Some questions about the Aust20-20 team:
1. Why did they change a winning 20.20 side from Game 1 to Game 2?
2. Why did they reward Shaun Marsh with a game when he just got 17 runs at 2.67 ave in a 4 match Test Series? I wouldn't have tapped him on the shoulder to play, I'd have tapped him on the shoulder to go back to grade cricket and score some runs. Then try out for Sheffield Shield again.
3. Why did Wade get pushed down the order? Surely you want your master blasters up front...Finch, Warner, Wade, M Marsh.
4. How does Brett Lee keep his spot? His bowling is diminishing and his speed in the field is slow, slippery and his throws back to the keeper are getting a touch on the embarrassing side.
5. Why did Mitchell Starc not get a go in either game? Surely he was a better option than McKay in Game 2? Hell, why isn't Siddle or Hilfenhaus or Lyon rewarded for their great Test form with a couple of hit n giggle games?
6. If a batsman doesn't get more runs than balls faced, why aren't they hooked after 6-8 balls?
7. When did 20-20 become so serious? It's the bubblegum form of the game.
Finally, if I friggin' hear Nicholas, Taylor, Slater or Healy tell me one more goddamn time about how Ravi Shastri told them just how slick, fast, well drilled this 'new' Indian team are, I will puke. For that matter, I don't give 2 ****s if this 'younger' team is brash, take no prisoner, in your face, modern India. We heard all this in 2007/08 and I don't see many of them still around in 20.20 or ODI nor graduating in to the Test side. Australia's first team for the 20.20 was brash, take no prisoner, in your face, modern Australia...but no mention of that.
James Pattinson...you are a star. Succinct and insightful. Pity you're paired with the inane Mark Nicholas who wouldn't have to ask stoopid questions or brim in hyperbole if he had ever actually played international cricket. I used to think James Brayshaw was in the same mould, and not being an AFL person myself, don't know much about him, but geez, this summer he has stepped up and made the game commentary better. There's a reason why there's no more 12th Man albums...it's because Taylor, Healy, Slater, Nicholas are just so bloody dull!!!
Finally, congrats to India. You squashed the life out of Australia last night. Showed how astute bowling and lightning fielding should be.