Hilfy sat this one out, which might have been good as he has been a bit rubbish; Watson took 2 wickets and opened the run chase with 49 runs off 49 balls, making 10 boundaries; No wickets for King Nate, but he bowled 9 overs for only 19 runs so no one can complain about him today.
Yes!! I am smarter than a ten year old!
I can't quite believe we have managed to win the series with a half-arsed bowling side, and it has been damn close at times, but it is done. I'm sure a hundred sports journalists and other bloggers will say this (maybe have already), but if this is what a half strength Aussie side can do imagine what a full strength one would have been capable of.
The best thing about it is that the likes of NMH, The Huss and Mitchy (and even Punter himself, if he is willing to let Cam White be captain for a day) can probably put their feet up for the next match and let the newbies run the show. Doesn't matter if we lose it, after all.
I know I've said mean things about Dhoni (sorry Leela), but actually I think he is a good batsman and a really good captain; Harby is a legend - 'nuff said and; Tendulkar - where to begin? Just when I think it's over and start making fun of his zimmer frame and creaking joints, he amazes me again. That man is truly a god of cricket.
I want to make special mention of the crowd today. Right at the end, Hussey and Voges had 10 runs left to win both the match and the series, yet the crowd were on their feet. They were local, they were waving Indian flags, and they were cheering the Australian team to a win - now that's loving cricket, isn't it? We Aussies like to think we are the biggest cricket fans in the world, but I can't imagine the same thing happening in reverse at the WACA to be honest. Hats off to the Indian fans.
And now I'm watching the Saffers play Zimbabwe. Purna and Mary Jane I think I might be in love with Albie Morkel. And just as I write this, he smacks the ball for 6.
14 thoughts on this post:
:( well done Kangaroos! *sob*
No, No, No, Who dares say am mourning at their victory??? I aint, really!
They did good - considering our bowling attack was either second string or exhausted, they came through.
Sorry about the number 1 spot, but I think Australia deserve it after that.
of course, I am biased ...
C'mon they were cheering for Sachin bowling - and glad that it was soon gonna be over.
We won, we won, we won... *Doing a little jig* I was stoked at the win...esp given our half-strength side. Disagreeing with you on Dhoni and Harbhajan --- I think their arrogance overrides their good cricket for me. Re Sachin though, I'm with you. Although I still think he should hang the gloves. When he's up there.
Don't be like that, Naked - I'm trying to be big, here.
I really want to say na na na, since Dhoni mocked us, but I hate it when people do that.
Except when they beat England. That's allowed.
Psych, I also did a quiet little jig when I saw the score this morning. I think we are allowed that.
I don't know what it is about Harby, I just think he's cool. And Dhoni - I like his batting and his captaincy style. I'm trying to like him for Leela's sake. She promised me she'd say lots of nice things about King Nate if I did.
:-)
Thanks Sid for trying to like the man.
:-)
On a diff note, I've new found respect for Punter and co. He seemed to have a child-like eagerness to win this series despite all odds and was gracious in defeat and victories.
Perhaps this attitude of Australia to not settle for anything less than a win is what makes them so admirable.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Is this some ghastly sort of magnanimity on your part? No crowd in India supports the opposing team!No one! We don't love cricket....half of us don't know the rules any better than Monty. Don't believe me? Rewind to Ind vs SL WC '96. I didn't see the Aus innings myself (obviously! I have about a teaspoonful of sportsmanship spirit in the whole of me) but I'll go with naked cricket on that one. Harbhajan is no legend...legends don't avg 33...he's worse than hauritz!. All all right maybe not that bad!
Anyway...Hats off to you guys. I doubt any other team in the world could have done what you did. It just seems that you churn out international level players while the rest of us have to mould them over 50-60 ODI's. I'm amazed, frankly. Great performance and a great team. I'm applying for aussie citizenship as we speak..:-)
What is it with Australians loving Albie Morkel? He hasn't won a game for SA in ages unfortunately...but he has the potential.
And Congrats Sid. But Harby is TERRIBLE.
I don't know what it is, I think Harby Is cool.
@Rohit - they looked to me like they were cheering us in, but if you and Naked say they weren't, I'll go back to my disgruntled view of the world of cricket ...
This experience has changed me.
I shall ignore adverse comments about King Nate.
Finally managed to watch the highlights, biting my arse a million times for not having got up for the first innings :/ I had had a feeling that Punter would lose the toss and choose to bowl. *grrr*
My suggestion is, now that we have established that vicious rotation policy, we could actually always rest the bowlers that would be having a crap day statistically, and only pick the ones that would play well, i.e. pick Mitch for every third game for instance. That'd be a safe way to get the opposition out for less than a hundred, no matter what pitch.
Happy about another sensible Huss/Voges innings. It is shocking how I have taken the rice noodle to my heart oO
And Harb went out for another duck (of course he had to scalp Shane one short of his 50) and Yuvraj handed us his wicket in a stylish KP manner. Woot. Jadeja having a significantly better day, ey? Kumar is always dangerous.
Anyway, it's wonderful that we managed to seal this under these circumstances.
My suspicion for the last match:
-Holland (I have already prepared his voodoo doll)
-Hilfe (Come on Hilf!!)
-Klint (Go Klint you can do it!)
-Voges 10 overs (Wicket plz, yes?)
-Cock Burtley. Buck Courtlock. Clay Cockbird. Court Buttclock. Ahhhh you know who I mean... that guy from NSW. Will probably take min. 3 wickets (newbie effect).
I'm happy for Holland to play instead of King Nate - my Nathan needs a wee rest by now. I hope he will get to play in some of the upcoming tests now.
My concern is if Holland plays well and even gets a lucky wicket the bloody spinning debate will start again. Ah well, that'll happen anyway I guess... I agree though, NMH deserves to put his feet up for a while.
That's a good point actually, as I said it doesn't take much for the naysayers to start slamming my King Nate.
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