1st TEST: AUSTRALIA vs SRI LANKA, BELLERIVE OVAL (aka THE BOOT), FRI-TUE

[juzzo]

Geez clarke is aggressive.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Declaration???

Earlier than I would have thought. The weather forecast no doubt played a part.

 

[frankrizzo]

Very early declaration. Pro active.

As opposed to scoring at a run a ball like the last hour?

 

[Badesumofu]

Quality declaration. 450 is heaps, and there is a good chance we will lose more of this game to rain. We now have plenty of time to bowl them out twice, and if we do end up needing more runs, we can just head out and get them.

 

[Messenger]

Good call on the declaration.

 

[Shupe]

I would've thought they'd keep batting and let Wade get his ton. Maybe just bat for ages and try and bowl Sri Lanka out twice.

It's a team game. He was too far away from a tonne, I think.

 

[Bradesmaen]

I can't believe people are thinking this is pro-active.. its called a normal declaration. Honestly the Clarke circle jerk is getting boring.

 

[Badesumofu]

As opposed to scoring at a run a ball like the last hour?

Don't see why the two are opposed. Clearly the plan was to come out after the rain delay, score some quick runs and then declare. Good captaincy.

 

[Ducky Tie]

Will we see a return to first slip for Watson now? Or will Clarke stay at first and Watson to second? Ponting's slip fielding is going to be a huge loss.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Earlier than I would have thought. The weather forecast no doubt played a part.

Correct. We need 20 wickets and need to get stuck in ASAP.

 

[Forward Press]

Quality declaration. 450 is heaps, and there is a good chance we will lose more of this game to rain. We now have plenty of time to bowl them out twice, and if we do end up needing more runs, we can just head out and get them.

This was exactly my thinking. The weather isn't looking too flash.

I can't believe people are thinking this is pro-active.. its called a normal declaration. Honestly the Clarke circle jerk is getting boring.

*yawn*

 

[Noobz0r]

Can't believe Australia made it to a declaration on this s**t pitch, eh Rusty22?

 

[Shupe]

I can't believe people are thinking this is pro-active.. its called a normal declaration. Honestly the Clarke circle jerk is getting boring.

I don't think many would have declared yet, being the first innings. 450 isn't a massive score.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

Quality declaration. 450 is heaps, and there is a good chance we will lose more of this game to rain. We now have plenty of time to bowl them out twice, and if we do end up needing more runs, we can just head out and get them.

That second part only works if Aus bowl them out under 250 and force the follow-on.

I think that is a good chance though, as Starc and Siddle will both make more of the uneven bounce; Starc through his height and Siddle through being a "bang it into the wicket" type bowler.

 

[Gohan]

Will be surprised if Sri Lanka make anymore than 200.

 

[Bradesmaen]

I don't think many would have declared yet, being the first innings. 450 isn't a massive score.

When I saw the rain at lunch, I was thinking 450 straight up. It isn't a massive score, but Sri Lanka are not a great side. There is also the potential to lose more time to rain in the next few days and while it is potentially overcast for the rest of the day, they can get early movement from the ball.

 

[Xtreme]

I like the way Clarke doesn't muck around with declarations and gets on with the game. It might backfire one day though, maybe even this test if Sri Lanka pile on a big score past 500.

As much as i would like to see that happen, they will struggle to get to 250, let alone 500

 

[Fitzey]

I don't think many would have declared yet, being the first innings. 450 isn't a massive score.

It is for Sri Lanka...

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Clarke's declaration seems to have caught the bowlers by surprise

 

[Bucking Beads]

Hilfy doesn't looked to have fixed his action much.

 

[roostersgal4eva]

I can't believe people are thinking this is pro-active.. its called a normal declaration. Honestly the Clarke circle jerk is getting boring.

We need years more of it to make up for the anti-Clarke dribble I've read on Bigfooty until he's forced them to shut up

 

[TassieEagle]

SL seem to be a lot better with bat than ball, I don't think them following-on is a shoe in at all. 250 not a massive score, even on this 'disgraceful' pitch.

 

[Noobz0r]

With all the rain that may occur, if Sri Lanka get to 500 there won't be enough time left to force a result IMO.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Geez, didn't realise the bloke opening isn't Sangakarra. He's a dead ringer with the stick.

 

[Xtreme]

We need years more of it to make up for the anti-Clarke dribble I've read on Bigfooty until he's forced them to shut up

He will need to cure cancer at this rate...