*Official* Fourth Test at the MCG

[fredfertang]

yeah - that outpost of the French Empire to East of the Pennines

[Pothas]

Yeah no need for us to panic that is for sure. Bell should go to five and there is certainly a case for dropping Collingwood but think it is very unlikely.

Would not object to Finn being replaced, I am a big fan of his and all things considered I think he has done pretty well this series but the guy is still very young and he probably needs a rest anyway. Only problem is that I still don't think Bresnan can really cut it as part of a four man attack, Shazhad is a better option but still represents just as much a risk as Finn in terms of the likelihood of being expensive.

[Marcuss]

Finn's FC economy is almost 10% higher. Not sure how much you can read into that but he kept it tight against Aus A IIRC and also for the first innings against Vic

[JBH001]

The other issue for Strauss and Flower is Swann. Hussey has a real ascendancy over him and it seems to have spooked him.

I don't think he has bowled all that well on this tour apart from the second innings at Adelaide. But with 4 bowlers, Swann needs to step up otherwise it is too much pressure on Anderson and Tremlett (Anderson especially who may just bowl himself into the ground come Sydney if Swann isn't able to hold up an end effectively in the tests to come).

[GotSpin]

I'd keep the 4 pace bowling attack. Always an advocate of playing your 4 best bowlers.

[GotSpin]

Presuming we clean up the English tail in under an hour, I cannot wait for this test. It's going to have an awesome atmosphere going in at 1 all

[TumTum]

I'll be there

[Ruckus]

I think in this test it will be crucial for us to win the toss and make a big total batting first. I just can't see England being rolled for less than 200 three times in a row.

[Noble One]

With the way the weather has been it will be interesting if five days of play are possible at the MCG.

Club cricket has been ruined this season by so much rain. My local club would barely have played half the available days. It is raining yet again today and wouldn't be 20c outside.

[Spark]

There's a good chance of rain on Boxing Day itself (which would suck) and there might be a bit on Day 2 but not much for the rest.

[vic_orthdox]

Originally Posted by Noble One

With the way the weather has been it will be interesting if five days of play are possible at the MCG.

Club cricket has been ruined this season by so much rain. My local club would barely have played half the available days. It is raining yet again today and wouldn't be 20c outside.

Very true. Reckon there's a big chance of us being one all going to Sydney.

[GotSpin]

Originally Posted by Spark

There's a good chance of rain on Boxing Day itself (which would suck) and there might be a bit on Day 2 but not much for the rest.

The BOM doesn't have a forecast of the 26th, but the 25th looks perfect

[Spark]

Ah OK. I'm looking at the 28-day rain forecast. Granted that that's not entirely accuratae.

[GotSpin]

Originally Posted by Spark

Ah OK. I'm looking at the 28-day rain forecast. Granted that that's not entirely accuratae.

BOM is generally quite accurate

Melbourne Metropolitan Area

[NUFAN]

Is it too late to shift the match to Etihad?

It better not rain!