*Official* Second Test at the Adelaide Oval

[JBH001]

Bad luck, Clarke. Well played. Some pretty terrible umpiring from Tony Hill though - Clarke was clearly walking until he either turned around and saw the umpire giving not out or Hussey called him back.

 

[andyc]

Clarke deserved to end the day unbeaten. Annoying to see Pietersen get the breakthrough.

It's going to be very tough going for Australia tomorrow unless the weather intervenes. I remember the ball turning big for Sachin in 2003 when he dismissed Martyn and Steve Waugh in quick succession. This is North's final chance at redemption.

Seriously, does anyone think that, even if Marcus North were to ton up and save the game for Australia, that he'd suddenly come good and start making a score every innings? I just can't imagine that anyone out there would believe that North scoring here would show that he's 'turned the corner.'

I do have a sinking feeling that he's going to get runs tomorrow in a losing cause, and so not only will we be one down, but we'll be stick with him for the rest of the series.

fmd

There was absolutely no reason why anyone would think he'd hit that.

Tell that to the umpire

 

[Prince EWS]

fmd

There was absolutely no reason why anyone would think he'd hit that.

I actually share your logic but take it in the opposite direction - I don't get outraged by falsely claimed catches. I don't see it as any better or worse than appealing when you know it isn't out or not walking. It's just gamesmanship to me; welcome to professional sport.

 

[Spark]

@Jacknife: Yeah I know. He'd played Swann so brilliantly through the whole day, just hung in there and refused to move - and then that happens!

Argh.

EDIT: Clarke going means that North is dead too, he's just about the only bloke he can get a score with.

 

[morgieb]

Seriously, does anyone think that, even if Marcus North were to ton up and save the game for Australia, that he'd suddenly come good and start making a score every innings? I just can't imagine that anyone out there would believe that North scoring here would show that he's 'turned the corner.'




Tell that to the umpire

No, he'd probably save the game and his spot. Which will make our problems even worse.

 

[Ruckus]

If Aus don't draw this is will be mainly Ponting's fault as a batsmen imo. He can't keep getting out in situations like this...it puts too much pressure on the other batsmen. He has to start contributing at the right times for us to have any chance of winning these Ashes.

 

[Prince EWS]

No, he'd probably save the game and his spot. Which will make our problems even worse.

I think Australia have more chance of winning this series going to Perth 0-0 with Marcus North in the team than going to Perth 1-0 down with him dropped. He shouldn't be in the team as a batsman but he's not sooo bad that he's worth losing a Test to see replaced, especially when you consider some of the options the selectors like. I'd rather have North than Ferguson for example.

 

[Spark]

Nah, I don't see North, Haddin etc. lasting long against Swann here. There is only one, maybe two, bats in this side I'd trust against that sort of bowling, and, well...

 

[hazsa19]

Why were you unsure?

Can you point to ANYTHING to even vaguely suggest that he hit it?

Must be a wind-up. Everything was very close.

If you say you knew at the time then well done you, throw a party, become an umpire! Bless the world with your god given talent!

But don't suggest that England are cheating by appealing for something very very close

 

[morgieb]

I think Australia have more chance of winning this series going to Perth 0-0 with Marcus North in the team than going to Perth 1-0 down with him dropped. He shouldn't be in the team as a batsman but he's not sooo bad that he's worth losing a Test to see replaced, especially when you consider some of the options the selectors like. I'd rather have North than Ferguson for example.

Fair call. Was more referring to that Australia would been seen as doing OK if they drew this game, so the obvious problems would be masked. Not sure, though.

 

[kingkallis]

I dont see him surviving the first hour!

Hussey and Haddin will be the key...

 

[vcs]

If Aus don't draw this is will be mainly Ponting's fault as a batsmen imo. He can't keep getting out in situations like this...it puts too much pressure on the other batsmen. He has to start contributing at the right times for us to have any chance of winning these Ashes.

 

[James]

I know it keeps being said but Channel 9 switching to the news at 6pm is getting more and more annoying. Down right shocking that they can continue to do this. Can't they move the news to 6:30pm or get a dedicated free to air cricket channel.

Geez.....

 

[thierry henry]

Must be a wind-up. Everything was very close.

If you say you knew at the time then well done you, throw a party, become an umpire! Bless the world with your god given talent!

But don't suggest that England are cheating by appealing for something very very close

So every time a batsman plays and misses near the ball (i.e. almost every play and miss by those other than Chris Martin) the fielding side should appeal?

You're incredibly naive if you think any of the English players thought it was out. The point is I don't have a god given talent, I'm an unbiased observer who can work out that 1 + 1=2, and the English fans rushing in to share their delusion that "it kinda looked close to out" is pretty telling.

 

[kingkallis]

Good to see Clarke playing positive there. Hints of the old Clarke who was not afraid of using his feet against the slow bowlers.

 

[thierry henry]

Tell that to the umpire

Some extraordinary logic coming out in this thread. So I'm wrong because the umpire made a dreadful decision which actually underlines the very point I'm making?

 

[Ikki]

Don't care if North makes 2 or 200 as long as he lasts most the day. Should be dropped regardless however.

 

[vcs]

I think Australia have more chance of winning this series going to Perth 0-0 with Marcus North in the team than going to Perth 1-0 down with him dropped. He shouldn't be in the team as a batsman but he's not sooo bad that he's worth losing a Test to see replaced, especially when you consider some of the options the selectors like. I'd rather have North than Ferguson for example.

AWTA.

Scoring a high-pressure century in a situation like this could also be the making of him, though I concede that's pretty unlikely.

 

[morgieb]

I know it keeps being said but Channel 9 switching to the news at 6pm is getting more and more annoying. Down right shocking that they can continue to do this. Can't they move the news to 6:30pm or get a dedicated free to air cricket channel.

Geez.....

They could play in on one of the other channels, but Channel 9 aren't keen on doing that for some reason.

Hopefully the new anti-siphoning laws will change it.

 

[Pothas]

I think Australia have more chance of winning this series going to Perth 0-0 with Marcus North in the team than going to Perth 1-0 down with him dropped. He shouldn't be in the team as a batsman but he's not sooo bad that he's worth losing a Test to see replaced, especially when you consider some of the options the selectors like. I'd rather have North than Ferguson for example.

Yeah no doubt about that, he will never be anything other than a very mediocre test batsman but he is no worse than that and those players are not going to cost you a series. Can understand the frustation that Australian fans feel at him being retained though, so much so that I half hope he makes a gutsy 50 not out in a losing effort tomorow.