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....amazing how ones fortune can change so fast in the game of cricket.........Dan Christian....after day 2 of the Vic v WA game ....a duck and 0/50 off 7 overs.....after day 4..... 100 off 90 odd deliveries and 3/18.....

if Lehmann et al are gonna bring in new blood for the Ashes, surely the time is now......just got a feeling all of Rogers, Watson and Siddle will play at the GABBA.......stress of Hughes passing etc will entitle them to another chance......especially if Aust win tomorrow........Haddin definitely needs to go..........he should of retired on a high after the Ashes last year.......pity Witemans runs have dried up this year.....definitely needs a 100 or 2 before the season is out if he wants an all expenses paid tiki tour of the UK in 2015........

premiership hangover wrote: So looking ahead to the Ashes in the winter - three more tests and maybe a couple in the West Indies if they decide to play, is it time for a major overhaul of the test side?

My questions that I think need asking before we play in England in 2015

1) Will Rogers play at his age, his form is waning?
2) Can Watson keep making solid 30's or will the selectors go for someone else?
3) Will Clark's back hold up after 24 hours in a plane?
4) Can Haddin still hold the gloves - he will be close to 38 by then and today is the first time in the past 8 innings he has got past 10.....
5) Will Harris knees stand up and allow him to play he is getting on in age
6) Can Siddle hold his spot - I think he hasn't looked dangerous at test level for about 18 months.
Some interesting times for the selectors trying to make sure we don't loose back the ashes while turning over some of these guys, or do people think they will all be around and in form next English summer??????

Rogers - how many chances does the old fella get? Reminds me of many years ago when the Poms bought back a 40 yr old Cowdry
Time for Shano to go back to the Watto Cricket League
Clarkie is a gem - hope his back holds up
Surely we have a wicket keeper we can groom?
Like to see Harris have another go or 2
Thanks for the memories Pete, but the fat lady has sung
I think the ACB have really thrown away a chance to blood younger people for the future.

Rogers has an outstanding County cricket record, someone might be able to correct me, but think he did quite well season just gone. So I think they may stick with him at least the 2nd test at the Gabba. If they do drop him and he goes back and scores like he did recently he'll get a gig on the Ashes due to his record over there.
Watson, got me absolutely buggard how despite the rumours about how disruptive he is and constantly underperforming that he still gets a gig, though with young Marsh batting so unselfeshly the powers might now realise it's not all about "Watto" and that there are others out there that haven't been born in NSW that offer something. Warner 9 and Smith 5 centuries in how many tests compared to Watson's 4. Rumour has it Watson left the ground at end of play mumbling.....shopping...voodoo doll...bloody Marsh....I'm Watto
Doubt if Clarke will see out the 4 Tests, reckon if Aust go up 2-0 he'll rest up his back, he's showed leadership qualities I've honestly never thought he had, the team looks like they'd follow him to hell and back.
Haddin looks a shell of the guy who played so well in the last Ashes. I'd like to see someone brought in the series, but who is knocking down the door? No one is standing out.
Batsmen in the waiting Ferguson,Carters,S.Marsh, Vogess, Bancroft whom I think is also a keeper at grade level are just some at this early stage of the season.
Bowlers...we're spoilt rotten with so much to choose from. Siddles day has gone, Harris will be rested, talk before this series was both Harris & Pattinson will play 2 tests each due to both coming back from injury. That said Hazelwood, Cummins. Abbott, and at least two WA bowlers could all be a chance for the Ashes.
Marsh has thrown up a major conundrum for the selectors, young players can actually perform if given a chance, so will they accept the challenge a given some new blood a chance, but in doing so don't toss them out if they fail first up.
Lyon proved his knockers wrong, spinning the ball with bite, the young leggy from the 20/20 series should be tried.
That said, I'm really hanging out for the Ashes, especially when the English commentators start getting bitter when they lose!

anchorman wrote: I have to say that I am not a Nathan Lyon fan, but he must have bowled well in the test today to bag a five for.
I only saw the highlights of the day and he seemed to be a totally different bowler to what we all saw in the UAE.
He seemed to be able to do things today that he was only dreaming about against Pakistan.
Amazing what playing at home can do.

Subcontinent pitches don't seem to suit him he performs better on pitches with more bounce in them.

anchorman wrote: I am not going to look at the Ashes that has to come, but just this series against India.
I am of the same opinion as a lot here that Rogers and Watson are on very thin ice, but who has put their hand up to take over either spot. Who is the opener to take Rogers place and who has put his hand up to bat at number three?
Wiser men than me may have the answer. But I don't see or read about any one bashing the door down for either spot.

I reckon Cowan with his 4 100's already this season might disagree with you there Anchor...I am definitely not an Ed fan, but he is doing what is expected of him, be interesting to see if the selectors are true to their word.....

About the only good thing to come from today so far is that Siddle should never play Test cricket again!
125-130kmh pies do not take wickets at Test level!
Hazlewood has to play at the Gabba!

Interesting to note India failed to bowl the Aussies out in each innings. Lyon the stand out bowler with 12 wickeds, the rest Johnson 4, Harris 2 and Siddle 2 for the match. Bit of a struggle for the fast bowlers. Good to see Lyon bowl over rather than around the wicket.
Clarke to miss the rest of the series with a hammy, who replaces him?
Siddle with 2 wickets bowling well below 140, whilst he had an upset tummy, think he's played his final test.
Rogers & Watson will probably be saved, doubt if they'll make 4 changes for the 2nd test starting Wednesday.

Those on here predicting the demise of Cricket a few weeks back seem to have gone AWOL over the last 5 days or so!
Crowds of 25,000 on working week days would suggest Test cricket is far from dead, in fact I doubt whether AFL games could get crowds that large during a working day!
Cant wait to see what the TV ratings were in Australia as well, as it would be fair to say multi millions would be watching in India alone!

Wasn't aware there was a cricket thread on this forum, like finding buried treasure, I love my test cricket ( nearly ) as much as my wafl. Watched the whole day on Saturday, missus took the kids elsewhere for the day, six cold swans in the fridge, one of the best days on the couch I've ever had.
Think it was a big and possibly selfish mistake for Clarke to play this test, yes he got a ton but it was a grandma friendly pitch and his batting in the second looked severely hampered, lucky it didn't matter in the end but what's that decision going to mean for his longevity at a time when we need him for another two years and for a World Cup.
Lyon loves some bounce.
Rogers ? 36, time is ticking really quickly..
Like Watson, think he's in our best 11 despite his numbers, reckon he's misunderstood by the General public..
Warner.. You're a brilliant cricketer but there's a difference between being a tough competitor and being just a dickhead, put your mouth away and let your bat and fielding do the talking.
Roll on brisbane