*Official* Third Test at the WACA

[Debris]

Ha ha. They were winding Botham up in comms box today, Hussain and Atherton both saying how much sense Chappelli talked, and how he knows his stuff.

England have been dominating Australia in the commentary box for many years now.

 

[GotSpin]

Watto really needs to make a big one today. Will be ropeable if he gets out for 60 odd.

 

[Son Of Coco]

.

Alternatively, Johnson bowling well has nothing to do with the rest of the attack, which quite honestly was about as poor as they have been all series. Harris is no more than a serviceable fast bowler at best, honestly a poor man's Michael Kasprowicz. Hilfenhaus was ordinary and Siddle was rank. So to use this performance as an argument that they have suddenly hit their straps is BS and a half, as is the fact that Australia don't have serious bowling and batting issues at this point in time (irrespective of the result of this series)

Really? You were watching and you thought Harris was just ok? Hilfenhaus was still a bit short, but he bowled one side of the wicket for the most part and kept it tight. I missed most of Siddle's spell, but heard people saying he wasn't so good. Saw the bit where he hit Prior and then got him out with another short one. That looked ok.

Our biggest problem is consistency with the ball (and bat). I'm not sure anyone is saying they hit their straps, we all know they're capable of coming out and bowling rubbish again second innings on current form. But it was the best bowling performance I've seen so far this summer from the whole team, and yes...Johnson was the stand-out. The others were largely ok too though.

From what I saw, nobody bowled utter rubbish to release the pressure on England.

 

[Son Of Coco]

As for the conditions, how can they be favourable to Australia's bowlers and not the other when the latter had the best of them?

Haha, yeah exactly. Johnson starts swinging the ball and the conditions weren't favorable for Anderson? Don't get it.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Rhinoceros Harris - you gun!

Big man

Big engine

He's ok.

 

[Athlai]

Johnson for a 10fer

Johnson is going to take some wickets.

The emotional bastard.

 

[NUFAN]

What has been the general opinion of the performances of 'wonder bats' Hughes and Smith so far in this thread?

 

[TumTum]

Hughes got 2 good balls to dismiss him whilst Smith has been out playing inside the line of a straight ball. Smith hasn't even bowled yet, so if both fail I feel Smith should be the one replaced with either Khawaja or Ferguson.

 

[Furball]

Have to say, I'm suprised with the tone of TumTum's post.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Hughes got 2 good balls to dismiss him whilst Smith has been out playing inside the line of a straight ball. Smith hasn't even bowled yet, so if both fail I feel Smith should be the one replaced with either Khawaja or Ferguson.

You have no issue with the way Hughes got out in the first innings? I have to say, your impartiality surprises me.

 

[GotSpin]

Hughes got 2 good balls to dismiss him whilst Smith has been out playing inside the line of a straight ball. Smith hasn't even bowled yet, so if both fail I feel Smith should be the one replaced with either Khawaja or Ferguson.

what. Hughes played a terrible shot in the first innings

 

[TumTum]

You have no issue with the way Hughes got out in the first innings? I have to say, your impartiality surprises me.

I'm surprised hawk eye wasn't used for that ball, but the ball definitely moved back into him. Yes he should have played more straight but c'mon lets get real, that happens to all batsman.

 

[Ruckus]

Don't see much of a problem with Hughes. His first innings dismissal was pretty ordinary imo, but he has been out of form and out of the team for so long it is somewhat understandable. His second innings dismissal was just a very good ball. Could see most of the left-handers getting out to that.

 

[NUFAN]

Hughes got 2 good balls to dismiss him whilst Smith has been out playing inside the line of a straight ball. Smith hasn't even bowled yet, so if both fail I feel Smith should be the one replaced with either Khawaja or Ferguson.

The ball to dismiss Hughes in the first innings wasn't bad or anything, but it was made to look a helluva lot better with the dreadful shot that was played.

Hughes definitely appeared to have learnt a little bit from his poor first innings performance by actually playing a bit straighter in the second innings. He looked okay I thought and I will not be too harsh on him for his second innings dig, cause openers do nick balls, but the fact that he had been performing so badly in state cricket was always going to make it harder for him.

You can't completely have Hughes in, Smith out yet though TumTum as Smith has a huge opportunity today.

 

[Pup Clarke]

Nothing special about Finn's delivery to knock him over second time round. His problem is he gets squared up at even the slighest hint of movement.

 

[Noble One]

Hughes has his own technique to blame rather than good bowling for his dismissals. He is a unique batsman but both wickets came from terrible footwork.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I'm surprised hawk eye wasn't used for that ball, but the ball definitely moved back into him. Yes he should have played more straight but c'mon lets get real, that happens to all batsman.

Only if they try to play a relatively straight ball on middle and off through mid-wicket.

 

[Athlai]

How does this Ashes performance rank against Ponting's others I wonder

 

[Burgey]

Great call Terry Alderman on how Pietersen giving it to Johnson fired him up. He's such a curious character is Johnson. Could be a case study that bloke.

 

[TumTum]

You can't completely have Hughes in, Smith out yet though TumTum as Smith has a huge opportunity today.

Yeah and if he doesn't get runs he should be dropped imo. I am grateful for Ponting that he didn't bowl him.