TOPIC:

Archie Duda Goal Machine wrote:

58shark wrote: Great summation ph.

Archie Duda...I fully agree with your view on the ABC. They are the pinnacle of cricket coverage. As said, only problem with them is that I can't handle Dirk Nannes.

Fair point, 58shark, Dirk Nannes is certainly not everybody's cup of tea.
Re the ABC, my favourite ball-by-ball commentator is Jim Maxwell.
Jim's autobiography The Sounds of the Summer is a very good read.
One of the funniest parts described how veteran ABC cricket caller Alan McGilvray used to call Maxwell into his hotel/motel room for a prayer meeting each morning before they went to the ground.
The "prayer meeting" comprised a few beers quickly knocked back to lubricate the voice for a long day's commentary.

58shark wrote: Great summation ph.

Archie Duda...I fully agree with your view on the ABC. They are the pinnacle of cricket coverage. As said, only problem with them is that I can't handle Dirk Nannes.

Totally agree re Nannes 58 he has no idea whatsoever on Test Cricket....he should stick to just special comments on T20 hit and giggle which is more to his specialty!

Interesting read about the MCG wicket.Last year the ICC put the MCG on notice.The Ashes test only produced 24 wickets in 5 days of play.And pundits think this year's wicket will be the same as last years.On that type of wicket it would be highly unlikely to bowl out the Indians two times.

gtrxuone wrote:

premiership hangover wrote: only just caught up with this post. A couple of things from Me

Tim Payne is a very good gloveman, and his batting average is not to bad. Someone wrote he has played for 13 years and only has 1 hundred. I think we all forget he missed six or seven seasons with his 13 finger operations. If Dirk Nannes didn't bust up his finger in a charity match years ago would Haddin have got his stint?

Finch will stay opener for this series, he is just keeping the spot warm for Bancroft. In Bancroft and Harris they will have two young openers that can bat at the top of the order for the next 8 - 10 years. I can not see Warner playing test cricket again for Australia.

Khawaja is the best option at three and should stay there when Smith comes back. Interestingly in this series the Indian quicks have gone around the wicket to him, which has squeezed him up on the off side. He plays well through point like most left handers and has not had the chance this series due to bowling tactics. He looked better in the second innings at Perth and will continue to do so.

Tim Payne is the best option as Captain for this side, and he will likely get the opportunity to hang onto this role for a while. Smith needs to be back for 12 months before he can take on a captain roll, and by then if the side is playing well and winning a few games he will have a few years in the role.

I loved the way he stood upto the Indians, played their mind games and did it in a very humble way. There were some classic sledges about surely you cant like him, and even the one from Harris encouraging Pant to hit him a catch on the last ball of day 4 so they could go out clubbing and he could set him up with some young aussie girls that were gold and the correct way to sledge or banter in my books.

PH what happens late Feb next year when Smudger Smith comes back.Whos captain I'm a current fan of our captain.

GTR As part of Smiths ban he will not be allowed to assume any leadership position with the Australian team for 12 months after his return, so Paine will be captain in England and beyond. As a long term option, I reckon that they may be grooming Travis Head as the next skipper assuming of course he makes enough runs to stay in the team.

Gee wouldnt that be embarrassing for VIC if they manage to produce another borefest terrible pitch yet again and have the Boxing Day Test taken from them by the ICC!!

Beasley Hutton wrote: Gee wouldnt that be embarrassing for VIC if they manage to produce another borefest terrible pitch yet again and have the Boxing Day Test taken from them by the ICC!!

BH does the ICC have the power to remove the game from the Mcg.
Thanks for the clarification Mike H.

gtrxuone wrote: Interesting read about the MCG wicket.Last year the ICC put the MCG on notice.The Ashes test only produced 24 wickets in 5 days of play.And pundits think this year's wicket will be the same as last years.On that type of wicket it would be highly unlikely to bowl out the Indians two times.

Possible if the wicket plays the same, however India does not bat deep at all. Once you are through Kohli, and the keeper the rest of the batting order does not stack up with the Australian lower order.

Much happier with Cummins, Starc, Lyon and Hazelwood rather than what India has.

Pinjara can bat

Pujara & Rahane are also both quality batsmen.
Not sure why Dhawan cant get a look in to open for either Vijay or Rahul whilst Shaw is out injured?

ArkRoyal wrote: Pinjara can bat

But can they play football in the PFL?