**Official**VB Series 2005 Australia,Pakistan,West Indies.

[Craig]

Old news.

The tour begins tonight with the West Indies taking on Victoria in a day-night match at the MCG.

 

[Pratters]

Only four batsmen have even crossed 50 in the series so far. Butt and Youhana are the only ones past 100. I'd hardly say the batsmen are finding touch. If that were so, Pakistan wouldn't be experiencing such horrific collapses.

That said, I do agree on the point that Pakistan has been there more. I'd also like to say (hopefully wrongly) that I don't see Lara having any real impact on the series with the bat.

Thats why I said they are finding touch and didnt say that hey have found touch yet.

Yasir Hameed lbw b Warne 63 97 77 9 0


Butt made some runs int he first inning, Hameed has made some in the second. Pakistan definitely have spent more time and have an advantage thus.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Oh I agree on match practice, just not form. Though some would say any form is better than no form.

 

[Josh]

Hopes has been the most improved player in the ING Cup for the last 2 1/2 seasons. He can bat anywhere in the order, and can play any innings required. He can also open the bowling and bowl at the death, something a little Victorian could never do, although everyone else thought he could.

I've heard nothing about him being a chance for the one day squad tho. Tait, Lewis and maybe MacGill (ugh!) have all been mentioned by people such as Terry Jenner, but I've not heard Hopes' name around anywhere.

 

[Tim]

Pakistan look like they're in a bit of a shambles at the moment...with injuries, poor form & all.
I guess we won't really know how much the contract issues affected the West Indies until the comp starts either.

All signs point to an Australian win, but there might be a few bumps along the way.

 

[howardj]

My Aust VB XI

Martyn; Gilchrist; Ponting; Clarke; Lehmann; Symonds; Watson; Hogg; Lee; Gillespie; McGrath.

 

[Josh]

VICTORIA Vs. WEST INDIES
2005 Day/Night Tour Match
Melbourne Cricket Ground

PROGRESS SCORE:

WEST INDIES - 8/174 (42.1)
Gayle: 33 (23)

B.Hodge: 2/33 (10), C.White: 2/21 (7), M.Lewis: 2/35 (6)

 

[Josh]

My Aust VB XI

Martyn; Gilchrist; Ponting; Clarke; Lehmann; Symonds; Watson; Hogg; Lee; Gillespie; McGrath.

First match more likely to be

Gilchrist
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Lehmann
Clarke
Symonds
Watson
Hogg
Lee*
Kasprowicz*
*- could also be either Gillespie/McGrath. One of them bound to be rested, the other may sneak into team.

 

[howardj]

First match more likely to be

Gilchrist
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Lehmann
Clarke
Symonds
Watson
Hogg
Lee*
Kasprowicz*
*- could also be either Gillespie/McGrath. One of them bound to be rested, the other may sneak into team.

Don't see the point in picking Hayden - hasn't contributed in ODI's for quite some time. Furthermore, he looks jaded and unable to build an innings. Better to have the in-form Marto facing as many balls as possible. Has proved before that he can handle the role.

 

[Josh]

Langer could be added, also Katich.

 

[Josh]

VICTORIA Vs. WEST INDIES
2005 Day/Night Tour Match
Melbourne Cricket Ground

WEST INDIES - 201 (47.5)
Gayle: 33 (23), Bradshaw 28 (47)

B.Hodge: 2/33 (10), C.White: 2/21 (7), M.Lewis: 2/35 (6)

C.Gayle - c:Rummans b:Lewis - 33 (23)
W.Hinds - c:Hodge b:I.Harvey - 22 (45)
R.Sarwan - c:Crosthwaite b:Lewis - 7 (16)
B.Lara - c:Crosthwaite b:Welsford - 24 (25)
S.Chanderpaul - st:Crosthwaite b:White - 20 (44)
M.Samuels - bowled:Hodge - 20 (34)
D.Bravo - c.Hussey b:Hodge - 3 (13)
R.Hinds - c:Rummans b:White - 4 (10)
C.Browne - NOT OUT - 18 (30)
I.Bradshaw - c:Elliott b.Hussey - 28 (47)
M.Dillon - bowled:Harwood - 0 (4)

 

[Craig]

I've heard nothing about him being a chance for the one day squad tho. Tait, Lewis and maybe MacGill (ugh!) have all been mentioned by people such as Terry Jenner, but I've not heard Hopes' name around anywhere.

It is a well known fact David Boon is a big fan of James Hopes. And why not Stuart MacGill he is clearly one of the best ING Cup bowlers going around and his record proves it.

 

[Craig]

Langer could be added, also Katich.

Unlikely.

 

[wahindiawah]

Er...I forgot there are three teams...which is the other team...ahh Pakistan...oh well, still no change in my opinion

 

[wahindiawah]

Pakistan have no chance of making it to the final as they ae completely demoralised now, have just one specialist bowler in shoaib (Asif and khalil are crap so can't be considered) and the loss of Malik and Razzak(?) is a huge blow to them.

Final... Aus vs WI
Winner Aus

 

[marc71178]

Don't see the point in picking Hayden - hasn't contributed in ODI's for quite some time. Furthermore, he looks jaded and unable to build an innings. Better to have the in-form Marto facing as many balls as possible. Has proved before that he can handle the role.

Also, Watson at 8?!

 

[Mister Wright]

I've heard nothing about him being a chance for the one day squad tho. Tait, Lewis and maybe MacGill (ugh!) have all been mentioned by people such as Terry Jenner, but I've not heard Hopes' name around anywhere.

He's in the Australian A squad, and a good showing there can only do him good. He is more versatile than Harvey and a better all-round player, although Harvey might be the better batsman, he hasn't shown anywhere near what he can achieve in the ODI side.

 

[Mister Wright]

My Aust VB XI

Martyn; Gilchrist; Ponting; Clarke; Lehmann; Symonds; Watson; Hogg; Lee; Gillespie; McGrath.

Traitor.

 

[garage flower]

Jerome Taylor will never be as good or as quick as he was.

Seems needlessly pessimistic unless you have some solid evidence. The reports I've read suggest he's looking good and raring to go for the new season.

 

[garage flower]

Pakistan have no chance of making it to the final as they ae completely demoralised now, have just one specialist bowler in shoaib (Asif and khalil are crap so can't be considered) and the loss of Malik and Razzak(?) is a huge blow to them.

I liked the look of Hafeez when he was in England. Wouldn't he be a good like-for-like replacement for Shoaib Malik?