Man of the Series

[Tazwegian]

I am surprised Clarke is winning this. Outstanding series, but he is the least of those four for mine. It is player of the SERIES, not player of two (possibly three) innings. Again though, I would not begrudge him the award. All of them would be worthy winners.

 

[Underarm]

Say what now?

We were already 1 match up and had just rolled them for under 200 - it's not as though India had all the momentum in the series

The performance which perhaps changed the course of the series would be Siddle's spell at the end of Day 2 at the MCG. Absolutely rattling Dravid and then getting Tendulkar when India were well in the hunt after a sub-standard effort with the bat by our mob.

Rubbish. we won the first by only 100 runs, India entered the last day with a sniff of victory. a Further collapse from 3/27 could have had us all out for way less than their 1st innings score, and it could have easily been 1-1 heading to Perth. Ever since Clarke's Innings, and that partnership with Ponting, Australia havent looked like losing.

Agree here. They were favourites and by a bit at that stage, then Siddle struck and we all know what happened after that.

but it wasnt the be all and end all of the series. At the end of day 3, India were looking at chasing 240 for victory, a highly gettable total at that point.

Also, I don't think it was the triple hundred that changed the series. It was Clarke and Ponting's partnership IMO, by the end of that, we were set. So Ponting had a huge role to play as well at that point. Clarke's runs just put it beyond doubt.

Disagree also. Clarke was the leader of that fightback, moreso than Ponting. Ponting struggled initially in that innings, and had many nervy patches in the 90's. Clarke just breezed through it, and then really turned the knife when Ponting went out.

 

[Kong]

Clarke'll get it, but I think Hilf has been our best.

 

[TheGhostOfJohnBelushi]

Clarke for mine. Hilfy has been very consistent though.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Rubbish. we won the first by only 100 runs, India entered the last day with a sniff of victory. a Further collapse from 3/27 could have had us all out for way less than their 1st innings score, and it could have easily been 1-1 heading to Perth. Ever since Clarke's Innings, and that partnership with Ponting, Australia havent looked like losing.

So we had won yeah? And the reason we had won was the dominance of our bowlers. The same bowlers who had already dominated again in the 1st innings of the 2nd test.

So even though two other blokes got centuries, you are guaranteeing a collapse.

I don't see how one innings can change the "face of a series" when that series was already in Australia's favour. It was a sensational innings paired with two other batsmen who also played very well.

I could say that about Laxman in '01, or Botham in the 80's - not in a series where you are already in front.

 

[The King!]

Ponting might get another ton here then it will be interesting.

Id go ponting and clarke to share, I felt together they have given inida nightmares, clarkes captaincy has been excellent which boosts his score.

Hilfy would be a good choice though, id have him slightly ahead of siddle.

 

[Spiritof82]

Ponting easily as he's been the best and most consistent batsman under pressure, after that its a bit of a gap to Hussey and Warner on the batting side.
Overall, Siddle would come in second with Hilfenhaus close in third.

 

[Tiff]

It's gotta be Clarke.

 

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

Clarke, and easily.

329* and 210. Who knows, he might add another ton today?

It's a wrap.

626 runs at 125.20 with 2 100s and 0 50s
544 runs at 108.80 with 2 100s and 3 50s

Ponting didn't make as many runs, but I think his consistency makes up for it enough to make a strong case. I doubt we would've won in Melbourne without his twin 60s. I'd give it to Hilfenhaus or Siddle regardless as batsman tend to dominate these awards a little too much.

 

[Simple Jack]

I'd give it to one of the bowlers.

Both Punter and Clarke had some pretty nasty failures especially in the collapse at Perth, but Hilfy and Siddle have been good performers every single innings.

I'd give it to Siddle because I think he's come in and taken the important wickets when we really needed them, but wouldn't be against Hilfy either.

 

[mattymac]

clarkey for his runs but also some fantastic captaincy. hilfy a close second

 

[Drummond]

I'd give it to one of the bowlers.

Both Punter and Clarke had some pretty nasty failures especially in the collapse at Perth, but Hilfy and Siddle have been good performers every single innings.

I'd give it to Siddle because I think he's come in and taken the important wickets when we really needed them, but wouldn't be against Hilfy either.

That was Ponting's only score below 60.

 

[ptrg]

That was Ponting's only score below 60.

LOL!
I love it when people play their own fictional matches in their heads, and then post about them!

 

[King Elvis]

Ponting or Hilf.

 

[Baby_Jenks]

Eh?? No love for the curators?


Bowlers win you series'. If you can bat and bat and bat then you end up with draws, but if you can stop the other side from doing that and have an averaging batting side you end up with series wins. Given we've had a good batting side, we ended up with a white wash (or soon to be).

For me I'd have Siddle and Hilf as the clear leaders, with Siddle ahead by a nose. The key to demoralising India is to get the little master out. Siddle has done that 3 times to Hilf's 0. Throw in his 40 in Melbourne that was valuable to setting the series up in Australia's favour.

 

[The Speaker]

Eh?? No love for the curators?

It's not like they made a bunch of green tops.

 

[Simple Jack]

That was Ponting's only score below 60.

Good point.

More thinking of Clarke.

I still think the bowlers have been more pivotal in the series.

 

[dan warna]

Good point.

More thinking of Clarke.

I still think the bowlers have been more pivotal in the series.

I think its more the resurgence of our bowlers. We are so used to McGrath and Warne.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Clarke for me.

6 digs, 626 runs, a triple, a double, and a 4 nil donkey walloping.

He's been fantastic.

 

[thecatattack]

Brad Haddin.

 

[Simple Jack]

Brad Haddin.

For his 'teamsmanship'.

 

[Beasley]

Really disappointed that Hilfy didnt get the award. Consistent throughout the series ... wasn't belted around the park at all and took plenty of wickets.

Should have at least won a man of the match award in the series if Siddle was able to win in Adelaide. Ponting scores a double century and a 60 not out and they vote for a bowler this time?????? Why didnt they do the same in Perth for Hilfy or in Melbourne when he got a five wicket haul in and innings, the bowlers century.

I think the media people that select these awards like to play favourites.