TOPIC:

Great start by the bowlers and fielders....Pujara provided an invaluable batting blueprint for the Aust batsmen....Be patient, get yourself in and reap the benefits later on when the ball is softer and the bowlers energy sapped.....up to the batsmen now to support the bowlers efforts......

Fantastic start by the Aussies in very trying conditions. For Cummins to pull off that run out late in the day after he had bowled 20 overs speaks volumes for their motivation and persistance. As you said Freezin, tomorrow will be the acid test for the batsmen. Todays excellent performance will be to no avail if they get rolled for 150. Aussies need somebody to bat like Pujara ( most likely Khwaja or Marsh) and all the others to bat around him and put together 3 substantial partnerships. The first 20 - 30 overs will be the toughest to bat and if the Aussies can see this period out with minimum damage, the day will get hotter, the ball softer and the pitch flatter and thats when the batsmen can cash in.

Ian Finch is NOT a test opener or player..

Leather Stops wrote: Ian Finch is NOT a test opener or player..

What about Aaron Finch?

Seriously though I think you are right. Better off having a specialist younger opener like Renshaw or Weatherald and drop Finch down the order or out of the team. I think his technique will be exposed on Aussie pitches and it is telling that he doesnt open for Victoria in the shield.

Finch & S.Marsh both out playing on to dreadful shots at balls they didnt really need to play at.

Leather Stops wrote: Ian Finch is NOT a test opener or player..

Haven't seen Marsh's dismissal. I have seen Finch's dismissal. I think it was the 4th ball of the innings:if that is an appropriate shot when your opposition has only scored 250 all out on (virtually) end of day 1.

Yep, we hoped this wouldnt happen but it was to be expected really. I heard someone say that this batting line up is the least experienced in tests since the first season of World Series Cricket in 1978-79. That particular summer the Australian bowlers tore into the English batters, particularly Rod Hogg who took 50 wickets from memory but we still lost 5 - 1 becuase of our inept batting. This summer has a bit of a feel of 1978-79 about it in the sense that our bowlers will keep us in the game but will be constantly under pressure because of the below par scores of the batsmen.

FMD... once again no batter capable of getting past 40...'piss poor....and what does Paine bring to the team again?

Freezin wrote: FMD... once again no batter capable of getting past 40...'piss poor....and what does Paine bring to the team again?

Other than "elite honesty" Freeze I am blowed if I know?!

Freezin wrote: FMD... once again no batter capable of getting past 40...'piss poor....and what does Paine bring to the team again?

Hold the presses, Travis Head 48 not out! Hope I haven't put a hex on him. Great if he could score his first test ton on his home ground. Long way to go though.