Boxing Day Test Aust. Vs Pakistan.

[Jarro]

well the Pakis are surely going to make this one a bit more of a contest. Some good batting from the top order today, quite a contrast from the first test

Can't recall the last time in a test where the Aussies hadn't taken a wicket in the first hour

[Onewood]

Can't recall the last time in a test where the Aussies hadn't taken a wicket in the first hour

Hide hayden down at fine leg and we may have a chance

Ausies will need to score there normal 500 + in this one

It will still only last 4 days either way :P

[davidp]

Maybe some of Hayden's lack of confidence in his batting is seeping into his fielding. Usually he has a safe pair of mitts.

[McMw]

well....at least this test will be interesting...

[Ona]

calling it.. DRAW

[AndyP]

Seems to be a pretty boring pitch, that suits the batters at this stage. Might see some spin take over later on, if it's not raining.

Disappointing to see Clarke's bowling averages get destroyed too.

[Golfgirl]

Good lord! We have a cricket match on our hands!!!

I wasn't quite as convinced after the Paki's session with the bat this morning, despite the heroic knock from Youhana yesterday, but Akhtar is certainly creating havoc amongst the boys atm!!!

I don't know about the draw call.... this one could come down to the wire....

[AndyP]

I don't know about the draw call.... this one could come down to the wire....

I wouldn't worry about that. These guys call a draw at the drop of a hat, just like they did for the 1st Test vs New Zealand.

Good lord! We have a cricket match on our hands!!!

Maybe. I'll reserve judgement until all the Aussies are out, or at least until Gilly is gone. Until then, anything could happen.

[Jarro]

looks like we won't get any more play today.... it's hailing in Melbourne

[Jarro]

AMAZING

hailing half an hour ago, now the suns out.. and they're gonna start play again

I don't think i could stand living in Melbourne.

[Onewood]

Clarke has some growing up to do See he kept the strike for abouit 4 overs straight before he got out and was'nt in real good form in those overs......I think he needs to hand the strike over a bit more when he's struggling a bit

[Davemason]

I think the Paki's played like crap in the first test to lull the Australians into a false sense of security, A big turn around in playing performance.

[markTHEblake]

no way it will be a draw, too many wickets down already for that. a result by lunchtime 5th day.

I would like to see australia get bowled out for about 50 in the first innings. then we will see some competittion. call it a fair handicap.

[McMw]

u can blame ponting for giving the pakis ammunition....

I can't understand why he couldn't just wait till the test series was over before he made such a comment...

[Jarro]

i think the big turnaround in the Pakis performance in this Test is because Inzamam isn't their captain .....

.. talk about a big, useless, no-talent He doesn't exactly lead by example does he :P

I'm willing to call this Test a draw though.

[Jarro]

i'd officially like to withdraw my "draw" prediction

[McMw]

great bowling by the two pakis tho...5for for both of them...very impressive!!!

[Onewood]

It will still only last 4 days either way :P

I might stay with mine

[AndyP]

i'd officially like to withdraw my "draw" prediction

When will you learn, you fool?

[Golfgirl]

What the @#$% is going on with these Paki's..... everytime I get excited because they are putting up a bit of a fight, they manage to screw it up.....

Hope the one day series will be more exciting than the Tests have been.....

[Bruce]

Another example of why the Aussie team is the best test side in the world.

The Pakis were on top for 4 out of 6 sessions over the first two days with the Aussies really only winning one. Then yesterday they got Gilly out with the Aussies nearly 100 behind. They should have taken a lead into the second innnings. But Martyn and Dizzy batted them out of the game again. Then the woes are compounded by another horrible batting performance.

Test matches can't be won in a single session, but they can certainly be lost in one.

With *nothing* on telly last night I spent a bit of time watching the Jarpies and the Poms. England were on the ropes too after Kallis' amazing innings, but then a massive opening stand by Strauss and Trescothick has batted England back into the game. South Africa have lost their nerve. They played for draws in India and then yesterday with a healthy first innings lead couldn't force the issue and have drifted from strong favourites to level the series to slight outsiders.

[Bruce]

It happened again.

How did Pakistan go from being one wicket away from putting the heat on the Aussies to losing the game comprehensively? Both here and Perth. They couldn't get Gilly and Langer out and were batted out of the game in Perth. Yesterday they had Gilly out with a reasonable lead on the board. In a little more than a days play they have lost by 9 wickets.

I blame ODI cricket. Games can be won with a mere 50 overs of strong performance matched to 50 overs of adequate performance. No one seems able to match it with the Aussies over the course of 400 (or hopefully more) overs.

[McMw]

maybe the aussies are just better at batting as pairs, and concentrating on the partnership when things are going bad...

with the other teams, once they start losing 2 or 3 quick wickets, the floodgates really open...

just have a look at what happen today, Third Dest....8 wickets lost for 99 runs...