ABC Grandstand is where it's at.

-PB

Joe Burns. Younger, better first class average, in good form. Handscomb, Bancroft and Maddinson are others to watch although Handscomb is not playing as an opener for Victoria.

In the middle order Voges, Ferguson, Handscomb and Shaun Marsh are all worth a look although Voges at 35 is rather old to make his debut. Long term Travis Head is worth watching but certainly not ready yet.

I really do rate Joe Burns, and have always felt Ferguson would lift if picked in the test team. I think Tim Paine would do the same. Can't see Maddison ever being test standard though.

Our problem is Rogers and Haddin have 12 months left tops if they keep form, and less if they don't. Add in the fact that Watsons spot is under pressure, Marsh is still no certainty in the team and who knows what Clarke's future is. That means we might need to replace 5 of our top 7 in the near future, which definitely brings Cowan into contention imo

Tim Paine would already be a test player if it was not for injury, he would have been picked ahead of Wade.

I am not sure about Maddinson either but he does score runs.

Vijay out, huge wicket for Lyon.

Edited by Drunken_Fish: 13/12/2014 04:38:34 PM

Finally something happened.

Come on!

Rahane out for a duck. Lyon winning the test match.

lol.

Didn't even hit it.

Kohli moves to his highest test match score.

This match will end in a tie.

Sharma gone to Lyon. Australia huge favorites now.

Saha too aggressive too soon and throws it away. This is really a Kohli vs Lyon battle and Lyon is winning it by dismissing all the other batsmen.

Kohli out, Lyon gets his sixth. India have lost.

9,21,0,6,13. Not good enough. Two batsmen were left to do all the work.

Shami out.

New ball, first delivery, Aaron out.

Lyon gets his 7th, Sharma out. Australia wins.

So disappointed with the performance of the 9 batsmen not called Vijay and Kohli. They were pathetic.

Lyon brilliant.

Massive.

-PB

This is actually heartbreaking to read. Smith has to be made captain for the rest of the series, assuming Clarke is out for the next 3 tests.

Obviously excluding the extraordinary events such as the Hughes incident and others, would be one of the saddest stories in our cricket history. Had years left in him as one of the best batsmen and captains in the world. After all he's been through he deserves to be able to captain a team capable of being a world force. Hope he can make it back.

Although, you couldn't have written a better script.

His last match, after putting in the "knock of his life" over the last two weeks. Scores a century, battling multiple injuries.

Wins the game.

Like a Hollywood movie.

Hasn't been a good few weeks for cricket, Hughes, Hillel Oscar, Ahmed Shehzad also suffering a fractured skull, Craig Kieswetter having to withdraw from cricket in the last few days to seek further treatment on his eyes, and now the career of one of the best batsmen in world cricket also coming to a sad end so it seems.

Edited by gooner4life_8: 13/12/2014 09:21:37 PM

Also well done to India. Were never really looking to play for the draw, especially towards the end.

It's hard to not get emotional. Great courage. If Clarkes body is not up to it it would be a bad test to retire from as it has carved his legacy. He will no doubt be remembered as one of, if not the best australian captain to date.

Great match.

Really admire the way Virat Kohli goes about his game, love a captain (even if it is temporary) who plays attacking cricket and leads by example and takes it to Australia. Oozes that cocky arrogance that the likes of Kevin Pietersen have.

Nathan Lyon bowled beautifully, and i'm not saying that because he ended up with a bag full. Loved his zip, shape and bounce/turn, and his attacking lines. Best i've seen him bowl, so i'm glad he got the wickets he deserved.

The Indian Warner. Made the game fun and was willing to lose in order to win. A name to remember.

Rogers, Clarke & Siddle out, Burns, Khawaja & Hazzelwood in.

Squads already been named. Marsh in for Clarke and Starc in as well. Probably as cover to see how Harris pulls up.

Well that's disappointing they really need to start rebuilding. (M.Marsh & Smith are a good start).

I am not sure Shaun Marsh is the best option to replace Clarke but he has been in good form this season.

Rogers gets another chance I guess because Australia won. If Australia had lost then more of the chance of a change. However he does need a score in Brisbane.

5 Fast bowlers in the squad. There is a small chance that Brisbane will be an absolute green top, but Lyon won't be dropped anyway. So it seems Harris might be in doubt.