What have we learnt from today? In no particular order, my tennis is dreadful, Mitchell Johnson can bat better than we'd probably like him to, no-one should argue with Pat when it's past the yard-arm, and I am the AGB's optimist nut and purrveyor of the Oxford comma. Brilliant. Gentlemen, take a bow - it's this sort of bizarre, rambling bollocks that makes this blog what it is, and why I love it so much.
Re: Johnson, what happens if he gets a ton tomorrow? It was Mark Nicholas who suggested earlier that Australia could do more from him with the bat. If he can show himself to be a genuine option with the willow as well as a wicket-taker he could cement his place, which increases the chances of hearing "The Mitchell Johnson Song" ringing out from an Ashes venue near you in 2013. It doesn't bear thinking about. At least he has five more matches to bowl himself out of form!
The other potential headache we have with an in-form Mitchell Johnson is that he's a left-armer. If we have Pattinson, Starc and Johnson all taking wickets, do we pick them all? You wouldn't ask that question about three right-armers - should you ask it about left-armers?
Oh. Crap. I've got that wrong, haven't I? He's one of those weirdos that bowls right-arm and bats left-handed. Is there another left-armer in the Australian set-up somewhere, or have I just gone mad? And the question remains - do you pick left-armers like spinners, or do you just go for whoever is taking wickets?
Calvin, eh? Yeah, I remember him. Slashing middle order bat for Sussex and England, sent down tricky left arm orthodox when the mood took him. Had a famously long partnership with Jack Hobbes.
I seem to remember something about the resting policy involving young players. This is why Pattinson, Cummins and Starc are more subject to it. I think Adelaide was just an extreme example, given that Hilfenhaus and Siddle bowled themselves into the ground. This might well mean that we'll be stuck with MJ for awhile, but as mentioned previously, he's got five Tests to bowl himself out of form before the Ashes, so all is not lost.
As I have said before, rotation is wholistic. Young players can be rested if they enter the red zones, older players if they are showing signs of niggle, and there are combinations of both. But if players just keep performing (Warne, McGrath, Lillee) they will not be rested, no matter how much work they do. It is probably coincidental that the older players are less rested because they are the ones more likely to bowl tight lines and get wickets. It will be interesting to see what happens with Bird down the track. He has an economical action and a smooth run up; his action is nothing like as injury-likely as, say, Cummins.
I'm actually a fan of the rotation policy, and I think it makes sense. I'm not a sports scientist, but if the evidence is there that guys get injured more after heavy workloads, particularly when young, then we should listen to it. The fact that we are having so many problems with injuries would seem to support it - it's just bad luck that we've had a few guys go down during matches. As I've already said, it's fantastic that we have so many good young bowlers getting Test experience as well. It stops the problems we used to have before on the rare occasion when McGrath got injured - the 2005 Ashes was a classic example, when we were 1-0 in matches that he played in, and 0-2 in matches that he didn't.
Rotation in the lead up to the Ashes makes sense in order to have our best bowlers fully fit and in form. Once the Ashes start though, I'd doubt they'll be rotating anyone. Except for injury.
I think one of the biggest problems we have with it is that we might end up not knowing who our best side is. The other thing is that it's all well and good when we're winning, but if we fall behind in a series it might come back to bite us. Re: the Ashes, I'd like to think that we'll treat that series like we would anything else and keep doing it regardless. I don't like the fact that we've become so Ashes-focussed - our criticism of England not so long ago was that it was the only series they cared about, whereas we gave every series the same amount of focus and preperation, and I don't see any reason to stop doing that now.
Oh God - Don, no. Heineken? It's the Dutch VB. There are so many better Australian beers now. I was really impressed last time I was there how much things had improved locally.
Good lord - ninepins. Bird was getting movement from his first ball - he does look very good it has to be said.
Ratebeer reviewer says: "Not what I was expecting, has a bit more to offer than other beers at this price point. Having said that, the edge of diacetyl stands out like dogs bollocks, big fault by the brewers there! "
Not sure I want dog's bollocks with my beer. I drink it to escape that sort of thing.
I avoid it at all costs. There are about a million better beers in Holland that are available everywhere. Most of them aren't Dutch - the best ones are Belgian or German.
They do wear clogs with socks. They only really wear them in the countryside, though.
This really will be done by lunchtime if someone doesn't put their head down!
Is Starc even going to get a run in the next Test? It would be horrible to drop/rest Siddle, particularly given that he hasn't had to do much this match, and fatigue can't be cited as a reason.
I think Mark Taylor is right about the latest edition of Studsy. He hasn't bowled the tripe of previous years in the two Tests that he's played this season. He's been expensive at times, like he was on the first day, but it wasn't because he was bowling village rubbish. It's funny, because he definitely was in the two one-dayers he played in England earlier in the year.
Studsy has spoken about state cricket and how there is no media attention. Everything he has said along those lines sounds to me like he'd be perfectly happy just playing domestic cricket, far happier than playing for Aus. It would make me happy if he mainly played domestic cricket too.
Guess there's not much chance of Bird going to England as he'll e depending on fitness issues with other bowlers. A shame though as it looks like he's got good control.
Johnson doesn't exactly steam in, does he? You can see why someone suggested that he should shorten his run-up, there doesn't seem much point to it being that long. He's clearly a better bowler with it longer, though.
.... As he smashes Sanga on the glove. Has there been a bowler who has broken as many fingers as Johnson?
I remember that story Tone, from one of those anthologies of "humorous" anecdotes that were published in their droves in the late 80's, that the D Generation parodied so well in the Late Show once. I think it was one of Chappelli's offerings. I bought them all when I was about ten - I got a bunch of them once for Christmas. Think I've still got one "by" Merv in a book case somewhere.
The funny thing about Johnson and breaking fingers is that it's not as though he's absolutely lightning. Is it not too much to hope for with modern equipment that a blow from a fast, fast-medium bowler won't break bones?
We could probably get Bangladesh in for the last two and a half days.
Pretty ordinary from the Lankies, although losing Sanga hurts, they were still terrible with the bat and in the field. Decent performance from Australia, even if the batting threw it away, and the bowlers were largely gifted wickets.
I have just mowed the lawn and now am enjoying a beer!!
I think we can play Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe on separate days of the Sydanee test. Everyone would expect it to only go SRI days so no worries.
Siddle - bedrock of the attack, stands up when all others fall away, tireless worker and has a knack of getting wickets from nothing
Starc - our best left armer, late swing is invaluable, capable of inswinging yorkers that can unseat set batsmen and knock over the tail
Bird - looks ready-made with all the toys, hope his body lasts but he's done his apprenticeship and deserves a spot
Hilf - should be an England specialist, though that has been said before about bowlers who fail in Blighty... can go missing for entire series
Pattinson - enormous potential but yet to be seen whether his body can hold up, maybe a rotation from the edge of the squad
Cummins - see above
Johnson - will get carted on the slow pitches of England, as his only weapon under current technique is surprise pace and bounce
Copeland - where is he at?
Hastings - nuh
Sorry, Tawney, not Twaney. Got a bit of my Mum's weak bix there.
Posted by: M. Patard | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 07:08 PM
What have we learnt from today? In no particular order, my tennis is dreadful, Mitchell Johnson can bat better than we'd probably like him to, no-one should argue with Pat when it's past the yard-arm, and I am the AGB's optimist nut and purrveyor of the Oxford comma. Brilliant. Gentlemen, take a bow - it's this sort of bizarre, rambling bollocks that makes this blog what it is, and why I love it so much.
Re: Johnson, what happens if he gets a ton tomorrow? It was Mark Nicholas who suggested earlier that Australia could do more from him with the bat. If he can show himself to be a genuine option with the willow as well as a wicket-taker he could cement his place, which increases the chances of hearing "The Mitchell Johnson Song" ringing out from an Ashes venue near you in 2013. It doesn't bear thinking about. At least he has five more matches to bowl himself out of form!
Posted by: Carrot the optimist nut | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 07:51 PM
We all know Johnson can bat and bowl (and field, the bastard!) like a dream, it's just that he rarely does.
If he comes to England, I'll be hard to put not to barrack for the Poms.
Posted by: lou | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 08:30 PM
The other potential headache we have with an in-form Mitchell Johnson is that he's a left-armer. If we have Pattinson, Starc and Johnson all taking wickets, do we pick them all? You wouldn't ask that question about three right-armers - should you ask it about left-armers?
Posted by: Carrot the optimist nut | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 09:02 PM
Is Pattinson a left armer?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 09:03 PM
Oh. Crap. I've got that wrong, haven't I? He's one of those weirdos that bowls right-arm and bats left-handed. Is there another left-armer in the Australian set-up somewhere, or have I just gone mad? And the question remains - do you pick left-armers like spinners, or do you just go for whoever is taking wickets?
Posted by: Carrot the optimist nut | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 09:34 PM
Sam Gannon.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 09:46 PM
Second that, but add TBO slightly better than MGGGGain, with rider that it was not easy to focus on the wahless when sanding and painting.
Posted by: @TKYC | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 09:59 PM
Read above as "totally worthless opinion and pointless comment"
Posted by: @TKYC | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 10:10 PM
Before bed, I was sent this and I gotta say, it's a totally awesome song. Makes me think about all sort of possibilities. Good album too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxq63cYIY1c&feature=youtu.be
Posted by: M. Patard | Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Calvin, eh? Yeah, I remember him. Slashing middle order bat for Sussex and England, sent down tricky left arm orthodox when the mood took him. Had a famously long partnership with Jack Hobbes.
Posted by: m0nty | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:09 AM
Also don't worry lads, according to recent tradition, the best bowler gets rested for the next Test. Studsy, cool your heels for Sydney son.
Posted by: m0nty | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:11 AM
One for you m0nt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTw2YvutJRA
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:41 AM
I seem to remember something about the resting policy involving young players. This is why Pattinson, Cummins and Starc are more subject to it. I think Adelaide was just an extreme example, given that Hilfenhaus and Siddle bowled themselves into the ground. This might well mean that we'll be stuck with MJ for awhile, but as mentioned previously, he's got five Tests to bowl himself out of form before the Ashes, so all is not lost.
Posted by: Carrot the optimist nut | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Cummins hasn't been rested yet. Not sure Pattinson has been either. They both break down before they can be 'gutted' all over social networks.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 08:52 AM
Gutted? Please. "Absolutely shattered."
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 10:52 AM
Fuck off, Lyon. Thanks for giving your wicket away, like the other chumps up the order.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 10:56 AM
As I have said before, rotation is wholistic. Young players can be rested if they enter the red zones, older players if they are showing signs of niggle, and there are combinations of both. But if players just keep performing (Warne, McGrath, Lillee) they will not be rested, no matter how much work they do. It is probably coincidental that the older players are less rested because they are the ones more likely to bowl tight lines and get wickets. It will be interesting to see what happens with Bird down the track. He has an economical action and a smooth run up; his action is nothing like as injury-likely as, say, Cummins.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Mitchell Johnson just removed Lyon Nathan from his Christmas card list. Or he un-liked him on Facebook.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Geez, bad luck Johnson. That was great to watch.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Good signs. Bird looks as bad with the bat as Glenn McGrath.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:17 AM
Wonder why Johnson sprinted off the ground. Probably bolted into the sheds to give Lyon a left right combination.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Good signs. Bird looks as bad with the bat as Glenn McGrath.
He also looks as gutted as McGrath did when he got out.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I'm actually a fan of the rotation policy, and I think it makes sense. I'm not a sports scientist, but if the evidence is there that guys get injured more after heavy workloads, particularly when young, then we should listen to it. The fact that we are having so many problems with injuries would seem to support it - it's just bad luck that we've had a few guys go down during matches. As I've already said, it's fantastic that we have so many good young bowlers getting Test experience as well. It stops the problems we used to have before on the rare occasion when McGrath got injured - the 2005 Ashes was a classic example, when we were 1-0 in matches that he played in, and 0-2 in matches that he didn't.
Posted by: Carrot the optimist nut | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:20 AM
"I'm actually a fan of the rotation policy, and I think it makes sense." Agree.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Rotation in the lead up to the Ashes makes sense in order to have our best bowlers fully fit and in form. Once the Ashes start though, I'd doubt they'll be rotating anyone. Except for injury.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:25 AM
good to see the nounsense of yesterday is gone.
Good runnning, reminds me of Darling and Wood
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Terrible run out. A run out of Phil Hughes proportions.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:27 AM
The better Mitchell Johnson plays, the closer he is to playing in England. Be very afraid.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Seems to me Perth is more likely to be a harbinger (as opposed to a hamburger) of England.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:29 AM
Looks like they cannot sri the ball
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:32 AM
Bloody hell, I wasn't expecting this. 2/1. Better make a quick dash to the shops and get another case of beer. This could be all over by lunch.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:32 AM
I think one of the biggest problems we have with it is that we might end up not knowing who our best side is. The other thing is that it's all well and good when we're winning, but if we fall behind in a series it might come back to bite us. Re: the Ashes, I'd like to think that we'll treat that series like we would anything else and keep doing it regardless. I don't like the fact that we've become so Ashes-focussed - our criticism of England not so long ago was that it was the only series they cared about, whereas we gave every series the same amount of focus and preperation, and I don't see any reason to stop doing that now.
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:34 AM
speaking of beer I am usally a Heineken man but I found a kiwi beer called Carter and sells for $30.
I'm laughing
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:34 AM
A three day Test will put pressure on CrookAussie's "innovative pricing strategies".
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:35 AM
wow Sri for Sri
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:38 AM
Oh God - Don, no. Heineken? It's the Dutch VB. There are so many better Australian beers now. I was really impressed last time I was there how much things had improved locally.
Good lord - ninepins. Bird was getting movement from his first ball - he does look very good it has to be said.
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:38 AM
That Bird is looking awful good. Ashes bound.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:38 AM
My youngest has got me taking him to the nets.
By the time I get back it will be all over.
does Heineken give you dutch courage?
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Where did you get it for $30 Don?
Ratebeer reviewer says: "Not what I was expecting, has a bit more to offer than other beers at this price point. Having said that, the edge of diacetyl stands out like dogs bollocks, big fault by the brewers there! "
Not sure I want dog's bollocks with my beer. I drink it to escape that sort of thing.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:40 AM
3 for 3. Nice looking numbers .
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:41 AM
I avoid it at all costs. There are about a million better beers in Holland that are available everywhere. Most of them aren't Dutch - the best ones are Belgian or German.
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:41 AM
Heineken give you Dutch ovens.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Aldi now sells alcohol. You can get cheap French and German wines, as well as good German beers.
I'd prefer Pommie beer though, very bitter. Which is good.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Heineken is like Fosters - everyone thinks the Dutch drink it, but the Dutch would not use it to clean their socks.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:44 AM
Does one wear socks with clogs?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:45 AM
3/10. This partnership is building into a problem. Hard Core needs to do something soon, otherwise this could be a long 10 minutes.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Bring on Wade.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Does one wear socks with clogs?
We know you would, regardless of tradition, or taste. We've seen the photos.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Shhhh!
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:48 AM
And anyway, they were sandals.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:48 AM
Apparently one does wear socks with clogs: http://www.chictopia.com/clogs-socks-qq/clogs-6921/trend/clothes-socks
You should submit your stylish photos, Tones.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Bird bursts through the partnership. 4/13.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:55 AM
They do wear clogs with socks. They only really wear them in the countryside, though.
This really will be done by lunchtime if someone doesn't put their head down!
Is Starc even going to get a run in the next Test? It would be horrible to drop/rest Siddle, particularly given that he hasn't had to do much this match, and fatigue can't be cited as a reason.
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:57 AM
"You should submit your stylish photos, Tones." What photos? WHAT photos? THERE ARE NO PHOTOS. Of me in socks and sandals. Not even ONE. Not ONE.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 11:59 AM
NOT ONE.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Nigel Lllllllong performed a rare feat in recent umpiring - he gave it out when the batsman was plumb.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Ha, we have the negatives.
Asio has them on file to turn you at their leisure as the Melbournian Candidate.
They've also got pics of Cambros with his Ranga Affro.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:05 PM
Has it been good bowling or shit batting, or a combination of both?
The Srees look like they're playing in clogs.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:07 PM
Proper bowling. Nothing spectacular, just tight lines and good areas. Plus, run outs always put cats among the lemmings.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:18 PM
I think Mark Taylor is right about the latest edition of Studsy. He hasn't bowled the tripe of previous years in the two Tests that he's played this season. He's been expensive at times, like he was on the first day, but it wasn't because he was bowling village rubbish. It's funny, because he definitely was in the two one-dayers he played in England earlier in the year.
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:31 PM
I will reserve judgement of Studsy until he bowls on a less bouncy wicket against proper batsmen.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:36 PM
Studsy: better than a village cricketer. Well sign him up for Old Blighty then!
Summer of Kidding Ourselves II.
Posted by: m0nty | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:45 PM
The Indian summer against South Africa was a reality check. The summer proper against Sri Lanka is most definitely the Summer of Kidding Ourselves II.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:53 PM
The Epping Cellars near the Railway line. Anglican church nearby. ( high church variety as opposed to most that are calvinist!)
you blokes drink what you want.
I still prefer Heineken.
how come they aren't all out yet?
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:02 PM
Studsy has spoken about state cricket and how there is no media attention. Everything he has said along those lines sounds to me like he'd be perfectly happy just playing domestic cricket, far happier than playing for Aus. It would make me happy if he mainly played domestic cricket too.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:12 PM
Paper Cut puts down a borderline sitter for a competent gully like Hussey.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:18 PM
Watson isn't that great in the cordon. Never has been. He isn't agile enough to take screamers and I suspect he has problems with concentration.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:20 PM
Guess there's not much chance of Bird going to England as he'll e depending on fitness issues with other bowlers. A shame though as it looks like he's got good control.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Johnson doesn't exactly steam in, does he? You can see why someone suggested that he should shorten his run-up, there doesn't seem much point to it being that long. He's clearly a better bowler with it longer, though.
.... As he smashes Sanga on the glove. Has there been a bowler who has broken as many fingers as Johnson?
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:28 PM
He looks better with a longer run-up. I'm not sure if he actually is better, but at least he isn't lumbering in like Igor dragging a leg.
Actually I quite liked his shortened run-up now I think of it.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:32 PM
No way - not another one, surely?
I can imagine the conversation that he might have had with Siddle straight afterwards. *Snigger*. "Hurts, don't it mate?"
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:40 PM
"I am going now."
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:43 PM
you do not attempt to hook a ball form outside the off stump that is going to slip!
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:44 PM
Mathews bowled pulling. The pull and hook have been deadly in this Test.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:45 PM
Angelo Matthews is better than he is showing.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:46 PM
Sri Lanka are in the same place India were this time last year - on a beach somewhere.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:50 PM
I remember that story Tone, from one of those anthologies of "humorous" anecdotes that were published in their droves in the late 80's, that the D Generation parodied so well in the Late Show once. I think it was one of Chappelli's offerings. I bought them all when I was about ten - I got a bunch of them once for Christmas. Think I've still got one "by" Merv in a book case somewhere.
The funny thing about Johnson and breaking fingers is that it's not as though he's absolutely lightning. Is it not too much to hope for with modern equipment that a blow from a fast, fast-medium bowler won't break bones?
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:53 PM
Mendis denies he said "I am going now." Well, he would say that.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 01:55 PM
Got to feel for the Shrees, they have lost three players in one match. I thought Aussie injuries were bad news.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:01 PM
gee that looked like Lyons was giving a send off. hmmmm
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:08 PM
Seven out, all out.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:13 PM
Can we get Bangladesh in for the last test?
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:15 PM
The Australian National Selection Panel Group Unit will rotate out days four and five fror the Boxing Day Test.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:15 PM
Right. We're onto the player interviews, time to change the station....
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:16 PM
Wtf? step away for a bit and it's all over.
A truly pathetic effort from the Sri Lankans.
Posted by: M. Patard | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:17 PM
We could probably get Bangladesh in for the last two and a half days.
Pretty ordinary from the Lankies, although losing Sanga hurts, they were still terrible with the bat and in the field. Decent performance from Australia, even if the batting threw it away, and the bowlers were largely gifted wickets.
Posted by: Russ | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Siddle drivel. Even with the pies, Koo is the only bowler this summer who looks like running through a batting line-up.
What about Dermie?
Posted by: Big Ramifications | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:20 PM
Who's Dermie?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:29 PM
I mean, what's he (if he's Dermot) got to do with the cricket?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:30 PM
Big Rammer, three quarter time 1988 Essendon vs. Hawthorn just rang, and they want their analogy back.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:31 PM
Thanks Big Rammer.
Posted by: Big Ramifications | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:32 PM
You mean this: "You'd look to take somebody out, and wilfully take them out, within the rules"?
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:33 PM
I'm not sure which part of "run through a batting line-up" and "run thru the Essendon huddle" Mr Tea doesn't get.
Maybe you should spell it out for him, Big Rammer?
[ps: my wife thinks you're the funniest guy]
Posted by: Andrew Demetriou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:36 PM
Ohh, right. Bit gnomish for me.
Posted by: Tony Tea | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:45 PM
That made me laff out loud. I'm guessing you meant Big Rammer = The Gnome.
In terms of dribbling sh!t. "GET TO THE POINT, WILLYA!!!"
Posted by: Big Ramifications | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 02:57 PM
Have to drop the MoTM for next match. They need the line and length guys to play around one wild leftie. Only one.
Koo will be absolutely gutterated if he isn't allowed to play again and have another go at the Shree tail.
Or what's left of it after this match.
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 03:00 PM
I have just mowed the lawn and now am enjoying a beer!!
I think we can play Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe on separate days of the Sydanee test. Everyone would expect it to only go SRI days so no worries.
must be Clarke's time for rotation???
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 03:57 PM
My Ashes quick rankings:
Siddle - bedrock of the attack, stands up when all others fall away, tireless worker and has a knack of getting wickets from nothing
Starc - our best left armer, late swing is invaluable, capable of inswinging yorkers that can unseat set batsmen and knock over the tail
Bird - looks ready-made with all the toys, hope his body lasts but he's done his apprenticeship and deserves a spot
Hilf - should be an England specialist, though that has been said before about bowlers who fail in Blighty... can go missing for entire series
Pattinson - enormous potential but yet to be seen whether his body can hold up, maybe a rotation from the edge of the squad
Cummins - see above
Johnson - will get carted on the slow pitches of England, as his only weapon under current technique is surprise pace and bounce
Copeland - where is he at?
Hastings - nuh
Posted by: m0nty | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 07:46 PM
Sydney Test a dead rubber, just like their 2 BBL teams.
Expecting the same interest level from the public tho... core only
Posted by: @tkyc | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 08:04 PM