Ashes are done, now for the ODIs

[Tominator]

Panesar's ball that bowled Clarke was an absolute beauty. Not much at all that Clarke could have done about it

[Mailman the 2nd]

Michael Clarke also got bowled by Monty Panesar, does that make him a bad batter?

That was a good delivery

Smith tried to defend a ball with a slanted bat when it wasn't spinning and he didn't move his feet at all

[PowerBug]

The ball that got Smith out straightened, so yes it did spin. It was early in his innings, everyone is nervous/not playing 100% then.

[Grazz]

2-0   ;D

[Jay]

The ball that got Smith out straightened, so yes it did spin. It was early in his innings, everyone is nervous/not playing 100% then.

Oh so just because it spun, it doesnt matter that he was clean bowled? ::)

[Vinny]

2-0   ;D

Yep! Thats all I care about ;D

[me]

dunno how u calculated the average but it's actually 38... anyway, you take the 89 and 138* made on flat decks when we were making massive totals anyway and it looks pretty bad

and in the first 2 tests here it's pretty ugly as well

funnily enough i reckon his best contribution was actually those 3 wickets he took late day 1 at lords... he put us in a great position but that's forgotten because we folded for nothing on a great batting wicket

My bad, it is 38.... I thought he had 2 not outs.

You can't just take out 89 and 138* that's the stupidest reasoning ever.

We scored big because Smith played well. Of our top 7 only 2 made it past 30. Steve Smith's 138* was one of them. If he was out for a duck we would've been bowled out cheap.

You can't just say "well it was a flat deck the fact he scored is irrelevant"

You still have to score on a flat deck. Look at England, that pitch was flat as flat gets, they didn't score.

yeah know what you're saying BUT my point was if u take those 2 scores out, he's contributed absolutely nothing with the bat at all as it's purely those 2 scores which keep his average above 15 or whatever it would be lol (last 7 tests)... and going forward that's not what you want from your number 5 batsman

2 tests into this series, and he really hasn't done anything, so he should quite rightly be coming under pressure... but obviously won't be dropped while we're still winning

[Nails]

He also scored another half century... that's contributing.

We were 4/53 and along with Hughes he helped save the innings. Also Agar helped save that innings

[Mailman the 2nd]

Ugh i hate the "we're winning its ok" mentality. Complacency breeds mediocrity.

He has contributed nothing this series. If Australia were losing, he'd be first out the door.

We need an anchor at 6 like Ian Bell, not a 20/20 slogger with his bat held sideways

[Ringo]

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.

Agree BB not sure whether old enough to remember but Matt Hayden was also dropped a number of times before cementing his place as well so always pick the best players available and in form if seeking replacements.

[Mailman the 2nd]

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.

Agree BB not sure whether old enough to remember but Matt Hayden was also dropped a number of times before cementing his place as well so always pick the best players available and in form if seeking replacements.

Our beloved captain Michael Clarke as well

[Bill Manspeaker]

i'm pretty sure Ricky Ponting was dropped a few times aswell

[henry]

I rate Bailey higher than smith. However, although he made a 50 was not a fan of that innings he played, maybe I am a bit old fashioned in terms of cricket lol but those 3 sixes he hit he wouldn't get away with on a lot of other wickets, would like to see him knuckle down and play a good long innings in perth before I am completely sold on him, would still rather him over smith though.

[Cicjose]

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.

Agree BB not sure whether old enough to remember but Matt Hayden was also dropped a number of times before cementing his place as well so always pick the best players available and in form if seeking replacements.

except the best players available are not being picked

[Jay]

except the best players available are not being picked

But it seems to be working out alright for us at the moment doesnt it ::)