4th Test - England v Australia

[LostDoggy]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

If they want to win the game instead of drawing it, its time for 5 quicks and dropping Hauritz who is not a wicket taker.
Clark and not Lee. Lee should not have even left Australia.

Thanks me

[Mantis]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

4/196 at stumps

Clarke 34*
North 7*

Ponting 78
Watson 51

In a commanding position, hopefully he can push the score to around 350 and a lead of over 250.

[GVGjr]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

4/196 at stumps

Clarke 34*
North 7*

Ponting 78
Watson 51

In a commanding position, hopefully he can push the score to around 350 and a lead of over 250.

A 250 plus run lead would set us up nicely.

It's good to see Watson get another score of over 50 but Hussey just can't cut a break.

[dog town]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

By my count the last 6 times we have played a spinner we have not won the game and we have lost 4 of them. Maybe that is telling us something.

[Topdog]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Siddle is bowling much better so far today. I am not sure who was in his ear earlier in the series but he had gone away from what made him so good. Good to see him settling on a consistent line and length then working off that today. Being aggressive towards the tail is fine but good batsmen will pick you off. I think they got into his head that he needed to be some sort of enforcer.

Personally think that Siddle struggled because of Johnson getting carted everywhere. He suddenly felt like he needed to do something to make up for it and ended up bowling like a maniac.

He will perform a lot better with either Johnson bowling well again or with Clark keeping it tight.

[mighty_west]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Personally think that Siddle struggled because of Johnson getting carted everywhere. He suddenly felt like he needed to do something to make up for it and ended up bowling like a maniac.

He will perform a lot better with either Johnson bowling well again or with Clark keeping it tight.

I was going to say the same thing myself, have a good experienced bowler down one end, keeping it on the spot 99% of the time, but also being dangerous as well, just creates pressure, Johnson should never have opened up with the new ball, and Siddle looks alot more dangerous with Clark down the other end.

Was interesting that Siddle opened up as well, but it payed off as he got the most important break through.

Hilfs first ball to Strauss was a ripper, pity that kiwi ump blinked at the wrong time, was clearly out, fortunatly he only made 3.

I laughed when big Merve was asked why Clark didn't play the fist few tests..."there wasn't a spot fr him, the pitches didn't suit his bowling"...WHAT CRAP!!.

Bopara, thats probably the worst shot to play for a number 3 batsman of all time...soft.

[comrade]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Bopara, thats probably the worst shot to play for a number 3 batsman of all time...soft.

He's played those sort of shots all series - absolute crab.

I'm not familiar with England's fringe players, but if he's the best they've got for the number 3 spot then they're in strife.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

More amateur hour stuff:

Team selection a testing time
Jamie Pandaram, Leeds
August 8, 2009

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/cricket/team-selection-a-testing-time/2009/08/07/1249350685927.html

DIVISION among Australian players over team selection may have to be addressed after a comical episode involving Brett Lee and Shane Watson.

Lee was clearly unimpressed with Watson's assertions in a media conference on Wednesday that Lee needed match fitness before he could be considered. Soon after, Lee fronted the media to declare his readiness for the match.

Lee also said he would not be able to understand selectors leaving him out of the side after he had proved his fitness by bowling at full pace for seven successive days.

With spots so keenly contested in the Ashes series, there is bound to be some unhappiness over selections, and captain Ricky Ponting conceded it might be an issue that needed to be dealt with.

''I know there's been a bit in the news about a couple of differing opinions between Shane Watson and Brett Lee,'' Ponting said.

''We will look after that, we will manage that, and we'll see what selectors come up with their final 11.

''If we have to get to the bottom of it then we will.''

It's not the only selection issue for Australia on this tour. It was embarrassed when Phillip Hughes' manager announced the opener's axing via Twitter before the team was released.

And Lee has not been the only unhappy bowler on tour, with Stuart Clark left out of the side for a befuddling period as Australia's pacemen failed to take the required 20 wickets in the past three Tests.

Prior to the start of the match yesterday, Clark expressed frustration at being overlooked for so long. ''I'm as keen as ever to play. Whether I get no wickets or 20 wickets, I just want to play. It's killing me just training and not playing,'' Clark told Cricinfo. ''I thought I was a real chance for the first Test.''

Clark said overcoming a serious elbow injury might have put doubts in the selectors' minds over his readiness, but he felt he had proved his fitness in the nets during the three tour matches.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Personally think that Siddle struggled because of Johnson getting carted everywhere. He suddenly felt like he needed to do something to make up for it and ended up bowling like a maniac.

He will perform a lot better with either Johnson bowling well again or with Clark keeping it tight.

Very good point.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Lee seems to think his place in the team is his God-given right.

[GVGjr]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

It's a shame that Clarke went out but a great 1st session for us today

[LostDoggy]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Lee seems to think his place in the team is his God-given right.

Watson too, but who can blame him, when he gets a game anytime he can put one foot in front of the other without pulling a hammy. Never saw such a golden boy given more chances than his performances have ever warranted.

Lee's a dipstick, but a bit rich for Watson to use the words 'prove his fitness' in any sentence he uses. He, of all people, should have no right to comment on anyone's physical condition.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Have we seen the end of Brett Lee now?

Let's say somehow we retain the Ashes - We beat SA in SA and retain the Ashes without him. He's approaching mid 30's and getting injuries. Is that the end, or perhaps wishful thinking considering the selection policy of picking Ricky's friends first?

[Remi Moses]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

Great response from the boys . Isn't wonderful not hearing that tedious Barmy Army waffle,Clark should have been there from the start. An incredibly baffling non-selection for the first 3.The englanders are copping a caning from Boycott on test Match Special.

[GVGjr]

Re: 4th Test - England v Australia

It's as good as over now with the series tied at 1 all.
After a North century, and a massive lead of 340 the Poms have collapsed again and are 5 for 82. Hillfy nabbing 2 wickets and Johnson 3. It shouldn't take long to wrap this up.