Test The Ashes Fourth Test December 26-30 1000hrs @ The MCG

[Pakenhamsaint]

Atkinson has soreness in left hamstring

 

[Jimthegreat]

Pitch is looking tougher than yesterday at times.

 

[madjoe]

I can't believe Tongue hasn't played all 5 he looks easily their best bowler

He bowled alot of pies v India even lost his run up ,which must of scared them from picking him .

 

[ams4crows]

Renshaw please or if they go Kelleway won’t be unhappy

We definitely need some youth getting a gig soon or within 4 years the whole team will be newbies plus Green

 

[Sydney Kicker]

Interesting stat courtesy of Cricinfo commentators. First drop is a problem for us...

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

stats.espncricinfo.com

 

[hawkman]

I think the movement has been greater today. Maybe not on average, but on a number of balls moving a long way.

Don't think it is greater movement today but the pitch is certainly quicker which makes smaller movement harder to play

 

[Ohitsthatguy]

I can't believe Tongue hasn't played all 5 he looks easily their best bowler

He should have been playing in place of Carse

 

[Jacks Seething Rage]

To fair to him, plenty of similar balls that have gone over the stumps - only 2 types of leaves unfortunately

Seaming every which way.

Probably shouldn't have to tell a vastly experienced opener that it's not a day for tight leaves.

 

[Black Diamond]

Jacks simply wasn’t watching properly.

They type of catch we take 99/100, and they take 60/100.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

We definitely need some youth getting a gig soon or within 4 years the whole team will be newbies plus Green

Green is shaky as ****…

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Pitch is looking tougher than yesterday at times.

The divots the ball has made have hardened

 

[SSwans2011]

He bowled alot of pies in India even lost his run up ,which must of scared them from picking him .

It's been the story of his Test career from what I've seen. Bowls like a dozen great balls an innings, but bowls a lot of shit too.

Granted, Carse has played every game, and I'm not even sure he's bowled a dozen great balls all series.

 

[chriso11]

Why not? It worked for Chris Rogers and Adam Voges.

Edit: Boland and Neser too.

The Test XI should be made up of the best cricketers in the country regardless of age.

Some of our greatest players were blooded young… Ponting (20), Smith (21), Clarke (23). We’re going to fall off a cliff when our current crop of players retire in the next 2-3 seasons. Should be a blend between playing the best and developing future 100 test players (ideally you can do the latter by doing the former but not always so clear cut)

 

[The 747]

'Short of a fraction'

Interesting analysis from Warner

 

[Aussie_boy]

There's a real opportunity here.

The pitch according to comms is a bit faster today, but what we're not seeing is the extreme sideways movement. This looks the way a day 1 wicket usually looks.

We have a lead by 84 runs already, and they're now a bowler down. Bat all of today, and all of tomorrow. Don't worry about runs, give yourself two days to bowl them out at the other end. Grind them into the MCG surface. Show a bit of ruthlessness.

The flip side is, it's looking like it's easier to bat and if they go through us they're a much better chasing side. We need to take a bit of time and really make it impossible for them to chase it down, challenge their 'always go for the win' against something absurd.

I'd kill to see someone get a double ton and force then to try and chase 600 in two days.

This team wouldn't bat for 2 days in Rawalpindi letalone this wicket.

 

[scottywiper]

Need a Warner mute app

 

[scoman]

Looking very difficult to bat again today. What do we think the pitch might be like tomorrow? Will it flatten out?

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

'Short of a fraction'

Interesting analysis from Warner

Someone failed maths

 

[Membling]

Looking very difficult to bat again today. What do we think the pitch might be like tomorrow? Will it flatten out?

Interesting that you believe we will get to tomorrow

 

[Osho]

Green is shaky as ****…

Green is getting greener.

 

[1990crow]

Labuschagne needs an innings here

 

[Dead Eye Didak]

I'm expecting them to move Khawaja back up and bring in either Webster or Connolly in the middle order.

Time to move away from Khawaja. He's been a fantastic servant for Australian cricket but his days as an opener are numbered....

 

[madjoe]

Mark Waugh has grown on me big time, he has a great cricket mind which I wouldn't have picked when he played.

 

[RookiePick]

I think when the pitch is going to be challenging, the outfield has to be quickened up to give value for shots.

Curator has left the outfield too long so the ground looks nice on the telly IMO.

 

[Aussie_boy]

Time to move away from Khawaja. He's been a fantastic servant for Australian cricket but his days as an opener are numbered....

I agree 100% but this is purely for Sydney. Hopefully Khawaja calls his own time. Not the biggest fan of him but does deserve to go out with a farewell test at his original home ground.