Australia in Bangladesh

[irottev]

Dizzy, you can do it!!!! Make this comeback test a win!

They still gotta get 3 wickets. 30 runs isn't a lot.

Ponting on strike, needs 8 runs for another much deserved 100.

EDIT: Make that 26. This could be done in a few overs now.

 

[aussie1st]

30 runs to win.
Talk about tight, and once again we are relying on our lower order. Would be much better if our batters could get the runs especially given we were 1/170.

 

[James219]

Good composure shown here by the two at the crease, Lee's once again showing his worth with the bat and Ponting's leading from the front with his own performances. Australia are well in front, but Bangla have got the runs on the board so that should give them an element of confidence and belief. But, they simply don't know how to win as they've never developed that victorious culture, and Australia have that experience.
EDIT: Gosh, game still very much in contention, Lee goes....
And by the way, he really should be promoted above Warne as mentioned by aussie1st; Warne, despite having the ability to score priceless runs, is just too loose with the bat these days, particularly against quality pace. (Something that Bangladesh don't have, though...)

 

[irottev]

PONTING 100!!!!! Great knock. Very hardwork. Lots of balls faced. Saved the Aussies the game.

17 runs now needed. Not long to go. Just stick in there.

And by the way, he really should be promoted above Warne as mentioned by aussie1st

I am in the club too

 

[kodos]

Mortaza surely has dropped the test match now.

 

[irottev]

Was Ponting dropped? Jeez!!!!

EDIT: "A crucial catch of Ponting was put down by Mortaza at fine leg."

Ahhhh!!!

 

[sohum]

Come on Bangla! Another twist is requested!

 

[James219]

Great, it's lunch, that'll be a tedious affair for both sides....

 

[aussie1st]

And by the way, he really should be promoted above Warne as mentioned by aussie1st; Warne, despite having the ability to score priceless runs, is just too loose with the bat these days, particularly against quality pace. (Something that Bangladesh don't have, though...)

Exactly, if Lee is promoted that means he definitely will bat with a batsmen. They could build a massive partnership together, also Lee will feel more safe as there is 4 wickets left instead of 3 (depending on our lineup structure).
Also means you split up two free flowing scorers (Gilly and Warne), and then after Warne you would have another rock.

Great, it's lunch, that'll be a tedious affair for both sides....

That just sucks But understandable as I can't see Aus getting the 17 runs any time soon.

 

[sohum]

Lol, this is a funny time for a lunch break. I wonder what the Tigers will discuss. Surely they could not have given up already.

 

[puddleduck]

Bangladesh will only have themselves to blame, a poor run-out yesterday to hand Australia back the initiative, and now dropping Ponting with another 35 runs needed!

Still, at least they have got it this far.

As I said on a previous page, if Ponting is still there at the end of the match, then Australia will have won this one, so for me that could well be game set and match Aussies.

Hopefully the Tigers will get some Jonny Cash playing during the lunch break, have a little sing-song, and come out inspired leading to a turnaround quicker than you can say "Ring of Fire"

Not holding my breath mind :

Regarding Warne and Lee, perhaps they feel that due to Warnes tendency to swing the bat a little, he should come in one up so if he gets out, there is still Lee and Dizzy to hold an end up?

Or perhaps they have Warne one higher so it increases the chances that he possibly gets that 100 that has thus far deserted him

 

[James219]

Lee is developing into a class lower-order bat, and he has the ability to perform conistently, hence he should be given the opportunity to play himself in with a specialist batsman providing support from the other end, so he'll have confidence in the fact that they'll keep their wicket in tact. Warne is very tentative these days, he backs away from quality pace, he fishes and swings across the line. That's not much comfort to the batsman at the other end either, for example it may be Gilchrist or something.
If Warne gets out early, that, as a result, places more pressure upon Lee and he doesn't have the security in which to ease into his innings, or if the specialist batsman is dismissed, despite Warne communicating well with Lee, he'll be forced to change his game.

 

[aussie1st]

Warne has never looked comfortable against the quicks, the Ashes proved that. He was backing away heaps, he was just lucky to have picked the right place the ball was going. But I don't question it, it works for him but I agree too risky for him to be batting with a batsmen. Let Lee do it first.

 

[puddleduck]

To add to my reasons on the last page for keeping Lee one behind Warne, they may not want Lee coming in to play the longer knock as a lower order batsman as being a quick bowler who puts everything into his bowling, they perhaps feel that they need him to conserve as much of his energy as possible for bowling. Afterall, if he bats for a couple of hours, (not in this case obviously) then they're all out, he will have to go and 20 minutes later be steaming in to open the bowling.

Not doubting that Lee is almost definately the superior batsman to Warne these days, but it does make some sense to get Warne out the way, either with a quickfire knock or not, and then know you have both Lee and Gillespie who can both in their different ways hold up an end. If Lee gets out however, knowing you have someone that could be very hit or miss, followed by Australias own "The Wall" could lead to a quick collapse.

 

[vizard]

17 needed .. i knew we would have to bank on Lee a bit even as we were only 3 down yesterday, the middle order isnt exactly crash hot at the moment but it's only added to the game. Ponting take us home, and by the way he's scoring 100's for fun of late..needs another run for one more and i think he'll get past the great man Sachin's 35 100's pretty soon