2012/13 Australian Cricket (SPOILERS)

Matty76 · Dec 24, 2012

I don't mind the rotation policy. Rafa Benitez used it at Liverpool and....oh...

BoondasH1 · Dec 27, 2012

Great to see Mitchell Johnson getting some runs

Matty76 · Dec 27, 2012

Shane Watson has injured his calf and is expected to miss the SGC Test........I am just not sure that his body can cope with the rigours of Test cricket any more, sad as it may be. He looked a bit like a shag on a rock batting at No. 4 and bowling-wise he will end up being another Shaun Tait who is nursed through in four or five over spells.

The Mad Hatter · Dec 28, 2012

Just popped in to visit Kumar Sangakarra in the casualty ward. He told me the nurses were handing out Viagra to the Sri Lankan cricket team so they could last longer.

Matty76 · Dec 28, 2012

Sangakkara is out for 6-8 weeks with a compound fracture, poor bugger looked to be in quite a bit of strife. I reckon the tail had the right idea, swing like f**k and get the hell out of there!

The Mad Hatter · Dec 28, 2012

Matty76 said:
Sangakkara is out for 6-8 weeks with a compound fracture, poor bugger looked to be in quite a bit of strife. I reckon the tail had the right idea, swing like f**k and get the hell out of there!

Same as Day 1 then

Matty76 · Dec 28, 2012

If I had Mitchell Johnson hurling bouncers at me, particularly with the left-arm angle, I reckon I'd be swinging like a rusty gate. As Chappelli said, either swing or duck, don't stand and play

The Mad Hatter · Dec 28, 2012

Sad to see Mitchell Johnson rotated out for Sydney.

Made one too many run outs I'm hearing.

KyleP · Dec 28, 2012

Surely they have to leave Johnson in for the next test, this rotation policy is bullshit. He bowled great in both innings, brings great fielding to the team and he would have got a century if someone stuck around with him. If anyone is to be dropped it should be Bird despite how well he played.

Matty76 · Dec 29, 2012

The benefit of the rotation policy is something that won't be fully realised until next season, where (unjuries permitting) the selectors will have to pick from Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Cummins, Johnson, Starc, Bird and Pattinson to fill 3 fast bowling spots.

I know it challenges history and tradition not to pick "the best XI" for every Test match but by the same token it's not as though Fred Bloggs from a D-Grade country comp is being picked as a replacement either. The blokes that are picked have deserved their call-up.

Harsha_12 · Dec 29, 2012

As an Australian/Sri Lankan supporter, its great to see Johnson do well, but also sad to see Sri Lanka crumbling

So now its Sangakara, Jayawardene (WK) and Welegedara out for the Next Test

1 positive thing is now Dinesh Chandimal gets a go. A young cricketer with a lot of talent, he has a great ODI record against the Aus so i hope he cashes in with some runs in the next test match

KyleP · Dec 29, 2012

Matty76 said:
The benefit of the rotation policy is something that won't be fully realised until next season, where (unjuries permitting) the selectors will have to pick from Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Cummins, Johnson, Starc, Bird and Pattinson to fill 3 fast bowling spots.

I know it challenges history and tradition not to pick "the best XI" for every Test match but by the same token it's not as though Fred Bloggs from a D-Grade country comp is being picked as a replacement either. The blokes that are picked have deserved their call-up.

Should pick the best 3. Can you imagine Warne or McGrath being told that they are being rested? Injuries are part of the game and if some bowlers get injured then they still have others to pick from as you have pointed out above. And let's not kid ourselves...Hilfenhaus ain't getting back into the team unless the others all get injured.

Matty76 · Dec 29, 2012

Michael Hussey is retiring from international cricket at the end of the Australian summer.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/c...nd-of-the-summer/story-e6frfg8o-1226545039045

No, Mr Cricket, noooooooooooooo :-(

The Mad Hatter · Dec 29, 2012

0-10 Ashes double whitewash here we come!

Matty76 · Dec 29, 2012

In the twenty two years that I have followed cricket, Huss is without doubt my favourite player...and probably on par with Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Gaze and Pat Rafter as my favourite sportsperson. There will be from me when he goes.......

gws card guy · Dec 29, 2012

lets hope huss scores a 100 in his final test he deserves it

The Mad Hatter · Dec 29, 2012

I'll admit that I called for his head a couple of summers ago.

I am happy to have been proven wrong.

I will be there for the SCG, and hope he can knock out another ton.

And I just don't think there's anyone there to replace him. Considering Hussey had to wait until he was THIRTY to debut and made the most of his 7 years in the Test team, there ain't the talent waiting like there used to be IMO.

Thanks for the memories.

The Mad Hatter · Dec 29, 2012

I don't usually get too sentimental. I'm in it for the fun. However...I just wanted to say this.

When I was younger, an old bloke told me that everything you needed to know about life you could find in a Test match.

There's the excitement. There's the exhilaration. There's the young lad looking for adventure, keen as mustard, impetuous, reckless, ready to take on the world single handed. The world is out there and he wants to take it. It's all white, clean flannels and soft, lush green grass and sunshine aplenty. The innings about to begin.

Then there's the old man: head full of experience, the weary lines, the patience, the nous. He knows his time is coming to a close. There's red shine on his slacks, and blood, dirt and sweat on his whites. The aches, the pains. Soon, the long shadows stretch across the field, and close the days play. The innings about to end.

There are ups. There are downs.
There is sun. There is rain.
There are mates and enemies.
Both sides can realise that the 'war' is just silly and be reconciled over a cold drink.

There are grudges. There is politics. There are sycophants and there are true believers. There are those who cheer you regardless and those who only clap when you're a winner.

There are riches awaiting those who toil.
There are those with God-given abilities and others who must graft, fighting for each crumb.

There are those who must wait. Those who get it easy. Others who fail, and cry 'it's just not fair!'. Some fail, and straighten their shoulders and carry on regardless.

There are things won and lost on the flip of a coin.

And all the while, the umpire adjudicates. His word is sacrosanct. He decides your fate. And when you're out, you're out.

Cricket is not just a sport, it is life.

Everything you need to know about life, you can find in a Test match.

So where ever you are right now, raise a glass of your favoured tipple. Or light a candle.

Take a moment to reflect.

Tony Greig. May you rest in peace. We won't be the same without you. Thank you for the memories.

Matty76 · Dec 29, 2012

Chris, to simply "like" your post would not even begin to afford it the appropriate justice. That is just about the best piece of sports-related writing I have ever read.

Matty76 · Jan 6, 2013

To the very end, Huss is "Mr Reliable", a cool head in a tough situation. What a great Test match summer it has been, so many twists, turns and highlights.

The only disappointment for me has been the astounding negativity of the New Ltd papers, Malcolm Conn in particular. In some ways Channel 9 have been nearly as bad, I hate the endless highlighting of player's faults and the over-analyzing of split-second decisions that they make.

As for the Madden brothers and those f**king KFC ads!

2012/13 Australian Cricket (*SPOILERS*)

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