Official Cricket Thread

[Alf™]

Hodge failed today; may miss out on his test spot.

[samthebassman]

To be honest I dont think Hodge was in the mix even if he got a few today, unfortunatly I reckon Jaques has it sewn up.

Redbacks are pretty bad at the moment, all the young guns (cosgrove, ferguson, borgas, cullen, cleary, bailey) haven't progressed in the last few seasons and it's really starting to cost them.

[Alf™]

He was always in the mix. He was probably in the lead before today too, but he yet again failed with the bat and didn't show any form.

[samthebassman]

How do you figure he was in the lead?

He batted poorly in India and today he was auditioning for an opening spot that he doesn't have the experience to handle... the only times has opened have been in domestic one day cricket and even then he never regularly opened

Plus Jaques has runs on the board this season.

[Alf™]

His past test record. One bad series does not rule you out of another form of game. My point was, before today he may have been in the lead, but now that he failed today, as you pointed out, he has stuffed up his audition.

[samthebassman]

He does have a good test record, I personally would love too see Mike Hussey move up the order to open the batting with either Hodge or David Hussey to move into the middle order.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Australia has so much international class talent, it's looking pretty bleak for most other cricketing nations.

As soon as one gun player retires, there are 5 new ones vying for their position, it's incredible. Most countries have to test drive their players and get them experience, but all of the guys who get a spot in the Aussie International team are top class.

[samthebassman]

The only real weakness now in Aussie cricket is the lack of quality spin bowling, once MacGill retires there isn't anyone good enough to fill the void.

Heal, Casson, Cullen, Bailey & Hauritz all show promise but they cant secure a regular spot for their states let alone push for international honours.

[samthebassman]

Simon Katich got 300 odd today against Queensland, he has gotta be a chance for the first test now, might get the opening slot ahead of Jaques...

[Grumma]

so long as its not for ODIs :p

[samthebassman]

Yeah... I couldn't bare that again.

[Grumma]

I'd hang myself if I batted that slowly lol

[samthebassman]

Yeah... after all is said and done he did hit 184 between lunch and tea in today's innings.

That ain't too bad.

[badtaste]

Simon Katich got 300 odd today against Queensland, he has gotta be a chance for the first test now, might get the opening slot ahead of Jaques...

300! Wow, not bad, not bad at all.

My memory is shocking... has he played test cricket before? Or was it the one dayers that he played? Eh, yeah, I can't remember... what I can remember is that he had a pretty low strike rate.

[Grumma]

Nah he's played a few tests.

I can remember him playing in Steve Waugh's last test
:)

[badtaste]

Man, I hate when that happens. I click on the link to the thread, and it takes me to the previous page (to the current one). I read the last comment, and reply to that. Then it turns out that there's another page already, and what I've pointed out has been discussed already.

But at least I was right, Katich was a slow batter.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, he played his last test just after we lost the ashes in 2005, his record isnt bad though.

In ODI's he scored pretty well but his strike rate was fairly average.

[badtaste]

Ahah, Gillespie made a century today for the Redbacks.

[samthebassman]

Yep, 118 not out, he seems a better batsman than bowler these days.

[samthebassman]

Kumar Sangakkara will probably miss the first test, he'll be a massive loss for Sri Lanka.

[badtaste]

Selection eve, exciting times.

Think Jacques will get in, and probably MacGill over Hogg. NSW love continues.

[Grumma]

Haha yeah NSW seem to always have the biggest representation in the national side

[badtaste]

And yeah, with Warne retired, Vics have no representation at all.

[Grumma]

Yeah pretty much, spose Hodge, Hussey and White are the only ones that'd be close as well.

I remember around 99 the Australian team had Mark Taylor, Steve + Mark Waugh, Brett + Shane Lee and McGrath in it.
That's 6 players from the one state!

[samthebassman]

Squad: Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting (capt), Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait, Brad Hogg, Stuart MacGill.

[Grumma]

No surprises there really.

So it's pretty much Tait/Johnson then MacGill/Hogg to be decided on

[samthebassman]

Yeah pretty much, after watching Hoggy bowl against the Vics last night I reckon he is a pretty good chance.

[badtaste]

Yeah pretty much, after watching Hoggy bowl against the Vics last night I reckon he is a pretty good chance.

MacGill has the experience though, a really good international record, and it'd be a massive bummer not to give the position to the guy who has been living under Warnie's shadow all these years.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, if fully fit he's the best leggie in the world but I reckon he doesn't look to be match fit at the moment.

[Grumma]

And you think Warnie ever looked match fit?

:p

[samthebassman]

Warnie was unstoppable!

[Grumma]

yeah I spose his thumbs were pretty ripped!

[badtaste]

Seriously, that's one thing I love about cricket. You can be totally unfit (or at least look it), but as long as you know how to spin a ball, or have a nice stroke, you can make it big in the sport.

[samthebassman]

Tait out Hilfenhaus into the squad...

[badtaste]

Hmm, surely Johnson will get the gig now. Hasn't been getting wickets against Sri Lanka though in the warmup.

[samthebassman]

Yeah Johnson is struggling a bit, I reckon Ashley Noffke is the man!

He will push for a spot if Lee or Johnson dont perform.

Andy Bichel got a ton too.

[Aficionado]

I really wish there was a Pakistani in here. Then maybe I could discuss about pakistani cricket.

[samthebassman]

I'll talk Pakistani cricket with you...

[Alf™]

I wonder what bat and kit I should get for Christmas. Any suggestions? Bat range - $0 to $275.

[samthebassman]

Kooka Genisis bats are pretty sweet, or Impala's... they probably wont fit into that price range though.

[Alfyy]

Nowhere near my price range. I was looking at the Grey Nicolls Viper Giant. Looks pretty nice.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Order an MRF off ebay.


Sri Lanka are playing shitty :(

[Alfyy]

80% of bats off eBay are fake, with stickers stuck on Kashmir bats.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

A guy in my year ordered one and it was geniune english willow.

[Alfyy]

Doubt it. Might look like one, or might be horrible quality. Or factory seconds. How can you get a $500 bat, for $70-$80. Just stupid.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

No, his was like $300.

[samthebassman]

I bought a Kooka off ebay for $300, I wouldn't recommend buying from there, you just dont know what you're getting.

[Alf™]

Exactly. eBay is not a option. I am really firming toward the Gray Nicolls Viper Giant. Looks very nice.

[samthebassman]

MacGill got the spinners spot for the first test.

[Grumma]

Not a surprise really

[Alf™]

He was the favourite, and would have been hard done by if he missed out.

[samthebassman]

Mitch Johnson got the third fast bowling spot, again no real surprise.

[samthebassman]

Sri Lanka bowling...

[badtaste]

Rain has sent the players under cover. 0/0

[samthebassman]

This is gonna be a frustrating day!

[badtaste]

Trust Brisbane to provide us with good weather... hmmph.

[samthebassman]

Phil Jaques 0 from 28 balls so far!


34 balls to get off the mark!

[JumpTheF**kUp]

This is the most boring test match I've watched in a while.

[badtaste]

Yeh, nothing much is happening.

edit: some Malinga action would have been nice.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, Lankans stuffed up, should've picked Malinga instead of Fernando.

Aussies just starting to come good though, last sesh should be entertaining.

[Alf™]

Jaques is looking good, I like the guy. Ponting was exceptional before getting stumped. Good start for Australia.

[samthebassman]

Loving the new Ford cricket adds!

[badtaste]

Loving the new Ford cricket adds!

They should stick to their day jobs, :lol:

edit: Jaques in the 90s now.

edit: JUST GOT DROPPED, hehe

[Grumma]

Didn't Jaques make a couple of century's in his spell as opener when Langer was injured?

[Alf™]

Apparently not. Great work Jaques. Well deserved.

[badtaste]

And dismissed. Got sucked in and was stumped.

[Alf™]

Murali is so good. If Sri Lanka can get another tonight, they are right in it.

[samthebassman]

I'm predicting big innings from Huss and Symo tomoz.

[Alf™]

I want Clarke to have a big day. I love that kid.

[badtaste]

You reckon the crowds will boo Murali when/if he breaks Warne's record here?

[aria]

probably not

[Alf™]

I wouldn't. He is a great bowler, one of the greatest of all time. It's an honour to watch him weave his magic.

[badtaste]

Mm... hmm, yeah, I wouldn't, but seeing as the crowds are still into calling "NO BALL" when he bowls, I wonder if they will applaud him or not.

[Grumma]

It'll be a dry applause.

How about that?

[badtaste]

I hope so. Then everyone can just get back to yelling "NO BALL" afterwards.

[Aficionado]

Today's match only punctuated the awesomeness of Pakistan vs. India matches. Too bad I didn't get to watch, but I'm sure it was a classic. Great innings by Younis and Sachin getting out on 99 was quite the feat.

[samthebassman]

On the Murali record, the guy is a total freak and brilliant to watch but to me he will always be a chucker!

I hope the crowd doesn't give him to much though, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

[samthebassman]

Hussey and Clarke are looking awesome...

[badtaste]

Yep, Hussey's just made his century. Clarke isn't too far behind. They're around 400 runs now.

[samthebassman]

Do any of you guys get sick of the channel 9 commentators?

[badtaste]

Do any of you guys get sick of the channel 9 commentators?

I like them. They're all pretty funny, and usually provide insightful comments.

edit: doesn't look we'll be seeing much Roy or Gilly by the form of the current batters.

[badtaste]

Hussey gone for 133! the breakthrough!

[Alf™]

Well done to Clarke and Hussey. Now Symonds is ripping it up. Declaration might be soon.

[badtaste]

Damn, Jayasuriya is gone for 7.

[Grumma]

Ownage

[badtaste]

Was a bit suss though. Gilly and the slips weren't totally convinced, no hotspot, Jayasuriya appeared to be surprised.

And yeah, another dismissal, Vandort gone for a duck, edged to Gilly.

[Alf™]

Good early break wickets for Australia. Looking to be in control of the game.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, in control, tomorrow will be interesting though, pretty flat deck, Sri Lanka will really miss having Sangakarra in the side.

[aria]

raping them again whats new

dont think jayasuriya was out that was kind of a shame i love watching him

[aria]

Do any of you guys get sick of the channel 9 commentators?

most of them are fine

but

chappell and lawry really piss me off sometimes though and oh boy it would be even worse if i wasnt aussie

healy was being a bit of a cockhead today but is normally ok

[JumpTheF**kUp]

I don't even know why I bother watching the cricket. :(

[Grumma]

National pride

[samthebassman]

Aussies right on top, Silva seemed to be a breath of fresh air though, great to see a batsman play without any fear.

[Grumma]

Was it him that just went out?
Or Avapattu?

[samthebassman]

Yeah Silva, pretty soft out.

[aria]

i dont thikn we will bat again

[samthebassman]

Probably not... but the Aussies hate enforcing the follow on.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

This is going to get embarrassing very quickly.

Although good to see Silva playing some shots and not being intimidated.

[aria]

we are raping them

[Alf™]

Wow we kicked their *** today.

[Grumma]

gotta love the fact that they bring Symonds on, he gets a wicket maiden first up, and they say "yup, that's enough for you today" and take him off lol

[badtaste]

I can't believe that MacGill is only wicket way to becoming only the 13th Aussie bowler to get 200 wickets. That's pretty amazing. If he gets it in this test as well, he'll have achieved it faster than Warne and Murali.

progress report: 2/129, trailing by 211. Jayawardene and Vandort are putting on a good resistance.

Also, I think last night Atapattu slagged off the Sri Lankan selectors.

[badtaste]

And MacGill has done it. Bowled, quite a long way as well.

[samthebassman]

For anyone interseted WA have had a crazy day against Qld, ended up on 5/565 dec. Marsh 166*, Pomersbach 176 and Luke Ronchi slammed 105* from 54 balls... with 11 sixes.

[Alf™]

Yes I saw that, seemed insane. I wanted highlights on the news, but alas, no luck.

[samthebassman]

I checked the scores and Ronchi was on 23 from 30 balls, an hour later he's scored 105 from 54, must have been amazing.

[badtaste]

Australia have won the warm up.

[Grumma]

I checked the scores and Ronchi was on 23 from 30 balls, an hour later he's scored 105 from 54, must have been amazing.

Made 50 off 11 lol

first 50 took 40 balls then he went bonkers

[Alf™]

Some other bloke went from 100 to 150 in not many balls too. Seemed like a great match to be watching.

Go Australia.

[samthebassman]

Probably Pomersbach, he can hit a long ball!

[samthebassman]

Punter wins the toss and says... "We'll have a bat thanks Mark"... nice.

[Alf™]

Looks to be a great day to be batting.

[Grumma]

Apparently the pitch was pretty slow early on.

I haven't actually seen any of the game yet but that's what they were sayin on the radio

[Alf™]

Australia has dominated today. Jaques was amazing again, made 150. Now Hussey is dominating.

Edit: Hussey! Notches up his 100 in the last over of the day.

[samthebassman]

Great day for the Aussies!

[aria]

mate we are really givin these guys a nother very hard raping

[samthebassman]

Today was a pretty frustrating day of cricket, goddamn rain, also I hope the Symonds injury isn't too bad.

[Alf™]

I missed it all as I was playing cricket myself. I heard Symonds and Gilly went off tap, and we are in a very strong position, similar to the first test.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, they batted well, the rain spoiled what would have been a great day.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

FOR ****'S SAKE WHY DO SRI LANKA EVEN BOTHER SHOWING UP IF THEY ARE GOING TO PLAY THAT POORLY?

[Aficionado]

AND THE MOST timid TEAM IN THE WORLD AWARD GOES TO:

PAKISTAN

[aria]

eevery team sucks but aus

[samthebassman]

AND THE MOST timid TEAM IN THE WORLD AWARD GOES TO:

PAKISTAN

Sorry... NZ take that prize, Kallis and Amla have flayed them again.

[Aficionado]

Don't apologize, its re-assuring ;)

[samthebassman]

Aussies pummelling on the runs, great too watch.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Good to see Sri Lanka not failing as badly as usual.

[samthebassman]

They are looking good, maybe an upset eh...

[JumpTheF**kUp]

I'm trying not to get my hopes up tbh, they always let me down whenever I do.

[samthebassman]

Haha, what was Jayawardena thinking leaving that ball?

[Alf™]

What a ball though. That was one of the best balls I have seen in a while. Aussies back on it now, after Sri Lanka were looking sharp.

[samthebassman]

I dont think I've seen a spinner bowl as badly in a test than MacGill has bowled in this game, he's been rank.

[Grumma]

Haha, what was Jayawardena thinking leaving that ball?

haha who knows?

Johnson's spell has been awsome as. Just hasn't gotten a wicket :(

[samthebassman]

He had a big shout against Sangakkara, I'm still certain he was dead plumb!

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Sangakkara to make 300 with 100 from Jayasuria as well to win the game for Sri Lanka :rolleyes:

[aria]

I dont think I've seen a spinner bowl as badly in a test than MacGill has bowled in this game, he's been rank.

u dont watch much cricket then pal

[aria]

disgraceful decision on sangakarra
who knows how that could of panned out

[JumpTheF**kUp]

:(

So disappointed with that decision.

[samthebassman]

u dont watch much cricket then pal

Did you watch him bowl yesterday champ?

[aria]

yes i did champ

[samthebassman]

You thought he bowled well?

[aria]

no champ but there is a slight difference between bowling badly and bowling the worst of any spinner in a test match

which is why i implied u dot watch must cricket pal

[samthebassman]

Have you seen a worse spell of spin bowling? If so, when and by whom?

I honestly haven't seen a test quality spinner dish up more rubbish than he did yesterday.

[aria]

yes heaps lots of times by lots of different ppl

[Alf™]

He didn't bowl that badly yesterday.

[samthebassman]

On average he would have bowled 2 full tosses an over!

[Alf™]

That's nice. Maybe he was going for a bit of variety.

[Grumma]

and that was only for half a spell as well.
though clearly he was sub-par

[badtaste]

Didn't Symonds reveal that MacGill had lost feeling in his hand or something? That would/could explain the full tosses.

[aria]

yes he had no feeling in his hand but it still wasnt the worst test match bowling performance ever seen

[samthebassman]

Brad Hodge 286* today, then the Vics declared, he'd be spewing!

[sgrevs]

That sucks, I still rate Hodge.

When do the India tests start? They'll hopefully be a bit more interesting, Sri Lanka couldn't show any fight til the last innings of the series, though Sangakkara was hugely entertaining.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Sri Lanka couldn't show any fight

Ever since Australia started dominating World cricket, there haven't been many teams that have shown fight against Australia in Australia.

[samthebassman]

No tests now until boxing day, there is a 20/20 and the Chappell/Hadlee ODI's against NZ in a couple of weeks though.

[badtaste]

Brad Hodge 286* today, then the Vics declared, he'd be spewing!

Seriously, could they not have given him the 300?

[Grumma]

Team > Player

[samthebassman]

I know, it's not like you get the opportunity every day.

[samthebassman]

SA just beat WA, they chased down 305, Elliott 130 odd not out and Darren Lehmann 126 not out in his last one day game, was awesome to watch, he basically took the piss out of all the bowlers and hammered them too all parts of the ground.

[Alf™]

Darren Lehmann <3. What a fine player.

[Grumma]

He's goooooooone

[samthebassman]

The Darren Lehmann fairytale continues, 167 today in what may be his last innings in a first class match.

[Aficionado]

Darren Lehmann is back? When did this happen?

The Pakistan vs. India Test is evenly poised right now, anything can happen. Hopefully Misbah's class can shine through and bring us a lead of 250-300.

[samthebassman]

Lehmann still plays first class cricket, not international stuff... and he announced his retirement about a week ago, he played his last one dayer on Wednesday and scored 126 and got 167 in his last first class match yesterday.

The India Pakistan test looks intersesting, seems to be very low scoring, I noticed that India have again gone in with all the old players in the middle order (Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman), I thought they may have given Yuvraj a chance in the test team, it will be interesting to see if they go with all that experience against the Aussies.

[badtaste]

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/cricket-in-crisis/2007/12/01/1196394694106.html

What do you guys think? I'm not too sure. Firstly, who would turn down that type of money? Secondly, could this thing be overblown slightly? I doubt that Australian players would refuse to play for test matches for the country.

edit: in other news

LEGENDARY Indian spinner Bishen Bedi has branded countryman Harbhajan Singh a chucker and blasted the International Cricket Council for ignoring what he believes is a greater blight on cricket than the match-fixing scandal.

[badtaste]

argh Murali has equalled Warnie's record, which means the hitman I hired has failed... I had to pay upfront as well... :(

[Alf™]

Good on him, he deserves it. It's only a record!

[badtaste]

Good on him, he deserves it. It's only a record!

Kidding, I was.

Murali's got the record now though, Collingwood the lucky one to be bowled straight through.

[samthebassman]

Poor old Colly, perhaps he was trying "a nurdle off the pads".

[VomitStainedCretin]

Apparently Murali admitted he was attempting an off-cutter which went straight on (Colly played for the off-cutter='Krlik').

[Aficionado]

Misbah-ul-haq is damage control, I think he is one of the better players we have picked up in recent memory.

[Untitled]

I can see Murali is going to be a particular nuisance this series :mad:

[samthebassman]

Another hundred to Sangakkara, he's gun, the first player in test history to score 150+ in 4 consecutive test matches.

[samthebassman]

Also, MacGill is likely to undergo surgery on his manky hand, so he'll probably miss at least the next 2 tests.

[Untitled]

going to be hard for us to win from here, need about 350 maybe in one day.

Cooks not had a good game :(

1028: INSECTS STOP PLAY - suddenly, all the players and umpires dive headlong to the turf (as if there's a sniper in the ground) as a huge swarm of insects buzz over the pitch! After a couple of minutes, it's all over, and Ian Bell does a press-up before they all stand up.

Thats the best reason to stop play ever.

[badtaste]

Haha yeah, angry bees.

[VomitStainedCretin]

England got cleaned up by Murali again.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, was great to see Murali knock over Sidebottom... he's a tool.

Interesting to see that the Aussie selectors have named Michael Clarke as captain for the 20/20 against NZ.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Yessie, Sri Lanka won something for a change.

[Alf™]

I love Clarke. Good on him.

[samthebassman]

Also good to see Noffke get a call up, he's had a great year.

[Grumma]

great?

understatement much :p

[samthebassman]

Tait is back in the Chappell Hadlee ODI squad too, Stuart Clark has been dropped.

[badtaste]

Tait is back in the Chappell Hadlee ODI squad too, Stuart Clark has been dropped.

Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, James Hopes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait.

No Hodge, but that was to be expected I guess. Haddin's in there as a batter, fine by me.

[samthebassman]

It basically seems they rewarded the guys who did well in India, Hopes and Haddin particulary. Hodge had a stinker over there so I guess he needs to get a few more runs on the board.

[TheBigMachine]

Interesting to see that the Aussie selectors have named Michael Clarke as captain for the 20/20 against NZ.

Training him up for so he can take over from Ricky Ponting?

[samthebassman]

Probably, Huss is the other option but he's the same age as Ponting.

[samthebassman]

Ganguly, 227 not out so far in his 99th test, his first double hunjie.

[TheBigMachine]

Good from Ganguly.

I don't think they'll make Hussey captain. As good as he is, and as good a captain he probably could be, it'd be unwise to promote him to captaincy once Ponting retires, because he'd only have maybe 3 or 4 seasons left under his belt max.

[Grumma]

or less.

depending on how long Punter sticks around for

[samthebassman]

Huss is the same age as Ponting, it's likely they'll retire at around the same time , there's no way known Huss will play 4 years after Ponting retirement.

[Aficionado]

If this is happenning against India, I can't imagine what will happen against Australia.

[Alf™]

Amazing to see the story in the Sun today, about the new vests the Australian's will be wearing. Can identify how fast they are running, heart rates, and how far they travelled over a game.

Trialled already on state cricket, with the most a player covering being 29km. Keeper was 20km for the match, player in the slips was 11km.

These results surprised me, and are much more than most AFL players would run in a game.

[samthebassman]

The days of the fat yobbo professional cricketer are just about numbered.

[badtaste]

Amazing to see the story in the Sun today, about the new vests the Australian's will be wearing. Can identify how fast they are running, heart rates, and how far they travelled over a game.

Trialled already on state cricket, with the most a player covering being 29km. Keeper was 20km for the match, player in the slips was 11km.

These results surprised me, and are much more than most AFL players would run in a game.

Eh, yeah, amazing to see those statistics. Then again, it's over the course of one day right (7-8 hours?)? Not surprising though, now that I think about it, fielders are just about moving all the time.

[TheBigMachine]

Eh, yeah, amazing to see those statistics. Then again, it's over the course of one day right (7-8 hours?)? Not surprising though, now that I think about it, fielders are just about moving all the time.

Still strange to think that the keeper moves double and a bit the distance of your average slip fielder.

[samthebassman]

The keeper is normally moving up to the stumps after every ball to take a throw, so to me thats not too surprising.

[Alf™]

I think I'd do about 10-20km then every Saturday in the field, which is surprising.

[badtaste]

Still strange to think that the keeper moves double and a bit the distance of your average slip fielder.

The keeper is normally moving up to the stumps after every ball to take a throw, so to me thats not too surprising.

Yeh. The slips usually stay where they are, chatting with each other, haha.

[TheBigMachine]

In the field includes bowling?

I'd do between 10 and 20 k in the field easily in that case. Whenever I'm not bowling I'm at fine leg, and when I finish the spell i usually field in spots like covers or square leg.

The keeper is normally moving up to the stumps after every ball to take a throw, so to me thats not too surprising.

Yeh. The slips usually stay where they are, chatting with each other, haha.

Yeah fair enough. Slips is the place to be.

[Alf™]

Well yes, the guy that got 29km is a bowler. James Hopes I think it was.

[TheBigMachine]

Fair enough then.

I wonder how many metres you would end up running in something like the scoring of a century/double century... very interesting statistics.

[Alf™]

I think that would be a very large number for batters. Really fascinating stuff, yes.

[TheBigMachine]

In other news, I took five-fa last saturday. Good effort, I thought.

[samthebassman]

Nice work... wish I could bowl.

[TheBigMachine]

Thanks man. It's not always all it's cracked up to be :p

[Grumma]

Especially when your strike rate is better than your average like mine :p

[samthebassman]

I dont even get a trundle, even in the second innings when the games dead! :(

[Grumma]

Obviously can't bowl pies like I can :p

[badtaste]

Twenty/20 game on tonight. Hopefully, it'll be entertaining.

[TheBigMachine]

I look forward to it. Six thirty I believe.

[samthebassman]

A good night to be Luke Pomerbach hey, thats pretty bizarre, he is an awesome bat though.

[donteatpieontuesday]

noffke got a diamond duck they call it, I've never heard of that

[Alf™]

I have. Happened a couple of times in local cricket. Good score by Australia, hard to chase down. Symonds was magic.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, diamond duck is a pretty well known term. Symonds was awesome, loved hearing his commentry too. Voges & Pomersbach showed enough talent tonight aswell.

[donteatpieontuesday]

lol at new zealand golden duck(now theres something i've heard of lol) first ball of innings, i recon aussies should have made 200 though

[badtaste]

Gilly just took a screamer on the second chance.

[samthebassman]

I love watching Tait bowl!

[Apocalyptic Raids]

What's a diamond duck?

I love watching Tait bowl!
same

[JumpTheF**kUp]

What's a diamond duck?

Getting out having not faced a ball.

[samthebassman]

4 quicks on the cards for boxing day?

You must be happy with the Sri Lankan's day hey Jump.

[donteatpieontuesday]

good hit by oram there

[Alf™]

Great game. Oram gave it a go at the end, which was exciting to watch. Symonds and Gilly commentating was great fun. Amazing fast bowling display from all the bowlers. Gilly's catch was superb.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

4 quicks on the cards for boxing day?

You must be happy with the Sri Lankan's day hey Jump.

:D

They're thrashing the poms.

[Alf™]

I think tonight's game casts all 20/20 doubters in the dark. 3 or 4 of these short games a summer, broken up, and it just encourages and advertises the game in a great way.

[donteatpieontuesday]

it certainly lacks to pull crowds, I think their should be alot more 20-20 games cos they are so exciting

[badtaste]

I think tonight's game casts all 20/20 doubters in the dark. 3 or 4 of these short games a summer, broken up, and it just encourages and advertises the game in a great way.

Eh, I'm sure the purists still hate it. plus, I think the game still needs to be competitive, thrashings suck in any sport.

[TheBigMachine]

I disagree. Anything that's all dazzle with no substance is bound to die hard in large doses.

It's like playing the same shock tactics successfully, till no longer are they shock tactics, but boring and predictable. They need to be used sparingly to retain shine - one at the start or end of a series only. No more. And the world cup is a bad idea.

edit: @ mr. tuesday

[badtaste]

A good night to be Luke Pomerbach hey, thats pretty bizarre, he is an awesome bat though.

haha yeah, what a story.

[Alf™]

it certainly lacks to pull crowds, I think their should be alot more 20-20 games cos they are so exciting

If there are too many 20/20 games, the excitement will wear off.

Eh, I'm sure the purists still hate it. plus, I think the game still needs to be competitive, thrashings suck in any sport.

Last night we thrashed them, but it was still great to watch. Simply because we had a good batting performance, with good spin bowling, then a great fast bowling display, with great fielding throughout. Oram coming in and bashing it around at the end just capped off the night.

[TheBigMachine]

To be honest I don't think the Kiwi's would have minded that they copped that thrashing. Why? Because it was grade-a entertainment.

[samthebassman]

Im sure they would have loved being thrashed ;)

[TheBigMachine]

Not the team, the spectators.

[donteatpieontuesday]

lol new zealanders think tait has shonky bowling style

[samthebassman]

Yeah... thats ****ed!

[CitiZeN_3rAseD]

Kiwi's will make up any excuse, Tait has a shonky bowling style, Israel Folau's not a "real" Aussie (whatever that means)!

[Alf™]

i don't like how they are having a go at vettori in the papers today, his comments were well held back

[Aficionado]

what a boring series the Pakistan vs. India series was. Sam, is that Saeed Anwar, I think it is but I don't know for sure.

[Untitled]

Hmm, i see the aussies are trialing floodlight tests matchs.

Crap idea tbh, they should keep test cricket as proper cricket, white shirts, red ball in the day time :mad:

[Alf™]

We aren't trialling it yet, just throwing the idea around. Need to get more interest in the game, and that idea may help the struggling test match format.

[Untitled]

I was reading that something got trialed a few years back with yellow and Orange balls, but they was hard to see.

Thats what gets me, the batters have trouble seeing the white ball in ODI night day matches, so if they use a red ball and whites then the red ball would be hard to see, and if they use the white balls its going to clash with the kits, so i dont get what they would do with that.

Have to see, might boost rating in prime time slots, i might get to watch the Aussie Ashes too.

[Alf™]

Well night tests were used 30 years ago, so it's not a new idea. The problem with balls other than the colour red, is that they don't last very long.

What do you mean you might get to watch the Australian Ashes? I think this isn't going to happen till after 2010.

[Untitled]

Well if it makes it big, and it ends up in international test matchs, in 2010/2011 ashes or whenever they are, i might be able to watch them at a reasonable hour, unlike last year, when i had to stay up, then i fell asleep missing them all anyway :(

[Alf™]

I seriously doubt it will become big that soon.

[aria]

"hes in good form he misses by a mile!"

got damn i have a good laugh at our aussie commentators damn glad i dont have to listen to them as an opposition supporter

[aria]

not looking good here this is going to get very ugly i think

excelent fast bowling by the aussies after 5 overs

[aria]

k i was wrong great knock so far by mculum

[Alf™]

nz looking alright now, aus need a few wickets

[samthebassman]

McCallum played well, but they seemed to have hit a wall now.

[Alf™]

Australia did extremely well to peg them down to 254. Great bowling at the death. New Zealand should have scored 300.

[Grumma]

Yeah I thought just before McCullum went out they woulda knocked off 300 pretty comfortably

[Alf™]

Gilly got off to a ripper start, 50 from about 25 balls. Australia were at 0-70 from 7, but now have lost two quick ones.