Ashes are done, now for the ODIs

[Windigo]

If England took all their chances it'd have been a much closer game.

I can see England getting a win in the next 3 games. But they'd have to make history in actually coming back to win the series.

[BB67th]

Just had a look at the Perth forecast, and it's going to be a hot one!

36 degrees is the forecast max with sunshine on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

[Bill Manspeaker]

ooooh them pasty Englishmen. gonna be good ;D

[Dudge]

Plus Anderson will be carrying a couple bruised ribs 8)

[The_Captain]

Plus Anderson will be carrying a couple bruised ribs 8)

Who got him dudge ??

[Bill Manspeaker]

Looks Nigey and I might be right after all  ::)

nope. another good call from Clarke. Johnson said he also felt like he needed that rest.

sorry to quote ya after the fact but I think it has to be said that it was the right call from Clarke after all

[Mailman the 2nd]

Looks Nigey and I might be right after all  ::)

nope. another good call from Clarke. Johnson said he also felt like he needed that rest.

sorry to quote ya after the fact but I think it has to be said that it was the right call from Clarke after all

You could also argue that, had Australia enforced the follow-on the game would've been finished midday yesterday and Johnson could've had his beauty sleep today.

Clarke was pretty lucky with the weather and the way Prior/the tail got themselves out

[Bill Manspeaker]

well dunno about pretty lucky for the weather... seeing as it was only forecasted to rain in the morning.

can't use the "got themselves out" because probably over half of the wickets this test are ones in which the batsman caused their own wicket. Australia's first innings there was really only a couple of good balls that got wickets. if that.

i'm sticking by our captain and saying it was the right decision.

[The_Captain]

well dunno about pretty lucky for the weather... seeing as it was only forecasted to rain in the morning.

can't use the "got themselves out" because probably over half of the wickets this test are ones in which the batsman caused their own wicket. Australia's first innings there was really only a couple of good balls that got wickets. if that.

i'm sticking by our captain and saying it was the right decision.

What was the right decision? We talking about rest for the game just been? Or are they talking of resting him for Perth?

[Torpedo10]

After all the England hype what has come of it? This series could be over before the Melbourne Test.  :P

[AFEV]

well dunno about pretty lucky for the weather... seeing as it was only forecasted to rain in the morning.

can't use the "got themselves out" because probably over half of the wickets this test are ones in which the batsman caused their own wicket. Australia's first innings there was really only a couple of good balls that got wickets. if that.

i'm sticking by our captain and saying it was the right decision.

What was the right decision? We talking about rest for the game just been? Or are they talking of resting him for Perth?

Cannot see Johnson being rested on the ground he has had the most success, and with his form.

[BB67th]

well dunno about pretty lucky for the weather... seeing as it was only forecasted to rain in the morning.

can't use the "got themselves out" because probably over half of the wickets this test are ones in which the batsman caused their own wicket. Australia's first innings there was really only a couple of good balls that got wickets. if that.

i'm sticking by our captain and saying it was the right decision.

What was the right decision? We talking about rest for the game just been? Or are they talking of resting him for Perth?

Cannot see Johnson being rested on the ground he has had the most success, and with his form.

No way will he be rested for Perth. It is traditionally the only ground he is good at. Watch him dominate.

[henry]

well dunno about pretty lucky for the weather... seeing as it was only forecasted to rain in the morning.

can't use the "got themselves out" because probably over half of the wickets this test are ones in which the batsman caused their own wicket. Australia's first innings there was really only a couple of good balls that got wickets. if that.

i'm sticking by our captain and saying it was the right decision.

What was the right decision? We talking about rest for the game just been? Or are they talking of resting him for Perth?

Cannot see Johnson being rested on the ground he has had the most success, and with his form.

No way will he be rested for Perth. It is traditionally the only ground he is good at. Watch him dominate.

If the englishmen couldn't handle him on the most placid pitch for quicks in Adelaide, imagine the carnage on hte best pitch for quicks. He will be able to bowl quite a bit fuller and still get the same bounce. England all out for 50?  :P. Looking forward to it.


In all seriousness though, I have never been a fan of Steve Smith, as I have said here many times. Phil Hughes has been dominating the sheffield shield, with recent scores of 103, 67 and 204 as well as another unbeaten hundred today, with a couple of failures also, averaging well over 75 in that time. He should be in that number 5 spot in the aussie team, but the selectors won't want to change a winning lineup especially as smith got a wicket with a typically shocking balll. If he has another couple of failures though and hughes keeps piling on the runs surely the change has got to be made.

[JBs-Hawks]

Bailey goes before Smith does

[BB67th]

I think Smith has to make runs in Perth if he wants to keep his place in the team. Personally I would rather see Hughes in, he is in good form.

Remember that Hughes batted with Agar in the first test in the Winter down at 6 and made 81*. Then for the next test, for some random reason, he was put up to number 4, where he made 1 and 1 and was subsequently dropped. Selectors don't make sense to me.

And besides, it doesn't matter that Hughes has been dropped 3 or 4 times already, if he is the best available, then he deserve another chance. Justin Langer was dropped something like 6 times before he got his place and he played 100 matches.