Haddin out for Wade or Paine. Marsh for Khawaja. Hughes for Watson when fit if not push Marsh up to open with Christian in at 3.

We do have a problem when Cummins and Harris are both back fit though. Who do you pick?

Paine's hand is still broken IIRC.

:lol:

I used the winnings I got from Dunaden yesterday, and put all $470 on NZ at 2.70..when the score was 7/199.

Awesome test. Ridiculous that Channel 9 Viewers decide the MOTM, Bracewell deserved it over Warner.

Hughes, Ponting, Haddin and Khawaja should all be waving goodbye to their test careers.

EDIT: Also maybe Hussey. Starc too.

Edited by Funky Munky: 12/12/2011 04:46:16 PM

That's outrageous. Starc's 21 years old.

Haha. I used test careers as a general term. What I meant was:

Ponting, Haddin, Hussey - Never come back

Hughes, Khwaja, Starc - Maybe come back, gonna have to change things.

People calling for Haddin's head, is that on batting form alone, or his keeping form, too. Personally I think it's a tad harsh. He batted well in Brisbane. Who would you bring in to replace him.

In the last year (10 Matches), he's averaged 24. I just think, he's 34. He's not going to get any better. Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (Uninjured) and Peter Neville are all good options who have at least 8-10 years ahead of them, and score just as well as him, if not better, and have some potential to meet.

This. If he wasn't 34 I'd be willing to give him a chance and see if he can turn his form around, just don't think it's worth it now.

Kim Hughes claims Ricky Ponting's technique is fundamentally flawed

by: Richard Earle From: The Advertiser December 15, 2011

FORMER Test skipper Kim Hughes says Ricky Ponting's technique is fundamentally flawed with misguided comparisons to Sachin Tendulkar clouding a decline that will be "found out'' by India.

"Sachin is 38 but has a wonderful technique. This has nothing to do with age. Ricky's technique is flawed," said Hughes with Tendulkar making 817 runs at 48 - backed by two tons - over the past year while Ponting has scraped for 226 runs at 22.4 with no tons.

"That is why Sachin scores runs. Rahul Dravid is also playing well as he is also solid. Against average bowling Ponting can slip through like the first Test in Brisbane against New Zealand but that's it."

Hughes rates opener David Warner as Australia's once in a generation hitting phenomenon - now contrasting with Ponting whose mechanical glitches make him easy prey for all but minnows Bangladesh or West Indies without urgent remedial work.

"Tendulkar does not fall across the crease and try to hit the ball from off through square leg with his head in the wrong position," Hughes said. "There's guys like Justin Langer there to help him. I don't know why people don't get it.

"He will struggle to make runs at present against any decent attack and the Indians have good bowlers like Ishant Sharma."

Warner's simple, technical approach is a blueprint for Australia's struggling batsmen while his sweet hitting is on par with legendary keeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist.

"Warner could be our next once in a generation cricketer. He can play orthodox or attack which is the special quality Gilchrist had," 70-Test strokeplayer Hughes said.



Hughes believes national selectors have failed to address batsmen with imploding techniques including Ponting and Phil Hughes.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/kim-hughes-claims-ricky-pontings-technique-is-fundamentally-flawed/story-fn67wv6z-1226222272957

Seeing as this is a general cricket thread, thought I'd throw this out there...Bangladesh don't deserve to be playing Test Cricket. Not at this level anyway.

I think it's time for a 2 Tier system.

Tier 1: Aus, Eng, Ind, NZ, Pak, SA, SL & WI
Tier 2: Afg, BD, Can, Ire, Ken, Neth, Scot & Zim

Both Tiers play normal 5 day tests, same rules and everything. After a few years, Top of the 2nd Tier plays bottom of the 1st Tier depending on rankings, or something like that. Tier 1 sides should also send A teams on tour to Tier 2 sides regularly.

Seeing as this is a general cricket thread, thought I'd throw this out there...Bangladesh don't deserve to be playing Test Cricket. Not at this level anyway.

I think it's time for a 2 Tier system.

Tier 1: Aus, Eng, Ind, NZ, Pak, SA, SL & WI
Tier 2: Afg, BD, Can, Ire, Ken, Neth, Scot & Zim

Both Tiers play normal 5 day tests, same rules and everything. After a few years, Top of the 2nd Tier plays bottom of the 1st Tier depending on rankings, or something like that. Tier 1 sides should also send A teams on tour to Tier 2 sides regularly.

Brendan McCullum just retired hurt after a delivery from Brett Le..

Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars tonight starting soon. Looking forward to Warner/Gayle opening for Thunder

Guessing I'm the only one who couldn't give a shit about the BBL?

Guessing I'm the only one who couldn't give a shit about the BBL?

Probably not.

I'll follow all cricket. 5/4 day games, One-day cricket, T20, I have no preference to one form or the other unlike a lot of people. At first I didn't like this new Big Bash League though. I didn't like the colours, the names, two Melbourne/Sydney teams when you could have gone somewhere like Canberra, Gold Coast, even Darwin but now I'm warming to it. I'll watch any cricket if it's on anyway.

Edited by gooner4life_8: 17/12/2011 08:25:52 PM

That said, I'd be watching Saffies v Sri Lanka right now :p

Pretty good evening of sport.

If you have foxtel... :lol: