**Official** Australia in Bangladesh

[Ikki]

Yep Bangladesh were in control for the first two days but an Aussie comeback was always on the cards. Australia will have a comfortable win from here.

I mean't the prediction for today .

 

[andyc]

Hmmm.... Martyn out and it becomes more interesting.

 

[aussie]

Disappointed at how Martyn has played the spin in this match, twice being bowled playing back when he showed have gone foward. Looking for a better batting performance from him in the second test.

 

[Loony BoB]

problem is that its too expensive to have 4 of just to loot at run outs at every test match.

But not too expensive to look at hair movement!

 

[aussie]

it would be good if Clarke could play a major innings in these circumstances, it would give him much confidence in this his return to test cricket.

 

[cameeel]

Despite yet another failure from Martyn, if Ponting sticks it out Australia will win easily, and it should serve as some time for Clarke to get himself into form.

 

[Ikki]

Aussie batsmen have to grind this out closer. One more slip and it's a very real possibility of a loss.

EDIT: Maybe two .

 

[cameeel]

Successive 4's from Clarke

 

[aussie]

geez man

 

[andyc]

Successive 4's from Clarke

And then he gets caught behind.

 

[cameeel]

You idiot Clarke!!

Way to get yourself out when your teams finally on track.

'Tis all up to Ponting and Gilly now

And maybe Lee, is Warne's shoulder still acting up?

 

[Loony BoB]

I think Lee is in great form with the bat as of late, and it's often the stands he's involved in that take games away from the opposition. I'd say that if Ponting or Gilly get out there's still a good chance of Aussie winning. If Warne and Lee get out, then it might get interesting.

 

[Nate]

That run-out had me angry. You simply can`t give that out, benefit of the doubt to the batsman every time there. Dumbfounded.

Martyn gets himself out playin back and Clarke didn`t keep his eyes on one he should have put away. Uh-oh.

 

[andyc]

All that's required from here is for Ponting and Gilchrist to put their heads down and get through to the end of the day, and then they can focus on getting the runs tomorrow. With less than 100 needed, these two and Warne, Lee and Gillespie should easily see us through.

 

[Loony BoB]

That run-out had me angry. You simply can`t give that out, benefit of the doubt to the batsman every time there. Dumbfounded.

In the distant future, such things will be avoided when a bat touches a special patch of pressure-sensitive technology covering the ground behind the crease before the bails are dislodged in a way so that no electrical current can travel from wicket to bail. Mark my words! It'll be failproof.

Bring on technology, dammit. Better technology.

 

[aussie]

allright then 95 to win with 1 day to go. Once Ponting & Gilly last the 1st hour tommorow Australia are home and safe.

 

[oz_fan]

allright then 95 to win with 1 day to go. Once Ponting & Gilly last the 1st hour tommorow Australia are home and safe.

Yep. If Australia bat sensibly they should still win from here.
Clarke often gets caught behind.

 

[Nate]

My tip is for the next batsmen to be Lee, Gillespie, Warne, Clark, MacGill.

 

[Mister Wright]

it would be good if Clarke could play a major innings in these circumstances, it would give him much confidence in this his return to test cricket.

He isn't capable of it (atm). Why was he playing such an attacking innings? Was he even watching the match when Hayden & Ponting were batting?

 

[honestbharani]

I suppose you think Richie Benaud and Geoff Boycott should give up their careers as pundits as well, since they said the same thing at the same time? How about, say, everyone else who said it?

In reality, Bangaldesh were a woefully poor team for almost 5 years. Since around the time Whatmore took over they have been gradually improving, and in the last 12 months they have been consistently competitive, but there's nothing at all wrong with suggesting that before that they weren't good enough to play test cricket, because they weren't.

I know you're only in here to make fun of Warne, and I'm sure everyone expected it, but at least stick to his bowling figures.

But Warney said it in May 2005, the time they have been improving, as you put it.


Look, personally, I don't think what Warney said was wrong at all. Bangladesh have not been upto standard for a while now. They show the odd flashes of brilliance, like they did against Pak in Pak and against Sri Lanka recently but they have not carried on with the ball and won those games. The same is happening now. I wouldn't be surprised if they were thumped in the second test of this series, simply because that is how they have gone. As Warne said, their test status should not be reclaimed or anything, simply because there is so much support for cricket there, but they should definitely play A sides more often. All test teams around the world should take responsibility and make sure they send their A sides to play BD very often. In between their test series, this would be a very good opportunity for Bangladesh to LEARN to win games. For the last 3 years or so, they have shown that they CAN get into good positions. But they need to learn how to carry on the momentum play well CONSISTENTLY over 5 days. I know Bangladesh have a chance of winning this test, but for me, Australia are favourites and I would be VERY VERY surprised (and happy ) if Bangladesh actually win this match.


Having said all that, the nonsense of calling wickets taken against this team as something that does not count has got to stop. Quality of wickets is an exhaustive argument and I personally think Warne scalping Rafique today (he brilliantly read the batter's intentions and bowled accordingly) is more valuable and more well earned than say the wicket he took of Strauss in the AShes, when STrauss basically waved the ball by to the stumps. I won't post anymore about the Warne Vs Murali issue, as per the mods' request, but I just felt that this was a good time to make a point about the quality of wickets theory.