The Ashes | 4th Test | MCG | Day 3 | 28/12/10

[James]

Watson's interviews tonight were depressing, I almost feel sorry for the bloke. Just seems totally lost for words. Building a solid platform in pretty much every innings and being let down by the so-called batting stars of the lineup. Proper team man, and a genuine captaincy candidate in my opinion. He is at the right age - a fighter, and a quality player that I admire.

 

[Robert]

it's crazy to think that any England fan would have bitten your hand off if you'd offered 2-2 six weeks ago.

I'd have taken that! I thought if we could somehow get to Sydney just one-down, then Swann would square the series and we'd retain the Ashes.

But now 3-1 is on the cards.

Commiserations to the Aussies, you'll be back.

They have to do what they did in 1987 - identify the eleven best players and keep picking them until they come good.

Keep Hughes for the moment, Mr Cricket up to #3, pension Dubya off, drop Watson to #6 where he can bowl more, keep Haddin at #7, always play MJ, keep the admirable Siddle, get Horrors back and stick with him.

 

[Pakprideuk]

Well England have been far too good haven't they, quality stuff, stayed up last night lol, was just shocking to see the way Aussies played, kind of felt sorry for them, especially Watson who played soo well but just keeps finding was of getting out... his interview at the end of the day was dreadful, he was completely lost, shattered tbh.

England were great, the difference was backup, England had the back up bowlers whereas Australia didn't prepare backup bowlers and batsmen. There was quality to replace Hilfy and Johnson but it was just poor planning and execution from the Aussies.

Going to be a exciting few weeks here in England lol with the media and that.

As for the next test, Ponting take a break, he's past it now.

1.)Watson
2.)Hughes
3.)Hussey
4.)Clarke (C)
5.)Khawaja
6.)Smith
7.)Haddin (WK)
8.)Cameron
9.)Hilfenhaus
10.)Johnson
11.)Beer

Give Siddle a break, he's done enough, bring in Cameron to bowl, the series is lost anyway.

 

[James]

Mike Atherton - 'Any way out of this for you?'

Shane Watson - silently glares and grimaces as if to say 'F off you gloating pommy tosser'

Ace.

 

[Sledger]

Watson should be their next captain. He really needs to sort out the problem of getting starts and then getting out though. His bowling is easily negotiated by the better teams so may as well work extra hard on his batting.

 

[James]

Shane Watson (c)
Philip Hughes
Michael Hussey (vice)
Usman Khawaja
Ricky Ponting
Callum Ferguson
Tim Paine (wkt)
Mitchell Johnson
Nathan Hauritz
Ryan Harris
Peter Siddle

IMO.

 

[Sledger]

Hughes.. lol.

 

[James]

He has talent dude, not as much as Hayden or Slater, but he may well go on to score a lot of runs for Australia. His unorthodox technique seems to be his great weakness, but with the right tuition then it can also be his greatest strength. If they keep picking him, I'm determined to believe that he will adjust to this level fully. He looked very impressive today until somebody else ran him out.

 

[Shaheerthe2nd]

MJ will score a double hundred today off 157 balls.

 

[Sledger]

No doubt, a very talented player but his technique is just atrocious (really shocking). He needs to go and get some help from someone like Greg Chapell who did a lot for Watson's opening technique and score heavily before coming back in the team. Katich is fine for now, himself and Watson were a very good opening pair until recently.

 

[AZ]

first ball in 20 mins?

 

[Sledger]

Yes. 10 am start, local.

 

[AZ]

great.