***Official*** 5th Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground

[Mister Wright]

I really hope the pitch for the test is something similar to the one served up for the NSW v QLD Ford Ranger game the other week where there was a lot of bounce for the paceman and good turn for the spinners. Hard for the batsmen to get in, but once they were in there were runs. Would make a good contest IMO.

 

[Alysum]

I doubt MacGill will play as australia has already won plus they can't drop Clark. Unless they go with 5 bowlers dropping Symonds.

 

[aussie]

True, could be the 1st SCG test that MacGill will miss in a long time. Could probably be the end of his excellent test career if we don't see him TBH..

 

[Jamee999]

England

AJ Strauss*
AN Cook
IR Bell
PD Collingwood
KP Pietersen
EC Joyce
CMW Read+
SCJ Broad
MJ Hoggard
SJ Harmison
MS Panesar

 

[Alysum]

you forgot someone...

 

[GotSpin]

Tough call Jamee, dropping flintoff.

 

[howardj]

Got a feeling it could be JL's final Test match.

 

[Mister Wright]

True, could be the 1st SCG test that MacGill will miss in a long time. Could probably be the end of his excellent test career if we don't see him TBH..

If anyone's goig to be dropped for MacGill it has to be Lee. 8 wickets @ 50+ is just not good enough, no matter how good he looks or how much effort he puts in. The job of a bowler is to take wickets and Lee isn't doing that. But, MacGill isn't eactly saying to the selectors, "You must pick me!" with his performances of late.

 

[Mister Wright]

I reckon if Symonds fails again in Melbourne with the bat, the selectors should think about Cameron White for the 5th test. He is in fine form with the bat and could bat at 6 or 7 and although he hasn't bowled that well this season he could be another spinning option. Because the selectors don't want to drop Brett Lee despite he's not taking wickets it could be an option.

However, the talk is that Symonds will get the last 2 tests.

 

[PhoenixFire]

Symonds just isn't really good enough at Test level to be honest, he has been given more than enough chances to prove himself, and none have payed off. Look to the future, not the past.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

The continued selection of Symonds is pretty amazing, but he's done an okay job with the ball in his test career so far. Not a great record or anything, but he's taken key wickets in a few tests now. If anything his bowling has exceeded expectations, while his batting has fallen well short.

It'd be great if Watson was fit, but as it is Symonds will definitely play the remaining tests and then it'll be curtains on his test career.

 

[Tomm NCCC]

I have a cousin who is flying out to see this game. He is 19 and its his 7th holiday this year. Yes, seventh. He should be at work grafting, but instead he is constantly on holiday. I can at least take some pleasure out of him being miserable.

 

[AussieDominance]

Who is going to watch it?

I sure am lining up at 6:00 to 6:30 to get good seats. As im a Junior Member.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

I would kill for some tickets tbh.

Is Day 5 open to whoever?

 

[AussieDominance]

I think there is a refund if the match goes for less than an hour of any day or something like that. Or on the 5th day as it sometimes is like 5 runs to get or something.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

Got a feeling it could be JL's final Test match.

I also get the feeling it may be Gilly's as well.

 

[Nate]

Would be great to be there on the 5th day. Assuming the Test lasts that long...

 

[aussie]

Would do anything to fly down to Sydney now. But i could still see Warne at least twice over the next 2 years & McGrath if he goes to the WC. But it will be an even greater day than when Waugh retired..

 

[lord_of_darkness]

Sydney heads for the ODI

http://www.cricketweb.net/forum/showthread.php?t=21387

 

[GotSpin]

Would do anything to fly down to Sydney now. But i could still see Warne at least twice over the next 2 years & McGrath if he goes to the WC. But it will be an even greater day than when Waugh retired..

I was there when Waugh retired, great day. Still got the red flag things that were given out.