*Official* Match 40 - Australia v Pakistan

[Sylvester]

Each replay makes that shot look worse and worse.

 

[Turbinator]

Congratulations, you've managed to make a worse post than anything Shri has ever managed.

Rost peported

 

[Ausage]

Ponting looks so scratchy. Barely getting bat on ball.

 

[Noble One]

I don't think I can ever recall Australia having an opener who has divided my opinion as much as Haddin. Some days I love his approach when he is spanking deliveries over mid-on. Then you get today with ball after ball defended off the front foot with no attitude of looking for a run.

 

[Woodster]

Again looks another circumspect start from Australia, few shots being played in the last couple of overs. Really not sure about Haddin's role, very little pro-activity against the slow bowlers, not able to work it around, both he and Watson play more shots in Test cricket.

 

[Spark]

Best shot Ponting has played all summer. Imperious.

 

[Spark]

Doesn't look the funnest pitch to bat on this.

 

[Furball]

Again looks another circumspect start from Australia, few shots being played in the last couple of overs. Really not sure about Haddin's role, very little pro-activity against the slow bowlers, not able to work it around, both he and Watson play more shots in Test cricket.

Not sure about that, Watson's always struck me as an all or nothing batsman.

 

[Top_Cat]

Yeah lots of checked drives, hopefully one of these guys goes on because on this deck, getting started would be bloody tough. Bit two-paced.

 

[Spark]

FFS Hads stop hitting it straight to the bowler

Far out. Full toss bunted back to Afridi!

 

[Spark]

Wow, what was that little tussle all about?

 

[Noble One]

It's hard to get a good read on how this pitch is playing. It looks very two paced and bounce is slightly odd. But we have a badly out of form Ponting at the crease and one of Australia's worst players of spin bowling in Haddin batting.

That's out. Ponting is truly on his last legs it seems. I would back Tim Paine over Ponting right now he is that out of touch.

 

[Bun]

That's an absolutely dire decision by Marais. That deviated by atleast 30-40% from the bat. FFS Akmal caught one!

Ridiculous pushing and pulling.

 

[kingpin]

Dont know!!shud i lol at K akmal for holding that catch or ponting who was looking to get a big score gone for a nothing shot!!!!

 

[M0rphin3]

Crap.

Clarke to ton up.

 

[Bun]

Ponting should've walked imho. That is almost equivalent of edging one to the slips and standing ground. Pathetic cricket.

 

[Spark]

Seriously, what was that about? Haddin almost punched a Pakistan player in the face. And a huge dressing down of the Pakistan team by Tony Hill, I think.

 

[Noble One]

That's an absolutely dire decision by Marais. That deviated by atleast 30-40% from the bat. FFS Akmal caught one!

Ridiculous pushing and pulling.

Always the toughest caught behind decisions to make. So much happens with the caught from the cut shot. You get the merging of sound/view of ball hitting bat and hitting glove in a split instance, along with no real view of the deviation from the bat.

 

[Woodster]

Not sure about that, Watson's always struck me as an all or nothing batsman.

But they've got away to few flyers this tournament, as you'd expect with those two opening. Clearly a strategy to build a steady platform, average only around 47 off the first 10, pretty un-Australia like. Probably more to do with Haddin than Watson, who is promoted to opener with the purpose presumably of getting them away to a healthy start. If not by crashing boundaries, then by strike rotation.

 

[Spark]

Goodness. Shouldn't feel so nervous about things at 2/78, but this looks hairy.