TOPIC:

Peter North wrote: This test match was decided by who used the DRS the best, ALeem Dar should not be aloud to umpire a test match ever again.
His non decision when Broad hit the cover off the ball to first slip would have to be one of the worst in test cricket history, ironic isn't it that Broad added another 30 runs.

Australia also benefitted in their first innings when the third umpire gave Agar the benefit of a stumping review when he was only 6 & Australia were over 100 runs behind. If that had gone in England's favour, we would have been out of the game. It was unfortunate that there was controversy with the both the umpiring & the DRS but both sides suffered & benefited. Australia also need to use their reviews more wisely as they did waste a couple this match which proved costly later.

yeah but pup....Agars stumping review was marginal compared to Broads full blown nick to Clarke.....it wasn't as though Agar was way out of his crease for all n sundry to see......anyway I reckon the kid would of walked if he knew he was out.....alas Broad did what he needed to do to for the English cause.....

always disappointing to lose, but it's a big ask to rely on your tail to tidy up ones score......at least we know the tail can stand up and score when the pressure is on.....kudos to Haddin as well......scored that superlative 50.....unfortunately for him it was all in vain.....well not totally, at least the guy did what he was supposed to do......losing those 3 late wickets on Sat stuffed Australia.

As for changes.....well in all honesty does anyone have confidence in either Khawaja or Warner coming in and scoring decent runs?.....might as well put in someone like Faulkner, who if he doesn't score any runs could at least redeem himself with a few wickets....christ our tail is scoring all the runs any way!! Lehamnn I reckon will go to his 'Qld' boys in Khawaja for Cowan and probably Harris for Starc......Would love to see Bird play actually.....especially at Lords, where he can keep that controlled line like McGrath did and get the odd nip away for an outside edge.

Yes Cowan very disappointing. Wouldnt mind either Khamaja or Warner back in. Steve Smith still doesnt look like an international test player, brings nothing with the ball, so why note bring in Khawaja and Warner in for Smith and Cowan. Definately would love to see Bird in. Tough to put his name up with McGrath, but hey his consistnent line and length is great for the aussies (like McGrath) and we need a bowler who will be able to give us that and tie down an end, and as you said get the odd one to nip away.

anchorman wrote: My my hasn't the scenery changed!!I bet the Poms had to changer their soiled undies at lunch time.
A great effort by the boys.
Yet again the bowlers did their bit but a few batsmen let us down.I like the look of Smith I think he should have been in the initial squad after his display in India last tour.
Not sure whether Kawahaja is the answer to Cowan being so disappointing.I thought that Cowan was also disappointing in the field.
Looks like we will have to get used to low flat wickets as I am sure the Poms will ask for more of the same.But this one brought a close hard game so maybe thats not so bad.
But have to say I wam totally p!!sed off with having to listen to the bleating self praising whinging moaning Pommy broadcasters.Waht a bunch of tossers.
Ohh lad we may not need a fifth day.The pitch has taken away Swanns brilliance.God help us if we have to put up with them for the next four tests.Wait until we beat them,they will be weeping openly on TV.Why can't Fox or Nine pay someone to go over there. A bloody disgrace.

A/man you obviously don't listen to Channel 9 commentators during matches in Australia.

puppy wrote:

58shark wrote: BULLSHIT!!! Where was the "hotspot"? There wasn't one.

To be honest 58, I thought Hadden was out immediately after he played the shot as there was a clear noise as the ball passed the bat. I was surprised that England did not have more conviction in their appeal but unfortunately for Australia they had referrals available. I also saw a faint mark on hot spot when it was shown on the TV & snikko also registered a snick as the ball passed the bat.

After listening to Gerard Whateley's outburst with respect to Broad and his non-walking yesterday, I can't wait to hear him get stuck into Haddin for not walking.

It is an interesting exercise in studying the human psyche: it is the umpire's fault for not giving Broad out. But wait there is a review system; why didn't Australia use it? Oh that's right, they had made two mistakes previously.

It is also interesting to see the spin with respect to how well Australia played. I think that Agar's brilliant performance of 98 has masked some of the deficiencies that Australia showed i the first test. If he had not been given the benefit of the doubt early in his innings, and I believe it was the right decision to give him not out, then the match may well have been over at that point in time.

Dirty Weekender wrote:

58shark wrote: BULLSHIT!!! Where was the "hotspot"? There wasn't one.

Haddin looked straight back at the keeper, usually a dead giveaway

Plus snicko confirmed there was a faint edge..

Clarke didnt help the Aussies chances when his stupid review was always going to be out, he would of known he hit it but was hoping it wouldn't show up.. a waste of a review prooved costly..

swan42 wrote:

anchorman wrote: My my hasn't the scenery changed!!I bet the Poms had to changer their soiled undies at lunch time.
A great effort by the boys.
Yet again the bowlers did their bit but a few batsmen let us down.I like the look of Smith I think he should have been in the initial squad after his display in India last tour.
Not sure whether Kawahaja is the answer to Cowan being so disappointing.I thought that Cowan was also disappointing in the field.
Looks like we will have to get used to low flat wickets as I am sure the Poms will ask for more of the same.But this one brought a close hard game so maybe thats not so bad.
But have to say I wam totally p!!sed off with having to listen to the bleating self praising whinging moaning Pommy broadcasters.Waht a bunch of tossers.
Ohh lad we may not need a fifth day.The pitch has taken away Swanns brilliance.God help us if we have to put up with them for the next four tests.Wait until we beat them,they will be weeping openly on TV.Why can't Fox or Nine pay someone to go over there. A bloody disgrace.

A/man you obviously don't listen to Channel 9 commentators during matches in Australia.

Spot on Mr 42. Only commentator worth his salt here is ritchie. Slater and his stupid growl, and dont get me started on know all barracker healy.

Couldn't agree more. Give me the Pommy commentators any day over the current channel 9 crew. At least they talk aense most of the time. Slater and Healy never shut up and most of what they say is crap. I actually can't watch them anymore, they have 3 on air at one time and it's like a competition to see who talks the most. Cricket on tv should have some quiet periods you don't need clowns chattering away incessantly.

puppy wrote:

58shark wrote: BULLSHIT!!! Where was the "hotspot"? There wasn't one.

To be honest 58, I thought Hadden was out immediately after he played the shot as there was a clear noise as the ball passed the bat. I was surprised that England did not have more conviction in their appeal but unfortunately for Australia they had referrals available. I also saw a faint mark on hot spot when it was shown on the TV & snikko also registered a snick as the ball passed the bat.

Yep, you're right pup. After watching the replay later, I didn't see the mark on hot spot, but I did see snicko pick up a noise. He was out fair and square. I should have waited till the adrenalin and emotion of watching a grand final like game abate before posting!!