Picking the seam - 2009 Cricket Season

Well done Michael Hussey. Proved me wrong big time!! Brings up a very fine hundred. Also brings the 300 up. Haddin living dangerously at the other end. 246 req.

Well done England on winning the Ashes. You won the key moments and made the right selections in this final test based on the pitch condition, something that will sit uncomfortably in the Australian selectors minds.

Glad this series is over, I am about 1 week behind in sleep, but it was worth it (except for the result of course).

Pyjama cricket takes over with a couple of 20/20 and 7 (yes 7) ODI's.

Wes you have made life easy keeping up to date with the cricket without having to read a huge amount. Thanks mate

Looking forward to the pyjama game, but I think we will be slaughtered somewhat.

Few changes coming up I feel before our summer season starts in about 16 weeks.

Well, not that anyone really cares but we easily accounted for the Scots with our one day specialist team. David Hussey starred with 111 off 83 balls. I actually reckon we'll make a much better fist of the one dayers with the right players selected for the short form of the game.

Shame David Hussey is not in the One day squad, only playing 2 twenty twentys

Bump....

After a very low key build-up, the First Test between Australia and the West Indies starts this Thursday. The 12 man squad has been named: Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger. It is widely tipped that Nathan Hauritz will play, as the Gabba does take a fair amount of spin and provides ample bounce. The selection of the 3rd quick will be interesting. To me it looks like Hilfy will get a go, with Bollinger carrying the drinks. I'd be surprised if we play 2 left armers, however the Windies two most important batsmen (Gayle & Chanderpaul) are left handers so the selectors may be swayed. That is the only 50/50 selection call IMO. Hussey keeps his spot after his hundred at The Oval. I think he gets 4 innings to consolidate his position, otherwise he should be dropped to give some younger blood a chance before our 3 test series against Pakistan.

The Windies have not had the most ideal prep, chasing plenty of leather as Queensland piled on 600+ after knocking the tourists over for under 300 on a very good deck. The return of Chris Gayle (back after returning home to be with sick mother) will provide a mighty boost, however they don't seem to have the weapons to knock us over twice. Roach looked fiesty, but like the other bowlers did leak runs. Bravo will provide plenty on entertainment, whilst Taylor will be the most threatening bowler, especially to Clarke and Ponting.

Forecast for Thursday-Sunday in Brisbane looks very good, so no chance for the draw.

My tip: Aussies to win by 200+runs.
Man of the match: Mitchell Johnson

Im going for Ricky Ponting or Mike Hussey for man of the series! Cant wait for the cricket!

Aussies win the toss and bat first on a deck that is offering a bit of assistance to the bowlers. Shane Watson has been dismissed LBW to the bowling of Taylor for a globe. As expected Dougie Bollinger is orange boy.

I expect the Aussies to be 3/75 at lunch, with Ponting and Hussey to be out.

A good, even first days play. Despite the slow over rate, the Aussies reached 5/322. Plenty made starts, only Katich really went on with it. Hussey, Ponting and Clarke threw away golden opportunities to post hundreds. The Windies bowlers worked hard all day. I was impressed with Bravo.

If the Aussies get thru this first hour, then 450 is getable, which pretty much only allows 1 result, an Aussie win. That is unless Brisbane' fickle weather comes into calculations. Chance of storms tomorrow.

Well the storms will make it feel normal. Always has to be some storms in the QLD test!!!

Just checking out the test today while waiting or weather to develop. Seems like the Aussies are digging they're heals in,

Marcus doing well. AUS 5/332 @ 11:30pm

The Windies have lost their strike bowler in Taylor, who has succumb to a back injury. Only 2 results now, a draw and an Australian win.

Would be good to see North post a century.

His year has been up and down, but when he goes on with it - he goes on with it. Just racked up 50.

Starting to strike it well.

Taylors injury is actually left hip soreness, and in doubt for the remainder of the match.

Thats not good for the WI....

Day 3 commences in under an hour with the West Indies starting down the barrel. A superb spell after the tea interval saw the tourists lose 4 for 14, which undid a bright start by Gayle. Mitchell Johnson showed some of his best form had returned, mixing some full balls with some good bouncers. Siddle copped a pasting early doors but bounced bak to send Chanderpaul packing early. Watson and Hilfy chimed in also.

So the Windies are still a long way behind the follow-on target of 281 with only 5 wickets in hand. I would expect that we will bat again no matter the circumstance. Watson needs a good session out in the middle, and Punter will be wary of over-using his bowlers.

Just checked the radar and it looks like it will be an interrupted day.
http://www.bom.gov.au/products/IDR663.loop.shtml#skip

Brisbane Forecast
Issued at 4:50 am EST on Saturday 28 November 2009

Warning Summary
Nil.

Forecast for Saturday
Mostly fine. A shower or thunderstorm late afternoon or evening. Light to
moderate NW to NE winds, freshening in the afternoon.

Precis: Late shower or storm
City: Max 34
Bayside: Max 32
UV Alert: 7:20 am to 3:50 pm, UV Index predicted to reach 15 [Extreme]

Sunday Possible afternoon shower or storm

---------------------

Wouldn't be a traditional Test without the Gabba going under water and Richie Benaud commentating on the storm as it blasts through!!

I can remember a massive hail storm probably 15 years ago. Couple of the aussies came out in helmets and starting kicking a footy!!!!

Edit: 92/93 and it was Des Haynes hamming it up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkxHaPguq9Q

LOL!!! Now that is my sort of cricket match!!!

Thanks for the link.

Another one out, Mitchell bowling well!!

West Indies just look disinterested. A lot of trouble with West Indies cricket and it shows in the way they are playing. Looking like a likely innings plus victory. Crowd is more like a domestic match crowd. We were spoiled with South Africa coming over last summer and a great series, this year we have to settle for West Indies and Pakistan and both should prove easy beats IMO.

EDIT: This is really irritating we with Hauritz and Watson bowling with 2 wickets to get. Reminds me of the test in England that we didn't win because they hung on for a draw. Obviously a vastly different situation this time, but still really irritating. Why can't they just bring in Johnson and Siddle and get it over with.

And an innings plus it was Andrew. Ponting picked the mood after knocking the Windies over 1st time and had no hesotatiopn to send them in again. A big well done to the bowlers, 110+ overs on the trot is a great base for the summer. Feet up now and enjoy some QLD fishing.

An all around good display. Special mention to Barath, who scored a great hundred on debut. The only one who really put a price on his wicket.

Ho hum, no cricket to watch tomorrow. However the weather is still exciting

Man of the Match: Ben Hilfenhaus.

No complaints there. 5 wickets for the match and knocked over Chris Gayle LBW in both innings.

Second test starts next Friday at the Adelaide Oval.