Collapse! now thats interesting
@MarkHodgetts (169)
Australia
January 17, 2008 2:52am CST
Great days cricket As i type Australia are 9/212. With the exception of Gilchrist and Symonds the Australians rolled over and surrendered easily. Great to see. They're more than 100 behind and India are in the driving seat. Champions come back from here. I don't think that this Australian team is good enough
3 responses
@ozwombat (56)
• Australia
17 Jan 08
I cant believe instead of celebrating teams greatness and wanting them to succeed wanting to rip apart and have a team fail its something in Australian culture that never ceases to amaze me.
Re the comments about Glen Mcgrath you only need to see the stats of Brett Lee and co since to see that they have stood up to the plate this test shows that they are human as for Michael Clarke getting a game is because he deserves his spot in the side just as all the 12 players do as they at any given time baring injuries are the best players available to represent our country.
I hope they obtain the record as its an incredible feta both at home and abroad to win so many in a row however if the Indian Team win will celebrate that as a result of a team who was better than us in that particular match.
When the West Indian team was dominant smashing us within 3 days and when we were close to the bottom of the rankings no other country gave us quarter nor was any asked for which in my opinion is the way it should be.
I thought Adam Gilchrist innings was yet another example of him saving a game for us if not potentially giving us a chance to win this game.
I am looking forward to the next three days play with great anticipation as cricket is teh winner so far which is as it should be :)
@MarkHodgetts (169)
• Australia
18 Jan 08
I agree that Lee has stepped up to the plate, and I'm not into picking apart this team. This team is not as good as what it once was. That's life . I stand by my comments in relation to Michael Clarke particularly - I believe that Hodge, is a better batsman, but then Clarke comes from NSW so he gets picked and the mnext three days play will be interesting. many people in Australia want to see a contest including me, now, at last, there is one and I'm enjoying it. Its all well and good beating a team when they've been in the country for 5 minutes. Now its even steven and that's good
@MarkHodgetts (169)
• Australia
21 Jan 08
Yes - he batted well and I was waiting for you to remind me - but one swallow does not make a summer, I reserve my judgement
@vikimishra (628)
• New Zealand
17 Jan 08
They are all out now ..and indian has taken lead of 170 runs now ..if they can play for another one and half day and take aled of about 500 runs then we have good chance of winning ..i strongly feel india is going to win cheers
@chileman (967)
• Australia
18 Jan 08
Lol, did I just read strong ego's, yeah Australia are cocky and very proud of their record but to say only Aussie players have big ego's.......I suggest you look at India, Sth Africa, actually every international cricket team or sporting team in the world, if a team is successful or an individual is successful in any sport, they will have an ego and rightly so, there are thousands out there trying to better them!
By the way Ozwombat, well said amigo! :)
@MarkHodgetts (169)
• Australia
17 Jan 08
Yes I believe that INdia will win this match and there are many Australians hoping that they do. It's time some big egos were brought back to size and there is strong affection for the Indian team, particularly Tendulka and Laxman
@MarkHodgetts (169)
• Australia
17 Jan 08
NO, you're right - you never can write them off, but this is not the same team that we're used to. The Australian bowling attack was exposed by the Indians swing bowling and it's a fact Australian batsmen are not capable against a ball that swings. We miss Langer and in this match we miss Hayden as well and why Michael Clarke gets a game I don't know.
If we had McGrath and Warne to bowl us back in to the match we would have a show, but their history and so are we in this game and THATS GOOD FOR CRICKET
@ozwombat (56)
• Australia
20 Jan 08
Michael Clarkes statistics now stand at 32 Test Matches
49 Innings, 1926 runs with a highest score of 151 not too shabby an innings either with an avearge of atick under 45 at 44.79.
This is just his batting alone which considering he is a lower middle order batsman dont think there would be too many countries who would wish and dream to have a player of his calibre playing for their side.
His batting in the second innings was as good an innings as any that was played considering on this pitch no batsmen scored a century and at no stage could any batsman declare they were entirely in.
Not to mention his match winning feats with the ball in the second test and he now has 11 test wickets at an average of 20.27 and an economy rate of 2.88 runs an over.
I guess he is in the side because quite clearly he has earnt and kept his spot by his performances.
There will be time players fail just like Greg Chappell did when he got 7 ducks in a row however if I was selecting a cricket side of all the players world wide pup would certainly be seriously considered.
