Test match at the WACA

[Andy Mac]

Those Sth Africans are off to an OK start, can they keep it going...
And is the Aussie middle order shakey?

[Gumby]

Is it shakey ?

Symonds, should never have been picked in the first place. Not up to it mentally and short on ability.

Hodge, not quite up to Test level. Won't last.

Hussey, good player, perservere with him.

Gilly, tired, needs a break. Asked to be let off the NZ tour and was told he had to go. Now the selectors will reap what they have sown.

Bracken, a good ordinary player at best.

Any more ?

[ptc]

Hayden ??

[Daddles]

Hayden ??

I wouldn't worry about Hayden. Opening is a position where you have to expect ducks, particularly on the first day - new pitch, new ball, fresh bowlers, facing the nastiest bowlers in the team, etc.

Symonds, I too wonder why he is lauded as he is, but perhaps I've been unlucky in the innings that I have watched.

The middle order - is it shaky or is Ntini very good? I'm putting my money on Ntini.

Richard

[Gumby]

Hayden ??

past his prime.

[outback]

past his prime.

Suitable replacement?


Symonds, send him back home.


Ntini, good, but not that good.


Otherwise, I think Mr plastercine has it about right.

[Daddles]

Ntini, good, but not that good.

That's probably fair enough, but he's young and strong. Be interesting to see how he develops ... as long as it's against the poms

Richard

[redwood]

"hayden" past his prime.

agree had an ordinary ashes in the first 4 tests - but followed up with 4 centuries and a 50 in 4 consecutive tests and 47 and 87 not out in the last test. and 1158 runs this calenar year at an average of over 50 with one innings remaining to play. now thats a player past his prime

[lesmeyer]

Was at the game from lunch time on Friday. Ntini did extract some lift out of the pitch, and our batsmen played some stupid shots to get out. As for Crusty the clown (Symonds), he and Ponting are big mates. Need I say more. When Crusty was a naughty boy staying out late in England, Ponting had to publicly rebuke him, else there would have been a player revolt. Away with Crusty.. and put Michael Clarke back in the side. He has a good future ahead of him.
Les

[outback]

I have a fair bit of time for Clarke. I think a little time to think about things will do him good. I reckon he'll make a great player, he just needs time to develop, remember some of our best were dropped for a while early in their career.

[Gumby]

but followed up with 4 centuries and a 50 in 4 consecutive tests

against sub-standard competition.

and put Michael Clarke back in the side. He has a good future ahead of him.
Les

He's been given more than enough opportunity. He needs a lot more than one or two good scores in my opinion.

One of he biggest problems in the Test team is that, once you're in, it's too damn hard to get out of !

[craigb]

. As for Crusty the clown (Symonds)

More like Sideshow Bob I reckon

[Grunt]

I'm glad Gumby isn't a selector. We'd have nothing but Victorians in the team.

[redwood]

against sub-standard competition.
!

any test player anywhere who in a year has 1158 runs at an average of over 50 is far past his prime. and remember the first ton was againsed the poms and in that series they were anything but substandard. ans as for clarke he will eventually take over from ponting as captain and the other clark stuart will be heir apparent to mcgrath

[Gumby]

and remember the first ton was againsed the poms

After his failures in all other tests that series meant that there was no pressure in the final test, apart from saving his own skin. It's when the chips are down and a class player is required that the really good players stand up. Not when it's all over.

I'm glad Gumby isn't a selector. We'd have nothing but Victorians in the team.

I'm sure I said Hodge wasn't up to it. He's a Vic.