*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[vicleggie]

I think the pride those guys (Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Gill, Langer) had was a big thing. They were burnt and humiliated after Ashes 2005. They were proud men who in response to that loss:

- Flogged the World XI
- Flogged SA 5-1 (2005/2006)
- Thrashed the Poms 5-0

That was the backlash from Ashes 2005.

Do the Aussies bleed as much these days when they lose?

I don't know, but it doesn't from the outside appear so.

remember warnie saying on parkinson, that after the ashes 05, each player was so disappointed that they took a step back, looked at themselves, and were dedicated to individually becoming the best player they could.

Ie gillie with his problems vs flintoff/jones against movement
hayden with reverse swing/seaming ball
ponting

they all seemed to be honed and tuned to a tee when the next series came.

I'm questioning whether these individuals in this team are driven enough PERSONALLY to work on their discipline tirelessly to a point where theyare so assured and confident- a la what anderson has done recently- just honing his craft through sheer determination and work ethic- thats how a very good player is created.

Compare that with Johnson, who at 29 doesn't seem to know his own game that well, let alone what he has to do to get back into good form..

 

[vicleggie]

Mmm. Zaheer is only worth about half an Anderson, because he plays about half as much.

im talking about potency wise when they ARE playing. they're both dangerous bowlers for a batting lineup to face

 

[Spark]

Ie gillie with his problems vs flintoff/jones against movement

He never really got over that though, one miracle innings aside. He was still troubled by it.

 

[vicleggie]

He never really got over that though, one miracle innings aside. He was still troubled by it.

for dam sure seemed more confident with his game than clarke does now though.

 

[benchmark00]

I'd be throwing Mitchell Johnson the ball right from the get go today. It's now or never for him/Australia.

 

[Spark]

Actually he said that his confidence had been completely shot. He just felt in that innings that he had gotten a stroke of luck (he actually started really really scratchy and got off the mark with a shot that on another day may have gone to hand), and went for it.

He was going to retire before that innings.

 

[Burgey]

Think it's probably more a mental issue at the moment. The whole team looks like it's lacking confidence.

The team is under pressure and is playing like it. They have been since India when everyone got on their backs about not winning X games in a row.

Clarity of mind is so important. Tends to lead to decisive footwork, good fielding and decent bowling. Johnson just the most stark example of all that. Christ, you wouldn't know he was the same bloke yesterday as the bloke who played in Brisbane.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I'd be throwing Mitchell Johnson the ball right from the get go today. It's now or never for him/Australia.

Was thinking the same thing. If he's going to bowl well, then it has to be today, and he might as well have a shot from the get go. A couple of wickets and the rest of the bowlers might go on with it.

 

[Burgey]

Do enjoy those betfair ads with Vaughan.

 

[Burgey]

Tubby's hair dye just horrendous.

 

[Prince EWS]

Tubby's hair dye just horrendous.

Looks less ridiculous than Kallis's new hair plugs.

 

[vicleggie]

anyone know where i can watch it online?

 

[Checkmate]

It's insane that Cook has already played in 63 matches since his debut in 2006!!! I wish more nations would play 4 or 5 match series regularly.

 

[TumTum]

 

[Spark]

Classy stuff. Failure from both.

They should both have swallowed it.

 

[Furball]

lolstralia.

 

[Burgey]

Good start here from Harris. Well within himself and decent areas. Where he needed to be last night.

Bloody hell. They should both be going for that.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Oops

Haddin error once more and it will be magnified by the fact the team are under so much pressure. As i said earlier the Prior errors are covered up by the fact the team are on top.

 

[Son Of Coco]

**** me dead Australia...take a chance!

Haddin's catch for mine, moved to watch it. Watson fell over like the test match figurines from the table-top game Either of them should've got near it though.

 

[Zinzan]

Beautifully placed between keeper & slip from Strauss, picking the gap is the key for a top batsman