No but only by 10 runs or so.

This line of thinking tho, i completely agreed with and understand why he batted first in the end.

There was never any problem with Ponting batting first, it's just that we didn't bat well in the 1st innings. As has been said during the Test, that was not a 127 1st innings pitch.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Aussies won get over it. Can't believe all the anti Australia cr*p on here. Go Aussies.

It does grow a little tiresome doesn't it? Seems as if it has become "cool" to knock the Australian cricket team. It's in the "get a life" category of keyboard hero. These people obviously don't like cricket, their sport is coming onto forums and see how many people they annoy.

[redandblack]

CK, that might sound good in theory, but his decision was still patently wrong. It was a green-top. Any fast bowler would want to wrap that pitch up and take it with them to bowl on every game. Australia winning had everything to do with factors other than the pitch.

If he'd bowled first, it would have been a routine win. The end result doesn't make the decision correct. As for his theory about 1st innings versus 4th innings, I agree with it generally, but not in every case regardless of the conditions.

I'm glad he got it wrong, though. It turned what would have been an easy win into one of the great test matches.

[shoe boy]

When does the test in Tassie start????

[Rik E Boy]

Now this has nothing to do with the result of the game, but hearing Pontings reason as to why he won the toss and batted makes me believe it was the right decision.

He said that he backed his side to make more runs in the first innings of the game then the opposition in the last innings of the game. Did it happen? No but only by 10 runs or so.

This line of thinking tho, i completely agreed with and understand why he batted first in the end.

I think that it is laughable how Akmal's atrocious wicketkeeping has retrospectively turned a 5hit decision into a stroke of genius from our dud captain. If we bowl the Pakis out on the first day it isn't a miracle win it is a regulation win. Even though Ponting is a carp captain he is way ahead of Mohammed Yousef. Couldn't believe the fields he set in that first session yesterday. Another thing I noticed (from the Press conference) is that Ponting is a bit of a smart ar5e. Leave that stuff to me Ricky.

regards,

REB

[Lightning McQueen]

Aussies won get over it. Can't believe all the anti Australia cr*p on here. Go Aussies.

It does grow a little tiresome doesn't it? Seems as if it has become "cool" to knock the Australian cricket team. It's in the "get a life" category of keyboard hero. These people obviously don't like cricket, their sport is coming onto forums and see how many people they annoy.

Well it would be pretty boring if everyone just got on here and praised everything we done, it's obvious that people are passionate about their national team and like to voice their opinion, opinions are healthy.
AFL teams have different coaching staff listening to various broadcasts to see what idea's are being thrown around during games, it's no different.

[Rik E Boy]

Well it would be pretty boring if everyone just got on here and praised everything we done, it's obvious that people are passionate about their national team and like to voice their opinion, opinions are healthy.
AFL teams have different coaching staff listening to various broadcasts to see what idea's are being thrown around during games, it's no different.

What is 'tiresome' is this

1. People bagging a consistent opener because of personal views rather than judging the vital ingredient - how many runs does the guy make.
2. People bagging our best spinner who has just taken back to back five wicket hauls because of personal views rather than actually looking at what he is doing on the field (i.e. Getting Mohammed Yousef out yesterday and then bagging him for 'getting the bunnies out')
3. People bagging one of our middle order batsmen just because he has blonde hair, shags a hot bird and plays for NSW (i.e. for personal reasons) instead of viewing what he has done on the cricket field.

Constructive criticism is what makes this site great. I bagged Ponting above but not because I don't like Tasmanians or I don't like the state of his Baggy Green but because of the reasons I stated. If someone comes on and makes a valid point I'll conceed but once personal views get in the way then constructive criticism gives way to obstaincy. I used to hang 5hit on Watto all the time but now he's come good he's won me over, a bit like Dutchy with the Rug.

regards,

REB

[redandblack]

Yes, totally agree, REB.

I loved every minute of watching Watson bat.

I hate every minute of Watson's childish behaviour at times.

I loved every minute of our miraculous win and rejoiced in the joy of test cricket.

I cringe at the validation of Ponting's clear mistake at the toss and the after-the-event justifications.

Why couldn't Ponting savour the win and admit he might have made a mistake?

[Lightning McQueen]

Yes, totally agree, REB.

I loved every minute of watching Watson bat.

I hate every minute of Watson's childish behaviour at times.

I loved every minute of our miraculous win and rejoiced in the joy of test cricket.

I cringe at the validation of Ponting's clear mistake at the toss and the after-the-event justifications.

Why couldn't Ponting savour the win and admit he might have made a mistake?

Great post mate. I must say that Watto's growing on me, his past frustrations are becoming a distant memory.

[Dutchy]

Having another look at Hauritz and he is definately bowling with more loop and a much higher action to get more bounce and over spin, he used to be much more round arm, he now has much more variety and gives the ball more opportunity to work off the pitch, this is validated by the amount of top edge wickets he gets....

[Lightning McQueen]

Having another look at Hauritz and he is definately bowling with more loop and a much higher action to get more bounce and over spin, he used to be much more round arm, he now has much more variety and gives the ball more opportunity to work off the pitch, this is validated by the amount of top edge wickets he gets....

He was hitting the rough aswell, his radar was well honed, it was some good bowling, slog me if you dare.

[RoosterMarty]

Having another look at Hauritz and he is definately bowling with more loop and a much higher action to get more bounce and over spin, he used to be much more round arm, he now has much more variety and gives the ball more opportunity to work off the pitch, this is validated by the amount of top edge wickets he gets....

He was hitting the rough aswell, his radar was well honed, it was some good bowling, slog me if you dare.

It was a good idea to bowl those loopy deliveries to the lower order batsmen, they were always going to go the slog and they couldn't resist those loopy balls. Almost a guaranteed wicket. He is learning fast.

[mighty_tiger_79]

When does the test in Tassie start????

next thursday

[Dogwatcher]

Having another look at Hauritz and he is definately bowling with more loop and a much higher action to get more bounce and over spin, he used to be much more round arm, he now has much more variety and gives the ball more opportunity to work off the pitch, this is validated by the amount of top edge wickets he gets....

Confidence? Knowing he has a captain who trusts him?

I think with Hauritz, we just need to relax on him. He's not going to be Warnie. He shouldn't be judged on Warnie.
He's going to be a Greg Matthews or a Dutchy Holland, who gets us through to the next great spinner and if he continues to be consistent, he will enter the top echelon of spinners.

As for Watson, my frustration with him was his injuries and I believed that's why he shouldn't have been picked, or if he was picked, why he shouldn't bowl.
However, he's proved us wrong. Good on him.

[Rucciangelo]

I cringe at the validation of Ponting's clear mistake at the toss and the after-the-event justifications.
Why couldn't Ponting savour the win and admit he might have made a mistake?

They lost and we won. The only mistakes made were by the batsmen who got themselves out.
Most of the first innings failures were as a result of either poor shot selection or good bowling from Pakistan.
Ponting's decision to bat was not a mistake. It's easy to be an armchair critic.
We'll take the win. Gotta love Test Match Cricket. I hope it never dies.