Lets not suggest that Australia are masters of the 8-1 field as you are insinuating in the last paragraph. I can't remember Australia using an 8-1 field. McGrath bowled with a 7-2 field often, but that was because he virtually never bowled on the pads, not because his line was wide.
As for over rates: I agree with you. I don't think more wides are the answer either. Penalty runs for slow over rates - like 10 runs per minute of overtime would soon sharpen up the bowling side. Or some rule about limited field changes, or banning mid over bowler/captain conferences. I don't care what really, but the current setup is ridiculous. I can't remember the last time a team bowled 30 overs in one of the first 2 sessions. Anyone remember the last time?? It'd be a good trivia question...
And Ponting should be ashamed. His tardiness here has cost Australia all the momentum they had at tea and allowed Harbhajan and Dhoni to add 100 without real threat. That's just pissing the game away with bad management. As soon as he brings Watson back, suddenly the wickets begin to tumble - albeit from the other end.
