***Official*** 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

[adharcric]

How can you say Tait has learned from his 2 games in the Ashes when he's not represented Australia since?

That's a reflection of Australia's depth in the pace department more than Tait's lack of progress IMO.

 

[adharcric]

Surprised that there hasn't been any discussion regarding Australia's side for the 4th test.

The Ashes have already been won so this would be a good time to blood some of the youngsters IMO, especially considering the mass exodus that may come in the next year or two.

Jaques? Rogers? They aren't in the XI but perhaps they should've been considered.

Hopefully Johnson gets a test and Tait gets a look-in for the final test. MacGill should get a test and Symonds should be forgotten if he fails again. Feel for Watson tbh.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Only spot that might get changed for the 4th test is that of Symonds'.

You don't give out charity Test caps.

 

[AussieDominance]

a 6fer when he dismissed such luminaries as Simmons, Richards, Phelps and Krezja?

How does that show that he's learned a lot from 2 Tests?

To be fair Phelps averaged 50 odd that year in Pura Cup so not a bad effort. Krezja was being talked about possibly going on the Indian Tour by Ponting i think it was when he bowled to him in the nets. Simmons is quite promising but still has a long way to go and Richards is quite average but you no would dominate most County Championship sides.

Btw dont diss Krezja one of my best mates sister is going out with him.

 

[adharcric]

Only spot that might get changed for the 4th test is that of Symonds'.

You don't give out charity Test caps.

You also don't drive your team into a situation where everyone retires and all you have is a bunch of cricketers with no meaningful experience.

Giving a match to Phil Jaques or Mitchell Johnson wouldn't be charity, it would be wise.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

You also don't drive your team into a situation where everyone retires and all you have is a bunch of cricketers with no meaningful experience.

Giving a match to Phil Jaques or Mitchell Johnson wouldn't be charity, it would be wise.

But who do you drop? You can't just rest players from Ashes tests because you want to give someone a run. Jaques and Johnson will get their chance eventually. In fact, Jaques has already had a couple.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

The MCG wicket has been consistently slow, low and difficult to bat on so far this year, in domestic games. It'll be interesting if we get a similar kind of wicket for this test. It probably won't be a great public spectacle in terms of the batting, but it'll make for a nice change to see the bowlers on top.

 

[Tomm NCCC]

Will Flintoff stick with Saj? If it is as slow as its being made out to be, could we see the introduction of another spinner?

 

[Steulen]

That would have to be Dalrymple. Not a chance, imo.

 

[pasag]

Will Flintoff stick with Saj? If it is as slow as its being made out to be, could we see the introduction of another spinner?

Don't think so after Saj has come out in his blog pretty harshly against Flintoff.

He'll get screwed for writing that and although the honesty was refreshing, it's really not the best career move tbh.

 

[silentstriker]

Don't think so after Saj has come out in his blog pretty harshly against Flintoff.

He'll get screwed for writing that and although the honesty was refreshing, it's really not the best career move tbh.

Wow, not the best career move, I'd have to agree.

 

[aussie]

Nah i don't think Saj was being harsh to Flintoff at all in that piece, just the media making it look bigger than it is. After all they are both from the North can't be in any bad blood..

 

[Nate]

Still, wasn`t exactly flattering.

 

[Tim]

Considering that morale will be low, Mahmood might just get a further kick in the pants by not being selected. Even though he was probably only expressing his disappointment, I don't think team management will be bothered with cry babies right now.

 

[marc71178]

After all they are both from the North can't be in any bad blood..

What's that really got to do with it though?

 

[GIMH]

Read pretty much a cert from here I reckon...

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Jones test Career is over. Read will take over for the forseable future then i expect someone like Steven Davies to take over the gloves in a few years.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Jones test Career is over. Read will take over for the forseable future then i expect someone like Steven Davies to take over the gloves in a few years.

We thought (and hoped) that at Headingley against Pakistan this summer, don't get your hopes up too much.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

We thought (and hoped) that at Headingley against Pakistan this summer, don't get your hopes up too much.

I dunno, even his best mate Fletcher surely cant excuse picking him after his 2 ducks. It wasnt just the fact he got 0 both innings, anyone can be out first up when they arent set, it was how he got out that will be the belated final nail in the Jones Coffin.

 

[superkingdave]

I look forward to the furore when Fletcher sends this side out in Melbourne

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Collingwood
Pietersen
Flintoff
Jones
Dalrymple
Hoggard
Harmison
Mahmood