**Official** 5th Test at Sydney, 3-7 Jan 2025

[subshakerz]

it’s possible that smith was in all-world form between 2013 and 2017 while benefitting to some degree from certain pitches being the bouncy roads that aussie batsmen boss and overseas pacers can strugggle with - like it’s so obviously both

Smith was in godly form 2014 to 2019 but I just don't look at the mid 70s average peak average quite as impressively. I think it's a bit boosted by 7,8 points.

 

[Daemon]

Man with some actual good bowling and Bumrah we’d have made a real game out of this. Shame.

 

[Kraken]

Tbf that ball was there for that shot imo

 

[morgieb]

Yeah India have done well to take the important wicket when they were an over or two away from being out of it. Can't afford anything stupid right now.

 

[OverratedSanity]

obviously all the talk is about bumrah being missing at the moment but that india have been able to do this, to get this close, despite absence for the entire series of shami, is also a big deal

india’s #3 has had to do the job of the deputy all series long and it’s meant their #4 #5 and #6 seamers have had to enter the fray too

Yeah I think Shami's seamups would've been a real handful on these decks. He's done decent in Australia on less friendly pitches before and his natural lengths would've been ideal for this series.

 

[halba]

Man of the Series - Head or Cummins*

Should be Bumrah. Nearly 30 Wickets?

 

[Spark]

Tbf that ball was there for that shot imo

Yeah just done in by the inconsistent bounce really.

 

[Shady Slim]

I'd agree with this if it wasn't for his away performances. Very few batsmen throughout history even have one series where he just out and out dominates against a good bowling unit on tricky decks, let alone two.

but that’s not mutually exclusive with what i already said, ie, that he was in all world form… don’t think that anyone except the moron brigade denies that he was in generational form through out that stretch. it’s also just easier to be good when you’re facing a pace bowling lineup led by carlos brathwaite than it is one led by garner or curtly right?

 

[subshakerz]

it’s possible that smith was in all-world form between 2013 and 2017 while benefitting to some degree from certain pitches being the bouncy roads that aussie batsmen boss and overseas pacers can strugggle with - like it’s so obviously both

Smith was in godly form 2014 to 2019 but I just don't look at the mid 70s average peak average quite as impressively. I think it's a bit boosted by 7,8 points.

 

[vicleggie]

Big Crazy Mo to do a Fanie De Villiers here

 

[halba]

This is crazy. Webster nearly out twice. Leading edge and inside edge

Pitch is a 3/10 rating

 

[subshakerz]

The problem with this pitch is that when you look comfortable you know you are really not.

 

[Daemon]

Reddy needs to have a trundle here. These two can’t go on forever.

 

[OverratedSanity]

We'll probably get another couple to get some fake hope and then Cummins will smoke a few cover drives to take them home.

 

[halba]

Head is the key. He needs to biff them.

 

[halba]

We'll probably get another couple to get some fake hope and then Cummins will smoke a few cover drives to take them home.

Or Mitch Starc. He can slog a few.

Just gotta keep turning the strike.

It says 57 req, actually Australia only need 56 to win the series? A tie is equal points and Aus are ahead currently

 

[Skipper Pup]

Should be Bumrah. Nearly 30 Wickets?

Sure, if it's 2-2.. not if its 3-1.

 

[halba]

Sure, if it's 2-2.. not if its 3-1.

If it's 3-1 gotta be Cummins for his all round performances.

 

[Skipper Pup]

If it's 3-1 gotta be Cummins for his all round performances.

Yeah Cummins or Head.

Could also make a case for Konstas given how he turned the series at the MCG.

 

[Qlder]

Game over. Man of series - Bumrah. Man of match Scott Boland.

Oh dear that's big. Another wicket.

Beau Webster in. This could go down to the wire

Sums up Halba's posting changing every over. These posts were literally one minute apart