**Official** 4th Test at Melbourne, 26-30 Dec 2024

[halba]

On Marsh: I don't know what the selectors were thinking when they picked him despite him losing 10kph in the last few years. He's really passed his peak and his peak was not particularly good.

Gun all rounder against the poms though. 3 hundreds in 10 tests at an average of 47, 18 wickets at 29.

Still, we would be better off with a genuine batsman and Labuschagne's pies than Marsh's no runs and 7 overs, no wickets for 28.

He was given 46 tests. Dont know if any other country wouldve given that many to an all rounder that on most days, doesnt perform.

 

[the big bambino]

I didn’t see a ball bowled today but it’s good to see conditions delivering a typical test match at last. Let’s see if the tempo quickens in the last two innings.

Congratulations to NKR who must now have convinced fans of his worth to his side.

 

[halba]

Aus selectors have a way of persisting with the Marshes don't they? His elder brother was hardly a welcome selection half the time.

Shaun marsh given 38 tests. Mitch given 46 tests including this. combined, 84 tests, for B list players. Its atleast 40 tests too many for both.

 

[vicleggie]

Shaun marsh given 38 tests. Mitch given 46 tests including this. combined, 84 tests, for B list players. Its atleast 40 tests too many for both.

Like Trump's 2 underwhelming sons. Only well known due to nepotism.

 

[SkyBlue]

If Starc is sore and the pitch isn't cracking up, I don't think Cummins will push for the win. Brisbane has bowler friendly conditions where that was possible. But I think he should be thinking about preserving fitness for the Sydney test.

That's what I thought when Hazelwood went down last game. You never know with day 5 pitches. Cummins is a tactical captain but he's also an aggressive captain. He's going to go all out imo. They're still comfortably in a much better position to try and win the game from here.

Would be very un-Australian not to do so given that they've comfortably been the better team since the Perth debacle.

 

[GotSpin]

That's what I thought when Hazelwood went down last game. You never know with day 5 pitches. Cummins is a tactical captain but he's also an aggressive captain. He's going to go all out imo. They're still comfortably in a much better position to try and win the game from here.

Would be very un-Australian not to do so given that they've comfortably been the better team since the Perth debacle.

The issue will be timing. Presuming they take the final wicket quickly tomorrow, they'll need to score enough to runs to defend but also give the bowlers enough time to freshen up. I think a declaration with an hour before stumps would be the only feasible option

 

[stephen]

Like Trump's 2 underwhelming sons. Only well known due to nepotism.

Tbf isn't one of them a teenager?

 

[stephen]

The issue will be timing. Presuming they take the final wicket quickly tomorrow, they'll need to score enough to runs to defend but also give the bowlers enough time to freshen up. I think a declaration with an hour before tea would be the only feasible option

It really depends on the batting and how Starc is holding up physically. If runs are too easy to get and there's no demons in the pitch I think you're less likely to see a declaration than if Australia are 8/235 with an hour to go.

 

[Qlder]

The issue will be timing. Presuming they take the final wicket quickly tomorrow, they'll need to score enough to runs to defend but also give the bowlers enough time to freshen up. I think a declaration with an hour before tea would be the only feasible option

Even if they get the last wicket quickly an hour before tea will give Australia about 40 overs to bat. Even if they scored 200 that's only a 300 lead and you've then given India 135 overs to get 300

Any declaration will only come 30-40 minutes before stumps

 

[ma1978]

Of India are able to draw this match you have to give Washy a lot of credit - to soak up that many balls is massive in the context of the game. Looks like a proper old school test bat and a lot more at home than the paddikal, patidar variety. He could be our Pujara

 

[Spark]

Seriously lol
Even if they get the last wicket quickly an hour before tea will give Australia about 40 overs to bat. Even if they scored 200 that's only a 300 lead and you've then given India 135 overs to get 300

Any declaration will only come 30 minutes before stumps

I think he does mean an hour before stumps tbh

 

[GotSpin]

Seriously lol
Even if they get the last wicket quickly an hour before tea will give Australia about 40 overs to bat. Even if they scored 200 that's only a 300 lead and you've then given India 135 overs to get 300

Any declaration will only come 30-40 minutes before stumps

I meant to say before stumps! Corrected it now

 

[SkyBlue]

The issue will be timing. Presuming they take the final wicket quickly tomorrow, they'll need to score enough to runs to defend but also give the bowlers enough time to freshen up. I think a declaration with an hour before tea would be the only feasible option

They will also need to score the runs quickly too. If India are to bat an hour before close of day 4 and the entirety of day 5, a sizeable target needs to be put on board(I'm thinking 400+). Anything below 350 could be a bit risky imo.

I could see a bit of bazball tomorrow but this situation could just as easily play into Indian bowlers' hands as well

 

[GotSpin]

I think he does mean an hour before stumps tbh

Yeah, just fixed it up

 

[GotSpin]

They will also need to score the runs quickly too. If India are to bat an hour before close of day 4 and the entirety of day 5, a sizeable target needs to be put on board(I'm thinking 400+). Anything below 350 could be a bit risky imo.

I could see a bit of bazball tomorrow but this situation could just as easily play into Indian bowlers' hands as well

Australia should just bat normally then let Head unleash later on in the afternoon. They need the bowlers to have a rest anyway

 

[vicleggie]

Tbf isn't one of them a teenager?

No I'm talking about the older 2

Yeah his teenage son is apparently gifted though

 

[TimAngas]

Having Konstas instead of McSweeney opening could really help Australia in this situation. This is exactly the kind of situation in home tests that Warner would be good for a rapid third innings hundred that would buy us plenty of time in the fourth.

 

[Gob]

Australia should just bat normally then let Head unleash later on in the afternoon. They need the bowlers to have a rest anyway

Yeah this is not a lead that allows you to add intent and play differently and end up like Gabba second dig. They also have to make sure the lead is beyond India so assuming they don't let an annoying partnership develop in the morning, the batting should be normal for atleast a session and a half

 

[TheJediBrah]

I struggle a lot with the pitched up ones. Tend to flinch and the hands harden. Never really practiced it properly though, just tried it in games.

A really simple tip, that worked for me when I was a kid with keeping up to the stumps in general, was don't start moving upward with your hands or body until the ball has bounced, and then bring your hands and eyes up with the ball as it rises. You see a lot of keepers with fuller balls or balls that stay low come up out of the crouch then have to go back down with their hands to take the ball which often leads to misses or fumbles. Staying low the whole way until it bounces reduces the likelihood of this type of error, but you do have to then be able to rise very quickly to take a ball that bounces excessively. But that's generally the case regardless

 

[Daemon]

A really simple tip, that worked for me when I was a kid with keeping up to the stumps in general, was don't start moving upward with your hands or body until the ball has bounced, and then bring your hands and eyes up with the ball as it rises. You see a lot of keepers with fuller balls or balls that stay low come up out of the crouch then have to go back down with their hands to take the ball which often leads to misses or fumbles. Staying low the whole way until it bounces reduces the likelihood of this type of error, but you do have to then be able to rise very quickly to take a ball that bounces excessively. But that's generally the case regardless

Yeah that’s a fairly basic rule they teach. I’m just not very good tbh.