Official Cricket Thread

[radtaste]

How can you even say that? How would you have a clue?

The only person that would have known is Gilly. Everyone knows he is a fair player. He said he appealed because he didn't know whether it was pad or bat or both.

The Indians vented at the Australians though, that's the problem.

Like others in this thread, I too am capable of making ignorant and arrogant calls, aahahah.

[samthebassman]

All Gilly can do is appeal if he thinks it's out, it's up too the umpires to give him out.

Gilly did nothing wrong.

Nor did any of the Aussies.

[samthebassman]

Qld are 0/62 after 5 overs chasing Tas 174.

[Grumma]

20/20 or 50 over?

[samthebassman]

0/79 after 6.

20/20

Hopes going nuts.

[Alf™]

This is awesome, go Hopes.

[samthebassman]

Out, 60 from 29 balls.

Great hitting.

[Alf™]

Good knock. Looks like Victoria will win as well, getting a home final. Hussey made another half century what a gun.

[samthebassman]

It would be a shame if we don't see Dave Huss in the Aussie side soon.

WA cruising against NSW, chased down 160 with 4 overs to spare.

[Alf™]

He will play in the 20/20 game on February 1 in front of a massive home crowd.

*cruised

Hussey got a important wicket too, what a champ.

[samthebassman]

He should play.

I'll be at the BDO on the 1st so i'll miss that game, I bet it will be a cracker too.

[Alf™]

Yeah, hopefully I'm going. Will be great fun, and will help chill things down with the Indians.

[samthebassman]

Full house you reckon?

WI 7/100 at lunch on day 1 vs Saf.

[Alf™]

Close to it.

Looks to be some good tests happening with those two.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, first 2 tests were really good, Windies surprised everyone, but they're gonna cop a hiding in this one by the looks of it.

[Alf™]

Watson freeing his arms now. Looks like Victoria will win.

[Alf™]

Oh no Victoria. Don't do this to me.

Edit: YES! Hussey takes a catch in the deep and Victoria win.

[samthebassman]

Huss is the man. Goddamn the Redbacks frustrate me.

Watson is hitting some enormous 6's, he is looking in great touch.

[Alf™]

:lol: Look at Hussey's stats in the series.

Number two run scorer. 149 runs @ 49.67.
Equal number two bowler. 7 wickets @ 11.14.
Number three fielder. 5 catches.

Edit: Watson just hit 5 sixes and 1 four in 10 balls to finish the game off for Queensland.

[samthebassman]

Great numbers.

Watson finished with 69 from 32 balls 2x4's & 7x6's.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone hit the ball cleaner than Shane Watson did in the last half of that innings, amazing batting.

[Alf™]

Are you actually watching the game? Lucky.

Not sure if those numbers even include the last game.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, I love Austar.

20/20 game on Fox 1 and Test Match on Fox 3, happy days.

I dont think those stats include the latest games.

[Alf™]

Nice, wish I had Foxtel. Hope the 20/20 final is at the 'G.

[samthebassman]

At the WACA, WA finished with a higher net run rate.

[Alf™]

You're joking. That is horrible. Seriously, that sucks.

[samthebassman]

Crazy, if Tassie had won tonight they would have hosted it, at least thats what they said on commentary.

[Alf™]

Yeah, Tasmania were way ahead on NRR. That really sucks.

Interesting to see West Indies didn't get cleared through by just one bowler, the wickets were fairly spread around.

They are all out for 139.

[samthebassman]

Yep, Pollock 4 for on his test return.

Nel got smashed around a bit but cleaned up the tail, it was hilarious listening too Geoffrey Boycott commentating, he nailed Andre Nel, he can't stand him.

[sgrevs]

Tassie QLD game was crazy, Hopes and Watson went nuts. Great to watch, I love 20/20.

[Alf™]

Hussey, DJ. 199 runs at 49.75.
Hussey, DJ. 8 wickets at 10.13.
Hussey, DJ. 7 catches.

And there was only .002 between the NRR of Victoria and Western Australia. :(.

[Alf™]

Strangely, Rogers is short-sighted and colour blind, which means he sometimes struggles to focus on the red ball when it mixes with the background colours.


That is pretty cool. Lets hope Chris Rogers can get a bit score against the Indians today.

Edit: Sharma gets two wickets in his first over for today.

[Alf™]

Really having trouble getting a new cricket bat grip on my bat :(.

[samthebassman]

Im terrible at putting grips on.

[Alf™]

I need a new bat actually. Wish I could find one that I like.

[samthebassman]

What are you using now?

[samthebassman]

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/baggygreen/content/story/330300.html

http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/baggygreen/content/story/330227.html

Indians can't help but keep airing their dirty laundry.

Bitches.

[Alf™]

They are just clutching at anything now. Have done this with no style or grace.

At the moment using a old, pretty horrible Gray Nicolls Longbow.

[samthebassman]

Have you looked at any of the Indian bats?

I bought an Ihsan a couple of years ago, was about $180 from memory. Wasn't bad.

A guy I play with up here buys the Hero Honda bats straight from ebay, cost him $50 each, they're great bats.

[Alf™]

Those eBay bats are horrible. Our club went through that faze about 18 months ago. All have new bats now.

The problem is where to get it from. All the cricket stores around here just have the traditional brands.

[Grumma]

See Singh get hit in the face during fielding practise?

Was rather amusing :D

[Alf™]

No but that sounds funny :).

ACT XI doing well today, 6/256 at the moment. Chris Rogers (60) and John Rogers (95*) the stand outs.

[samthebassman]

Which Singh got hit in the face?

[Alf™]

There are 5 Singh's in the Indian team. Clarify!

[Alf™]

Oh no, Rogers out for 98 :(. Bad luck mate.

[samthebassman]

How good would it have been for him to get a ton.

[Alf™]

Hopefully then can draw this innings out for as long as possible. Would have been great for him.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, keep the Indians out in the sun.

[Grumma]

Which Singh got hit in the face?

H Singh by RP Singh :p

[Alf™]

:D.

292/8 at the end of the day. On par with the Indians.

[samthebassman]

The last 2 posts made me happy.

[Alf™]

India will probably demand an apology from someone for Harbhajan being hit, or threaten to go home.

[samthebassman]

Goddamn, India has turned us all into cynical bastards.

[samthebassman]

A story I heard yesterday from my Dad who is Melb for the national under 17 cricket champs.

He said he spoke to the Australian Under 19 coach and another CA employee, they said that they had heard that Harbhajan pleaded guilty to calling Symonds a monkey in the hope of Mike Proctor being lenient with him, instead of Proctor being lenient he took a hard stance on Harbhajan who then withdrew his guilty plea as he saw it wasn't working... then all the bullsh't started.

[Alf™]

I wouldn't be surprised. What an idiot.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, pretty much sums it up.

[aria]

ya tats a pretty reliable source laughing

[samthebassman]

Your back champ.

[samthebassman]

Just saw an interview with Ganguly on the news, he conceeded that Clarke did catch him out in Sydney.

Why didn't the cheat walk then? :confused:

[Alf™]

It was obvious that Clarke caught him. Really obvious. He didn't have to walk immediately, but it was unsavoury when he still didn't want to walk after Clarke said he had caught it.

[samthebassman]

It's unsavoury when he comes out and says he was out only after the media has been slamming the Australians all week long.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Just saw an interview with Ganguly on the news, he conceeded that Clarke did catch him out in Sydney.

Why didn't the cheat walk then? :confused:

"I thought he [Benson] could have done a better job speaking to Steve Bucknor," Ganguly told the channel Star Cricket during the second day of the warm-up game against the ACT XI in Canberra. "The moment I nicked it I turned back and saw it didn't carry. But that's the way is. It was agreed to stick by the captain's word and we have to stay with that."

:/

What are you two on about?

On another note, the West Indies are getting thumped.

[Alf™]

I was just going by what Sam said.

:lol: though that he still thinks it didn't carry.

[samthebassman]

He was on the news tonight. :confused:

[JumpTheF**kUp]

He said their enthusiasm and **** 'looks good from outside' or something, I guess you thought he was talking about the catch.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Sam: what type of music are you looking for? I listen to some pretty weird **** and our music tastes don't overlap very well as far as I've seen.

[samthebassman]

Whatever mate, I've got an open ear for anything, something brand new preferably, msg on last fm rather than here if ya want.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Do you want songs or albums?

If you want one song, listen to The Receiving End of It All by Streetlight Manifesto.

If you want an album, try Protest The Hero's Kezia.

But again, our music tastes are not similar at all so idk

[samthebassman]

Cheers, I'll look into PTH.

LoL at Marlon Samuels hurling down 124km quicker balls at Kallis and then giving him a filthy glare.

[samthebassman]

Just saw an interview with Ganguly on the news, he conceeded that Clarke did catch him out in Sydney.

Why didn't the cheat walk then? :confused:

My bad, I did stuff this up, just saw the interview again on fox sports, I totally misheard it.

India still suck though.:)

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Sam, check out Cursive's Domestica.

[Grumma]

Cheers, I'll look into PTH.

LoL at Marlon Samuels hurling down 124km quicker balls at Kallis and then giving him a filthy glare.

haha i love it when spin bowlers throw down the odd delivery 30clicks faster than their normal.

Always remember Shane Warne bowling 2 bouncers in a row to Jacob Oram in a Brisbane test and almost knocking his head off both times :lol:

[Alf™]

Sehwag off to a flyer in Canberra. Looks like India going for a different batting line-up, trying out a few new things. Karthik is also opening.

[Alf™]

Sehwag brings up his fifty in 37 balls with 10 fours.

[samthebassman]

Sam, check out Cursive's Domestica.

I have that already, it's pretty great, Kezia is pretty good too, cheers.

Sehwag 100 from 73 balls.

Shaun Pollock announced his retirement from international cricket following the Windies ODI series.

[Grumma]

Thought he'd never stop that guy

[radtaste]

Reckon Sehwag's coming back anyone, or will they give Jaffer another chance?

[samthebassman]

Sehwag & Pathan will both play, Jaffer and Yuvraj too miss out.

[Grumma]

Not so sure about that.
What would your batting line up look like if that was the case?

[Alf™]

What a career Shaun Pollock has had. A real champion and great player.

Yuvraj Singh is probably in the worst form of his life. 3 he made today, what a joke.

Very hard for the Indian selectors as Sehwag and Jaffer had a good game, and they won't drop Dravid. Maybe just swap Yuvraj for Sehwag.

[Alf™]

New rule changes for the Perth test, as confirmed by the ICC at Indian request:

-If an Australian bowler bowls a ball that is quicker than 50kph, that is an intimidating and dangerous delivery and a no-ball.

-When India is batting, the square shall form the boundary.

-When Australia is batting, the ball must be hit out of the stadium for a 6 or onto the roof for a 4.

-If an Indian batsmen is given out first ball or under any other new rule, then they have the right to end the tour in protest.

-Hence, no Indian batsmen can go out first ball.

-One hand one bounce rule and automatic keeper for all Australian batsmen.

-India's last man gets his tucker.

-Six and out for Australian batsman.

-Tippety run when Australia bats.

-Aussies have to bowl underarm to Rahul Dravid so he can score more than 1 run an over.

-No Indian may be given out unless it is by an Indian umpire and he has scored at least 200.

-Australia may not drink water/sports drink but only beer onfield or during the breaks. No runners allowed for intoxicated batsman.

-If an Australian batsman is hit on the pad anywhere on the square, that is LBW.

-If an Australian batsman hits the ball within 20m of an Indian fielder, the batsman will be out caught.

-Australian batsman must run in their balls and chains.

-If an Australian bowler bowls a ball that does not pitch in line with the stumps and would hit middle stump, that is a wide.

[samthebassman]

Haha nice Alfy! how did you go today?

Grumma, sorry for the delay but mine would be...

Sehwag
Dravid
Laxman
Tendulkar
Ganguly
Dhoni
Pathan
Kumble
Harbhajan
RP
Sharma

[Alf™]

Not bad. Long day in the sun though. Other team made like 200.

[Grumma]

Haha nice Alfy! how did you go today?

Grumma, sorry for the delay but mine would be...

Sehwag
Dravid
Laxman
Tendulkar
Ganguly
Dhoni
Pathan
Kumble
Harbhajan
RP
Sharma

do you really think that a) Dhoni, on form, should be batting at 6 and b) considering Dhoni's form trust Pathan at 7?

[Alf™]

Jaffer
Sehwag
Dravid
Laxman
Tendulkar
Ganguly
Dhoni
Kumble
Harbhajan
RP Singh
Sharma

That is what it will probably be. I don't like Tendulkar at 5 though, so maybe one of top three will be pushed down to middle order.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

New rule changes for the Perth test, as confirmed by the ICC at Indian request:

-If an Australian bowler bowls a ball that is quicker than 50kph, that is an intimidating and dangerous delivery and a no-ball.

-When India is batting, the square shall form the boundary.

-When Australia is batting, the ball must be hit out of the stadium for a 6 or onto the roof for a 4.

-If an Indian batsmen is given out first ball or under any other new rule, then they have the right to end the tour in protest.

-Hence, no Indian batsmen can go out first ball.

-One hand one bounce rule and automatic keeper for all Australian batsmen.

-India's last man gets his tucker.

-Six and out for Australian batsman.

-Tippety run when Australia bats.

-Aussies have to bowl underarm to Rahul Dravid so he can score more than 1 run an over.

-No Indian may be given out unless it is by an Indian umpire and he has scored at least 200.

-Australia may not drink water/sports drink but only beer onfield or during the breaks. No runners allowed for intoxicated batsman.

-If an Australian batsman is hit on the pad anywhere on the square, that is LBW.

-If an Australian batsman hits the ball within 20m of an Indian fielder, the batsman will be out caught.

-Australian batsman must run in their balls and chains.

-If an Australian bowler bowls a ball that does not pitch in line with the stumps and would hit middle stump, that is a wide.

That doesn't even make any sense.

India played better than Australia for most of the test and you're making fun of them?

Cry more.

[Alf™]

I don't think they played better. It is more making fun of them crying after the test, but whatever.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

You can't seriously say they were complaining for no reason.

And they did play better than them :/

[Alf™]

Obviously they had reasons, but not good reasons.

They played better than Australia in some sessions, Australia played better in the sessions that counted. Look who won, who cares who played better.

Learn to take a joke too.

[samthebassman]

do you really think that a) Dhoni, on form, should be batting at 6 and b) considering Dhoni's form trust Pathan at 7?

My thinking is that you need at least 3 quicks in Perth (Pathan), spinners are bowling well so you keep them both in, so the only option is to use Pathan at 7, he is a genuine test number 7 so I would have no qualms about batting him there but I take your point about Dhoni at 6.

The other alternative would be the team that Alf picked, but I think they will definitly need 3 quicks.

[Alf™]

I'd take an extra batter and two bad quicks, over three bad quicks.

[samthebassman]

You're right, there is no point in playing three if they're gonna bowl rubbish, but I would take the risk.

It wont matter either way, I reckon the Aussies will win inside 3 days.

[Alf™]

4 days for me. R.P. Singh and Sharma are nothing special really. It is the spinners that bowl out sides for India and that is why they will struggle.

[samthebassman]

Yep, if the spinners couldn't finish the job in Melbourne or Sydney they wont do it at the WACA.

[samthebassman]

Windies showing some testes, 3/230 right now, Bravo and Samuels both on 70 odd.

[Ganondorf]

ITT: The ICC trivialises racism by ''convicting'' Bhaji of racist remarks despite the lack of ANY proof

[samthebassman]

He must have done something to provoke the wrath of Mike Proctor.

[samthebassman]

I gotta tell ya's all that Dale Steyn is a gun.

[Grumma]

Yeah he's a freak show, remember watching one of his first tests a few years back and although he was a bit wayward you could tell he'd be awsome in a few years.
Within the next couple of years I reckon he'll be the best fast bowler in the world, and from what I've seen of Liam Plunkett of England he'll be up there as well

[Untitled]

Yeah he's a freak show, remember watching one of his first tests a few years back and although he was a bit wayward you could tell he'd be awsome in a few years.
Within the next couple of years I reckon he'll be the best fast bowler in the world, and from what I've seen of Liam Plunkett of England he'll be up there as well

Plunkett in last years test bowled awfully.

[Grumma]

He shows heaps of promise though

[Grumma]

yo does anyone here have one of the 2007 cricket games, and if so is it any good?

[Untitled]

I think what plunkett needs is a good season at durhum to regian his confidance, then he might do better for england.

And i have both 2007 cricket games, I would say, EA is better for the fact has county teams, and austrialian state, and i think its fully liesenced? not sure actully, i know England Aus, NZL and South africa are im sure. It takes longer to master the EA one aswell, and has more grounds.

Brian Lara (or is it ricky ponting in aus) cricket is also very good, but you only get lisenced teams and players on the world cup and ICC trophy mode, other wise your using players with names like "Andrew Flantiff" etc. No county/sate modes, and a lot easier to figure out and master, looks a lot prettier then EA i will say though.

[Grumma]

Ricky Ponting in Aus yeah, aight, reckon I'll go EA.
I've played 03, 04 and 05 and they seemed decent enough apart from a couple of glitches eg one particular county played that couldnt run lol

[Alf™]

Download both of them.

Edit: Or just wait for Cricket 2008, which should be out shortly.

[samthebassman]

I've never played a good cricket game.

[Grumma]

Download both of them.

Edit: Or just wait for Cricket 2008, which should be out shortly.

if 08 looks like coming out soon enough i'll probably wait.
went to the shops today and none had the ea version
damn new years sales <_<

[JumpTheF**kUp]

I've never played a good cricket game.

http://www.stickcricket.com

:)

Is anyone here going to watch the ODI's between Australia/India/Sri Lanka?

I'm going to the WACA game between Sri Lanka and Australia, which should be good even though Sri Lanka will lose as they always do.

[Alf™]

Yeah cricket games have always struggled with the makers not really taking them seriously.

I might go to one in Melbourne.

[radtaste]

Rogers has been added to the test squad, so if Haydos doesn't make it, Rogers will be the replacement. Decent move I guess.

[samthebassman]

Vic 3/74 in the 8th, Blizzard out for 47 from 20, hit one ball into the nets.

[Alf™]

Yeah, Rogers looked good when he scored 60 odd in Canberra, so good inclusion.

Go Vics.

[samthebassman]

Rogers has been added to the test squad, so if Haydos doesn't make it, Rogers will be the replacement. Decent move I guess.


Australia are gonna have a four eyed ginga opening the batting, oh the shame of it.:eek:

[radtaste]

Australia are gonna have a four eyed ginga opening the batting, oh the shame of it.:eek:

Times are achanging, we are accepting all types of things these days.

[samthebassman]

The next thing you'll be telling me is that women are allowed to work.

Vic 3/108 after 12.

[samthebassman]

5/135 at 14.1, Warriors looking good now.

Vics gonna need some big hitting.

[Grumma]

where are you getting your domestic scores from?

[samthebassman]

I'm watching it. Try www.baggygreen.com.au

Vics 8/203.

They came from nowhere in the last few overs, tough chase for WA.

[Grumma]

cheers :)

i got all the international scores from the BBC site and it's not very favourable towards Aussie domestic matches lol

[Alf™]

cricinfo.com for me.

Big score for the Vics. Great all round effort there.

[Grumma]

have to wonder whether Cameron White has been awake the last couple of T20 games, haven't seen him break double figures in a while

[samthebassman]

1/0 after 1 ball, Ronchi gone.

[samthebassman]

have to wonder whether Cameron White has been awake the last couple of T20 games, haven't seen him break double figures in a while

He's only played a couple of games since breaking his foot.

[Alf™]

have to wonder whether Cameron White has been awake the last couple of T20 games, haven't seen him break double figures in a while

He is only just back from injury. I thought he had a good innings a couple of games back.

[Alf™]

1/0 after 1 ball, Ronchi gone.

What.

[samthebassman]

Dirk Nannes is a serious bowler, I wish he was 10 years younger.

1/3 after 1.

[Alf™]

0.1 Nannes to Ronchi, OUT, and what a start it is! Short ball banged in, goes across Ronchi, who plays forward and then tries to pull out, the ball kisses his gloves and lands just in front of the keeper ... its referred upstairs and replays show it did land in front

L Ronchi c wicketkeeperCrosthwaite b Nannes 0 (0m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00


What the hell.

[Grumma]

maybe they mean on the replay it showed it was short?

[Alf™]

I don't know, they got that whole ball mixed up. First they said Marsh was on strike and not out. Then Ronchi on strike and not out. Then finally Ronchi on strike and out, with the third umpire replay showing it dropped short. :lol:

[samthebassman]

It did bounce but they don't use the third umpire in these games, all the heat is on the umpires out there.

[Alf™]

Victoria going well, McGain almost has two wickets in two balls. WA are 3/53.

[samthebassman]

5/59 looks like game over, the Aussie selectors could do worse than think about Bryce McGain for the spinners spot in the test side too.

[Alf™]

Don't think he is that good.

I love Hussey, he can do no wrong.

Edit: Actually looking at his record, he is pretty mediocre. 35 and only 12 matches. 37 wickets @ 33 in First Class. No.

[samthebassman]

I have seen him (McGain) bowl in a few games now and he always does well and causes problems.

Hussey did wrong then, carried over a 6.

[Grumma]

Brad Hogg's numbers in Pura cup this season have only been on about par with McGain's

[Alf™]

Obviously not too many problems with his record.

But Hogg has being playing state cricket for years, is great in the one day side, and has a good past record.

Hussey is just trying to keep his home state in the game you'd think.

[samthebassman]

This is a good little partnership by these two, hopefully another 5 or 6 overs of them will see an awesome finish.

[Alf™]

Good, handy over there from Hussey. Too big for WA now.

Edit: Marsh puts them back in it with a 23 run over.

[samthebassman]

Damn! I hope this goes down to the wire.

[Alf™]

Hussey strikes! Getting tight now.

Edit: Hussey, 2-25 from 4 overs. Couldn't ask for much more.

Edit edit: cricinfo.com's ball by ball commentary has been horrible tonight.

[Alf™]

Great end to a spell for Nannes.

Good work Victoria. 20/20 champions!

[samthebassman]

Yeah, they played well, they'd be a good bet in the World 20/20 series too.

Marsh batted well and Nannes was excellent.

[Grumma]

anyone read about Hogg's new defense in his racial hearing?

He's comparing what he said to what Edmund Hillary said when he conquered Everest which was something like "we finally beat the bastard" lol

[Alf™]

Pretty good defence to. I don't know many that actually use the word bastard as meaning a person born to parents out of wedlock.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Indian people do. It doesn't matter about the context, it's wrong.

[aria]

ya that is the only thing it does mean to an indian

ne way glad kumble and ponting ave sorted their shi out

[Alf™]

No, I mean I don't know any Australians saying it to mean that. He will get off.

Edit: Oh ok, they have withdrawn the complaint anyway.

[samthebassman]

The context in which he said shouldn't have been seen as offensive.

I'm sick of hearing about all this sh't, just wanna get on with the cricket.

[Alf™]

Can't wait for Wednesday.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, it will be a cracker.

[samthebassman]

Hoggy got off. Cleared too play.

[aria]

yea they dropped the complaint that happened a long time agpo


anyways whats every1 think of indias batting line up in perth

i would like to see

jaffer
sehwag
dravid
laxman
tendulkar
ganguly
dhoni
kumble


taht opening partnership is almost certai n to fail tho they would like to keep dravid there

[badtaste]

The context in which he said shouldn't have been seen as offensive.

I'm sick of hearing about all this sh't, just wanna get on with the cricket.

ditto.

[samthebassman]

Haydos has been ruled out so Chris Rogers will make his debut, Shaun Tait has been recalled with Hoggy missing out.

[madtaste]

Four man pace attack, should be awesome.

Bad luck to Haydos though, might miss out of being part of the record making win.

[Alf™]

This is a good team. Hard to beat in Perth.

[Alf™]

Anyone go to any decent cricket or cricket gear discussion forums? Link.

[Grumma]

Yeah, it will be a cracker.

a skull cracker for the indians when the wild thing is unleashed!

[Alfyy]

Harbhajan looks to be not playing this test. Interesting move, as normally the spinners win the games for India. VVS Laxman at 6, too.

[Alfyy]

India winning the toss and electing to bat.

[samthebassman]

India look a better team with Laxman at 6, but I reckon they stuffed up by leaving out Harbhajan.

[aria]

yea i was looking forward to seeing how bowl at ponting

[samthebassman]

Sehwag makes a massive difference at the top of the order.

[radtaste]

India look a better team with Laxman at 6, but I reckon they stuffed up by leaving out Harbhajan.

Really? Hasn't he always performed better in the top half? I thought that was a surprising move, but I really don't know where he comes in best.

And yeh, Sehwag is certainly making a difference.

[Alfyy]

Two down now, both openers gone, 2-59.

[radtaste]

Man, Chris Rogers is colour blind as well. Sounds like a nice dude.

[Alfyy]

Yeah, I read that last week, that is truly awesome. Short sighted, red head and colour blind. Doing it for the minorities.

Tremendous interview with Langer on The Cricket Show just now. What a great, well spoken, intelligent and really likeable guy. What a credit he was to the Australian team.

[samthebassman]

Langer is a champion, tough as nails.

Aussies did well to reign in India in the first sesh, Clark was great.

Getting Tendulkar early will be the key here.

[samthebassman]

Really? Hasn't he always performed better in the top half? I thought that was a surprising move, but I really don't know where he comes in best.

And yeh, Sehwag is certainly making a difference.

What I meant was that they look better depth wise, but it looks like he should've batted 3 now, Dravid is still struggling.

[Alfyy]

What did they say, 470 balls have been bowled at Dravid, for 115 runs. Strike rate of about 25. Not good enough.

[radtaste]

What I meant was that they look better depth wise, but it looks like he should've batted 3 now, Dravid is still struggling.

I see.

Man, Clarke just dropped an edge from Dravid.

[Alfyy]

Clarke has to take that. Really bad drop.

[samthebassman]

Terrible dropped catch.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

What a terrible decision.

[Grumma]

Tendulkar's?

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Yeah.

[Alfyy]

Ah well, it evens up because of the one Johnson should have got. Plumb.

[samthebassman]

Very true, Dravid was dead. Tendulkar wasn't.

[Alfyy]

Looking at the ball, I'm not sure how Bowden gave it not out. Oh well.

Australia need another late one here.

[radtaste]

Haven't been concentrating on the game, can't believe Dravid's on 91. They're looking relatively good at posting a decent score.

[Alfyy]

Oh no Dravid, what went through your head. Nerves got to him.

[Grumma]

haha now we know why he just plays defensive shots :p

[JumpTheF**kUp]

What were you thinking Dravid :(

[radtaste]

Things not to do: lose a wicket as the day is about to end.

[samthebassman]

I cant believe the Aussies have won the day, India have blown it big time at this point.

[Grumma]

Pathan really looked like he didnt enjoy that last over
:p

[Alfyy]

Tough last over. Can't blame him. Australia in a strong position after day 1.

[sadtaste]

Dhoni and Pathan are looking pretty good, patient for the most part.

Stuart Clark coming in now, let's see what he can do.

[Alfyy]

Clark!

[sadtaste]

I spoke too soon, haha.

[sadtaste]

Chris Rogers, nice dive!

[Alfyy]

Great catch for Rogers. India collapsing.

[Alfyy]

All out for 330. Johnson gets the last.

[Alfyy]

Ohmy, unlucky Rogers. How can an umpire give that out?

[sadtaste]

Mmmyeh, unlucky indeed. Poor Rogers, hopefully he can do something in the second innings, give us a sign of things to come.

[Alfyy]

You don't even want to see a ball like that given out. Crap ball going down leg. Ugh.

Now Jaques gone as well. Interesting.

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Rogers was unlucky. It was nudging leg according to hawkeye but damn, I feel sorry for the bloke.

Pathan is bowling really well.

[sadtaste]

Onoes, Australia are teh struggling.

[Alfyy]

3-14. Hussey duck.

[samthebassman]

Great first sesh, brilliant bowling from both teams, Aussies will have to scrap for the next hour one would think.

[eug008]

oshi, india are bowling quite well.

[aria]

bautiful cricket by india a shame dravid didnt make the hundy looked very good

[Alfyy]

Lets hope to see some good batting from Punter and Pup now after lunch.

[samthebassman]

I reckon a quiet first hour, hopefully no wickets, then we'll some some shots.

[Alfyy]

Bye Punter.

[sadtaste]

I haven't felt this uncomfortable since the Ashes tour in England.

[aria]

wow fantastic bowling what a catch

[samthebassman]

Indian quicks bowling brilliantly, Aussies need a partnership.

[samthebassman]

Who's drop was worse, Pup's or Tendookie's?

[Alfyy]

Pup's. Pup is out now too. Oh no oh no.

[aria]

realy likin this sharma signs of a great cricketer

good to see finally gettin some reward

[sgrevs]

But other than that, holy **** we're falling apart.

[samthebassman]

Man, we need 3 hours of Roy and Gilly now.

[Grumma]

Symonds and Gilly going the tonk it seems!

No if only all the batsman before them had done something :lol:

[samthebassman]

Another 2 hours of this and we'll have a lead!

[sadtaste]

600 test wickets for Kumble, and Roy gone for 66. :(

[sadtaste]

Okay, cue Tait to score a century.

9/195

[JumpTheF**kUp]

Tait reaches his highest test score!

[samthebassman]

Well done by India, Aussies have it all in front of them now.

[Alfyy]

Australia get the late breakthrough as usual. Clarky!

[Alfyy]

What a horrible over from Tait. He has done nothing this test.

[aria]

great day of cricket

fukkn special stuff by the indians i love watching sehwag am glad him and pathan are in the team 2 of my fave players

taity and johnson really struggling tonight shocking over by tait just then hopefullythey can bounce back tomorrow

[Grumma]

he looks as though he's trying too hard

[aria]

yea and was really rushing to get that over in quick

[Alfyy]

That over was just a joke. Tait hasn't really worried the batsmen as many tipped he would.

[samthebassman]

To me he Tait looks out of practice, they were saying he has only played 2 T20 matches in the last 6-8 weeks, that's a bullsh't buildup to a test match.

They are gonna need early wickets tomoz otherwise they're gone.

[Alfyy]

He just looks wild, can't hold a good line and length. Similar to Lee a few years back. Got the pace, but who cares if you can't get bowl wicket balls.

[samthebassman]

I think he's proven he's got what it takes to be an international bowler (look at his first class numbers) but he just looks unfit and lacking match practice (his pace looks about 10km down), I actually felt really sorry for him in that last over, he was lost out there.

[aria]

yeh wasnt really impressed when he got pissed at pathan for pulling out either

[Alfyy]

Sorry, first class and international cricket are totally different. Just because you do well at state cricket, doesn't mean you will succeed in national. I think his pace is the usual.

I think he was more angry at himself.

[samthebassman]

He looked pretty frustrated to me.

I think that if you can succeed in the Pura Cup then you are more than capable of playing test cricket, in most cases our state teams would beat international sides.

[Alfyy]

Though there are exceptions to the rule. He just doesn't look right in the team at the moment. Then again he might come out, take 5 wickets, and surprise me at any given moment.

[samthebassman]

That's the type of bowler he is, it is obvious now though that he shouldn't have played.

[Alfyy]

I'm just saying, that's also how Lee was, and he evolved. Lets hope Tait can do well in the future.

[samthebassman]

Yeah, he's still only 24, plenty of time left for him.

[Alfyy]

Decided on my new cricket bat. AS G200. Grade 1 English willow, 2.10 pound. Really nice bat. Cheap as well.

[Nightvision]

How much?

I'm looking at getting a Kahuna - I really like the pickup of the Kookaburras.

[Alfyy]

$270. Don't get Kookaburra unless you got cash to spare.

[Nightvision]

Really? I always quite liked their stuff - their pads are great - really snug fit and lightweight.

Hmmm, guess I'll have to look at some of the Woodworm bats then. One of the guys on my team had one last season, and it sounded gorgeous on the rare occasions he middled it.

[Alfyy]

You pay for the brand name with Kookaburra. Along with all the other big brands. Grade one English willow Kookaburra = $500. Grade one English willow Indian, Pakistan brand = $250-400.

Don't you live in the U.K.? Awesome bat opportunities over there. Fusion is apparently raved about.

[Nightvision]

Yeah, I'm in the UK, so we're spoiled for choice. Problem is, a lot of the bats over here have a really heavy pickup, even the lighter end bats - I have no idea why.
Anyway, that's a problem for me, as I have quite a high backlift when I drive, and the extra weight means I lose my line and keep getting thick edges.

I'll have a look at Fusion - never really heard of them.

[Alfyy]

I thought most had really light pick-ups. What weight do you want? So many good options in the UK. Lucky! In Australia it is hard to get anything but a big brand bat.

I just bought the bat. Can't wait till it gets here.

[Nightvision]

Ideally I probably want similar to you - 2.10-2.12.
I dunno - it might just be something in my technique I guess, but the current bat I'm using (Kookaburra Blaster) I've had no troubles with, whereas the old Slazenger V600 I was using the season before was a nightmare, and every shop I go into, the bats feel really heavy.

I quite like the look of those Fusion bats though - might have to invest in one of those - particularly if it's completely customised to however you want it. Even their top of the range bat (Grade 1+) is only £165 (don't know the AU$ exchange rate, but that's about $310USD).

[Alfyy]

Most bats have a lighter pick-up. Maybe go for something like 2.9.

Or experiment with extra grips and whatnot. Although that makes the bat heavier, it pick-ups lighter and can help balance the bat.

That's about $350AUD. But worth it for a solid, customised bat. Way cheaper than big name brands. Also look into brands like SS, AS, CA, BAS etc.

[Nightvision]

Yeah, think I'll have to do some shopping around before I actually commit to one particular bat - Will check out the bats that everyone brings to preseason nets as well. Usually a good way of finding one that's right for you.

[Alfyy]

But I don't think I will ever go back to the big name brands.

[Nightvision]

I don't know - I think a bat is a very individual thing - everyone has one that is right for them, and they learn all it's funny little habits and quirks, and I've seen some very competent batsmen absolutely go to pieces when using an unfamiliar bat.
Whilst I don't like paying above the odds for anything, I think a bat is such a personal thing, that when you find one that is right for you, that's the one you should be getting.

[Alfyy]

I think there are lots of bats out there that would be right for anyone. It is just the matter of finding it.

[aria]

sehwag and pathan doing very very well atm should really bat australia right out of this

realy like pathan as a night watchman

edit another dropped catch australia certainly arent the feildin team they used to be

[sadtaste]

Argh, Hussey just dropped a Sehwag shot.

[Alfyy]

Hussey drops one. Struggling.