TOPIC:

Rogers out early, couldn't afford that given his last test series. Better score in the 2nd innings or it might be the end for him.

Pleasing also that Sean Abbott has already bowled in the shield game. Brave man.

La Hincha wrote: Pleasing also that Sean Abbott has already bowled in the shield game. Brave man.

Saw that, must be going through hell.

Watson gone cheaply. How many more chances? Need someone at 3 who can bat for lengthy periods. Perhaps S.Marsh will get a chance.

Well no surprises there with Clarkes limited preparation, injury woes and meringue physical attributes. Not doubting his obvious class, but are we really surprised Clarke has broken down.....again? Dodgey back and dodgey hamstrings and vive versa go hand in hand. Looked good considering his lack of batting out in the middle.....Warner keeps Aust going again.....without him the others would be under the microscope more.....as for Watto......same old same old......wafty T20 or ODI shot lets him down again......he just isnt a test batsman....hasnt got the nous, patience or intellect to play test cricket.......biggest show pony going.......let him be the T20 /ODI flashy show off his personna oozes & craves.......been there and done that with Watto at the test level......time for Lehmann to bite the bullet and cut the cord with Shane......lost cause TBH.

Freezin wrote: Well no surprises there with Clarkes limited preparation, injury woes and meringue physical attributes. Not doubting his obvious class, but are we really surprised Clarke has broken down.....again? Dodgey back and dodgey hamstrings and vive versa go hand in hand. Looked good considering his lack of batting out in the middle.....Warner keeps Aust going again.....without him the others would be under the microscope more.....as for Watto......same old same old......wafty T20 or ODI shot lets him down again......he just isnt a test batsman....hasnt got the nous, patience or intellect to play test cricket.......biggest show pony going.......let him be the T20 /ODI flashy show off his personna oozes & craves.......been there and done that with Watto at the test level......time for Lehmann to bite the bullet and cut the cord with Shane......lost cause TBH.

Agree. dying for a quality no.3. But who?

well not a bad day in the end......Warner scoring a 100 for his mate Hughes, Smith contining with his good form, Marsh and Clarke getting a few.....and Haddin and Watson both failing with the bat......pleased as punch with that......

Quite simply Warner & Smith have carried our batting since the Ashes. Clarke chipped in with that 1 great knock vs SA in Feb but Watson, Rogers & Haddin have done SFA for a year. Doolan had his chance, Mitch Marsh is developing, Shaun Marsh is the next in line for Clarke with his injury concerns but who else do we have banging down the door for a Test cap especially now with the tragic loss of Phil Hughes?

Reckon Smith has done enough to put his name well and truly up for the next Aust captain. Also, Clarke's innings, albeit split in two parts was very gutsy, Rogers, Watson and Haddin could do themselves no harm in watching that knock. Watson keeps playing one day shots in test cricket, not a number 3, that position belongs to someone who can settle the rot of an early loss of wickets.
Interesting to hear Smith's foot work being compared to Kim Hughes'. He's scoring a lot of centuries in such an early stage in his career.
End of day 2 and 500 plus on the board, wonder if they will declare over night.
Looking a head to the Ashes, out of Rogers and Watson, reckon Rogers may still get a ticket due to his outstanding County Cricket record. Watson will be sweating of Mitch Marsh's performance this series, the future as far as allrounders go is in Mitch.

Jimmy Boag wrote: Reckon Smith has done enough to put his name well and truly up for the next Aust captain. Also, Clarke's innings, albeit split in two parts was very gutsy, Rogers, Watson and Haddin could do themselves no harm in watching that knock. Watson keeps playing one day shots in test cricket, not a number 3, that position belongs to someone who can settle the rot of an early loss of wickets.
Interesting to hear Smith's foot work being compared to Kim Hughes'. He's scoring a lot of centuries in such an early stage in his career.
End of day 2 and 500 plus on the board, wonder if they will declare over night.
Looking a head to the Ashes, out of Rogers and Watson, reckon Rogers may still get a ticket due to his outstanding County Cricket record. Watson will be sweating of Mitch Marsh's performance this series, the future as far as allrounders go is in Mitch.

Agree with Smith and M Marsh. S Marsh didn't do himself any harm today I thought and I also thought that he could be pretty versatile as far as batting positions go. Fair comment anyone think?