Second Test Jan 3rd-7th@SCG

[Thiele]

Austrlia Squad is the same for the second Test as the first

Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.

[brod]

Is there an injury concern for a fast bowler?? If not why is McKay going up to Sydney, he is no chance to play. Why not have a second spin bowler in the squad if the pitch looks likely to take turn?

[CoverKing]

Is there an injury concern for a fast bowler?? If not why is McKay going up to Sydney, he is no chance to play. Why not have a second spin bowler in the squad if the pitch looks likely to take turn?

I guess its just the norm Brod having the 12th being a fast bowler and having the extra seam bowler in the nets.

It would not suprise me if Steven Smith debuts with Hauritz still not 100% to play IMO

[Lightning McQueen]

Whoever bats first will win, a bold prediction but I think the Paki's will be more suited to Sydney and with their possible inclusions they wont be as vulnerable. The extra time to acclimatise to Australian conditions will help them too.
Either way I think it will be a more exciting test match, hopefully we'll see Kaneira, Younis and it will be nice to see Afridi included.

[locky801]

Think Afridi has retired from Test cricket LM

[Media Park]

Think Afridi has retired from Test cricket LM

Gets more coin playing for the 'backs in the Bash...

[The Cadet]

Is there an injury concern for a fast bowler?? If not why is McKay going up to Sydney, he is no chance to play. Why not have a second spin bowler in the squad if the pitch looks likely to take turn?

I hope McKay plays, lets have another look at him. Thought he bowled well at the WACA with no luck. Plus Siddle has had a poor Summer so far.

[crackers]

just curious as to why this test is starting on the third? i thought the sydney test normally started on the second

[spell_check]

The players wanted an extra day between Melbourne and Sydney. It was the 3rd last year, too.

[The Cadet]

just curious as to why this test is starting on the third? i thought the sydney test normally started on the second

Give players extra days rest. Starting on the 2nd only gives players two day break from boxing day.

[spell_check]

Going back to 1972/73, Sydney has had Tests start on:

30th of December: 1984
1st of January: 1995
2nd of January: 1981-84; 1986; 1992-94; 1998-08
3rd of January: 1976; 2009-10
4th of January: 1975; 1979; 1991
5th of January: 1974
6th of January: 1973; 1979
7th of January: 1978

Those are the the "New Years Tests"

Others that did not start in that time slot are:

29th of November: 1996
30th of November: 1995
10th of January: 1987
14th of January: 1977
26th of January: 1989
29th of January: 1988
3rd of February: 1990

[brod]

- Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria has said he is likely to play the second Test against Australia in Sydney after recovering from the finger injury that ruled him out of the Boxing Day Test which Pakistan lost by 170 runs.
- Left-handed batsman Fawad Alam and fast bowler Abdur Rauf have been asked to fly back home to leave Pakistan with a 15-man squad for the remaining two Tests.

[brod]

Interesting view express by Mohammed Yousef

Mohammad Yousuf has issued a stark warning of the impending dangers of too much Twenty20 cricket, insisting that it is "necessary" that Pakistan plays as little of the format as possible. Otherwise, the Pakistan captain told Cricinfo, he believes the format will "finish Pakistan's cricket."

http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvpak09/conte ... 41839.html

[rod_rooster]

Interesting view express by Mohammed Yousef

Mohammad Yousuf has issued a stark warning of the impending dangers of too much Twenty20 cricket, insisting that it is "necessary" that Pakistan plays as little of the format as possible. Otherwise, the Pakistan captain told Cricinfo, he believes the format will "finish Pakistan's cricket."

http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvpak09/conte ... 41839.html

Smart man he is. 20/20 won't just ruin Pakistan cricket though.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Interesting view express by Mohammed Yousef

Mohammad Yousuf has issued a stark warning of the impending dangers of too much Twenty20 cricket, insisting that it is "necessary" that Pakistan plays as little of the format as possible. Otherwise, the Pakistan captain told Cricinfo, he believes the format will "finish Pakistan's cricket."

http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvpak09/conte ... 41839.html

Smart man he is. 20/20 won't just ruin Pakistan cricket though.

Yes, I think it's obvious and doesn't really take a smart man to make that observation .. just one who is more interested in the welfare of the game and its players rather than the almighty dollar.

I made the observation during the 1st Test in Melbourne that the Pakis have some bright young talent but they need to understand the difference between 20/20 and Test cricket. Two players in particular are the Akmal brothers who have all the skills but average shot selection.

[Adelaide Hawk]

[quote="brodfast bowler Abdur Rauf asked to fly back home to leave Pakistan with a 15-man squad for the remaining two Tests.[/quote]

He impressed a lot of people did Mr Rauf

[rod_rooster]

Interesting view express by Mohammed Yousef

Mohammad Yousuf has issued a stark warning of the impending dangers of too much Twenty20 cricket, insisting that it is "necessary" that Pakistan plays as little of the format as possible. Otherwise, the Pakistan captain told Cricinfo, he believes the format will "finish Pakistan's cricket."

http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvpak09/conte ... 41839.html

Smart man he is. 20/20 won't just ruin Pakistan cricket though.

Yes, I think it's obvious and doesn't really take a smart man to make that observation .. just one who is more interested in the welfare of the game and its players rather than the almighty dollar.

I made the observation during the 1st Test in Melbourne that the Pakis have some bright young talent but they need to understand the difference between 20/20 and Test cricket. Two players in particular are the Akmal brothers who have all the skills but average shot selection.

Once again we agree AH.

[Gozu]

Interesting view express by Mohammed Yousef

Mohammad Yousuf has issued a stark warning of the impending dangers of too much Twenty20 cricket, insisting that it is "necessary" that Pakistan plays as little of the format as possible. Otherwise, the Pakistan captain told Cricinfo, he believes the format will "finish Pakistan's cricket."

http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvpak09/conte ... 41839.html

This from a guy who quit playing international cricket for Pakistan a couple of times to go and play 20/20 cricket for the rebel Pakistan team in the ICL?

[rod_rooster]

Interesting view express by Mohammed Yousef

Mohammad Yousuf has issued a stark warning of the impending dangers of too much Twenty20 cricket, insisting that it is "necessary" that Pakistan plays as little of the format as possible. Otherwise, the Pakistan captain told Cricinfo, he believes the format will "finish Pakistan's cricket."

http://www.cricinfo.com/ausvpak09/conte ... 41839.html

This from a guy who quit playing international cricket for Pakistan a couple of times to go and play 20/20 cricket for the rebel Pakistan team in the ICL?

Perhaps he's seen the error of his ways. Heaven forbid a bloke changes his mind

[Thiele]

The KAT is in doubt a picking up an Elbow injury in Melbourne. Philp Hughes as been flown up to Sydney incase. http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 28,00.html