Group A - Australia, South Africa, Scotland, Holland

[pasag]

van Bunge at the receiving end of another milestone of sorts - McGrath's 50th WC wicket.

 

[Dydl]

Just six more wickets for McGrath to overtake Wasim Akram as leading wicket taker for World Cups, which would be a great end to Pidge's international career.

EDIT: Hoggy's bowling well too, that's another one for him.

 

[pasag]

Hussey takes a great catch, almost over.

 

[pasag]

And all out for 129 during the ad break. Australia win by 229 runs in another crazy night.

 

[Dydl]

Nice win for us, South Africa next; the real test. Netherlands just weren't good enough in the end, not nearly good enough.

 

[Goughy]

Good proffesional runout for Aus. Normal day at the office.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Well bowled Hogg, like Gelman said, a crazy day.

 

[age_master]

Very solid effort from Australia today, didn't push as much as i thought they might have with the bat early but both Clarke and Hodge (especially Hodge) really picked it up towards the end. Hodge was particularly impressive with those 6's.

 

[Josh]

Great game by the two Bradley's. Hodge 123; Hogg 4-for. Super stuff.

 

[Johnners]

That last six for Hodge before he got out was unbelievable. Great knock. It's really hard to drop him now, he's been fairly consistent since the 99 against New Zealand at the MCG. Clarke's made some runs here, and Hayden's made 181 and 60 odd in his last two games before this one. And then there's Watson, who is also in good touch with the bat and can bowl. Really hard to pick who to leave out for Symonds.

Just leave Symonds out

 

[Kweek]

Hayden out
Watson opening
Symmo in.


done deal imo

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Watson will be the one to go. The fact that he didn't bowl in this game seals the deal for mine.

 

[Prince EWS]

Hayden out
Watson opening
Symmo in.


done deal imo

Hayden is coming off 180 odd not out in his last serious match. Tough call.

I don't think Hodge's runs against Holland will really change much though to be perfectly honest.

 

[social]

Poor management by Oz IMO

They now enter the iportant stages of the tournament without 2 of the top 6 having any batting to speak of - just what was the point of having Clarke and Hodge pile up runs whilst Hussey sits in the stands twiddling his thumbs?

 

[Prince EWS]

Poor management by Oz IMO

They now enter the iportant stages of the tournament without 2 of the top 6 having any batting to speak of - just what was the point of having Clarke and Hodge pile up runs whilst Hussey sits in the stands twiddling his thumbs?

Clarke hasn't scored that many of late and Hodge is battling for a place in the side.

Still a fair point though I guess.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Poor management by Oz IMO

They now enter the iportant stages of the tournament without 2 of the top 6 having any batting to speak of - just what was the point of having Clarke and Hodge pile up runs whilst Hussey sits in the stands twiddling his thumbs?

Clarke and Hodge hadn't exactly had heaps of batting either, and it's also worth remembering that Clarke's not had many good knocks at 4 yet.

I think the idea was to give the settled lineup as much gametime as possible. That means using the players who will play for the rest of the tournament in the positions they will play. And really, I back Hussey to come good without much time in the middle more than anyone else in the team bar Ponting. It was more important that Clarke play a good innings.

 

[pup11]

Yeah Shane Watson would be the one who would be dropped when Symo comes back into the team.

 

[Matt79]

Poor management by Oz IMO

They now enter the iportant stages of the tournament without 2 of the top 6 having any batting to speak of - just what was the point of having Clarke and Hodge pile up runs whilst Hussey sits in the stands twiddling his thumbs?

What's the solution - as stated, Clarke hasn't had a stack of time in the middle, and Hodge may well have to play if Symonds doesn't come up. You couldn't retire a player from an innings, or tell them to throw away their wicket, in a WC match - it would make the game a farce, be hideously disrespectful to the Dutch players, and set all kinds of bad precedents... Our top order got a solid hit-out, and when won the match in a thrashing without incurring any injuries - pretty much the perfect result I'd have thought...

 

[Matt79]

Yeah Shane Watson would be the one who would be dropped when Symo comes back into the team.

Only way they can do that IMO is if they can be absolutely sure that Symonds is fit enough to bowl a full ten overs if he's required. Otherwise, taking out Watson leaves them a bowling option short...

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah.

I think Hogg's good form with the ball may help Watson as well. Recently when Watson was out and Australia played 7 batsmen, Hogg was dropped for another quick to ensure Australia still had a legitimate 4th quick.

Given Hogg's good form with the ball on tour, that really can't happen, so Watson will be kept along with Hogg IMO.

I'm not sure Hodge would be especially useful at 7, either (although neither is Watson..).