The touring team is relatively inexperienced, with the exception of Chris Gayle (who has returned after his quick trip back to Jamaica because of his mother's heart problems), but I don't imagine Australia will be showing any complacency. We have a lot of pride at stake here - we've proven our strength in the 50 over game three times since August, but we have some ground to make up in the longer format and I think Ponting's men will be determined to play at their absolute best over the next few weeks.
Hopefully you've watched the preview video below (with the scary-arse semi tash ...), which tells you everything you need to know really:
- Clark = Ashes scapegoat
- Bolly = 12th man
- Hauritz = slob who needs a shave (or possibly some donations)
- Clarke = not the only batsman who wears lots of padding in the nets (check the Muss)
- Gayle = poor tired and jetlagged sod, but he's usually pretty
lazylaid back when it comes to test cricket, so I don't imagine we'll see any difference - Weather = hot (lots of shorts and scary legs about)
- Ponting = strange little man, but you knew that already
Although the video states that Ponting will be wanting to get a look at the Gabba pitch before making any selections, since this video was done he has announced that Bolly will be 12th man and that My Lord NMH will bowl tomorrow at his old home ground. QLD born and bred as he is, I should imagine Hauritz is looking forward to that.
The team will be:
Ricky Ponting (c), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Michael Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus.
12th man: Doug Bollinger.
For a better run down, check out Ian's page. He always does a better job than me.
I shall not be rising at midnight tonight to watch, simply because I jinx test matches. When it comes to tests, I only watch other countries. With Australia, I find it safer to dip in and out. They always do bad when I am watching.
7 thoughts on this post:
Haha! Aaagh Sid, you are way to kind!
The Cricinfo morning update is what that is known as! haha, when I miss a game the title of the match bulletin can make or break my mood not even knowing the scorecard!
btw The Gabba isn't Ritz' ideal hunting ground, so follow his progress closely this game.
Poor Hauritz, he is trying to hard to grow some face fuzz.
I am tempted to have a bet on the West Indies, the odds must be great and considering the Aussies' penchant for collapsing in the face of practically any half-decent bowling, it might be worth a flutter.
I don't know what to do for this match. I love West Indies but I dislike Gayle. On the other hand, I enjoy watching Aussies play test.
What to do?
I am pleased to see that everybody contributed well, with Kat scoring a great 92 and the Hussmeister posting a nice 66. And the Western Lord of the North looks like being on a good path. Worrying though is that both Sid and I seem to have a bad influence on the outcome. Shane sure went out for nil because I had discussed his role too long with mah mate last night. Thou shalt not paint the devil on the wall. Shite. The vultures will have been waiting anxiously to tear the fluffy yellow duckling apart.
Now we are clapping our hands in anticipation of a Northern ton, yes? :D
Purna, easy. Get a cold drink, take your clothes off and enjoy a good match of cricket :)
Just in case anybody is interested (probably not)
Name: Bond. Shane Bond.
Wickets: 4
Sexy return catches: 1
Problem: I went to bed about 10 mins before that. Grahh.
Wes, wouldn't it be funny if I was a man and you asked me to take my clothes off?
Huh? It only just occurred to me that you could actually be a woman. Please excuse my inappropriate rudeness in that case :P Where I come from people are usually undressed when watching sport... or at least stripped down to the underwear (but that's just not the same somehow....)
Now. Was this a night. Lord NMH 50 not out; who is the allrounder now B)
Oz declaring at 480. Wooot. And each of the fast bowlers taking wickets, an important one for Hilfy and also Shane applied a surgical cut to the Windian batting order. Very nice. Looking forward to seeing the summary.
Unfortunately my beloved NZers are doing as shite as possible, there needs to be some contrast I reckon, if there is always sunshine you won't appreciate it anymore :( (Please note the double sense here *chuckles*)
Bolly has slaughtered WA they say, I'm sorry Sid but that's because he is the f*****g man :P
Wes, I have been watching Good King Nate for months now with the bat, thinking if he could just bat a touch higher in the order he could post higher scores. He's had a lot of not outs in the one day game recently. Of course, it never occurred to me that he might get his chance in a test ... blast having to go to work and not being able to stay up all night!! Of course, if I had that catch wouldn't have been dropped and he would have gone for 5.
Bowling not bad either - no wickets, but 4 overs and 11 runs pretty good. Nice to see Mitchy getting his act together and Watto taking a wicket after that dire performance yesterday.
And why is Bolly in Perth (3-33 not bad, but I wouldn't say slaughtered)? Shouldn't he be at the Gabba, ready to run out and mop King Nathan's brow whenever it is required? Who is doing that? (Can it be me? Please?)
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