Pietersen Goes!

You have to laugh at how English cricket keeps managing to self destruct!

4 years ago, they were on top of the world, looking alot like South Africa probably now feel, having just knocked off the world's number 1, and threatening to move on up the rankings themselves. Since then, they've continually found ways to avoid their presumed, inevitable success. Today Pietersen has resigned, despite having the coach he couldn't work with, sacked!

Now Strauss takes over again and the revolving door to the English captaincy spins again like it was in the 80's and 90's.

While they could well be favourites to regain the Ashes this year, their Ashes opponents are wounded and now was the time to consolidate everything and present a formidable force to the touring and possibly quite inexperienced Aussies in 6 months. Here is a chance for England to inflict some scars on a side that will probably contain some players at the beginning of their careers. Instead, they're opening up old wounds of their own. Which side will be able to lose the Ashes this year, becuase I am now doubting, either will actually win it!

Australia's perfect record in '09

So, Australia are undefeated this calendar year ;-)


South Africa demonstratate yet again they have the mettle of a true number one side...well almost.

1/3 of the wickets in this Test match were LBWs. That's crap!


Matthew Hayden needs to buy his Queensland mate Mitchell Johnson as much beer as he asks for as Matty's final contribution to Test Cricket was almost to let the match slip through his fingers.


But what a great finish, again at the SCG, like last year.


This means we can go to the return series with some hope - very little mind you.


MacDonald, Bollinger and Siddle at least give us something to hope for in England next year - now let's find a spinner.


It was also heartening to see the great spirit all the matches were played in. It's a welcome change to see the back of all that crap that seems to go on when we play India. Good ridence for awhile at least.


Kudos to Graeme Smith - a class act given his previous form.

Australia builds a lead but when is enough, enough?

Australia are now building a lead, in a fashion we are more accustomed to. Ponting and Kattich have combined and after lunch on Day 4 have extended their lead to in excess of 250.

Now, in the past, this was the comfort zone. Now it's different though. In days gone by, when the Australian batting failed, I used to find myself thinking, "well we'll see how bad this really is, when the other mob tries to bat", and invariably, it turned out that Australia were doing pretty well, and would struggle.

Now this is all backwards. Australia are 1 for 130. What's going on? I'm sitting here thinking, if we can make this many, how many runs will South Africa get? We're going to need to be 500 in front aren't we?

The commentators on the ABC are saying just over 300 is enough - somehow I doubt it!

Groundhog Day!

It's Groundhog Day! 

We're now half way through the final session on Day 3 - South African tail-ender hanging around, Ricky Ponting continues to go through the motions - playing directly into South Africa's hands, by changing nothing!  The side is on auto-pilot, as they were in Melbourne on Day 3.

In Ponting's tenure, auto-pilot has always worked I suppose, but without the McGrath/Warne, operating system, that auto-pilot program aint what is used to be.

C'mon Ricky, change something for goodness sake! Not winning this Test match could be your undoing!

Australia vs South Africa, First two and half days of thrid and final test

Well here we are again in this familiar position! 

Two and half days into the Test Match and South Africa seemingly in a hopeless position. 

Ricky Ponting must be fretting. This is such familiar territory and on both previous occassion, South Africa have cruised home. 

Once again South Africa are on the ropes, about 200 behind, not many wickets in hand. They're on the ropes indeed, but worringly (for Australia) they are absorbing the blows. 

Can Australia somehow find that knock out punch that has eluded them all summer? 

South Africa are showing all the traits of a number one side they will soon be (formerly), in that they are setting small goals, achieving them, and squirming their way out of these hopeless situations. 

They start by slowing things up - deadening the attack, then ever so gradually, gaining some momentum of their own.  

Here we are again, holding whatever ground they can, wearing Australia down, setting themselves, ready to strike when the Australia beast is spent, frustrated and broken.