***Official*** 3rd Test at the WACA

[valvolux]

Here's a couple of day 4 photos. The first is just as Gilly takes the catch to dismiss cook late in the day - very flukey photography I tell you. The second is of GD McGrath on his way back to his fielding position after that crucial over, receiving a standing ovation from the members.

[GIMH]

Great photos mate

[Craig]

I can picture that.

James Baker: "To ever obtain the desired result, it is imperative that the Allies seek the co-operation of the nations closest to Australia, in this case New Zealand and Papua New Guinea".

ECB: "You mean we should retain Geraint Jones in the team? WTF?".

Give this guy the $10,000 (or in this case the 10,000 euros).

Seriously though that is the Skull winner right there for mine.

[howardj]

For sure - post of the year.

[marc71178]

Yeah, I actually stole the line from Gelman to be honest.

It's good to see at least Marc got what I meant.

Although I disagreed as I don't think the rest of them are all underperforming *that* much, certainly not the batsmen.

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I didn't say you agreed, I just said you got what I meant.

[Matt79]

Here's a couple of day 4 photos. The first is just as Gilly takes the catch to dismiss cook late in the day - very flukey photography I tell you. The second is of GD McGrath on his way back to his fielding position after that crucial over, receiving a standing ovation from the members.

Nice pics

[Jono]

That photo of Cook's dismissal is brilliant.

[marc71178]

I didn't say you agreed, I just said you got what I meant.

Fair enough.

Out of interest, what do you base the comparison with Lara on seeing the way the middle order (in particular) are performing?

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I wasn't even being serious, it was just a point from the WACA test where he'd been left alone with the tail.

But really, the Windies have Lara, then two other batsman who can make reasonable runs: Chanderpaul and Gayle. England have had Collingwood and Bell make consistent runs. Kind of works as a comparison, but not really.

Anyway, I think KP should bat @ 4. Surely he needs to be able to turn these 50* and 70 holing out with the 10 at the crease into big hundreds.

[FaaipDeOiad]

There's an argument for protecting Pietersen from the newer ball though, and I think he's certainly better at batting with the tail than Collingwood. Could go either way.

[PhoenixFire]

There's an argument for protecting Pietersen from the newer ball though, and I think he's certainly better at batting with the tail than Collingwood. Could go either way.

Collingwood also seems to be pretty uncomfortable when he's facing swinging and seaming deliveries, Pietersen has a much better technique than Collingwood, one that should be able to cope with the new ball better.

[Mister Wright]

Collingwood also seems to be pretty uncomfortable when he's facing swinging and seaming deliveries, Pietersen has a much better technique than Collingwood, one that should be able to cope with the new ball better.

Technique really doesn't matter when you have a good eye. Bradman's technique wasn't the best, but his hand-eye coordination was simply brilliant. Pietersen is just amazing in what he does. His confidence at the crease really does put the pressure on the bowlers. He is as equally as good off the front foot as he is off the back and can play shots on the off and on without any obvious weaknesses and of course there's his ability to be able to play the unorthodux shots well. I don't see the new ball being a big problem for him.

[PhoenixFire]

Basically, Pietersen's technique is to get really far forward, whether it's the first ball of the innings or the last. Collingwood tends to prod forward and be a little tentative early on.

[James90]

Did anyone else think the inclusion of Mahmood ahead of Anderson was a bit dodgy? I know that hindsight's a wonderful thing but really I never rated Saj and Anderson had just gunned it in a tour match. Having said that they'll probably stick with Saj for Melbourne.