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Yeah surprises me too - Maxwell's career record of runs to outs on the reverse sweep would be fairly good I suspect.

Disappointing captaincy by Smith (both with late declaration/lack of urgency with the batting this morning and a couple of the field settings this afternoon) - don't mind that, only test number 2 and he'll learn from this I would think. I hope to see a more aggressive approach when he takes on...

Perhaps. I think you need two specialist spinners for a tour of the UAE so Faulkner only comes into contention for the tour side if you're willing to travel across with just the 3 paceman + Faulkner. If you get an injury to a paceman and a pitch that doesn't warrant a 2nd spinner do you pick...

I suspect spin will be a significant feature and we're in a nice situation at the moment where two of the most in-form batsmen outside the test side are handy part-time spinners (North and Maxwell) as well as one of the leading wicket-takers in the Shield being a spinner (O'Keefe). So, for...

Personally I would bring in North for Rogers based not only on form but that I think we'll want at least a part-time 2nd spinning option in Adelaide. However wouldn't be unhappy with no change.

My two cents. Doherty is a very competent limited overs bowler who should, in normal circumstances, be nowhere near the test team. However this is not normal circumstances. We are going to be playing on turning decks and have a dearth of quality spinners at present. I just get the feeling that...

I think people too often erroneously equate crowd numbers with overall interest. I don't think I am alone in saying that I have been to a lot more Big Bash fixtures then test fixtures over the last few years and I make no apologies for that as it as a very entertaining format, 3 hours suits...

Actually after the initial anger at the Bailey decision I am pretty impressed with that squad - certainly gone for the form players. Probably a batsman heavy and a specialist bowler short and I would have liked to have seen either Starc or Nannes picked instead of Bailey. Otherwise pretty happy.

I would be happy with any option that drags Ian Healy out of the commentary box

Wouldn't know - I am not saying I necessarily agree with Ryan Campbell or that his opinion should be treated as gospel. More just disputing the point that it is a "Big Footy urban legend" that Hodge is/was not well liked.

I dunno if it is - I definitely remember a radio interview with a former local cricketer over here (Ryan Campbell I think) who suggested that as unfair as it may seem touring in close confines with a guy like Brad Hodge can be quite disruptive to team harmony and morale.

Agreed! Very disappointed at the boos

Out: Ponting In: Khawaja. Ponting is in such poor form anyway and I can't see that being in discomfort/wary of a knock is going to assist. Rest the finger and get right for Sydney I think. Out: Siddle In: Hauritz. Unlucky to Siddle but need a specialist spinner I think for Melbourne and...

What are you talking about? Every weather forecast I have seen for Melbourne has it fine for all 5 days - http://weather-climate.com/mel.html

Bollinger for Johnson the only change for me (although would also have a close look at Harris). North probably should be dropped but with Smith, Kwahaja, White and Ferguson all failing in the shield this weekend I think they would be reluctant to bring any of them in. On form the selectors...

Well done Marcus. I think we would all agree that he was a bit lucky to retain his spot but glad to see him return to some form. As others have noted, he is very capable of getting the big score (5 tons in 19 tests is exceptional) but needs to contribute more in games where he is not scoring...

Probably not next in line - but he should be, form over a 2 year period (which is easily long enough) is a long way ahead of any other batter not in the test team. I suspect Smith and White are next in line (don't think the selectors see Marsh as a test prospect). I don't see 29 or 30 as a...

That's simply not true. I played at Willetton in the next age bracket up from Shaun and won the batting average a couple of times for my team with a very ordinary average generally in the 20's (we were a poor side). I remember being particularly embarrassed at the presentation nights because...

Re: 2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan @ Sydney (Sun-Thu) [Tea Day 4-Now] Ponting's captaincy was phenomenal today. Would have been very easy to take Hauritz off when he was leaking runs, his field placings all day were superb etc. Just simply wonderful test - well done Australia...

Agree Smith has great potential but comparing him to Warne on the basis of both having poor Sheffield Shield statistics but great potential is not quite right. Warne only played a couple of games for Victoria prior to getting selected. It was for the Australia "B" and "Australian XI" sides...

I wouldn't be making wholesale changes. The only really out of form players are Ponting and North. Ponting is obviously safe and given North's impressive South Africa/England form he may get another chance. If North is to go though I would like to see Klinger get a game - has been in...

Well 1 proud Queenslander and 1 new Sandgroper ;) I do agree though - Watson, Haddin and White are all capable of big scores and with Hussey in fine form I wouldn't be writing us off quite yet.