I have been on the Haddin, Hughes, Ponting and Hussey bandwagon.
I still believe Haddin should go. Batting like he's trying to peel potatoes and his keeping his adequate and dropping. Ponting and Hussey did enough to earn a reprieve to the end of the summer. They are still old. Hussey got runs, but I still think he was protecting himself and his 50.00 average. And if he got out three times in that innings, well, that tells you something too. Plus for the screamer he took, he missed one too. So even there. Ponting has dignity and class at the moment. I love the man, but all players get old. He saved the innings in Melbourne, but he is looking like Allan Border did in 1993-94. Capable of a decent score, but won't get you a big score. Scratches about, can get out early and cheaply, The sharpness is gone. Not to be slack to the guy, just how it is (or maybe as I see it). Would love to see him play forever, but then look at Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman...37-38...wonderful bats, now in twilight nearing the end.
But all up, the batting for Australia has been nothing short of woeful. But then again, Sth Africa, NZ and India were in the same boat at various times. So who knows, maybe its just batting that's gone to the dogs...but if Siddle and Pattinson can graft 20-50 runs at a time, kinda makes a mockery of the batting methinks.
If it wasn't for the bowlers scoring runs and bowling with devilish skill, Australia would suffer. If Ed Cowan (very, very unlucky in 2nd innings - not wrong - I'd say he was out, just --- but when you consider Patto had Ashwin's stumps cart-wheeling up Haddin's arse in the first innings and was not given out...well...) can leave the ball wide of off then why the hell can't the others. Stoner Marsh just looked out of his depth too.
As for DRS, should be mandatory for ALL Tests. Don't care if it is used or not...but it should be available. And as for the possible wickets Australian weren't give, if India could be any more half-hearted in their appeals maybe they would get some. Plus you don't go begging and pleading and appealing for things an U7's player would be slapped for --- high, going down leg, no where near it. Puh-lease!!!
As for the thing with Dravid being bowled off a no-ball: He walked straight away; what do you want him to do? Shake his head and keep walking after the umpire has called him back???
