*Official* Second Test at the Adelaide Oval

[zaremba]

Not excusing Punter's captaincy or tactics but also observing that there are other factors at play here. Strauss has been spared these tough conditions because his bowlers made use of the only life in the pitch and Australia's batsmen conspired to make his job easy.

Punter his facing an opponent determined not to give an inch but he's not being given much support from his bowlers or fielders.

Yeah I don't disagree, just making the point that rightly or wrongly Ponting will be judged by the scoreboard

[Jacknife]

Interesting that both Punter and Greg Chappell apparently wanted Johnson in ahead of Bollinger despite the former's loss of form and confidence. Bollinger struggled a bit in his last Shield game and brings little to the table unless he's on top of his game. Johnson is often a match to match proposition but the tail looks long without him and at least he counts as a strike bowler.

And then there is Doherty who brings nothing to the table.

from what I saw of Cameron in the Aus A match,he looks a far better bowler than these,with the exception of Harris.

[Briony]

Our ****house batting and the ****ing road of a pitch easily accounts for the mess we are in.

Totally agree, day two and three were always going to be the best for batting. Had Australia made 400+, as any decent test line-up should have given the conditions, it wouldn't be in the predicament it is. Instead some batsmen were found wanting technique wise, others gifted their wickets, and the tail is long due to some injudicious selection.


And North is still in the team!

[four_or_six]

Our ****house batting and the ****ing road of a pitch easily accounts for the mess we are in.

I don't see why Ponting is getting the criticism. I'd look to the farcical selection policy, and I also wonder about whether the coach is up to it.

[Rant0r]

There's a few short memories going around at the moment re: Bollinger. Some credit has to be given to the English batsmen I feel. Not to downplay how flat the aussie bowlers have been at times, but it's easy to criticise and fault when things are going bad

[Spark]

Oh this just gets better and better. Massive, massive turn for the offie.

[zaremba]

That turned a bloody mile

[GingerFurball]

Graeme Swann likes that last delivery.

[zaremba]

Leg slip surely given this turn and bounce?

[Briony]

from what I saw of Cameron in the Aus A match,he looks a far better bowler than these,with the exception of Harris.

KOK and others thought he was worth punting on while he remains fit.

[Jacknife]

Swanny will be sat there, giggling to himself.

[Spark]

Chappelli makes an excellent point. That rough is exactly in Hauritz's zone.

[King Pietersen]

What's this Doherty fella been bowling so much for? North is clearly the frontline spinner in this side.

[Flem274*]

Xavier Doherty is easily one of the worst players I've ever seen play test cricket for Australia, he barely looks part time.

AWTA. Makes me feel loads better about Jeets.

[social]

Not excusing Punter's captaincy or tactics but also observing that there are other factors at play here. Strauss has been spared these tough conditions because his bowlers made use of the only life in the pitch and Australia's batsmen conspired to make his job easy.

Punter his facing an opponent determined not to give an inch but he's not being given much support from his bowlers or fielders.

Let's not use the pitch as an excuse as it demeans England's performance

Oz won the toss and had the opportunity to pile on the pressure but Eng have simply been too good so far