*Official* Fourth Test at the MCG

[Furball]

Disagree massively. Ponting and Clarke would have had massive reasons to complain given what they've done in the past - and in Clarke's case the fairly recent past - especially given how Hussey has been treated for two years, and the results thereof.

Should have qualified it with 'based on this series alone.'

I include Watson in that, because he's been culpable for bad batting performances by getting out cheaply before getting a big score. Look at Adelaide - Ponting and Clarke at least got good balls early on - what was Watson's excuse for getting out the way he did after getting to 50?

 

[Spark]

At least he made 50.

 

[Prince EWS]

Basing any selection policy on one series alone is ridiculous within itself though, particularly when it's not even over yet.

 

[Jono]

What a crazy day of cricket.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Why are so many people complaining about the bowling ?

It's the batting that's the problem. It has been all series and has been inconsistent for the last two - three years.

And it is worse now Katich is out.

Would say both are the problem myself. Inconsistency in both areas just kills us.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Basing any selection policy on one series alone is ridiculous within itself though, particularly when it's not even over yet.

Disagree, tbh. Knee jerk reactions are bad, but 2-3 tests is more than enough to see if someone's in form and/or up to the job. It's that sort of thinking that kept North in a gig for so long.

Ponting gave the selectors a "get out of jail free" card by cracking his pinky and, tbh, it was a nettle that might've been better to have been grasped. Not contributing as batsman or captain just now.

 

[social]

Would say both are the problem myself. Inconsistency in both areas just kills us.

The batting is very consistent but not in a good way

 

[Jono]

strauss, having learned nothing from his cricketing suicide in perth, bowls first here upon winning the toss.

.




z

 

[Son Of Coco]

The batting is very consistent but not in a good way

True, I'll rephrase. The bowling is inconsistent, the batting is consistently poor.

 

[ripper868]

England to win by an innings.

Sadly, looking like Gimh to get one right.

****

Hussey and Haddin to each record triples 100's next innings, leaving us with a lead of 450 into day 5, england skittled for 86 by lunch day 5 in their second dig.

 

[M0rphin3]

gimh, wac.

 

[ripper868]

what was Watson's excuse for getting out the way he did after getting to 50?

Generally some form of dismissal - caught, bowled or LBW the most regular ways to do it.

 

[Uppercut]

Lol'n at the scoreboard. It's like a GIMH prediction, only in real life.

 

[Redbacks]

Ponting gave the selectors a "get out of jail free" card by cracking his pinky and, tbh, it was a nettle that might've been better to have been grasped. Not contributing as batsman or captain just now.

Even after all the things the selectors have done wrong. Not backing in one of our all-time greats would be the worst decision they could make this summer.

 

[Furball]

Basing any selection policy on one series alone is ridiculous within itself though, particularly when it's not even over yet.

Was a comment on how badly they've all batted, not a calling for dropping them. I don't want Australia to risk picking a batsman who might score runs.

 

[Ruckus]

If you have to point the finger at one person for our (impending) loss in this series, it is definately Ponting. His performance has just been incredibly poor by anyone's standards, let alone a champion of the game. At least Clarke has made 80-odd in a pressure situation, Ponting has only made a 50 in the context of a certain draw, where his contribution wasn't even required.

Something has to change with Ponting after this series. I still believe he has a revival in him as a batsmen (much like Hussey), but it doesn't look to be coming in the current circumstances. Either his captaincy needs to be revoked, he stays captain but drops down the order or he loses both the captaincy and drops down the order. I don't really know which would benefit the team the most...but something has to happen.

 

[Furball]

Even after all the things the selectors have done wrong. Not backing in one of our all-time greats would be the worst decision they could make this summer.

At what point do the selectors stop giving Ponting their unqualified backing?

 

[Ausage]

Lol'n at the scoreboard. It's like a GIMH prediction, only in real life.

 

[sunilreddy]

So quick question, for number six for Australia, Steve Smith or Marcus North?

Ricky Ponting.

Clarke at Number 3, White/Hodge at 4

 

[fredfertang]

Lol'n at the scoreboard. It's like a GIMH prediction, only in real life.

It's his reward for having to put up with the indignity of that avatar